Folk music
In 1965, together with Tam Harvey, Connolly started a group called the Humblebums. At their first gig, Connolly introduced them both to the audience by saying, "My name's Billy Connolly, and I'm humble. This is Tam Harvey, he's a bum." The band would later include Gerry Rafferty. Connolly sang, played banjo and guitar, and entertained the audience with his humorous introductions to the songs.
In his World Tour of Scotland, Connolly reveals that at a trailer show during the Edinburgh Festival, the Humblebums took to the stage just before the late Yehudi Menuhin.
The trio broke up in 1971, at which point Connolly went solo. His first solo album in 1972, Billy Connolly Live! on Transatlantic Records, features Connolly as a singer, songwriter, and musician.
His early albums were a mixture of comedy performances with comedic and serious musical interludes. Among his best known musical performances were "The Welly Boot Song", a comical ode to the working class which became his theme song for several years; "In the Brownies", a parody of the Village People classics "Y.M.C.A." and "In the Navy" (for which Connolly filmed a music video); "Two Little Boys in Blue", a tongue-in-cheek indictment of police brutality done to the tune of Rolf Harris' "Two Little Boys"; and the ballad "I Wish I Was in Glasgow" which Connolly would later perform on a guest appearance on the 1990s American sitcom Pearl (which starred Rhea Perlman). He also performed the occasional Humblebums-era song such as "Oh, No!" as well as straightforward covers such as a version of Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" which was included on his Riotous Assembly album.
In November 1975, his spoof of the Tammy Wynette song "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" had a one-week spell as the UK's No. 1 single. Wynette's original was about parents spelling out words of an impending marital split to avoid traumatizing their young child. Connolly's version "D.I.V.O.R.C.E.", on the other hand, played off of the fact that many dog owners use the same tactic when they do not wish their pet to become upset about an impending trip to the veterinarian. His song is about a couple whose marriage is ruined by a bad vet visit (spelling out "W.O.R.M." or "Q.U.A.R.A.N.T.I.N.E.", for example.)
His song "No Chance" was a parody of J.J. Barrie's "No Charge".
In 1985 he sang the theme song to Supergran, which was released as a single and in 1996 he performed a cover of Ralph McTell's In The Dreamtime as the theme to his World Tour of Australia. By the late 1980s, Connolly had all but dropped the music from his act, though he still records the occasional musical performance. In 1998 he covered The Beatles' "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" on the George Martin tribute, In My Life and he also recorded a rewritten version of Alanis Morissette's "Hand in My Pocket" entitled "The Evil Scotsman". Most recently, he sang a song during the film Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Connolly is among the artists featured on Banjoman, a tribute to American folk musician Derroll Adams, released in 2002. He plays one song, "The Rock".
Stand-up comedy
It is as a stand-up comedian that Connolly is best known. His observational comedy is idiosyncratic and often off-the-cuff. He talks about himself, who he is, where he's been, what he thinks and how he reacts to the world around him. He has outraged audiences, critics and, of course, the media with his free use of the word "fuck". He has used masturbation, blasphemy, defecation, flatulence, sex, his father's illness and his aunts' cruelty to entertain. By exploring these subjects with humour, Connolly has done much to strip away the taboos surrounding them. Yet he does not tell jokes in the conventional way. At the end of a concert the audience can be convulsed with laughter but few can remember a specific "funny" line.
One of Connolly's most famous comedy skits is "The Crucifixion", an early 1970s recording in which he likens Christ's Last Supper to a drunken night out in Glasgow. The recording was banned by many radio stations at the time. Around this same time, a joke told during a television talk show appearance (about a murderer and his bike) became a sensation that, reportedly, people still remember three decades after the appearance. (A transcript of the complete joke can be found here).
Billy Connolly also performed a sketch broadcast on TV, when talking about national anthems, and comparing the UK's slow tune to the lively ones of many other nations, Billy suggested that it should be replaced by the theme tune to The Archers.
Connolly's style has changed over the years to be less controversial and more observational. Including topics such as himself aging, stories about where he has been and other aspects of his life. He also exclaims "Oh, I must tell you!" and vocalises whatever thought occurs to him. Another feature is his ability to break off onto a tangent mid-topic and return to it later -- sometimes as long as an hour later.
Awards
Connolly was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Glasgow on 11 July, 2001. This particularly bemused his wife, who noted that she had studied for six years to obtain her Ph.D., whereas Billy merely had to turn up and collect his. 2003 saw him presented with a BAFTA Lifetime Achievement award and a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
On 4 July 2006, Connolly was awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow's Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) for his service to performing arts [5].
Trivia
* While being interviewed with his wife on the Irish Late Late Show, Connolly proved how easily he forgets many great lines that other comedians could only hope to think of. The presenter was trying to get Connolly to reproduce a funny line he had read in "Bravemouth" about Connolly knowing of an organism that lives on a human eyelid that has two penises. He asked Connolly "What was it called?" to which Connolly replied "Some latin name that I can't remember". His wife then interrupted "But the translation means lucky bastard, right", to which Connolly broke down in a fit of laughter. When he complemented his wife on the line, she had to remind him that it was his own original line which he had forgotten.
* Connolly is a lifelong supporter of Glasgow football team, Celtic, and is often seen at their home games.
