23rd November 2020:
I am taking a bit of a chance today with this mini-feature, but I want to express up front that this is a post about the art of good parody and NOT a political statement. Having said that, I wish I had come across these clips a few months ago.
Parody and satire differ in that parody uses a known song, whereas satire is normally an original work. My recent mini-feature on Tim Minchin is a perfect example of satire. Last night, after a long day of concentrating at the computer, I checked my YouTube notifications and this popped up in the sidebar.
When you can rewrite 6+ minutes of a Bob Dylan song in a way that makes you wonder if he had a hand in it, it is a sign of good parody, and this is amongst the best. To start today’s threesome of parody is Founders Sing ft The Journalists and ‘Like a Kidney Stone’ (Like a Rolling Stone – but you knew that!).
For the second look at what makes good parody I’ve chosen a track that Founders Sing released yesterday in response to Rudy Giuliani’s hair-dye malfunction that was such fun to watch. This time they have put their lyrical cleverness to Billy Joel’s classic ‘Only the Good Die Young’, or is that ‘Don’t Let Your Hair Dye Run’.
I tried to find out more about Founders Sing, but I suppose the fact that I can’t find anything isn’t surprising. There are a large number of people out there who won’t find their brand of humour funny and they could end up in someone’s firing line. Tough!
I’m finishing this quick parody mini-feature with the song that sparked my curiosity last night. Not only is it funny, but the word-crafting is spot on. Whoever they are, Founders Sing isn’t scared of a lyrical challenge, and they don’t sing too badly either.
There is some parody out there which is quite puerile. It’s a hard balance to get right. Not only must the lyrics fit, but they should also be pertinent, funny and in keeping with the style of the original. Founders Sing have found that balance.
I’ve listened to a couple of the songs that they have posted on their official website which is worth a visit if you want to do some exploring .You’ll find them on foundersing.com. Even though their prime target is on his way out of the White House (collective sigh of relief) I am sure that they won’t run out of scenarios to suit their particular talents. Closing today is their take on Don McLean’s classic American Pie, or as they call it ‘The Day Democracy Died’
The Loving the Music mini-features are written and compiled by me to support Loving the Music Facebook page and group. Join the community for regular themed three-part posts that do do more than just share a song.
The Author owns no copyright on the images or videos in this article. All images and links sourced from YouTube and Google and within the public domain.
Words © Andrew Knapp 2020
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