This song is one of the all time great records of that era. Besides the wonderfully sardonic songwriting, the rhythm track is crudely recorded (but excellently played) and buried under a disturbingly sibilant orchestration of stabbing strings and bleating horns that render the perfectly-sung lyrics (he sings it like it really happened to him) all the more macabre.
My Grandma rest her soul gave this record to me. I was a little boy, all Grandma knew was the song was TIMOTHY. As soon as Grandma learned what the lyrics said, Grandma felt terrible. But she couldn't take the record back. I never knew what the words said until I was older. Ha ha ha...
I was 9 when this came out. I loved the song (still do) but the story went right over my head. Never knew Rupert Holmes wrote it. No pina coladas in this song.
It was 1971... there was no way censors would allow a song about cannibalism near the radio, and many did ban it. And the line, "God what did we do?" Why would anyone be so angst-ridden over eating a donkey? And a donkey named Timothy... or 'Tim' as he calls him? And "Water enough to drink for two", like a trapped miner would share precious drinking water with a donkey... really? No... Timothy was the third miner.
the names in the song were changed from the real lifes names, this song is about the Sheppton mine disaster from 1963 in Sheppton, PA and the man that didn't come out Louis Bova his son is a good friend of my dads we have some pretty good times together.
I couldn't help but notice that "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro...which ProfessorBigBrains identified as the "thing" that "could be worse"--- is no longer among the suggestions on the right there.
I cant believe all the people in denial about it being about canniblism.. Its obvious if you listen to it. that they ate their co-worker. Not a duck or a mule or a canary.
@at39degrees If you were around then.. and I was, it was the record execs who tried to pass it off as a record about a donkey when radio stations wanted to ban it, but Rupert Holmes wouldn't go along with it. He did make some word changes to the radio version though. He wanted to write a song about mining, and took his inspiration from Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly, Last Summer" which has instances of cannibalism. In short, anyone who thinks Timothy was a donkey is a jackass
@dbcoll1957 I was in High School at the time this came out in the Pacific Northwest.
Radio play was pretty limited there in my town, mostly classic country, and I never heard this song until recently when I was asked if there were any song that featured my name. I hadnt heard of any, so I searched that subject and found this Gem. I had to laugh about it, and even forwarded the video to several people I know.
All the Rupert Holmes songs on the album are sort of like this - Bloodknot, Give Up Your Guns, etc.. the ones written by the band are mellow and melancholic, more like a CSN influence. Another band that got used for that one hit.
Holmes went on to even lower lows with his Piña Colada song about two sleazes that hook up with each other through sex ads while both trying to cheat on their SO, which is each other.
@sumyoungay Well, my wife has the B.G. Honey song on his Greatest Hits album. Maybe the uploader of Timothy was just making fun of B.G. [?] After all, Honey is a rather silly song [Sorry Bobby]!
I should write and ask him. I did not see it in his library.
@sumyoungay So you're saying that "Honey" by B.G. also has a dark meaning? I'm familiar with the song and I can't recall anything sinister or cryptic in it. Thanx. - Bob
We were always told that it was the donkey that got ate since they always used donkeys for transportation and packing in those parts. Never heard the canary asspect, but that doesn't make sense since a canary would not fill their bellies. I remember when they refussed to play this on the radio due to the implications of cannilbalism, sigh.........
They made this song after their label said they would not promote them. To help them get some publicly they made this song... They made a happy tuned song to blind out the idiots who only listen to the instrumental part of the song. with dark lyrics in hopes that kids would notice. In the end it worked out by getting nationally banned and bringing it to number 7 on the charts.
i was 11 when i heard it.though i didn't understand the premise of this tune . it still haunted me somehow. it actually sounds like one of those pretentious pop songs for back then .except when you actually listen to the words.
Timothy was NOT a canary Rupert Holms wrote the song this way on purpose to get the group publicity. You don't get "Stomach was full as it could be" from eating a canary! Bonehead.
I remember this song. I really enjoyed your added notes. Interestingly, this song came out shortly after the amazing Andes plane crash - a real-life saga that involved cannibalism.
Good job. My friend's older sister had this on a 45 single. She had a little green Sears portable record player...she'd let us borrow it and we'd play her records. Only heard it on the radio once or twice. I Never Forgot It. What a cool song. Hope they made a lot of money with it.... your upload is on my playlist now... the other one got shut down, so you win! Love the visual/commentary....
