Doubleback Alley by The Rutles from The Rutles
Day 23 of Fictional Band February: the Rutles!
Do these guys remind you of anyone?
Here’s the deal, I almost didn’t include the Rutles because I grew up in a household deficient in vitamin Beatles and I’m pretty undeveloped in my Beatles knowledge BUT this is about the Rutles, not the Beatles! Right? Right.
Okay, so the Rutles are best known for the 1978 mockumentary All You Need is Cash but appeared two years prior in Rutland Weekend Television, Eric Idle’s sketch comedy show. Later that year, when Idle hosted Saturday Night Live, he brought the original sketch with him. When he hosted the show again, the following year, there was another Rutles sketch and song. In 2002, Idle wrote and produced a sequel titled ‘Can’t Buy Me Lunch’ and I haven’t watched it yet so I can’t say too much about it.
The Rutles are Dirk McQuickly (Idle), Ron Nasty (Neil Innes - who composed the songs AND one of them, Cheese and Onions later appeared on a Beatles bootleg!), Stig O’Hara (Rikki Fataar), and Barry Wom - real name Barringtom Womble (John Halsey). There was also a ‘fifth Rutle’ named Leppo. Hehe!
Today’s song is Doubleback Alley since everyone unanimously requested it. Pretty much every Rutles song on the All You Need is Cash soundtrack is great and I love them bunches. Some of the parodies are closer than others and some are SO CLOSE that ATV Music sued Innes for copyright infringement, which is why John Lennon and Paul McCartney share songwriting credits. But only on some releases? I don’t know, music is weird.
Anyway, enjoy! There are only a few days left and I’m looking forward to every single one!
