Jim Stafford - My Girl Bill

[chuc555]

This song was on the radio when I was in high school, We thought it was so gay .

One of the kids we hung around with was named Bill, so we started calling him" My Girl........Bill"

Always with that long pause between My Girl and Bill. Now every time I hear this song I just laugh.

[hdfatboy2k]

Maximum air-lift collar !



[Lava1964]

Ah, the importance of punctuation: It should have a comma and be "My Girl, Bill."

Just like it should be "Come on, Eileen." The lack of a comma gives the phrase a totally different meaning!

[TheFergme]

I loved listening to this song when I was a kid, it always made me smile. Why did it make me smile? Because it was one of those songs where I could be myself through most of the thing and then at the very last minute go "Ha, I got you bitches!"

[jimbobsebring]

to respond to mrsgtd per my comment. I know it got airplay, a lot of airplay. It was banned from the major corporate owned radio stations until they understood the song. The Jim Stafford televsion show presented it for what it was. Just to let you know, local radio stations in some markets never did play it.

[prescomp]

you`re a gay dead.....

[YosupMofo]

**Happy, Down To Earth Lyrics We Can All Understand**"

I said now Bill, we just left her place--and we both know what she said--she said she doesn't wanna see your face--and she wishes you were DEAD!"

Do we wonder why Bill loves her so? He's a masochist and enjoys rejection, pain and humiliation. Lots of people like Bill out there; and I don't get it...

[centralparocker]

You don't 'get it'....

[patraby19]

You missed the joke.

[trwent]

This has got to be one of the worst songs of all time, along with "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks and "Torn Between Two Lovers" by Mary McGregor.

[majuryni]

This is brilliant...Well done Jim.

[jimbobsebring]

. I am 60 and can't recall the FCC banning the song. Please let us know your source.

[mrsgstd]

@jimbobsebring I don't think it was ever banned. It got heavy airplay in the summer of '74 and I remember him doing it on TV and everyone laughing. Now days he'd get all kinds of flack. It was all done in humor, something people have lost sight of since the 1990s.

[reneecalling]

Isn't it amazing how a simple play on words can cause all that upheaval? I too thought My Girl Bill was a gay song, but I listened to the lyrics all the way through and it's simply a song about the rivalry of two guys competing for the same girl.

[Vahilias]

@reneecalling Yep, English is evil like that, for example: Let's eat Grandma!, versus, Let's eat, Grandma.

The first would be to consume the grandma, but the second would be to eat with grandma, gotta love English.

[reneecalling]

@Vahilias Yeah, and it's only wordplay. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

[64g15csr]

yeah john laws here in australia wanted this song banned cause he said it was about homosexuals but we in australia are a bit more grown up and it was played but laws wouldnt play it

[DaveWollenberg]

Jim hit #12 in Billboard, 6-1-74. God bless ya, for postin' Thanx! Cheers, Britons.

[Shashan1977]

Thats my P... My P diddy.

[LuthiersChile]

For a moment I thought that this song referrer to a Gay romance.

But, in the end I understand the concept. Here in Chile we have a saying that is "to a dead king, promoted king" (A rey muerto, rey puesto, sorry for my English).

[rac717]

One of the funniest songs of all time. Thanks Jim Stafford! Love it.

[joshie902100]

In English class our teacher showed us this song and ever since then it's been stuck in my head!

[DaniBear96xAngelwm]

I love my dad for showing mean this song and Jim in general

[handinside]

Very Cleaver Twist

[devilfan1965]

people are too sensative......its a song....thats it. Jim has a style all his own...we are tooo ban happy in this country.

[AnElephantsChild]

People think, that punctuation doesn't matter!

People think that punctuation doesn't matter?

Always loved this song. I remember the first time we heard this my mum got really worked up at the "who we love & why we love" bit. I roared with laughter at the punchline, she just went bright red !

Thank you for uploading this x x

[SpecialEdward121]

Anyone who's even remotely familiar with Jim Stafford know's he has a hell of a sense of humor. I still remember the first time I heard him. I was camping on the islands at Lake Texoma with my Dad in the '70's & I heard "Wildwood Weed". I was just a kid but understood it was about weed, just about pissed myself laughing.

[KB4QAA]

@CplLaibowitz. The FCC has never banned songs or anything else. They do not have a Censorship Office. Never have. If any song or show didn't get air time it was the decision of individual radio and television stations.

[Rampant7990]

@KB4QAA Google banned lyrics. You will find they actually have.

Also record companies literally changed lyrics without the artist's knowledge often through the years due to "pressure" from the FCC. Equaled the same result.

"Sarah Jones' and DJ Vadim's song "Your Revolution", is banned by the FCC for profanity and Portland, Oregon radio station KBOO is fined for playing the song. Eminem's hit song, "The Real Slim Shady" is banned by the FCC and two radio stations are fined for playing the song.

