Customer Reviews

The Simpsons: Songs In The Key Of Springfield - Original Music From The Television Series [Blisterpack]

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Until I heard this CD, I never fully appreciated how much music was in "The Simpsons." Sure, I knew the theme songs, and was aware of guest appearances by The Who, The Red Hot Chile Peppers, and many other bands, and I know that Danny Elfmann and ALf Clausen are exceptional composers who excel in many other venues. Over the years, however, the show has produced a number of memorable songs, many of them satirizing some of the most popular (and often unctious) chestnuts of recent American music.

Krusty's "Send in the Clowns" is a prime example of the importance and the sheer quality of the songs in the show. Like the best musicals, they advance the plot, jive with with the show's themes and characters, and are musically memorable and lyrically hilarious. Some of the songs are played semi-straight (Lurleen's country songs) while others extend the subversive, on-target humor of one of TV's most brilliant shows. (As the co-owner of the creature who actually won the "animal who most resembles a Simpson contest," receiving a Matt Groening autographed poster as a prize, I am one of millions of experts on the show and a longtime fan.)

I agree with the reviewer who said there were a just a few too many reworkings of the Simpson theme songs on the CD (although many of these are of unquestionable worth), the CD, replete with both music and samplings of dialogue is a tribute to the show, a true bargain box set, and a must for any Simpsons or musical comedy fan. Springfield, you RAWK!

Whoa, momma! For a Simpsons fan, it doesn't get any better than this. A bunch of great, hilarious music from the funniest TV show ever. I especially love the songs from the "Streetcar Named Desire" and "Planet of the Apes" musicals. Alf Clausen should be commended for the great job he did in putting this CD together. The sound is really good, considering these songs were not intended for commercial release when they were recorded. It's even in stereo. Any Simpsons fan who doesn't already own this CD should click on "Buy now" right this very minute.

What's really amazing about this CD is the complete variety in music. Compare "Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart" to "Bagged Me a Homer" or "Happy Birthday, Lisa" to "Baby On Board." All of them catchy, yet so different! I especially like "Flaming Moe's" and "The Itchy Scratchy Closing Theme," which is the opening theme sung in sad past tense. Personal favorite is "The Amendment Song."

In addition to some great instrumental stuff, there are three spoken skits taken from the show. The first one "Honey Roasted Peanuts" is the funniest and it leads into the next track. Another one, "In Search of an Out of Body Vibe," is funny too and although it doesn't lead into the next track, it is still from the same episode. However, the other skit, "TV [...]" is a complete mystery to me as it has nothing to do with any songs and ends with Bart saying "TV [...]." I don't understand why they cut out what Homer replies in the actual episode, "Since I know you're upset, I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Okay, it's not that funny but it still would have been better to end the skit with a punchline. Also, the track "Boy Scouts-N-The Hood" has a song in it ("Springfield Springfield") but has so much dialouge both before and after the song is sung that it feels more like a skit too.

Good CD.

While "The Simpsons Sing The Blues" seemed to be a quicky cash-in job to make somemore money off of Simpsons-maina, "Songs in the Key of Springfield" delivers the goods. The snappy writing and lovable characters can be enjoyed over and over again in you CD player. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the show.

my favorite tv show,you must buy this cd,there are so many songs,
if you like the simpsons you will recognize all the songs,and if you don't like them you will get fun with the lirycs

THIS has to bee one of the best CD's ever! I love classical music very much, so I'm not saying I like this better than that. But this CD is so funny that I could give it 6 or 7 stars. When ever my mom gets upset, I will play the Amendment song for her or the Monorail song and she will be in a great mood!

The "Itchy & Scratchy" is an old favorite. It just cracks us up to listen to it. With the drum, xylophone and car horn. Then near the end it has the chimpmunks yelling "Itchy & Scratchy SHOW!!!"
Also, the Stone Cutters "We do" is very, very good.

With 39 tracks, this has various episodes from seasons 2 through 8.

Well, you will be very glad to get this CD! Believe me... This cannot be better! (:

This is as funny as the funniest Simpsons episode times 10. Great moments from the show, put into context and set expertly to music. Hear great spoofs of the Cheers theme (Flaming Moe's), the Hill Street Blues theme, and others.

If you like the Simpsons, You will not be disappointed!

This is what the Veggie Tales (and any other humor-driven cartoon) esteem to be. Hilarious, with intelligent lyrics and high quality music.

Don't get me wrong, Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato are top-notch, but the Simpsons are a notch higher. With "See My Vest," "It Was a Very Good Beer," and "Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart?" you'll laugh with that silly, gut-busting laugh you enjoyed as a little kid.

Cameos by Tony Bennet are surprising. He's a bit classier than Homer, but they pull it off.

My favorite Homer line, "But I wanted a peanut." My favorite Bart line, "Oohm, that's good squishy." Hear both in context.

Themes/credits galore are here, with homages to every known pop TV show in the last 15 years. Their musicians did an amazing job melding "Hill Street Blues" with the closing Simpsons credits. It sounds as if it were meant to be.

If you are considering buying this as a novelty, go for it. After a few infectious listen-tos, you'll have given a novelty that will be funny even after the gag.

I fully recommend "Songs In The Key Of Springfield." While you are at it, check out "Silly Songs With Larry."

Anthony Trendl

This is another great cd with hit tunes and hilarious dialogue taken directly from a variety of episodes. The cd is contains an illustration of a donut, Homer's favorite food. AFter an extended version of the theme song, there are many familiar tunes. Here are some examples of the songs included: The Itchy and Scratchy, the Stonecutters' amusing song and Senor Burns, played by Tito Puente and his jazz ensemble (which appeared on the episode entitled "Who Shot Mr. Burns?"). THere are also several versions of the closing credits song, played by a variety of bands. If you own the other two cds, purchase this one. It contains thirty-nine tunes.

Music has always been an integral part of "The Simpsons," the brilliant animated comedy series created by Matt Groening. Much of the show's musical appeal is due to the outstanding work of its primary songwriter/composer/adapter/arranger, Alf Clausen. This disc collects a smorgasbord of songs and instrumental pieces from the series' first several seasons; altogether, there are a bountiful 39 tracks.

I could not possibly mention every one of this disc's marvelous highlights in the space of a short review. But here are a few of my favorites--

"We Do" (The Stonecutters' Song): A maniacal anthem for a wacky secret society. "Oh, Streetcar!": Snippets from a full-blown musical version of "A Streetcar Named Desire." The "Itchy and Scratchy" Main Title Theme: The demented theme song of the ultraviolent cartoon show-within-a-show. "The Amendment Song": A brilliant "Schoolhouse Rock" parody which savagely satirizes the anti-flag burning movement. The medley from "A Fish Called Selma": This musical montage includes the unforgettable musical version of "Planet of the Apes," complete with Phil Hartman's superb vocal performance as Troy McClure.

There are also some excellent instrumental pieces, most notably the many variations on the familiar end credits music: an Afro-Cuban version, an Australian version, a "Hill Street Blues" homage version, and more. Snippets of dialogue are included in many of the tracks.

And the album is not all satire and hilarity. There are some genuinely touching moments, such as Lisa's tribute and farewell to her musical mentor, jazz musician "Bleeding Gums" Murphy (the "'Round Springfield" medley). Throughout the CD, you'll hear the familiar voices of the Simpsons family, as well as those of many of the other townspeople: Apu, Chief Wiggum, Ned Flanders, and more. and there are many wonderful guest performances; my favorite is Beverly D'Angelo as country singer Lurleen. If you love "The Simpsons," you must have this excellent CD.