Neil Innes - I'm The Urban Spaceman

[LithiumTheKid]

This guy deserved a lot more credit than he got and because of it I do not think he got the chance to become one of the greats of British comedy (well known). Equal to Python and Milligan in his own right but I still think he is GREAT and see his influence in the background. Thank you for posting

[richardgannon]

Fantastic! This is one of my all time favourites!

[Moonbeamzz]

I wish I could dance like that.

[mravantgarde123]

urban spacemen dont wear underwear!

[stevies5]

I love this!!! Great up thanks.

[lalapopo1234567]

the tap dancer ruins everything

[SUPACHARGED]

this is the worst thing i have ever seen

[Moonbeamzz]

@SUPACHARGED I think this is the funniest thing ever on all of Youtube...and I am not easily amused.

[TopTellyFan]

Man this is bizarre!

[SkopTeocratico]

La tristezza... very sad... rotfl!

[NCW250]

Classic!

[TheSnowballEarth]

This is so Gong Show. In a positive way.

[ramsthepoet]

neil inness genius bonzo dog doo dah band monty python

[tapdancegirl88]

mm love the sounds of the pretty pink shoe metal babe

[Spoothead12]

What instruments is Neil using?

[LvndrHppE]

He actually opened his concert in NYC to a shortened version of this song. Claimed he didn't have the time to sing the whole thing. Kind of wish he did, though. I love this song. By the way, if you ever get a chance to see him in concert, TAKE IT! He's great in concert, and he's a total sweetheart. After the concert, he signed autographs and took pictures with fans. He's really down to earth.

[karlpaananen]

Folks, this is beginning to bother me now.

Who is the girl dancing?

I haven't seen a lot of Rutland Weekend Television.

Someone else said it was Lyn Ashley, but it doesn't look like her--Lyn wasn't that thin, face is different, etc.

Does someone have the credits for this episode?

[RileyELFuk]

@karlpaananen It is Lyn Ashley.

[karlpaananen]

@RileyELFuk Yeah, I realize you are correct. There was another video on Youtube which mistakenly identified a DIFFERENT actress as Lyn Ashley. But THIS is Lyn Ashley. She also had some very brief cameos on Monty Python's Flying Circus.

[RileyELFuk]

@karlpaananen I've been equally confused by the actresses on RWT, as Carinthia West isn't always credited on episodes that she's in (IIRC).

[carot2003]

Great song, last couple of days learned it on guitar. GACDG and EmCGCGAD is all it is but clever song. Love it ...

[madrockbannanas]

vitaly missing carol cleveland

[sturdle]

She was married to a famous man....

[Moonbeamzz]

She is certainly light on 'er feet. The singing is alright too, I spose!

[metrodash]

we need more low tech stuff like Rutland Week-end TV

[thecallofduty1994]

AGREED!

[klebacher]

When is this from?

[lapislazuli7]

I invite that poor skinny girl to dinner!

[PowaKordLord]

hahahaha shes probably like 70 now

[sturdle]

@PowaKordLord she was born in 1942 so not far off....

[mattbisatool]

brilliant

[KireiKarnage]

Hahaha.

Rutland TV...

oh dear.

[h0ck3yG1rl]

NOt as good as the monty pythons one at the hollywood bowl

[theguitarfreak41]

That's just because there is no Carol Cleveland.

[tapeduk]

Sheer Poetry

[kombajndosalatek]

Hi, I'm not british, but a great MP fan and I'd like to know something about the history of this song.

I've seen faster version in the 'MP at the hollywood bowl'. Who wrote it? Who is the guy singing?

I'd appreciate any answer that gives some info ;]

thx

[ivorykisses]

Neil Innes is the songwriter and performer of this song. It was originally released by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band back in 68, which Neil was a member of at the time.

[DavidXBrunt]

It was produced by Apollo C. Vermouth (a rather famous person hiding behind a silly name) and, i think, Neil won an Ivor Novello for it.

[vanel911]

Apollo C. Vermouth was Paul McCartney.

[leenearl]

Neil Innes was considered the seventh Python. He's in Holy Grail.

[punxinparkas]

not to forget he is Ron Nasty (and made the songs) in Rutles...