Back in the early 70's my science teacher asked us if we had ever heard of this song and he gave us a quick idea what the song was about. Earth Science 101.
Not only did I get a big kick out of hearing this song again (which I thought was so wonderfully melodramatic at age 11), but your commentary is hilarious! Thank you! :-)
Actually, coal miners did take mules and donkeys underground to haul the coal back out, before diesel engines and belt drives were common underground. The miners got close to their furry coworkers, as they all risked their lives to bring coal to the surface. Nobody in the coalfields thought this song was about cannibalism. Only city people would say that. And the mules were worth more to the coal company than the miners were.
Actually, coal miners did take mules and donkeys underground to haul the coal back out, before diesel engines and belt drives were common underground. The miners got close to their furry coworkers, as they all risked their lives to bring coal to the surface. Nobody in the coalfields thought this song was about cannibalism. Only city people would say that.
I have a few things against this song, its an alright song and all except for the fact that my name is Timothy and this song disturbs the crap out of me....
every link Ive seen says Rupert Holmes who wrote it says it is about canibalism, he did it to be controversial, and make a hit.Even the lyrics say enough water for two....umm how much water doe a canary need..anyway a great song.
all you have to do is go to wikipedia and type it in ...it was about cannibalism.....Timothy undisputably was the 3rd miner that the other two ate!!!!!!!!!!!
No, "oceancowboy52". Do three seconds of research, and you'll find the entire story of how and why Rupert Holmes wrote this song. Timothy was a person, he was trapped and EATEN by his fellow miners. It is not, and never has been about a BIRD.
This song came out when I was in 1st grade. Did not know about cannibalism at that age or what the song meant but I had two older sisters that made sure I knew what it meant. This song used to scare me every time it played on the radio (my sister also had the single). There was a kid in my class named Timothy and I remember feeling sorry for him because he had that name. Funny how kids associate things. Boy, my sisters were mean.
@Rembez01 ok i understand what ur sayin ......but.......listen to the song n tell me how long they were trapped in a mine when it caved i n . just listen to it . and WHY would u bring a DUCK into a mine
this is a great song and a great group . Back in the day when i lived in pa and had a band. We opemd for the buoys a few times . I knew all the members personaly , theyr a great bunch of guys and they put on a great show . Some of the best harmonizing i ever heard . and by the way timothy is a canary . canaries were used in the mines way back when to detect a gas leak ,when the bird stopped singin it meant get out now . Timothy was a canary . Love the song n love the group. no canablism here
this is a great song and a great group . Back in the day when i lived in pa and had a band. We opemd for the buoys a few times . I knew all the members personaly , theyr a great bunch of guys and they put on a great show . Some of the best harmonizing i ever heard . and by the way timothy is a canary . canaries were used in the mines way back when to detect a gas leak ,when the bird stopped singin it meant get out now . Timothy was a canary . Love the song n love the group
@demonmama if you listen to the song it never says how long they were trapped . and when your life is in danger youl do whatever it takes to stay alive . i have seen this song performed by them at least 150 times . have the album n know every word . trust me its a canary
@oceancowboy52 A canary? Come on how could his "stomach was full as it could be" by eating a Canary? It's obviously about Cannibalism. Rupert Holmes makes no bones about it being about Cannibalism and wrote it that way believing the controversy would help sell the song.
I thought I had made this song up! Could not find it anywhere! Thank you for sharing this! Great song. Honestly it happens in life or death situations for some. Look at plane crashes. I would rather starve, but others are more practical. Glad I don't really know or have to experience any part of that one!
Although it says 1971, I can swear I heard this song more than a few times on the radio from a hokey station in western Pennsylvania as far back as 1969
What did you do? You ate him! And then,probably gave yourself a concussion by accident,and when you woke up,you forgot what happened. You're meaning to tell me that they never looked for his picked clean skeletaton?
i"ve just concluded spending wonderful hours with my good friend Timothy! When one's name is "mentioned" in a song it's a very special thihg, regardless of the context. I played this for tim several times and we laughed and deeply thought and teared a bitl About our lives. Let'shear it for the buoys, they'renot back in town, they never left! Thanksfor posting, enjoy your meal!
