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The Simpsons Sing the Blues

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The Simpsons Sing the Blues
Studio album by
The Simpsons
ReleasedDecember 4, 1990
RecordedSeptember 1990
Studio
  • Record One (Los Angeles)
  • Lion Share (Hollywood)
  • The Warehouse (Philadelphia)
Genre
Length40:13
LabelGeffen
Producer
Matt Groening chronology
Crazy Backwards Alphabet
(1987) 		The Simpsons Sing the Blues
(1990) 		Stranger than Fiction
(1992)
The Simpsons chronology
The Simpsons Sing the Blues
(1990) 		Songs in the Key of Springfield
(1997)
Singles from The Simpsons Sing the Blues
  1. "Do the Bartman"
    Released: November 20, 1990
  2. "Deep, Deep Trouble"
    Released: March 7, 1991
  3. "God Bless the Child"
    Released: 1991

The Simpsons Sing the Blues is the first album released as an offshoot of The Simpsons. The album contains originally recorded music not featured in the series save for the first verse of the track "Moaning Lisa Blues" which was first featured in the episode "Moaning Lisa", which aired in the United States on February 11, 1990. The album was released on December 4, 1990, and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

An early musical number, "Do the Bartman", leads the album as the first track and the first single released. It was an international success, including being the United Kingdom number one single on February 16, 1991, staying there for a further two weeks being certified gold after selling over 400,000 copies.[1] The second single released, "Deep, Deep Trouble" also did well in the UK, reaching number 7. "Do the Bartman" and "Deep, Deep Trouble" were released as music videos in 1990 and 1991.

Different cast members lent their voices to the album with both new material and cover songs. There were a number of notable musicians who appeared on the album, including B.B. King, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dr. John, and Marcy Levy.

Background

[edit]

David Geffen, founder of Geffen Records, had the idea to record an album based on The Simpsons, to be released in time for Christmas 1990.[2] According to series creator Matt Groening, "James L. Brooks walked into the office one day and said 'The Simpsons Sing The Blues'...Then we spent a lot of time deciding what the blues was...".[3] The writers wrote humorous lyrics for the actors to perform over blues and hip hop.[2] The voice actors for the series recorded the album in September 1990. The album was difficult to produce in between production for the second season of The Simpsons, which was due to premiere just two weeks later.[4] The album's title was penned by producer James L. Brooks.[5] "We plundered a number of different styles for the record", admitted creator Matt Groening in a 1990 interview.[6] The disc contains an eclectic mix of old blues tunes such as Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" and original songs such as "Deep, Deep Trouble", which was produced by DJ Jazzy Jeff and written by Groening.[4] Noticing how Bart had been embraced by the African-American communities of America, Matt Groening sought to write Bart a hip hop number.[7]

By September 28, 1990, the vocal cast had been recording for around a month, and had completed two rough cuts of songs in between recording for the TV show. At this point, the album was due out in November.[3] Fox had ordered around a dozen camera crews to interview and tape the voice cast, though instead of recording tracks the actors mostly pretended to sing for the cameras.[3]

Release

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The album faced great publicity before its release, with several details leaking out. Fox attempted to keep the record under wraps until negotiations with performers such as Michael Jackson were nailed down.[4] One particular element that was highly publicized was Jackson's involvement, which was denied around the time of the album's release. "Oh, it's so frustrating," lamented Groening in a 1990 interview. "I said to a reporter a while ago that I would like to have this happen and it was printed as if it was true."[4] Early published reports attributed Jackson as the composer of "Do the Bartman", which led to James L. Brooks issuing a press release apologizing for any misunderstanding about who actually wrote the song, instead revealing that Bryan Loren wrote the song.[5] Fox also organized a media event around the album, pulling in nearly a half-dozen camera crews to interview and tape the would-be recording stars in action.[5]

The Simpsons Sing the Blues was released on December 4, 1990, and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest charting Simpsons album.[8][9] The album was also a success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #6 on the albums chart and was eventually certified gold. The lead single from the album, "Do the Bartman", was released on November 20, 1990, followed by the unveiling of animated music video after the Simpsons episode "Bart the Daredevil" on December 6. After the Fox network premiere, the video was exclusive to MTV.[6] The song wasn't actually released as a physical single in the US, which perhaps helped sales of the album.[10] The music video for "Deep, Deep Trouble" debuted after "Bart's Dog Gets an "F"" on March 7, 1991.[11]

On December 14, 1990, the album was certified platinum, having sold over 1 million copies in its first week of release.[12] Within a matter of weeks, the record was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, on February 13, 1991, for sales of over 2 million copies.[2][13]

On July 22, 2013 the album was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry in the UK.[14]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[15]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[16]
Tiny Mix Tapes[17]

"I thought this phenomenon had reached its zenith when the Simpsons' Sing the Blues disc became the fastest selling recording in this country for awhile last year. Forget about that, I was wrong. Dead wrong."