* Connolly came second in The Glasgow Herald's poll, "The Most Scottish Person In The World". Number one was Wee Jimmy Krankie (see The Krankies), while third place went to Russ Abbott's impersonation of a Scotsman.
Sergeant Where's Mine?
Billy Connolly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinkin' on things that I've done
Like drinkin' wi' squaddies and bullin' my boots
I'm countin' the medals I've won
These hospital wards they're all drab lookin' joints
But the ceiling's as much as I see
It could do with a wee touch of paper or paint
Chorus: Oh sergeant, is this the adventure you meant
When I put my name down on the line
All that talk of computers and sunshine and skis
Oh, I'm askin' you, sergeant, where's mine
I've a brother in Glasgow wi' long, curly hair
When I joined up he said I was daft
He says shootin' strangers just is nae his game
That brother of mine is nae saft
But I can put up wi' most things I've done in the time
I can even put up with the pains
But what do you do with a gun in your hand
When you're faced with a hundred odd wanes
Billy Connolly's song "Sergeant Where's Mine?" is about a soldier laying in a hospital bed, reflecting on his experiences in the army. The soldier thinks about the things he's done while in service such as drinking with other soldiers and polishing his boots. He counts the medals that he's won but grows disillusioned with the reality of the hospital ward where he lays. Though he acknowledges that the ward is dreary, he wonders if he's simply become too jaded.
The chorus of the song highlights the soldier's disappointment regarding the disparity between what he was told to expect and reality. He wonders if the adventure he signed up for in the army was simply a ruse, referencing "computers and sunshine and skis" and questioning where it is. Later in the song, Connolly explores the idea of a relative who was against the idea of him joining the army, saying that shooting strangers isn't his game. Despite the soldier's own willingness to tolerate pain, he struggles to come to terms with holding a gun and facing children.
Overall, "Sergeant Where's Mine?" is a critical look at the realities of being in the army versus the glamorous expectations of the recruits. The song questions the nature of the adventures promised to soldiers as opposed to the harsher realities of war.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm lyin' in bed, I'm in room twenty-six
I am currently in a hospital bed in room twenty-six and lying down.
Thinkin' on things that I've done
I am reflecting on my past experiences and actions.
Like drinkin' wi' squaddies and bullin' my boots
Some of the things I have done include having drinks with fellow soldiers and cleaning and shining my boots.
I'm countin' the medals I've won
I am taking stock of the number of medals I have received for my service in the military.
These hospital wards they're all drab lookin' joints
The hospital rooms are all very plain and uninteresting.
But the ceiling's as much as I see
The only thing I can see from my bed is the ceiling above me.
It could do with a wee touch of paper or paint
I think that adding some wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint could brighten up the room a bit.
But then again, maybe that's me
Perhaps I am just being overly critical and picky about the appearance of the room.
Chorus: Oh sergeant, is this the adventure you meant
This is a question directed at my sergeant, asking if this is what he meant by this military experience being an adventure.
When I put my name down on the line
When I initially signed up for the military.
All that talk of computers and sunshine and skis
All the talk beforehand about having access to computers, enjoying good weather, and going skiing.
Oh, I'm askin' you, sergeant, where's mine
I am wondering where all of those promised perks and benefits are that were mentioned before I joined the military.
I've a brother in Glasgow wi' long, curly hair
I have a brother who lives in Glasgow and has long, curly hair.
When I joined up he said I was daft
My brother thought I was foolish for joining the military.
He says shootin' strangers just is nae his game
My brother is not interested in shooting at people he does not know.
That brother of mine is nae saft
Despite his aversion to the military, my brother is not a soft person.
But I can put up wi' most things I've done in the time
I have learned to tolerate and endure most of the things I have had to do during my time in the military.
I can even put up with the pains
I am able to tolerate the physical and emotional pains that come with military service.
But what do you do with a gun in your hand
I am contemplating the moral and ethical implications of having a weapon in my possession.
When you're faced with a hundred odd wanes
When confronted with a large group of children or young people.
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@terryh9559
Havnt heard this one in years, well done Billy lad!
@robbates1578
Probably the best thing Mr Connelly ever wrote
@willemslie
Didn't expect to find this one anywhere. Takes me back many years. Thanks forn posting.
@jacobgordon7998
Never realized until a month ago that this song was written by Billy Connelly. Great song.
Billy is a legend. My first awareness of Mr. Connelly was in the American sitcom 'Head of the Class', so I've been a fan of his since then.
@leszektemplewicz3362
I just discovered this amazing song!!! Thank you for posting!
@DanielMcGregor
I have the vinyl record. Inherited from my dad. Listening to those records made me a fan of the big yin before anyone outside the UK knew who he is. :)
@tartanrocker5926
first saw him play in a school auditorium here in Canada..no many folk there, it wis the Banana Feet tour....gawd...'73? '74? mibbe??...came oot wi' a sair face fae laughing that much!!!....Billy, yer brilliant!!!
@marcusm4766
He also recorded this with The Dubliners on their 30 Years A-Greying album in 1992.
@eddymcpre
Great version that, lovely collaboration with the dubs
@bigtittyhooker5133
Its been decades since I heard this on my dads tape, thanks mate for putting a lump in my throat.