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.
Song For Simon
Billy Connolly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tune up, and turn ‘round to show your face to the crowd
Sing a song in a genuine bluegrass voice
About your big Dixie Darling, the banjo that's always in tune.
Please sing a song for us, play your guitar
There isn't one of us care who you are
But if the sound is good, you won't go wrong
Stand up, stretch out to take the hand
Of a girl called Rosie who thought your performance was cool
Tune in, turn on, stop dead in your tracks
At a voice softly singing about some fool on a hill.
Please sing a song for us, play your guitar
There isn't one of us care who you are
And if the sound is good, you won't go wrong
Please sing a song for us and we will sing along (so long).
Billy Connolly's "Please Sing A Song For Us" is a song about the power of music and the unifying effect it can have on people. The opening lines describe a scene at a music venue where a musician has just arrived with their guitar. They are encouraged to play a song for the crowd, who don't care who they are as long as the music is good. The lyrics encourage the musician to play in a "genuine bluegrass voice" about their "big Dixie Darling," or a cherished instrument that is always in tune.
As the song continues, the focus shifts to the effect music can have on individuals. The second verse describes a listener named Rosie who is moved by the musician's performance and reaches out to connect. The third verse describes another singer whose voice touches the audience, and everyone joins in to sing together. The lyrics encourage musicians to keep playing and sharing their music because it has the power to connect people and bring them together.
In summary, "Please Sing A Song For Us" is a celebration of the power of music to touch people's hearts and bring them together. Whether it's through a cherished instrument or a beautiful voice, the song reminds us that music has the power to unite us all.
Line by Line Meaning
Walk in, sit down, open up your case
Enter the performance venue, take a seat, and open up your guitar case.
Tune up, and turn ‘round to show your face to the crowd
Tune your guitar and turn around to face the audience, introducing yourself.
Sing a song in a genuine bluegrass voice
Perform a song in an authentic bluegrass vocal style.
About your big Dixie Darling, the banjo that's always in tune.
Sing about your beloved banjo and its consistently in-tune sound.
Please sing a song for us, play your guitar
We kindly request you to perform a song and play your guitar.
There isn't one of us care who you are
We do not care about your identity or background, we are simply here to enjoy your music.
But if the sound is good, you won't go wrong
As long as your music sounds great, you will have succeeded in entertaining us.
Please sing a song for us and we will sing along (so long).
We would be delighted for you to sing a song for us and, if we know the words, we will join in on the chorus. Thank you and farewell!
Stand up, stretch out to take the hand
Rise from your seat, extend your arm, and shake hands with someone in the audience.
Of a girl called Rosie who thought your performance was cool
Meet Rosie, a member of the audience who particularly enjoyed your performance.
Tune in, turn on, stop dead in your tracks
Listen closely to the sound of someone's voice that causes you to pause and take notice.
At a voice softly singing about some fool on a hill.
Listen to the soft voice singing about someone perceived as foolish or odd who resides on a hill.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY RAFFERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jraekelly
Mr. McGonagle sits on the chimneytop wondering how he got there
A minute ago he was in his bed sleeping and now he's way up in the air
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.
Mrs. McDonagh was playing her banjo and singing a sweet lullaby
When all of a sudden there came a great crash, now she's flying way up in the sky
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.
Young Joseph Egan was cleaning his motorcar one Sunday morning in May
When out of the bonnet that there came a great giant and carried young Joseph away
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.
@johnm3395
Has to be one of me favorites
A song of hope for sure
Thanks humblebums ☺️
@ratsinblackjackets
What a beautiful song. RIP Gerry, thank you for inspiring me.
@tubbychubby1
such a beautiful song
@noirceur
Lovely song!
@rrfsee
Thanks for this i had forgotten it untill the 1st chord. i remember them doing the folk clubs in Scotland in the sixties.What a talent. If you want more listen to Rick Rack another great post
@asdasd2957
Absolutely perfect ! Thanks!
@MarkMcShaneFHSdotnet
Thanks for this. Missed it a long time.
@BADMONKEYNOBANANA1
@xengsimon my c ousin carla was gerrys wife and i heard through the family that matties rag was for martha.... i met carla only 5 weeks ago at a big family reunion.....gerry was an amazing talent
@ronevry2664
"Young Joseph Egan was cleaning his motorcar one Sunday morning in May
When out of the bonnet that there came a great giant and carried young Joseph away"
Of course you know that Joe Egan became Jerry Rafferty's partner in Stealer's Wheel.
@jraekelly
Mr. McGonagle sits on the chimneytop wondering how he got there
A minute ago he was in his bed sleeping and now he's way up in the air
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.
Mrs. McDonagh was playing her banjo and singing a sweet lullaby
When all of a sudden there came a great crash, now she's flying way up in the sky
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.
Young Joseph Egan was cleaning his motorcar one Sunday morning in May
When out of the bonnet that there came a great giant and carried young Joseph away
Who knows what the day will bring, it could bring anything
Who knows if we'll still be here, we could be there.