I want stuff that is shamelessly silly and cute. Not phoned in and corny, or ironic, but genuine, goofy awkwardness. Stuff written by friendly eccentrics.
Could be songs about anything, from love, to space, to how cute frogs are. I don't care so much about the subject matter, I just want something dorky.
Definitely the greatest silly band, in terms of songwriting and musicianship. My third favorite band overall, after The Beatles and Talking Heads
My favorite Ween song is Tried and True, and even in that beautiful song he manages to sneak in the lyric “Can you smell my hole?”
I recommend anyone start off with their album Quebec, then The Mollusk, then White Pepper, then 12 Golden Country Greats, then branch out
“Cause tried and true, I see the light in you. Can you dig in my soul, can you smell my (w)hole…life”
What a beaut
Ween also gets incredibly dark, and occasionally quite serious and vulnerable. But yeah generally the moment you think they’re getting sappy or something they drop a poop joke or something.
Probably my second favorite band, after The Kinks.
What do you think are Ween’s darker songs?
The Kinks is a solid #1 pick. Waterloo Sunset has been getting stuck in my head a lot the past year
Well even their darker songs usually have some humor, but I would say things like Mourning Glory, The HIV Song, Laura, Don’t Sweat It, Happy Colored Marbles, Spinal Meningitis…Mutilated Lips…
I’m a big fan of genre hopping and I feel like the Kinks really pioneered it. They cover so much sonic and emotional ground from pastoral beauty to rotten urban rage, to happy tropical nonsense and country rock. Any mood I’m in they have a song for!
My wife walked down the aisle to this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfLH5S6q9k
The B-52s
this comment is a contender for the best goofy quirky band. rock lobster lives rent free in my head the ad-libbed animal sounds and all i love every moment.
A surprising amount of my friends only knew rock lobster and love shack by them. in case anyone needs recommendations, heres some bitchin songs I was listening to earlier today
Give me back my man:
https://youtu.be/XHLFdptpMGA?si=8vEAtPVAygAOe15U
summer of love:
Can't forget Roam, Mesopotamia, the Flintstones theme, to name just a couple more bangers.
theres are so, so many. mo dean and strobe light are jams
Don’t forget B-52 Girl
The Presidents of the United States of America
I recommend starting with this album but all of their stuff is great
So many great songs! Much more than a “two hit wonder” with “Lump” and “Peaches”
Also if you have kids, check out the lead singer's kid's band, Caspar Babypants
I loved Caspar Babypants when my kids were little...I had no idea it was the same guy! So cool.
I am a preschool teacher and I played Peaches all the time for my kids. I had no idea he had a band that played children’s music.
See, our Reddit habits are actually useful to our lives sometimes. 😅
I love Reddit. I have the best interactions with people. I love your handle 💙
Haha thanks - made it a long time ago to be completely anonymous - just two of my favorite words and colors!
I haven’t had Peaches stuck in my head since 2002. Shit.
I love this band!
They Might Be Giants
OP's post is literally a spot-on description of this band. They are adamant about never being a novelty band, but still explore all sorts of niche and whimsical song ideas -- but in an unironic and authentic way. Flood, Apollo 18, and Join Us are good places to start.
make a little "birdhouse in your soul", not to mention the "here come the ABC's" the whole first kids album, not to mention the courage the cowardly dog theme. i can keep listing iconic quirky classics
Other Father's Song from Coraline
You get the scope of TMBG's genius
Here Come the ABC's was my childhood
Triangle Man!
"Flood" is in my top 5 albums ever!
I triple dog dare you to be in a bad mood after listening to Flood.
This is the correct answer.
Devo
United States of Whatever - Liam Lynch
Excellent song
David Byrne in early Talking Heads.
early talking heads was so weird they took themselves so serious but the music is goofy AF listen to "tentative decisions" or "dont worry about the government" and you will understand immediately what i mean.
tenacious D or weird al
Sparks, Oingo Boingo, Madness, Stump, Go Go’s, The Lemon Twigs
They Might be Giants
Some of Phish's catalog
Jonathan Colton
Avocado Juice
Some Matt & Kim stuff
Jonathan Coulton is the man!
Early Phish like...Reba, Esther or The Mango Song
Primus!
great answer "PRIMUS SUCKS"
PRIMUS SUCKS!!!
Thank you. "Harold of the Rocks"!
Pretty much any band or album with Les Claypool …
By all accounts Ween is what your looking for but also I am Steve by Hey Steve is a good one The Aquabats Some, Cats Empire, songs might fit the bill BUSDRIVER if you like hip hop Eagles of Death Metal
Oh, good call with BUSDRIVER!
You need to listen to Psychostick
Beer also Dogs Like Socks and Because Boobs lastly NSFW
I fucking love Psychostick!
"Beer is good...and stuff!"
I love those guys!
Jonathan Richman
Came here to say the same. Was just telling someone yesterday that my favorite show ever was Jonathan in a small venue interacting with the audience.
Yeah. I saw him at a bar, with just a drummer. It was a really great show.
The same, just him and a drummer. There were maybe 150 people there. I have never seen anyone be that joyful while performing.
