The Simpsons – Sing The Blues (1990)

I was recently sorting through my CDs when I came across this. Sad I know but I played it again for a laugh! In my defence I was only young and it beats the Bob The Builder songs! Anyway heres my first CD review so I thought I would do a fun one that we can all have a laugh at.

So who are The Simpsons?

For those of you who haven’t heard of them where have you been? The Simpsons is a cartoon created by Matt Groening way back in 1987. It first got aired on the Tracy Ullman show. Due to popular demand it now has become a 30 minute show played on Sky One and BBC2.

The most famous dysfunctional TV family has to be the Simpsons! The Simpsons are Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. There are thousands of other characters I could mention but this is not a review of the programme so on to the CD!

There have been four albums released and Sing The Blues was the first. It was released in 1990 and then re-released in 1996. I tried finding out how many copies were sold, the only figure I could find was 4 million so I’m not sure if this is correct!

The Simpsons

Homer Simpson – Dan Castellaneta
Marge Simpson – Julie Kavener
Bart Simpson – Nancy Cartwright
Lisa Simpson – Yeardley Smith
Maggie Simpson – Matt Groening

Mr Burns – Harry Shearer
“Bleeding Gums” Murphy – Ron Taylor
Smithers – Harry Shearer
“School Day” Narrator – Buster Poindexter

**Do The Bartman **

Do the Bartman was originally aired on 12/6/90 during The Simpsons second season and was number one in 1991 for 3 weeks.

For anyone who doesn’t remember this let me try and refresh your memory. Here’s how is starts:

Yo, Hey what's happenin' dude
I'm a guy with a rep for bein' rude
Terrorizin' people wherever I go
It's not intentional, just keepin' the flow…

OK OK I’ll stop! (I could here you shouting!) I won’t inflict the rest on you! So you remember now?

It’s basically a rap by Bart. You may remember the video where he travels the world teaching everyone the Bartman!

Its been rumoured that Michael Jackson was on backing vocals but its not actually listed in the credits. But that would explain the line

If you can do the Bart you're bad like
Michael Jackson

It’s a catchy song and I apologise if I have got you singing it!

**School Day**

This is a cover version of the Chuck Berry song. I don’t personally know it so I can’t comment on how similar it sounds. This version is sung by Bart and is singing about his school day.

Ring! Ring! Goes the bell. The cook in the lunchroom is ready to sell. Puaj!!!

It sounds very rock and roll to me (Hail, hail rock'n roll. Long live rock'n roll gives it away). Plus it sounds something similar to what my Dad listens to!

It’s not one of the best songs on the album. I hear a few of you laughing asking if there are any!?

**Born Under A Bad Sign**

This song is a cover version of an Albert King blues song and has B B King on guitar. I don’t know who these people are but I’m sure someone does. It’s sung by Homer who is feeling very sorry for himself!

If it wasn't for bad luck,
I tell ya I wouldn't have no luck at all.

He also decides he should have himself a jazz name, which is very funny:

I think now that I'm a blues singer, I should have some kind of name.
How 'bout Muddy Simpson. No. Big Homer. T-Bone Homer.
Blind Lemon Simpson. Blind Lemon-lime Homer. Blind Grapefruit Homer.
Blind Strawberry Alarm Clock Homer. No that's... they used that.

It’s not a cheery song but I guess you worked that out seeing as it’s a blue song.

**Moanin’ Lisa Blues**

This is a blues song sang by Lisa. It was actually featured in an episode but the album version is actually longer.

I think the best lyric from this song is

My daddy acts like,
like he belongs in the zoo

Haha all those who watch the Simpsons will know what Homer is like and how sensible Lisa is compared to him! It’s not a memorable song at all.

**Deep, Deep Trouble**

'Deep Deep Trouble' reached number 7 in the charts in April 1991. The original airdate was apparently July 3rd 1991 so this means it was aired after it was a hit. This is probably one of the most popular songs from the album. If not popular then the most recognised! The song is basically about Bart getting in trouble as usual! It takes us through Bart doing various things and getting in trouble. It’s done in a rap style and has Homer yelling at Bart throughout it and Marge telling him to go to his room. The chorus is

Trouble
Deep Deep Trouble

Repeated over and over. He ends up being taken down to the barbers as a punishment.

‘I said "Please sir, just a little of the top."
Dude shaved me bare gave me a lollipop
so on my head there's nothing but stubble
man I hate being in deep deep trouble

Deep, Deep Trouble was produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff but I’m not sure if he wants this known.

**God Bless The Child**

This is a Billie Holiday song now sung by Lisa. Again I don’t know the original so can’t comment on how similar it is. There is a bit where Mr Murphy (her saxophone teacher) speaks to her before she plays a solo on her sax. This is definitely one of the weaker songs. I can’t see anyone particularly liking this song.

**I Love To See You Smile**

This is a cover version of a Randy Newman song sung by Homer and Marge. This is basically the two singing the duet together saying how much the love each other to smile. Its not catchy at all and there isn’t really much to say about it! They seem to repeat themselves ‘the only place I wanna be is where I can see you smile at me’.

Homer: In a world that's full of trouble,
You make it all worthwhile.
Both: What would I do, if I didn't have you?
Oh, I love to see you smile.
Mmm, I love to see you smile.

Marge: I mean that sincerely, Homer.
Homer: I know.

**Springfield Soul Stew**

This is a cover of a King Curtis song which was originally titled Memphis Soul Stew. It is sung by Marge and starts off with her asking for different instruments to play.

Gimme about a half a teacup of bass.
Now, I need a pound of fatback drums

Then it carries on giving the rest of the ‘recipe’ for the Springfield Soul Stew. Lisa plays the saxophone as you may have guessed! As with all the covers it’s not a very good track.

**Look At All Those Idiots**

This is one of my favourite songs on the album. It’s sung by Mr Burns complaining about his employees at his plant. Mr Smithers, as always, is accompanying Mr Burns. The chorus goes something like:
Look at all those idiots
Ooh, look at all those boobs.
An office full of morons
A factory full of fools

It wouldn’t be complete without him insulting Homer. He is described by Smithers as a ‘drone from sector 7 G’. Mr Burns wants to call him to his office so he can make him feel small

If he's 6 feet when he enters,
He'll be two feet when I'm done

Just what you would expect from Mr Burns. He wouldn’t be loved if he wasn’t as nasty as he is! Definitely one of the more fun tracks on the album.

**Sibling Rivalry**

This is all about the ups and downs of having a sibling. It’s sung by Bart and Lisa and as you would expect Lisa is being the goody goody and Bart is up to his usual tricks:

Bart: I put a spider on her shoulder.
(Back: Oh, ya, wooh.)
Lisa: I'm not aware that it is fake.
(Back: Ooh, ooh, ooh.)
Bart: I ask her what the heck that thing is.
(Back: Eeww!)
Lisa: I turn and start; I scream and shake.
(Back: Scream and shake!)

Again it’s not a great song but its funny in places.

So do I recommend this album?

Well it’s good for a laugh and then only if you like the Simpsons. Even though its well over ten years old it may still have appeal as the Simpsons are still the rage. I recommend it to fans of the Simpsons and kids. There are some rather funny songs on the album but I wouldn’t rush out to buy it!

This is my first music review so feedback gratefully received! I’ll also have to do another one pronto to redeem my taste!