The other hit (at least in parts of Europe) of The Buoys was: "Give up your guns". Amazing how one (or 2 ;D) hit wonders stick in your brain. I just heard it on the radio and decided, hey, let's go to wikipedia and youtube and check it all out! Rupert Holmes... never heard of him - before!
wow i heard this song when i was about 11 i was totally facinated by the lyrics trying to imgine being that hungry you had to eat your friend i was 11
My 7th grade Cooking teacher had this on a single and played it on the record player in our class circa 1972. Just now realizing that she was our COOKING teacher! hahaha
a mejor rolake e oido, que cannibal corpse, deicide, o cualkier rola de gore, esta cumple todos los requisitos, hasta es mas bilable que el porno gore, ademas no seamos extremistas, que preferian que dijera , nos tragamos a timoty, y bebimos su sangree, y devoramos hasta sus huesos, y lo que kedo lo enterramos
The local station at Scranton-Wilkes-Barre played this song to death around April 1970, when I bought the record (and it still plays!). Much later did I know that it was released nationally in 1971. I just caught it on American Top 40 for Saturday, 17 April 1971.
@BuddyNovinski Me too..I listen to the AT40 Archives on KPRC 950 AM and this was the highest charting single for the week...I'd completely forgotten about this little chestnut of a song...good rhythm and horns n strings to boot...i dare say it's the best song about cannibalism ever written by Rupert holmes.
Omg this song is awesome, my mom of all people told me about it. I can actually see alot of bands now adays covering this song, it'd be badass, although i gotta admit the beat is Just awesome regardless
I was born in 83 so i missed this song on the radio, but I ran across it on a Dr. Demento anniversary CD. I always skipped it because the lyrics creeped me out, but I didn't really stop to think about why. Now that it's all nice and spelled out I have a newfound respect for my natural instincts, but why was this song on a CD full of goofy songs???
This song is one of the all time great records of that era. Besides the wonderfully sardonic songwriting, the rhythm track is crudely recorded (but excellently played) and buried under a disturbingly sibilant orchestration of stabbing strings and bleating horns that render the perfectly-sung lyrics (he sings it like it really happened to him) all the more macabre.
As brilliant as Ode to Billy Joe
dblthnk02 3 days ago
My Grandma rest her soul gave this record to me. I was a little boy, all Grandma knew was the song was TIMOTHY. As soon as Grandma learned what the lyrics said, Grandma felt terrible. But she couldn't take the record back. I never knew what the words said until I was older. Ha ha ha...
lkcontrols 3 days ago
How did Timothy benefit he got fuckin' eaten ! ! Mother fuckers !
mocus1 5 days ago
yep,i was fourteen when this song came out and I'm still here.....my name is timothy....
snobch 1 week ago
My cousin had a dog named Timothy..hmm..where on earth did you go???
Sunspree 1 week ago
I have always loved this song...
george6900 1 week ago
I was 9 when this came out. I loved the song (still do) but the story went right over my head. Never knew Rupert Holmes wrote it. No pina coladas in this song.
carlah61 2 weeks ago
was this frank caleho playing guitar ?Spelling is wronge
dm21954 3 weeks ago
I think the mule at the canary while the duck watched!
1964berndog 3 weeks ago
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It was 1971... there was no way censors would allow a song about cannibalism near the radio, and many did ban it. And the line, "God what did we do?" Why would anyone be so angst-ridden over eating a donkey? And a donkey named Timothy... or 'Tim' as he calls him? And "Water enough to drink for two", like a trapped miner would share precious drinking water with a donkey... really? No... Timothy was the third miner.
dbcoll1957 3 weeks ago
LOVE TO ALL MINERS
MrVampiredog 3 weeks ago
it was such a big hit and actually rox pretty good
triptoheaveandho 4 weeks ago
Rockfan 1013: You would do well to read what the song's *writer* had to say about it. Check out Songfacts or wikipedia or something, OK?
UnkaJosh 4 weeks ago
@UnkaJosh You're absolutely correct... Rupert drew his inspiration from 'Suddenly, Last Summer' which includes suggestions of cannibalism.
dbcoll1957 3 weeks ago
the names in the song were changed from the real lifes names, this song is about the Sheppton mine disaster from 1963 in Sheppton, PA and the man that didn't come out Louis Bova his son is a good friend of my dads we have some pretty good times together.
