Way Out Wednesday: Big Daddy, “Meanwhile, Back in the States”

In this week’s Way Out Wednesday, I’ll talk about the second album from novelty band Big Daddy. If you’d like to read their fictional backstory, you can find it in last week’s report here. This next album contains more of the same fun formula: ’80s music done in the style of ’50s and ’60s pop music.

The first song I’ll feature here is a natural for the redo: Phil Collins’ song “Sussudio,” which sounds like something background singers would be singing anyway.

Sussudio

Next, we have a favorite of mine. It’s Cyndi Lauper’s big hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” with a nod to “Duke of Earl.” (I love the mouth popping during the instrumental break!)

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

With “Flashdance,” they start out slow, but then it picks up with some great doo-wopping in the back. (And if you’ve ever been doo-wopped in the back, you’ll know just how painful that can be.)

Flashdance

And speaking of dance, “The Safety Dance” was one of those songs that was fun to listen to but, despite its name, you couldn’t really dance to it (unless you call forming your arms into a letter S accompanied by a dwarf dancing). With Big Daddy’s version, not only can you dance to it, you can twist to it (but do it safely)!

The Safety Dance

If you’d like the whole album, you can get it here. Their third album, Cutting Their Own Groove, can be purchased here. Next time, I’ll highlight Big Daddy’s next album, where they do their own take on one of the most iconic albums of the ’60s. See you then!