[webguy21]

@Rampant7990 Its funny that the song CAN'T be played'on the radio NOW but back in the 70's it was TOP-40 MATERIAL! I still love his song SPIDERs and SNAKES... haha (errr.......... dare I say No HOMO)

[MsDrummermike]

Thanks for posting, good song and artist

[Davidthekid7]

I heard this song on the radio last week

[Willzzzies]

OMFG this song is insane!!

[kimberthegiver]

You LIKE Robert Denby?!

[chuc555]

This song came out when I was in high school , We thought it was gay!

We had a friend named Bill, We started calling him My girl...Bill !

I always laugh when I hear this song, It brings back a lot of memories!

[CplLaibowitz]

I said the song was banned when it first came out. Obviously it did finally make it onto the air waves or else it couldn't have charted and no one would know it. After Jim first recorded it, the FCC would not allow it on the air. (Just as the "Maude" episode concerning abortion was banned in the City of Peoria, Illinois when it was first broadcast.) Fortunately the FCC gave in. It is my favorite Jim Stafford song.

[Manwithjeep]

Eats, shoots and leaves.... thank Jesus for commas

[AIRihg]

Obviously the FCC and others haven't learned English...its all about the comma lol...my protege wished that she could have taken this English class when they were learning about the comma.

[mattanddi62]

my mom loved this guy. I think I remember watching him on his own tv show.

[WaikoloaBill]

My squirrel, Squirt...

[LizzieDSSG]

I love that naughty little twinkle in his eyes as he sings those lyrics!

[rickw1100]

As the saying goes- " he doth protest too much me thinks"- a song sold on homophobia -too bad. Gay folks are people too.

[lazenate]

I think it was very clever as well... Never heard it before.

[HEMISUPERBEE426]

GREAT SONG FROM THAT CLASSIC TIME PERIOD.

[landrykkb]

Since homosexuality and same-sex marriages are all socially acceptable today,this song would have been more controversial today as opposed to when it was released in 1974,when they were very much regarded as society's alternative.

[SounzNice]

Clever play on words. Remember this one well.

[MRMADOO]

Wow that was a real stupid song!

[Erik1987T]

I grew up with a love for Agatha Christie novels, (The Hercule Poirot stuff, anyhow,) and Ive read many mystery novels, and most of the Poirot stuff. (I look forward to reading the rest.). My favorite is the last, "Curtain". -Try to see that surprise ending coming. You fucking won't.

I didn't see this surprise ending coming, either. I think Stafford is a literary genius, and one helluva funny guy. I stand in awe. And I've always loved this song.

[nailedwit]

There was no 'little comma'.  It was his own purposeful hesitation in the song that's the clue.

[rabidgoldfish65]

That collar was big-ish.

[tmacke]

This song was never banned. Duh!

[Bangwhistle]

When this song came out, attitudes were a lot different. That was back when the police were raiding gay bars and arresting men for being gay. Everyone who wasn't gay was a homophobe. If it weren't for that last verse, this could never get played on the radio.

[LAW2955]

I remember when he did this song on the Merv Griffin Show!!! Merv was mortified, the audience was in shock!!! Jim was oblivious to the reactions and just went thru the song!! Then...he got to the end of it......and Merv let out a sigh of relief and the audience burst into a relieved applause!!! And Jim's facial expression said it all ...."you thought it was somethin' else!!""" LOL!!!!!

[DaveWollenberg]

Hit #12 pop, #64 country in Billboard. God bless!

[TheBonelessSausage]

@DaveWollenberg Hit #1 pop,#69 Cuntry in July 1974 after you lost your virginity to Charles Nelson Riley backstage at a Jim Nabors concert.

[3222ray]

dont you love the way everyone thinks they are gay lovers listen to the whole thing and have chuckle

[atisaseret]

This song is just Brilliant - the Melody's GREAT, the Lyrics are AWESOME - and Jim Stafford has a play on the words - which makes most People totally misunderstand about who he's having an affair with until the very last sentence.....

Just Genius and very funny!

[HUTINAK]

A girl named BILL ???

This is worse than a Boy named Sue

[atisaseret]

NO HUTINAK - you missed the 'double entendre' of the song. He meant it as

"My Girl, Bill." It's that little comma that makes the difference, which is what makes this song so Brilliant - he's talking to a Guy named Bill, about his Girl. Now do you get it?

[HUTINAK]

I know the song... I was just trying to be funny..

[atisaseret]

HUTINAK - Oh ok - not a problem.

[bunchie1966]

I love this; the lyrics are so clever.

[GaryCarter1986]

My favorite teacher played this for us in class and we all love it now!

[billjoe39]

O.k song, I can understand Jim's interest in performing the tune.

[queenrocks77]

My favorite Jim Stafford song

[tedbrprncss]

See, now I've known this song since I was a kid (I'm only 24 now), and my impression was this: First it seems like he's talking to his lover, Bill. Then talking about a woman they are rivals for, then that last line "My little girl" makes it seem like he's actually talking to his Daughter's now exboyfriend. *shrugs* Great song, I've always loved it and Jim Stafford.

