Ten Favorite Music Songs: The Music Goes Round and Round (#5)

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It's time to check in on another music song! Yes, most songs are music, but not all of them have the word "music" in their title. These are my ten favorites that have such a distinction. Here's an oldie but goodie for the next song on my list. #5: The Music Goes Round and Round - Homer & Jethro What's this? The kings of parody, Weird Al before Weird Al was even born, doing a straight song? Actually, they did four "straight" albums in their career: two instrumental albums and two albums where they did novelty songs (so they didn't need to "doctor them" any). The better of the latter two is 1962's Zany Songs of the 30s, a tribute to the music they listened to as teenagers. Needless to say, this isn't Alice Cooper or Duran Duran! Rather, the songs were from the "swing" era of popular music, where many of the songs were fun and lighthearted. (Jethro once said, "I never had to study American history. I was there.") Dating to 1936, "The Music Goes Round and Round" was first recorded by Tommy Dorsey. Over the years, it's been in movies and recorded by countless acts (Ella, anyone?). However, being a country music geek -- and significantly younger than my parents (who were mere children in the 30s, not teenagers) -- my first introduction to this song was on a Homer & Jethro record. And there's nothing wrong with that. Beneath the laughs, Homer and Jethro were universally regarded as musician's musicians. Even today, over 25 years after Jethro's death (and 45 years after Homer's), you still hear musicians speak fondly and reverently of Jethro's mandolin playing and Homer's second-to-none rhythm guitar playing. They were good for many laughs. They were also good at "straight" takes on songs. The Music Goes Round and Round Written by Edward Farley, Mike Riley, and Red Hodgson Recorded by Homer & Jethro From Zany Songs of the 30s, 1962 You blow through here: