Music From My Movies
As I mentioned in the previous Music from My Movies, I’ve written songs for each of my feature films. For my “cult classic comedy” Notzilla (MovieWeb), I wrote three closing tunes. Notzilla is a spoof of a vintage monster movie. So I tied the songs together with an over-the-top DJ, Charlie “the Big Cheese” Cheeseman, doing a typical day of programming in 1962. Each song is in a classic early-60s style, this one being an acoustic guitar-driven Folk Music Revival ballad (think Peter, Paul and Mary).
“Where Have All the Monsters Gone?” is performed by the beloved duo Steve & Mitch (what, you don’t remember them?). They were known, the DJ informs us, for having “the most perfectly matching sweaters” in all of folk music.
The lyrics to “Where Have All the Monsters Gone” are sensitive and repentant regarding our collective insensitivity toward giant monsters. They end with the famous (albeit grammatically dubious) words “the monsters is us.”
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.
And now, without further ado, whatever the heck that means, here’s the iconic ballad Where Have All the Monsters Gone? Warning: You will be moved to tears.
This recording was arranged and produced by Steve Goers, the composer of my film’s hilariously over-the-top instrumental score. It was written and performed by me (lead vocal and guitar) and Steve (harmonies and additional guitar).
Wow 🙏👏
Thanks, Francesco.
👋🙏
Now I’m going to be singing that all day …
Awwww.
You are crazy in a good way🥸
Thank you in a good way, Kathy. ;>)
Very clever!
Thanks, Liz!
You’re welcome, Mitch!
👏👏👏
That’s pretty cool.
Thanks, Pete.
Fun lyrics for a funny movie! 🙂
Thanks, Nancy!
Clear…er 😆 love it on so many levels! You always do this!!
Aww, thanks, Martha!
This worthy successor to “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” is funny and pointed. I did indeed tear up.
Aw, thanks, MC.
Java Bean: “Ayyy, and here I thought they were all under the bed!”
Lulu: “Why did you think that?”
Java Bean: “I hear weird noises sometimes!”
Lulu: “That’s me. I sleep under there.”
Hilarious!
That song is hil air eee us! It is really, actually, very well done! 😀
Thank you, Joseph!
What FUN!!!! …and also very sweet (love PP&M). SO glad you share your vast variety of talents and projects with us and the public–thank you!!
Aw, thank you, Ramona. Truly my pleasure!
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