Was it a lesbian bar? Was he dancing there?
IMO, That Summer Feeling, while not exactly silly, is one of the best songs of all time.
He just always sounds so genuine. It really is something different than most artists.
Also, "New England" is a contender for the best road trip song ever
A perfect song.
And his original keyboard player, Jerry Harrison, went on to become a founding member of another band mentioned here, Talking Heads
Always. And always a great time, live. I've probably seen him more than I've seen any other artist and it is always a party. If you have the chance... GO!
Primus
Barenaked Ladies.
I heard a recent interview where Steven Page said the band took the art of song-craft very seriously, while not taking themselves seriously at all. Perfect description, IMO.
The Who early on.
Talking Heads
DEVO
Ok Go, especially their videos
Check out Ray Stevens.
Up to a point. Ray went full right-wing dipshit when Obama was elected. I suspect to pander to the over-65 crowd, but it might be sincere at this point.
Freddie and the Dreamers
Daniel Johnson entered the chat
https://youtu.be/7Pza_pORulA?si=hnBdpA_IOcErKDrc
Might not be able to top him in raw, earnest, quirky energy.
I've always thought of that one as one of his least quirky, haha! But a gem nonetheless.
Well, raw and earnest, at least.
Klaus Nomi
Bonzo Dog Band
Les Claypool
Primus
Gary Wilson
The Slow Poisoner
Dr. Hook - Cover of the Rolling Stone
Beck -Where it's at
Dr. Hook, with one of the filthiest double entendres ever:
"When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it's hard"
dr hook the originators of goofy countercultural country folk classics great pick
Early Hook was great - Get My Rocks Off, Looking for Pussy, Everybody’s Makin’ It Big but Me.
Harry Nilsson
His kids album "The Point" is a forgotten classic
The Moldy Peaches!!!!!!!
The Rugburns.
The Dead Milkmen.
Randy Newman always struck me as a friendly eccentric. “Short People” is one of my jukebox go-tos
Richard cheese
Kiss That Frog - Peter Gabriel
Cosmo Sheldrake - Tardigrade
You need to watch John Mulaney’s Sack Lunch Bunch and watch Jake Gyllenhal as the music man.
There are quite a few Barenaked Ladies songs that would fit this criteria. Here are a few examples:
There are others, for sure, but that's a start.
I wouldn't call "Alternative Girlfriend" silly or cute; it's actually pretty fucking depressing. "Pinch Me" is also supposed to be about depression. The others check out, though. I think about "Be My Yoko Ono" a lot, though: "Don't blame it on Yoki!" Lol.
Mr. Bungle (very fun and weird)
The Darkness-I believe in a thing called love (the music video, lol)
Tenacious D (Jack Black)
Faith no more- Epic
Spacehog- In the meantime
Oliver tree- Jerk (music video). Miss You [sped up version] sped up nightcore
Deee-lite - Groove is in the heart
The music videos to these artists' songs just enhance the experience.
I just commented Mr. Bungle because it was my very first thought.
Lol, same
Tenacious D. Jack Black never disappoints
Keller Williams! It's hard to pick one song that exemplifies this, but here's a shot at it:
The Edgar Broughton Band- “there’s no vibrations, but wait!” Peculiar band, I do believe goofy is a good word to describe them! 😎🤘. Late 60’s goodness.
Ben folds…I fucking love Ben Folds
Try “Miraculous Weekend” by Peter Ivers! Fun, sweet, weird, earnest.
frederic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn7vfza-6fQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCrwzN6eb4Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCp2iXA1uLE
...silly sounding? idk.
Primus
Aminé
Old crow medicine show
Presidents of the United States - "Lump;" "Peaches."
Milk by Anthrax. It’s a thrash metal song about wanting some milk for cereal.
Don't Eat the Yellow Snow - Frank Zappa
Primus
tom yorke and les claypoool come to mind
The Darkness.
Gwar
Cardiacs
OK GO
Electric Callboy
Any Weird Al songs, but I recommend Trapped in the Drive Thru and White and Nerdy.
Mr. Bungle/Mike Patton
Electric Six
Oingo boingo and lemon demon are the correct answers
JJ ice fish,
dan deacon,
Odd future (oldie, swag me out, tina),
the cramps (weirdo legends),
yuno miles,
doja cat (early),
drake ( early before he acted tough),
frank zappa (reuben and the jets, captain beefhear, the mothers),
talking heads (first two albums),
ozark mountain daredevils (chicken train),
dr hook and the medicine show,
shel silverstein,
melanie safka,
weezer ( the kings of awkward cringe),
the pixies- the breeders (honestly kim deal is the one who gave both these groups the quirky vibes)
I had to scroll a ways to finally see Dan Deacon. I guess people forgot how fun and strange it was.
"crystal cat" and "ohio" are songs i will love til i die im so happy i encountered another dan deacon fam im the only one i know aside from you now. ive tried more than once to share his music to limited success
I love Crystal Cat!
He can be a tough share. I think you either love it or hate it. He’s been doing a lot of soundtracks in recent years that are really great and I absolutely love this song and video as well as his album America.