[ritches48]

Does anyone know the guitar tab for this song? I can't make all of them out

[gmacv1957]

LOL! I'd completely forgotten about this song and Jim Stafford. I remember when it first came out. I was in high school. I don't remember any real controversy about it, everyone just thought it was pretty clever.

[mrbananaman99]

how old r u?

[atisaseret]

An Amazing & Clever

DOUBLE ENTENDRE!!!!

That little COMMA makes ALL the difference in the meaning of the Song!

LOL

[kpw11985]

One of the best song misdirects ever. Stafford had a knack for great comedy in the early '70's.

[lockenjr]

Wow I am a music historian and never knew this song till twenty minutes ago. I am very familiar with his songs wild wood weed and spiders and snakes but somehow missed this one..

[wcwilliam7]

this is one of his big ones too

[SirBrightbud]

well don bowman wrote wold wood weed in the 60s and Jim didnt pick it up until 74 I think.But yes, its a good'n.

[videoarchiveman]

you have got to be kidding. A music historian and you did not know this song? it came out between Spiders and Snakes and Wildwood Weed and it charted at #12 on Billboard. I have the 45. You must not be a historian of top 40 music. This song made the country charts too. Maybe you are an expert on opera or jazz that's why you werent familiar with it.

[lockenjr]

okay funny funny I am telling you if you knew me you would be blown away that I didnt know this one but you have to understand I am 34 years old but I guarantee you I have never met a person who was actually alive in that era that could match my knowledge of music from the begining of the 60;s through the 80's. There was a show called rock n roll jeopardy for a while and as god and family as my witness at the most I might miss one question per episode.

[videoarchiveman]

okay, I do have quite a few years on you and since you were only 1 year old when this song came out I will back off. My brother says I know more than Dick Clark and Casey Casem. I dont know about that but Im sure you would love to see my vinyl record collection. I have respect for anyone who loves the 60's and 70's when good music with great melodies existed..

[lockenjr]

Yeah it would be cool to sit down and chat with you I bet hours would go by before we would realize we had been chatting for a long time... I love every genere of music from the 60'through the early 80's

[SplinterG66]

I'm trying to find Jim Stafford's song called A Real Good Time. It was about a girl named Lucille, the guy found her number written on the wall of a phone booth, and it said , For a Good Time Call..... I can't find it anywhere, any ideas?

[videoarchiveman]

I have that in my library. Would you like me to post it?

[SplinterG66]

Yes, If you could, I'd appreciate it. Thanks a lot.

[radcam69]

mucho talento, thanks Jim.

[jawce1956]

this will always remind me of working at WT GRANTS and Bill Waltmate who we called "my girl bill"

[journeystarr]

I heard this for the first time on Music Choice last night..I just had to laugh!

[itsaninsidejoke]

whats the song about then?

[atisaseret]

He's talking to Bill about the Girl they BOTH Love, but that isn't apparent

Until the very end. He just keeps going into the Chorus singing 'MY GIRL BILL',

and finally at the end he says, "SHE'S MY GIRL, BILL. It's all a 'double meaning'.

Now, do you get it?

[tony1uk2000]

sounds good,

[jaymo16]

lol wtf that is awesome man love this

[instructme]

I was driving down the street in San Antonio going to work at Ft. Sam when I heard this for the first time on the radio.

Obviously other people were listening as well, since we were all looking at each other while driving. Almost had a multiple car accident....... :)

[SomethngBoutMary]

Such a cutie. I love this song and the twist. Thanks for posting.

[rafcosford]

Isn't this just a great song! I think it is very clever, & always have.

[rainydaywoman1957]

its suggestive it makes people think about homosexuality. thats enough for the fcc. kinda like shaving cream(stay nice and clean) and, "my big ten inch" makes you think about naughty words and naughty bits.

my friends mom said she couldnt listen to funky nassau because it sounded like fu**** a** ***le

[dabomb774]

lol dis is awesome

[CplLaibowitz]

When this song first came out, it was banned from the radio by the FCC. They felt it was about homosexuality. Obviously they didn't listen to the whole song. I think it is very clever.

[crosssxeyed]

No it wasn't.

[mccoobs]

@CplLaibowitz same reason they tried to ban "imagine" by the beattles...

[Malcos68]

@CplLaibowitz LOL

[landrykkb]

@CplLaibowitz Jim sure teased the subject of homosexuality in the beginning of it,didn't he?Of course,this song would easily fall into the mainstream today without a whisper.

[Rampant7990]

@CplLaibowitz They may have leaned on some record companies, and those companies threatened stations, but I don't believe the FCC actually banned anything until after the year 2000. many stations would not play it, true but. FCC ban , not a fact according to records. If you find a source stating otherwise , please send it to me.

[tmtv633]

@CplLaibowitz It was not banned, you are cooking spaghetti and hope it sticks.