Where Have All the Monsters Gone?
As I mentioned in the previous Music from My Movies, I wrote three songs for the closing credits of my new feature film Notzilla. Since the music under the credits represents a typical day of AM radio in 1962, each of the songs is done in a classic early 60s style. The previous post featured Dino Surfin’, an upbeat surf tune.
Where Have all the Monsters Gone? on the other hand, is a tender folk song about human insensitivity toward giant monsters. It’s performed by the beloved musical duo Steve & Mitch, who, the DJ informs us, “have the most perfectly matching…sweaters” in all of folk music.
And now, without further ado, whatever the heck that means, here’s the soon-to-be classic Where Have all the Monsters Gone? The lyrics (below) are followed by the recording. Warning: You may be moved to tears.
Where have all the monsters gone?
I heard the last one left at dawn.
Have they gone back to Tokyo?
Where did the monsters go?
I hope we didn’t hurt their feelings.
We yelled a lot when they smashed our ceilings.
OK, they ate some folks, it’s true.
But really very few.
The last one took a Greyhound bus,
by which I mean he threw it just
to see how far that bus would go.
It’s now in Borneo.
But, hey, they’re not the only ones.
It’s just that we use bombs and guns.
You only have to have a mirror.
The truth could not be clear…er
The monsters is us.
∴
This recording was produced by the composer of Notzilla’ score, Steve Goers, and performed (vocals and guitars) by Steve Goers and Mitch Teemley.
Love the song…the humor and the meaning!!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thanks, Valerie!
Love it! Brought me back to my days working at Blockbuster Video and hearing this song on the monitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8gyGNTsw_w
;>) Haven’t heard that in a while!
Humorous lyrics!
Love it. I want to see the film!
Love it! Now, where do I learn more about this Folk Grammar?
;>)
The conversation at the end of the song though…I laughed out loud!
The Og Hollow Duo takes me back to the days of the Kingston Trio…the mellow sound, the sense that the world is slave to the art and not vice versa and of course the consciousness. Really gnarly, man! ..
Great song! I always sympathized with King Kong: he got a raw deal. 🙂
He did, didn’t he!
You had me at Tokyo – love the melody and the lyrics. Well done, Mitch!
I enjoy reading your blogs and have nominated you the Sunshine Blogger Award.
https://mrswayfarer.com/2019/06/01/sunshine-blogger-award-nomination/
Congratulations!
So kind of you to nominate me! However, I don’t, as a rule, do blog nominations any more (although, I’m very supportive of those who do). But I’ll give it some thought, just in case. Either way, thank you!
I think you are on to something.
Which part did you sing? I don’t know what you sound like lol.
The words reminded me of a Shel Silverstein poem. ☺
I sing the melody, and Steve does the harmony.
Okay, cool ☺
Funny and true, all at the same time!
LOL… That’s awesome! The end of the recording was perfect!
Thanks, Kevin!
My pleasure, Mitch!
Fun stuff! I think you have that 60’s vibe
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