Thrust Magazine[18]

The New York Times placed the album on their list of worst albums of the year in 1990, stating that "The television series was at least mildly subversive, not to mention funny; the album mangles old songs and takes no chances with bland new ones"[19] People described it as a "slick, supercommercial novelty act", and that it seemed the producer's main goal was money rather than comedy or drama.[20] Florida Flambeau expressed relief that the album wasn't a Christmas record, although felt that it was "mostly pointless" without being paired with the funny visuals of the show, and wished more songs had been written specifically for the characters.[21] Thrust magazine expressed disdain that such a popular album was created by fictional recording artists, noting "Most people have to die before they sell so many records, but The Simpsons will never die. They don't exist".[22] Commoner found it as an example of the rampant commercialization of The Simpsons in the early 1990s.[23]

Hatchet negatively compared it to the 1997 television series soundtrack album Songs in the Key of Springfield, noting that the latter is "actually funny".[24] Lambda felt the new album would be a "nice change" from the former, whose single “Do the Bartman” had become tiring.[25]

Legacy

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The Simpsons Sing the Blues is today regarded as a novelty from The Simpsons' early popularity.[2] Shortly after the record's release and success, record companies rushed to fashion music stars out of animated characters. In January 1991, Mattel announced plans to record a Barbie rock album titled The Look. At the same time, MCA Records was finishing work on an album based on the Mario Bros. characters. SBK and Geffen also enjoyed huge success with albums based on the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons Sing the Blues. The record soon became the fastest-selling album to emerge from a television show since the Miami Vice soundtrack in 1985.[26] Disney also issued an album of Caribbean songs sung by The Little Mermaid's Sebastian as well as an album of songs sung by the cast of Dinosaurs, a series often compared to The Simpsons during its run.[27] "Do the Bartman" inspired a dance, "The Bartman", that was popular in early 1991.[10]

Track listing

[edit]
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Do the Bartman"
5:10
2."School Day" (with Buster Poindexter and Joe Walsh on guitar)Charles BerryJohn Boylan3:56
3."Born Under a Bad Sign" (with B.B. King on guitar)
Boylan3:08
4."Moanin' Lisa Blues" (with John Sebastian on harmonica)
Boylan4:48
5."Deep, Deep Trouble"
  • Boylan
  • DJ Jazzy Jeff
4:27
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
6."God Bless the Child"
Boylan4:29
7."I Love to See You Smile" (with Dr. John on piano)Randy NewmanBoylan3:07
8."Springfield Soul Stew"Curtis OusleyBoylan2:37
9."Look At All Those Idiots"
Boylan3:51
10."Sibling Rivalry"
Boylan4:40
Total length:40:13

Cast

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Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina — 151,771[39]
Canada (Music Canada)[40] 2× Platinum 200,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[41] Silver  
Sweden (GLF)[42] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[43] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[44] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ BPI Certification Archived May 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c d Ortved, John (2009). The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History. Faber and Faber. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-0-86547-988-3.
  3. ^ a b c Lee Enterprises (September 28, 1990). The Times News (Idaho Newspaper) 1990-09-28.
  4. ^ a b c d Hastings, Deborah (September 28, 1990). "The Simpsons sing the blues". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Deborah Hastings (September 26, 1990). "The Simpsons sing the blues". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ a b Marilyn Beck (November 15, 1990). "Recording world beware: Simpsons sing the blues". Boca Raton News. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "BOOTLEG BLACK BART SIMPSON, THE HIP-HOP T-SHIRT STAR". Washingtonpost.com. June 28, 1990. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  8. ^ "Artist Chart History — The Simpsons". Billboard charts. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
  9. ^ Mansfield, Brian. "The Simpsons Sing the Blues". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Loretta Grantham (February 12, 1991). "Dancers Get in Step with Bart". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  11. ^ Janis Froelich (March 12, 1991). "Down in a Foxhole". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  12. ^ "Simpsons go platinum". Daily News. Associated Press. December 14, 1990. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  13. ^ "Gold and Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  14. ^ "Simpsons Sing The Blues". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  15. ^ Brian Mansfield. "The Simpsons Sing the Blues - The Simpsons | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  16. ^ Tucker, Ken (December 14, 1990). "The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  17. ^ Brusie, David. "The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  18. ^ "Thrust". Thrust Inc. October 7, 1991. Retrieved May 20, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  19. ^ Pareles, Jon (December 30, 1990). "Pop Music/1990; The Best Show? In the Court, Not the Concert Hall". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  20. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: The Simpsons Sing the Blues". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  21. ^ "Florida Flambeau". Tallahassee, Fla. : Florida State College for Women. July 11, 1990 – via Internet Archive.
  22. ^ Marvelous Marvin Boone (January 1991). "Singing the blues at the Simpsonian Institute?". Thrust. 3 (1): 37.
  23. ^ Bryan College (1991). Commoner, 1991. Bryan College Library. Bryan College.
  24. ^ Hatchet. April 14, 1997.
  25. ^ Lambda Vol. 35 No. 19. February 27, 1997.
  26. ^ "Animated 'toons now singing tunes". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 12, 1991. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  27. ^ Tom Moon (December 25, 1990). "Cartoon characters crooning to kiddos". Ocala Star-Banner. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  28. ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing The Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  29. ^ "RPM Top 100 Canadian Albums (CD & Cassettes)". RPM Magazine. 53 (10). Library and Archives Canada. February 9, 1991. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  30. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing The Blues" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  31. ^ "Charts.nz – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing The Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  32. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing The Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing The Blues". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  34. ^ "Simpsons | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  35. ^ "The Simpsons Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  36. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1991". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  37. ^ "1991 Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music Week. January 11, 1992. p. 21. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  38. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 24, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  39. ^ "La verdad sobre la venta de discos '92". Humor. No. 339–351. 1993. p. 56. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  40. ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Simpsons – Sing The Blues". Music Canada. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  41. ^ "Norwegian album certifications – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues" (in Norwegian). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry of Norway. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  42. ^ "Swedish album certifications – The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues" (in Swedish). Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  43. ^ "British album certifications – The Simpsons – THE SIMPSONS SING THE BLUES". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  44. ^ "American album certifications – The Simpsons – THE SIMPSONS SING THE BLUES". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
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