Thanks so much for sharing I appreciate that
I love this list. Cultured af.
wow thats an honor buddy! i had notions my eclectic tastes kinda prevented me from connecting with others over music. and i cant lie that was always tough since playing and consuming music has been my passion for years. now with the internet im finding my crew again
stay weird
I think being a musician has a LOT to do with that. When one has a knowledge of what it takes to create music, there is a deeper appreciation on a much wider range. I used to allow my ego and taste to cause me to be close-minded about certain genres. I finally realized i was only depriving myself of all the delicious flavors of music. No guilty pleasures. Only pleasures.
May weirdness and good taste follow you all of your days.
PSY if you don't mind kpop.
2000s Eminem. Just Lose It, We Made You, FACK, etc.
James - Laid
You are looking for Daniel Johnston. Nothing else will even come close.
Bowling for Soup
Muck sticky
Bloodhound Gang
Roger Miller
I really like Dan Reeder. He makes many of the instruments used in his music himself. Clever, ridiculous, simple.
She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby (1983)
The Rain - Oran “The Juice” Jones (1986)
Just A Friend - Biz Markie (1986)
All of Weird Al Yankovic’s catalogue
Take Off - Bob & Doug McKenzie w/ Geddy Lee (1982)
Who Let The Dogs Out? - Baja Men (2000)
What Did The Fox Say? - Ylvis (2013)
The Aquabats - Super Rad!
Hocus Pocus by Focus.
Here come the mummies. They put on a terrific show as well.
I think that the band Psychostick has a lot of stuff more geared toward goofiness. They have goofy lyrics, but they make it sound good.
Aquabats 🩵🩵🩵
The Aquabats!
Weird Al Yankovic - Dare to Be Stupid
King Missile - Gary and Melisa
Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Where did you go?
moe. - Timmy Tucker
Violent Femmes - Please do not go
Ween
NOFX
Phish used to be that way but seem to have lost quite a bit of it over the years.
maybe not cute, but definitely silly goofy; King For a Day- Green Day, and Panic Station- Muse. both are such fun listens
She want the sandwich- Mac Demarco
My friends punk band Cadaver Pudding is perfect for this.
Sheets by Scaterd Few
pet shop boys, talking heads
Moxy Fruvous
Sparks, Lemon demon and Human Sexual response.
Reggie and the Full Effect, especially on “No Country for Old Musicians”
Ok, this might not be a popular opinion, and it might not be that apparent to some, but Infected Mushroom is one of my favorite bands. They slap, and are really fun loving and silly.
My other recommend is Pomplamoose and Scary Pockets. Basically anything that Jack and Natalie get into, is going to be fun as heck.
The Cat Empire, for sure.
Absolutely Tom Lehrer and sometimes The Longest Johns especially if you see them in concert. They were very funny when I saw them live
Primus, The Beatles, Weird Al, David Bowie
Peter Gabriel-era Genesis
Silly Love Songs - Paul McCartney
Toni Tonille - "Hamster Love" or some other rodent or maybe another talentless female singer from the same era.
"Jeremiah was a Bullfrog" - Three Dog Night or some other beat band.
Arrogant worms
Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks - check out that compilation called "The Blue Thumb Years". Seriously great music by great musicians having a lot of fun playing together
Les Claypool/Primus.
Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian from System of a Down. Hard to get sillier than that
Bowling For Soup also fits the bill. Check out "1985"
Teezo Touchdown
Shinyribs
Styx has a song on their third album, The Serpent is Rising. It's a hidden song not listed in the tracks. It's about a toilet. A plexiglass toilet.
Trip Shakespeare
Morality squad - gwar
The front bottoms or Paul Baribeau
David Byrne
Ray Stevens
Pinkard & Bowden
Weird Al Yankovich
Frank Zappa
Sweet GA brown is your man
Logan Whitehurst. Start with "Goodbye my 4-Track." Brilliant one-man band who wrote songs like "Your Brain Fell Out," "When Werewolves Collide," "At the Wig Store," and more songs that will put a smile on your face.
Avatar has some silly songs, and very fun live performances.
Psychostick is a goofy comedy metal band.
Ham sandwich and Tom carry
Frank Zappa Mr. Bungle Primus Weird Al Newer stuff, maybe Electric Callboy
Sonny & The Sunsets
Devin Townsend is goofy and awkward in a very sincere way. He has plenty of songs about love and space, and he even has a song called Frogs R Nice.
Officer Down
The blue jean comitee 😏
Joost!
Cheeto's Magazine has an album called Amazingous that's exactly what you are looking for.
Oingo Boingo
Weird Al and Laboratory by Dville Santa
Anthrax songs like I'm The Man
Jethro Tull. Ian Anderson is a quirky but fun dude to watch or listen to. Check out Bungle In The Jungle
Regina Spektor
Pretty much everything by Barenaked Ladies. Rock Spectacle and Gordon are the albums I suggest.
They Might Be Giants album Flood is a great one
Primus
Good Kid!
Pigface
Good Kid
Ween