McFadden was born in East Liverpool, Ohio and was in the United States Navy in World War II when he got his start as a singer and impressionist. He went on to do an opening act for the likes of Harry Belafonte in Pittsburgh where he worked at a steel mill. McFadden continued in this vein for years until a move to New York in the mid 1960s, which resulted in a great deal of voice-over work in commercials and animation. In the late 1950s he collaborated with Rod McKuen on a single entitled "The Mummy", the "B" side "The Beat Generation" parodied the then-emerging literary community of the name; on this record, McKuen used the pseudonym "Dor" and later claimed that Bill Haley & His Comets were the band used for the recording session, though this has not been confirmed. McFadden and McKuen also released a full-length album in 1959 called "Songs Our Mummy Taught Us" (Brunswick 54056). In 1963, McFadden released the parody album "Fast, Fast Relief From TV Commercials" (Audio Fidelity AFSD 6112).
He lived in Leonia, New Jersey. McFadden continued to work until the late 1980s, when poor health put him into retirement. He died in Delray Beach, Florida in 2000, twelve days before he would have turned 77.
Mummy
Bob McFadden & Dor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
somebody.
I'm a mummy.
[FIRST PERSON:]
[MUMMY:] I was born one thousand nine hundred and fity-nine years ago. My
daddy was a mummy, too. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I'm a mummy.
[SECOND PERSON:]
copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", but people run from me.
Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I'm
a mummy.
[THIRD PERSON:]
[MUMMY: ]I wish there was somebody somewhere who wasn't afraid of me. Oh,
well. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I'm a mummy.
[BEATNIK:] That's cool.
[MUMMY: ]I'm a mummy.
[BEATNIK:] You mean you're a mother.
[MUMMY:] No, I'm a mummy.
[BEATNIK:] I'm a beatnik.
[MUMMY: ]People are afraid of me.
[BEATNIK:] Yeah, I'll bet.
[MUMMY:] I was born one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine years ago.
[BEATNIK:] Oh, yeah, like that's a long gig.
[MUMMY:] Where can I buy a copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"?
[BEATNIK:] Oooh, man, I don't dig that trash. You know like Brubeck,
Sherwin, modern jazz quartet?
[MUMMY:] I'm a mummy.
[BEATNIK:] Man, you got a warped groove.
[MUMMY:] Aren't you afraid of me? Aren't you gonna scream?
[BEATNIK:] Oh, yeah, like "help."
Transcribed by Little John
These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording referenced
above, and are for personal use and research interest only.
The song "Mummy" by Bob McFadden & Dor is a humorous take on the classic horror monster, the mummy, and puts the undead creature in modern-day situations that highlight the absurdity of its existence. The lyrics are divided into different sections, with the mummy speaking to different people, trying to connect with them but failing miserably as they run away in terror. The mummy seems genuinely confused as to why people are frightened of it, even remarking that it came back to life to buy a copy of a popular song, but people still run from it. The beatnik character also adds a touch of humor to the song, as he tries to explain his taste in music to the mummy.
Overall, the lyrics to "Mummy" are quite simple, but effective in conveying a lighthearted and humorous tone. They play with the notion of the mummy as a classic monster, but also bring it down to earth by making it relatable in a way that audiences can connect with.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a mummy. I scare people. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I am a mummy and my presence alone is terrifying to most people. Watch how they react when I approach them.
I was born one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine years ago. My daddy was a mummy, too. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I have been around for centuries, my father was also a mummy. Even after all these years, people are still scared of me. Watch how they react when I show myself to them.
I don't try to scare people. I really came back to life to buy a copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", but people run from me. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I don't intend to scare people, I am actually here to buy a specific record. However, people still run from me due to my appearance. Watch how they react when I approach them.
I wish there was somebody somewhere who wasn't afraid of me. Oh, well. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
It would be nice if there was someone who wasn't frightened of me. Unfortunately, it seems that everyone is scared. Watch how people react when I come close to them.
That's cool.
A reaction from a beatnik to the mummy's statement.
I'm a mummy.
Reiteration of the mummy's identity.
You mean you're a mother.
The beatnik mistakes the mummy's identity as a mother instead of a mummy.
No, I'm a mummy.
The mummy clarifies that it is not a mother, but a mummy.
People are afraid of me.
The mummy is aware of its frightening appearance, which leads to people's fear.
Yeah, I'll bet.
The beatnik agrees with the mummy's statement that people are afraid of it.
Oh, yeah, like that's a long gig.
The beatnik makes a statement, implying that living for centuries is not a big deal.
Where can I buy a copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"?
The mummy reiterates its desire to buy a specific record.
Oooh, man, I don't dig that trash. You know like Brubeck, Sherwin, modern jazz quartet?
The beatnik responds to the mummy's question about the record by expressing its disinterest and naming other jazz artists.
Aren't you afraid of me? Aren't you gonna scream?
The mummy asks the beatnik if it is afraid of it and expects a fearful reaction.
Oh, yeah, like "help."
The beatnik responds to the mummy's question with irony, stating that it is scared and needs help.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Salty Llama
Heard it on the radio once while traveling. Just remembered to look it up. We all got a kick out of it.
zazelby
It turns out that this is exactly what a mummy sounds like. (Seriously, have you heard the "reconstructed" mummy voice? It's this)
PappyWappy43
I found out about this song yesterday on Halloween night, I was with my mom taking a bus to go to a haunted house sort of maze. They were playing spooky songs on the bus and this came on and I fell in love with it.
THE WITCH'S DUNGEON
I never heard this before! Great to hear it, and nice images. Many thanks - Cortlandt
MarkytheCat
My friend showed me this, and we pranked my coworker. Good times.
GHcool
I got this on a Dr. Demento album as a kid. I have it on my ipod. Love it! When I was a kid, I asked my mom if she could "lend me her comb."
Erin Jameson
I heard this for the first time on the radio today and had to seek it out. Hilarious.
joe_
I found the LP for this song at goodwill and I found it to be the funniest thing ever. I still love the song and I listen to it all the time though
kpadmirer
I was in the sixth grade when this song came out. We had a "talent" contest and one kid put on a biker costume and pretended that he was the beatnik.
Julian The Ultimate Gamer
Honestly this deserves more respect