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.
The 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 lyrics to Bob McFadden's song The Mummy depict the titular character lamenting about their lack of acceptance and constant fear from people around them. The mummy explains that they were born 1,959 years ago and come from a lineage of mummies, revealing a sense of loneliness and isolation due to their age and heritage. Despite the mummy's intention to simply buy a copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb", they inadvertently scare people due to their appearance and identity. The conversation with the beatnik towards the end of the song highlights the generational and cultural divide between the two characters, showcasing the mummy's outdated taste in music while the beatnik prefers modern jazz.
The lyrics of the song use the character of the mummy as a metaphor for people who feel ostracized or misunderstood due to their differences. The mummy's desire to connect with someone, anyone, who isn't afraid of them is a common feeling many people can relate to, regardless of their background or appearance. The song also highlights the destructive nature of fear and how it can prevent people from getting to know each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a mummy. I scare people. Watch what happens when I walk up to somebody.
I am an undead person wrapped in cloth strips. My appearance is frightening and I often startle people when I approach them.
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 have been dead for nearly 2,000 years and was born into a family of mummies. When I get near people, they become frightened.
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'm a mummy.
My intention is not to scare people, but to buy a copy of a popular song. Unfortunately, people still run away in fear when they see me. I am still a 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.
I desire to find someone who is not frightened of me, but I have yet to find that person. Regardless, I am still a mummy who may cause fear when I approach someone.
That's cool.
This response is given by the beatnik as a casual acknowledgment of the mummy's previous statement.
You mean you're a mother.
The beatnik misunderstands the mummy's statement and assumes they are a mother. This is corrected by the mummy.
No, I'm a mummy.
The mummy corrects the beatnik's misunderstanding and reiterates that they are still an undead person wrapped in cloth strips.
People are afraid of me.
The mummy states a fact that they have encountered, that people often experience fear when they are near the mummy.
Yeah, I'll bet.
The beatnik agrees with the mummy's statement and responds in a casual manner.
Oh, yeah, like that's a long gig.
The beatnik sarcastically remarks that living for nearly 2,000 years is a long time.
Where can I buy a copy of "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"?
The mummy reiterates their desire to acquire a copy of the popular song and seeks advice on where to purchase it.
Oooh, man, I don't dig that trash. You know like Brubeck, Sherwin, modern jazz quartet?
The beatnik dismisses the mummy's musical preference and suggests their own taste in modern jazz music.
Man, you got a warped groove.
The beatnik uses a phrase to describe their belief that the mummy has an unusual or eccentric way of thinking.
Aren't you afraid of me? Aren't you gonna scream?
The mummy questions the beatnik's lack of fear and lack of response to their presence, which is typically met with fear and screams by others.
Oh, yeah, like "help."
The beatnik sarcastically responds to the mummy's question, implying that they have no reason to scream or ask for help.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROD MCKUEN
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