GobletOFire95 1 month ago
Oh...look at that..."Honey"'s back again.
snarkus63 1 month ago
I couldn't help but notice that "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro...which ProfessorBigBrains identified as the "thing" that "could be worse"--- is no longer among the suggestions on the right there.
snarkus63 1 month ago in playlist really freakin' cool meuwSIC
I cant believe all the people in denial about it being about canniblism.. Its obvious if you listen to it. that they ate their co-worker. Not a duck or a mule or a canary.
at39degrees 2 months ago
@at39degrees If you were around then.. and I was, it was the record execs who tried to pass it off as a record about a donkey when radio stations wanted to ban it, but Rupert Holmes wouldn't go along with it. He did make some word changes to the radio version though. He wanted to write a song about mining, and took his inspiration from Tennessee Williams' "Suddenly, Last Summer" which has instances of cannibalism. In short, anyone who thinks Timothy was a donkey is a jackass
dbcoll1957 3 weeks ago 2
@dbcoll1957 I was in High School at the time this came out in the Pacific Northwest.
Radio play was pretty limited there in my town, mostly classic country, and I never heard this song until recently when I was asked if there were any song that featured my name. I hadnt heard of any, so I searched that subject and found this Gem. I had to laugh about it, and even forwarded the video to several people I know.
at39degrees 3 weeks ago
joe was looking at you
mikuhightop 2 months ago
Song is about a donkey. I remember seeing the album art and it showed two guys and a donkey standing there.
Rockfan1013 2 months ago
Comment removed
gregoir 2 months ago
@Rockfan1013 exactly! thank's! my buddies band does this perfect and Greg the guitarist sang it great1
gregoir 2 months ago
@Rockfan1013 Proof or shut up.
husker7141 1 month ago
Comment removed
dbcoll1957 3 weeks ago
scary
mikuhightop 2 months ago
creepy it scary 's me alot
mikuhightop 2 months ago
your wrong. timothy was the one who hadn't eaten his lunch. there-in lies the secret. it consisted of three 5 pound cookies?
MrKingkirby 2 months ago
Crow, it's a well known fact that Timothy was a duck.
morler01 2 months ago
Rupert Holmes: a great novelist (Where the Truth Lies) and he wrote a great musical: The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
But he's more well known for this and the Pina Colada song.
So if you liked this song and you're HUNGRY for more, do check those out.
wickedfeylady 2 months ago
I don't know why, but I still get hungry every time I hear this song.
BluezGuitarz 2 months ago
@BluezGuitarz ha ha great comment
LizAZ08 2 months ago
Great song, in a sick sort of way.
All the Rupert Holmes songs on the album are sort of like this - Bloodknot, Give Up Your Guns, etc.. the ones written by the band are mellow and melancholic, more like a CSN influence. Another band that got used for that one hit.
Holmes went on to even lower lows with his Piña Colada song about two sleazes that hook up with each other through sex ads while both trying to cheat on their SO, which is each other.
Pobnifus 3 months ago
@sumyoungay Well, my wife has the B.G. Honey song on his Greatest Hits album. Maybe the uploader of Timothy was just making fun of B.G. [?] After all, Honey is a rather silly song [Sorry Bobby]!
I should write and ask him. I did not see it in his library.
Take care bud.
Bob
ogredad55 3 months ago
@sumyoungay So you're saying that "Honey" by B.G. also has a dark meaning? I'm familiar with the song and I can't recall anything sinister or cryptic in it. Thanx. - Bob
ogredad55 3 months ago
Why the photo of Bobby Goldsboro? It's totally incongruous!
ogredad55 3 months ago in playlist "Timothy" the Buoys
Canaryzilla
butrokkek 3 months ago
my boyfriend's name is timothy.. xD hahaha
pikachuRAWRrawr 3 months ago
Hey now, "Honey" is a nice song.
casestudyification 4 months ago
Cannibals kill 800 Americans a year.
pbrick6301 4 months ago
Great tune - was every third song played on the juke box at the Anchorage, Somers Point, NJ - summer of 1971 - this song was written by Rupert Holmes
(the "Pina Colada" song - was called "Escape", I believe.)
jaspiegel 4 months ago
Okay, not only is this song awesome, this video is fucking hilarious.
Well done, man.
OfShadowandSubstance 4 months ago
He Says"the only ones left to tell the tale, was Joe and Me". How could a mule have told the tale of survival?
jimthigpen333 4 months ago
I think the Fine Young Cannibals should do a remake of this song....
pegbarr 4 months ago 9
@pegbarr Now that was funny!!
casestudyification 4 months ago
I had a 150 watt pirate radio station in Chicago. WLS and WCFL banned it., We palyed it. The record distributor made sure we got it.
monzavideo 4 months ago
My sis once had a hamster named Timothy........
monkeygirl384 4 months ago
We were always told that it was the donkey that got ate since they always used donkeys for transportation and packing in those parts. Never heard the canary asspect, but that doesn't make sense since a canary would not fill their bellies. I remember when they refussed to play this on the radio due to the implications of cannilbalism, sigh.........
mustangmemories 4 months ago
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My History teacher just played this today. lol
Blueforce707 4 months ago
My History teacher just played this today. lol
Blueforce707 4 months ago
@Blueforce707 so did mine what skool do u 2?
superryan213 4 months ago
Ocean Cowboy, love the story, clever stuff. Never knew that. It was number one in San Diego in 1971.