[kyrastube]

Im supriced that you say you are a big python-fan and dont know who neil innes is. he was and still is known as "the 7th python"

[deathbinder]

@kyrastube wouldn't come as too big a surprise, Don't remember many places in Python sketches, where Innes looks the way he does here.

[kyrastube]

maybe not, but big fans tend to do some research... at least I always do when I become hooked on something. and for me, I always noticed him even in the beginning of my fan-years. as that cute boy singing about sir robin.

[LvndrHppE]

@kombajndosalatek  Fun fact about this song, it was produced by Paul McCartney. The Beatles were great fans of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. They recordeded in Abbey Road, which we all know is where The Beatles recorded all their albums.

[colberrrt]

@kombajndosalatek NPR just posted a Tiny Desk Concert where he performed this song and discussed it a bit. I figured I'd mention it in case you are still interested.

[cortbassguitar]

legend brilliant

[Moonbeamzz]

Priceless!!

[vanillaorchid]

I like this version.

[0a0xx]

genius! ROFL!!

[randomist92]

brilliant unlike the political party it is for :P i know its not real by the way im not stupid

[olivevine]

genius

[AeroBeatlesDoorsLed]

love this song

[atomicelroy]

my fave

vr2.0

[ToBeARocknNotToRoll]

hahahaha, it's soo funny looking at his foot tapping throughout the song...

Neil Innes is a cutie. XD

[sturdle]

who is that brill lass dancing? where is she now??

[MorticiaTaylor]

I think it's Eric Idle's first wife Lyn Ashley. No idea where she is now though.

[sturdle]

Thanks M..

[chainrelease]

Hm. Not really funny... but Protest Song is great!

[Spitzan]

this is gr8 :)

[penapena123]

lol this is SO depressing :DDD

and yet I can't stop laughing, Neil is so ...

[acetremendous]

Musicality aside, for sheer humor and delight, this is my favorite version.

There are tons of versions - one fron Innes Book of Records, at least one Bonzo studio version, HB, this'un, and several other live recordings.

The famous Bonzo recording that was their only slight "hit" was produced by Paul McCartney. The Beatles & Bonzos were friends and mutual fans. The Bonzos tried to keep the word from getting out (Paul is uncredited on the record) but word did get out anyway, and there you are.

[RSleepy]

Haha

[sx976]

I believe this very track was Michael Flatley's inspiration for 'Riverdance'.

[graytart]

ROTFL!

[veteransdaypoppy]

sx976, As Harry Hill said, "Look Riverdance It's Easy" tap, tap, tap!

[SkopTeocratico]

hahahahahahaha saddddd version!!! I love Neil, are a great Dadaist! Urban Spaceman are one of his best composition...

[leinadretaw]

the hollywood bowl version was a lot better because the song was speeded up and rita kept stopping when she shouldn't have. this is actually the real speed. can someone post the hollywood bowl version?

[PinkoCommyCoulter]

check my favourites - it's in there somewhere...

[graytart]

It's a great spoof of amateur talent contest programs, and it's worth noting that this version came before the Hollywood Bowl one. I love the sign "Hendon [Latest news] still raining."

[RocketDan21]

I like the Hollywood Bowl version better. At least then, it was, I daresay, bouncier. THIS is just depressing.

[ivorykisses]

I like this version better, I think it's supposed to be depressing. It's part of the joke.

[RocketDan21]

Actually no; YT has the original around here somewhere (by Innes' original band, the BonzoDog DooDahs), and it's cheerful (more than this; not as much as HB). I guess it's funny, hearing a cheerful song sung depressingly. The Python spirit was in him before he joined (written 10 years-ish prior)

[ivorykisses]

I know the original version, and many other versions. This particular version is supposed to be depressing.

[RocketDan21]

Understood. My apologies. I should have realized that there was more than just the one version.

[TotzthePlaid]

@ivorykisses I think the tap dancing joke works better in the Hollywood Bowl performance since it follows the comedic 'rule of three'.

[MoscowMaestro]

@RocketDan21 Listen to the words, you idiot. Do you think it's meant to be some Hollywood shit?  Moron.

[graytart]

It's Carl Weetabix and Rita!