This topic was already covered to some extent in the Novelty Songs thread. I like novelty songs, but they can wear thin after awhile. I know people who don’t like humor in music at all, though, and I could never really understand that. What I love most are the bands and songs that can combine both seriousness and humor together.

Barenaked Ladies - Grade 9

Ben Folds Five - Steven’s Last Night in Town
Two great examples are Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds. They’re both funny enough that I’ll occasionally laugh out loud at one of their songs. But have enough serious material that their songs don’t get old. I think my favorite line in this Ben Folds song is when he says, "I think Steven was mad, maybe he wasn’t mad, but we felt very strange in the moment, but the moment was passed and forgotten about." But my favorite line to sing is, "Lost points with the ladies for saying he couldn’t love a woman with cellulite."

Young Fresh Fellows - Amy Grant
When I was a teen in Seattle there was one local band that was my favorite to see live because they were so funny, the Young Fresh Fellows. Most people don’t know this, but in addition to the grunge scene going on in those days, Seattle had a whole other scene of funny pop bands. I think the only one to really gain any sort of popularity was the Posies. But it was the Fellows who ruled the school. "What the people want to hear is pure, unadulterated schlock."

Built to Spill - I Would Hurt a Fly
Built to Spill are a band I consider really funny…but I don’t know if anyone else will agree with me. I know the vocals can be a bit whiny and may bother some, but his lyrics just crack me up. "There’s a mean bone in my body."

Flaming Lips - Everything’s Exploding
There’s probably funnier songs I could post by them, later stuff, but all I have is one of their early albums. And it’s one of my all-time favorite albums. "When I look in my mirror and my brains are falling out of my head, well there’s nothing wrong, it’s just the way I feel. If you don’t like it, write your own song."

The Decemberists - Los Angeles, I’m Yours
LA is just too easy to make fun of. "I can see your undies."

Madness - Baggy Trousers
Madness started out as a British ska band in the 80’s, but they later just became more pop than ska. They’re known in the US for their hit "Our House." They actually have a large catalogue of great stuff. They can do funny, novelty type stuff, and serious melancholy stuff.

Toy Dolls - Fiery Jack
Can’t do a post on humorous music and not include something punk. The Toy Dolls were a British punk band with really goofy songs. I debated between posting this or something by the Buzzcocks, and figured I’d go with these guys since I’m guessing people are already familiar with the Buzzcocks. Even though the Toy Dolls border on novelty.

Hoodoo Gurus - Death Defying
The Hoodoo Guru’s first two albums are pure genius. They’re the kings of funny storytelling in songs. Well, maybe the Barenaked Ladies have them beat. But the Hoodoo Gurus are a personal fave from my teenage years. I wanted to use my favorite song of theirs, called “Dig It Up,” all about how you shouldn’t give up on love. The narrator is so prepared to not give up on love that he’s going to dig up his dead girlfriend, in fact. But I don’t have it in digital format. So I’m using “Death Defying,” which cracks me up simply because of the “ooh wee’s” in it. I’ve heard this song was written because the band had lost a lot of friends to the AIDS virus.

All songs should be posted in the radio.blog, let me know if any give you problems.