MrDavearama 4 months ago
**17
TheeDeeDee 4 months ago
They made this song after their label said they would not promote them. To help them get some publicly they made this song... They made a happy tuned song to blind out the idiots who only listen to the instrumental part of the song. with dark lyrics in hopes that kids would notice. In the end it worked out by getting nationally banned and bringing it to number 7 on the charts.
TheeDeeDee 4 months ago
i was 11 when i heard it.though i didn't understand the premise of this tune . it still haunted me somehow. it actually sounds like one of those pretentious pop songs for back then .except when you actually listen to the words.
terryjames230 4 months ago
Timothy was NOT a canary Rupert Holms wrote the song this way on purpose to get the group publicity. You don't get "Stomach was full as it could be" from eating a canary! Bonehead.
HellboundTrain 4 months ago
If not for the USMC you butt could not voice your opinion
the shame is on you
zxasxz46j 4 months ago
R U KIDDING??? DAMN WICKED JAM
gruffy1214 4 months ago
I remember this song. I really enjoyed your added notes. Interestingly, this song came out shortly after the amazing Andes plane crash - a real-life saga that involved cannibalism.
rockyracune 5 months ago
dedicated to all usmc atrocities comitted in viet nam semper shame
cippy2k 5 months ago
Comment removed
NotAMolly1 4 months ago
@cippy2k you are a traitorous piece of hippie scum. Thank you to the US Marines in VN who served our country and sorry for scum like cippy.
NotAMolly1 4 months ago
Good job. My friend's older sister had this on a 45 single. She had a little green Sears portable record player...she'd let us borrow it and we'd play her records. Only heard it on the radio once or twice. I Never Forgot It. What a cool song. Hope they made a lot of money with it.... your upload is on my playlist now... the other one got shut down, so you win! Love the visual/commentary....
MainelyLove 5 months ago
Back in the early 70's my science teacher asked us if we had ever heard of this song and he gave us a quick idea what the song was about. Earth Science 101.
Mike07348 5 months ago
can you say rocky mountain oyster yum lol.
magnumta1986 5 months ago
thats my dad rockin the keys
MountainTopMusicians 5 months ago
Timothy was a duck, just watch MST3K, they will tell you the answer.
whyamimrpink78 5 months ago
MST3K brought me to this song
whyamimrpink78 5 months ago
This song was written by Ruper Holmes... Yeah the same guy that went on to write the "Pina Colada Song" (escape) Small world
Gunfighter1b 5 months ago
Not only did I get a big kick out of hearing this song again (which I thought was so wonderfully melodramatic at age 11), but your commentary is hilarious! Thank you! :-)
stoogeswoman 5 months ago
Actually, coal miners did take mules and donkeys underground to haul the coal back out, before diesel engines and belt drives were common underground. The miners got close to their furry coworkers, as they all risked their lives to bring coal to the surface. Nobody in the coalfields thought this song was about cannibalism. Only city people would say that. And the mules were worth more to the coal company than the miners were.
hillbilleter 5 months ago
Actually, coal miners did take mules and donkeys underground to haul the coal back out, before diesel engines and belt drives were common underground. The miners got close to their furry coworkers, as they all risked their lives to bring coal to the surface. Nobody in the coalfields thought this song was about cannibalism. Only city people would say that.
hillbilleter 5 months ago
This song and the story behind it are getting a big mention in my upcoming book on cannibalism.
DarkBanquet1 5 months ago
I have a few things against this song, its an alright song and all except for the fact that my name is Timothy and this song disturbs the crap out of me....
Showoftim 5 months ago
every link Ive seen says Rupert Holmes who wrote it says it is about canibalism, he did it to be controversial, and make a hit.Even the lyrics say enough water for two....umm how much water doe a canary need..anyway a great song.
moocowdad 5 months ago
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I sill have my album of this and will never get rid of it..
dianacowgirl 5 months ago
Yum!
