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

Dan Castellaneta, The Simpsons (Related Recordings), Julie Kavner, Yeardley Smith, Danny Elfman, Alf Clausen, Hank Azaria

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: March 18, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack, Import
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B0000033Z8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,859 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Music > Children's Music > Cartoon Music
  #21 in	Music > Miscellaneous > Comedy > Comedic Music > Novelty Music
  #31 in	Music > Imports > Soundtracks

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Who said musical comedy was dead? Was it you? Fools! There are more shining moments in each of these 39 zippy little numbers than in the complete score of any bloated Broadway dud today. Peppered with original dialogue, and seven renditions of "The Simpsons Main Title Theme" (including Australian, Big Band, and Afro-Cuban), this disc includes beloved originals like "Who Needs the Kwik-E-Mart?" Even better are the scathing parodies: "Oh, Streetcar!" (Tennessee Williams à la community musical theater); "Dr. Zaius" (Falco-meets-Planet of the Apes); and "See My Vest" (Monty Burns's jaunty dissection of Disney's "Be Our Guest"). With celebrity cameos from Tony Bennett, Robert Goulet, and Beverly D'Angelo, Songs is a sparkling tonic to sustain you through the seven dreary days between Sunday evenings. --Kurt B. Reighley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 Springfield, You Rock! , March 14, 2005

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Simpson Family Smile Time Variety Hour, June 4, 2003

By	Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So you like music and you like Simpsons..., August 26, 2003

By	Gabriel Rodriguez (Syracuse) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.