1985 Songs: Take the Skinheads Bowling
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86778)
United States
March 17, 2025 12:28pm CST
Here’s another one that almost made the top ten. You’re going to wrinkle your nose in disbelief at this one (if the title doesn’t tell you that in advance). But then, if you’ve read my music posts for years then it’s no real surprise. 
Happy 40th birthday to this great cult classic.
Take the Skinheads Bowling - Camper Van Beethoven
This song is intentionally stupid. Songwriter David Lowrey (who’s also the lead singer…and the lead singer/songwriter for the more popular band he’s in, Cracker) admitted it. He also admitted that he is totally surprised that this is Camper Van Beethoven’s legacy (even though they did have a hit, the cover of Status Quo’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men”). If their name isn’t a dead giveaway, then song titles like “ZZ Top Goes to Egypt” and “Where the Hell is Bill” might make you nod in agreement that they’re a little strange.
Heck, back in the 80s I even had a Camper Van Beethoven “skinhead bowling league” t-shirt. 
But you need some humor every now and then.
Take the Skinheads Bowling
Written by David Lowery
Recorded by Camper Van Beethoven
From Telephone Free Landslide Victory, 1985
I had a dream, it was about nothing:
Happy 40th birthday to this great cult classic.
Take the Skinheads Bowling - Camper Van Beethoven
This song is intentionally stupid. Songwriter David Lowrey (who’s also the lead singer…and the lead singer/songwriter for the more popular band he’s in, Cracker) admitted it. He also admitted that he is totally surprised that this is Camper Van Beethoven’s legacy (even though they did have a hit, the cover of Status Quo’s “Pictures of Matchstick Men”). If their name isn’t a dead giveaway, then song titles like “ZZ Top Goes to Egypt” and “Where the Hell is Bill” might make you nod in agreement that they’re a little strange.
Heck, back in the 80s I even had a Camper Van Beethoven “skinhead bowling league” t-shirt. But you need some humor every now and then.
Take the Skinheads Bowling
Written by David Lowery
Recorded by Camper Van Beethoven
From Telephone Free Landslide Victory, 1985
I had a dream, it was about nothing:Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
8 people like this
7 responses
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
17 Mar 25
Y’all should sing this before “The Rodeo Song.”
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238338)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Mar 25
@FourWalls I will listen to it closely.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
18 Mar 25
Oh, come on, you sing Adso to sleep with this every night! 
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (8301)
• United Kingdom
18 Mar 25
This is a great fun tune. I’ve never heard of them but I like them. 
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
18 Mar 25
I know, they’re just having a good time! Lowery said that everyone was writing such deep songs during that time so he pulled a Seinfeld and gave us a song about nothing!
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
18 Mar 25
Don’t you have a pellet burner manufacturer’s butt to kick?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135881)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Mar 25
@FourWalls Yes I do. Of course right now it's working right
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Mar 25
Now why would I want to do that????
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86778)
• United States
18 Mar 25
This had a video played on the MTV “college rock” show, and it was known by word of mouth. I think our radio stations were starting to overplay Bon Jovi then. 
1 person likes this