WolfgrowlofTacoClan 5 months ago
Hannibal Lector's favourite song when he was in school.....
dawnabrendan 5 months ago
Great job of selecting pictures to go with this song!
flyspeckcafe 6 months ago
Timothy was the miners mule.
JimmyRockster 6 months ago
I wish they had the Bob and Tom version where he screams about them eating Timothy....
LTVinciti 6 months ago
Revolting. This song gave me nightmares for years!
Sharona903 6 months ago
I once shit my bed during camp and blamed it on the kid in the bunk below me. 3 years later in 8th grade that kid hung himself.
His name was Timothy.
emperorzord 6 months ago
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all you have to do is go to wikipedia and type it in ...it was about cannibalism.....Timothy undisputably was the 3rd miner that the
other two ate!!!!!!!!!!!
gingergirl2001 6 months ago
all you have to do is go to wikipedia and type it in ...it was about cannibalism.....Timothy undisputably was the 3rd miner that the
other two ate!!!!!!!!!!!
gingergirl2001 6 months ago
all you have to do is go to wikipedia and type it in ...it was about cannibalism.....Timothy undisputably was the 3rd miner that the other two ate!!!!!!!!!!!
gingergirl2001 6 months ago
i think they wanted people to think it was a person though
natmingmcf1 6 months ago
lol love this song..the lyrics were also on my mind all these years lol
bootsbug2 6 months ago
No, "oceancowboy52". Do three seconds of research, and you'll find the entire story of how and why Rupert Holmes wrote this song. Timothy was a person, he was trapped and EATEN by his fellow miners. It is not, and never has been about a BIRD.
michaelkochlegal 6 months ago
hilarious perfesser, i had the same experience, no one remembered the song so I had to track it down lol
MoeZeppelin 6 months ago
Great band live also!
2childress 6 months ago
@2childress I saw them do the song at the Stone Ballon
crankfire1 6 months ago
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Do I ever remember this song....I was dating Joe at the time.....and he still haunts my memories, as I am sure Timothy haunts his. LOL
qtbrniis 6 months ago
This song came out when I was in 1st grade. Did not know about cannibalism at that age or what the song meant but I had two older sisters that made sure I knew what it meant. This song used to scare me every time it played on the radio (my sister also had the single). There was a kid in my class named Timothy and I remember feeling sorry for him because he had that name. Funny how kids associate things. Boy, my sisters were mean.
rcn63 7 months ago
I wish someone would bring this out on a karaoke disc. It would be fun seeing how many of the twentysomethings in the bars would react to it.
351460 7 months ago
I sssoooooo miss watchin my best bro's band play(reherse) this! almost every mon. night...vive r.a.w!
gregoir 7 months ago
great brass section....real studio strings and some analog synth...eat me!
wjf1950 7 months ago
Sorry to oceancowboy52, its cool that you opened for them and all, but splitting a canary wouldn't cause your stomach to be "as full as it could be"
Rembez01 7 months ago
@Rembez01 ok i understand what ur sayin ......but.......listen to the song n tell me how long they were trapped in a mine when it caved i n . just listen to it . and WHY would u bring a DUCK into a mine
oceancowboy52 6 months ago
It's nice to see this song sparking the same debates as it did back in 1971!!
Rembez01 7 months ago
HAHA my name is timothy
deadlightflier 7 months ago
this is the first time ive heard this song but, its funny because my brothers name is timothy. hahahaha
surferguy224 7 months ago
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Hi if you wanna see give up your guns in REGGEA VERSION ( cover) visit
combinia / give up your guns much respect to professor big brains
i wouldnt know this song without your great upload :)
Combinia 7 months ago
Funny that Rupert Holmes wrote this then wrote The Pina Coloda song. Well ya gotta wash it down with something!
mjg032 7 months ago
The rumor was Timothy was a duck. Who knew?
1955tilly 8 months ago
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this is a great song and a great group . Back in the day when i lived in pa and had a band. We opemd for the buoys a few times . I knew all the members personaly , theyr a great bunch of guys and they put on a great show . Some of the best harmonizing i ever heard . and by the way timothy is a canary . canaries were used in the mines way back when to detect a gas leak ,when the bird stopped singin it meant get out now . Timothy was a canary . Love the song n love the group. no canablism here
oceancowboy52 8 months ago
this is a great song and a great group . Back in the day when i lived in pa and had a band. We opemd for the buoys a few times . I knew all the members personaly , theyr a great bunch of guys and they put on a great show . Some of the best harmonizing i ever heard . and by the way timothy is a canary . canaries were used in the mines way back when to detect a gas leak ,when the bird stopped singin it meant get out now . Timothy was a canary . Love the song n love the group
oceancowboy52 8 months ago 9
@oceancowboy52 yeah you can hear the violins replecating that birdy thing...been 38 years for me ..wow
BerkLeeDrm 7 months ago
@oceancowboy52 how could 2 guys be full from eating a canary?
demonmama 6 months ago
@demonmama if you listen to the song it never says how long they were trapped . and when your life is in danger youl do whatever it takes to stay alive . i have seen this song performed by them at least 150 times . have the album n know every word . trust me its a canary
oceancowboy52 6 months ago
@oceancowboy52 i think it's a well known fact that timothy was a duck
demonmama 6 months ago
@demonmama well im just portrayin what was told to me from those who actualy performed the song
oceancowboy52 6 months ago
@demonmama They had dressing,cranberry sauce and spuds and gravy with it.LOL
doglips1958 6 months ago
@oceancowboy52
Yeah, two guys came out of the cave with full stomachs after eating a canary. Must have been a big 'un I guess.
DarkBanquet1 5 months ago 12
@DarkBanquet1 not a canary! it's a goddam mule!
lindabjt 2 months ago
@oceancowboy52 NOT a canary. Ask the guy who wrote it. LOL Definitely NOT.
WimseysEchoAnne 5 months ago
Timothy was their donkey
peace )
haansgruber 5 months ago
@oceancowboy52 A canary? Come on how could his "stomach was full as it could be" by eating a Canary? It's obviously about Cannibalism. Rupert Holmes makes no bones about it being about Cannibalism and wrote it that way believing the controversy would help sell the song.
tbcass 4 months ago
@oceancowboy52
And they taste great with ketchup! As did Timothy...
deniedviewer 4 months ago
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hwtaylor3 8 months ago
I thought I had made this song up! Could not find it anywhere! Thank you for sharing this! Great song. Honestly it happens in life or death situations for some. Look at plane crashes. I would rather starve, but others are more practical. Glad I don't really know or have to experience any part of that one!
lasanadora2002 8 months ago
The only song about cannibalism to reach the charts!
AbbeyRoad0618 8 months ago 2
but sometimes miners used birds to check for gas... could it be that tim is a bird?
zestamaster 8 months ago
Although it says 1971, I can swear I heard this song more than a few times on the radio from a hokey station in western Pennsylvania as far back as 1969
eddie054 8 months ago
my name is Timothy lol this song is funny
timwest27 8 months ago
What did you do? You ate him! And then,probably gave yourself a concussion by accident,and when you woke up,you forgot what happened. You're meaning to tell me that they never looked for his picked clean skeletaton?
ZoanBlade90 8 months ago
heard that at Atop the 4th Wall!
Wasserschloss 8 months ago 3
@Wasserschloss Me too! Just finished the review! :D
rmfealasy 8 months ago
i"ve just concluded spending wonderful hours with my good friend Timothy! When one's name is "mentioned" in a song it's a very special thihg, regardless of the context. I played this for tim several times and we laughed and deeply thought and teared a bitl About our lives. Let'shear it for the buoys, they'renot back in town, they never left! Thanksfor posting, enjoy your meal!
modelprisoner 8 months ago
The other hit (at least in parts of Europe) of The Buoys was: "Give up your guns". Amazing how one (or 2 ;D) hit wonders stick in your brain. I just heard it on the radio and decided, hey, let's go to wikipedia and youtube and check it all out! Rupert Holmes... never heard of him - before!
AncientFan 8 months ago
this song is a weight watchers approved menu item..no points!!!
cippy2k 8 months ago
timothy was a vegetarian he was also a donkey
leonbgc 8 months ago 3
10 ppl just couldn't "stomach" this song...lol
rowdymax1 8 months ago
@rowdymax1 Belch!
TheClam88 8 months ago
Timothy was written by Rupert Holmes and his born again bisexual brother John Holmes,but it should have been penned by Jeffrey Dahmer.
BlankfrackCripledFUK 9 months ago
Close, Timothy was a donkey
East11mx 9 months ago
Close, Tomothy was a donkey
East11mx 9 months ago
wow i heard this song when i was about 11 i was totally facinated by the lyrics trying to imgine being that hungry you had to eat your friend i was 11
GorgeousCassandra 9 months ago
The ironic part of this story is that Timothy was a vegetarian...NARF!
rowdymax1 9 months ago
I was in high school when this song was a hit, at first a lot of people
didn't understand what it was about but then the word got around
and I listened more closely to the lyrics.......
JSTONE9352 9 months ago
I remember this from when I was about 9 wow Im now 50....creepy ewwwwwww...lol
ianhunterfan 9 months ago
far out man,groovy
johntperko 9 months ago
OMG another morbid can't-look-away song... after Bloodrock DOA...
LoveYourDNA 9 months ago
Cool song. Gross subject.
bob0s062 9 months ago
My 7th grade Cooking teacher had this on a single and played it on the record player in our class circa 1972. Just now realizing that she was our COOKING teacher! hahaha
plockton2 9 months ago 22
@plockton2 Oh dear God! Talk about three-dimensional wordplay! (LMAOBG)
1958boomergirl 7 months ago
@plockton2 Memories... sweeter than wine.
MaceMn 6 months ago
I heard Timothy tasted like chicken.
rowdymax1 9 months ago 2
this vid reminds me of Pop-Up Video on VH1..lol.
rowdymax1 9 months ago
a mejor rolake e oido, que cannibal corpse, deicide, o cualkier rola de gore, esta cumple todos los requisitos, hasta es mas bilable que el porno gore, ademas no seamos extremistas, que preferian que dijera , nos tragamos a timoty, y bebimos su sangree, y devoramos hasta sus huesos, y lo que kedo lo enterramos
genial por esta p`reciosa cancion
EDWARDGET 9 months ago
The local station at Scranton-Wilkes-Barre played this song to death around April 1970, when I bought the record (and it still plays!). Much later did I know that it was released nationally in 1971. I just caught it on American Top 40 for Saturday, 17 April 1971.
BuddyNovinski 9 months ago
@BuddyNovinski Me too..I listen to the AT40 Archives on KPRC 950 AM and this was the highest charting single for the week...I'd completely forgotten about this little chestnut of a song...good rhythm and horns n strings to boot...i dare say it's the best song about cannibalism ever written by Rupert holmes.
rowdymax1 9 months ago
Wow, Joe was an asshole!
SteveInFlorida 9 months ago
I recall this well, I had a kid in my class in 4th grade named Timmy Taylor and we would sing TIMOTHY. TIMOTHY to him over & over again!
hoosierdaddyinsfca 9 months ago
Pittston Pa!!!!!
johndessoye 9 months ago
Omg this song is awesome, my mom of all people told me about it. I can actually see alot of bands now adays covering this song, it'd be badass, although i gotta admit the beat is Just awesome regardless
Soronax 9 months ago
Born in 1957? Metoo
butrokkek 9 months ago
Really like the H.L. Mencken pic.
seeingthesigns 9 months ago
Timothy gives me gas.
8woldy8 9 months ago 2
I was 8 when this came out and it scared me even though i did not know the true meaning of the song.
bgfootlover2 9 months ago
now heres a "feel good" song. GEEEEEEESH!
Trashfished 10 months ago
Pretty much the best song ever?
Anyway, leaves a pretty awesome legacy for anybody named Tim out there.
ff1blackmage14 10 months ago
this song truely represents my husband! Thank you "the buoys"!
991Dom 10 months ago
@991Dom You're sayin your husband is a cannibal :O?
kapitein60 10 months ago
excuse me but why am i being spammed here??
991Dom 10 months ago
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991Dom 10 months ago
@991Dom you mean the best husband! Love ya wifey. Youtube is my mouthpiece for my love.
tim991 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@991Dom you mean best husband! love ya wifey - youtube is a mouthpiece for my love!
tim991 10 months ago
no comment
tim991 10 months ago
@tim991 my name is timothy and i love this song!! Thanks dom for introducing me :)
tim991 10 months ago
Tiiiiiiiiim!
tim991 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
this should be dedicated to my husband, the best husband in the world
991Dom 10 months ago
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991Dom 10 months ago
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991Dom 10 months ago
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991Dom 10 months ago
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991Dom 10 months ago
I was born in 83 so i missed this song on the radio, but I ran across it on a Dr. Demento anniversary CD. I always skipped it because the lyrics creeped me out, but I didn't really stop to think about why. Now that it's all nice and spelled out I have a newfound respect for my natural instincts, but why was this song on a CD full of goofy songs???
lizzacat 10 months ago
fuck you /b/
Univer3eTwist3ers 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this song sucks dicks
StickzMen 10 months ago