McCulloch has released two albums: 1995's Shame-Based Man (praised by All Music Guide as the "most remarkable of comedy albums: one that bears [frequent] repeated listenings") and 2002's Drunk Baby Project. As with his television work, these feature a mixture of music and monologues.
McCulloch also directed the music video for The Tragically Hip's song "My Music At Work", from their 2000 album 'Music @ Work'. McCulloch has stated on his website that he is close friends with Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. The video shares much in common with many "Kids In The Hall" sketches, including its office setting, camera angles, and some thematic elements. In it, the members of The Hip are depicted as co-workers in a stereotypical office building. Fed up with the bleakness of their work-a-day routines, they unite to form a rock band during their off-hours. The video cuts between several sketches showing the blandness and banality of corporate work, a humorous sequence showing Downie printing flyers for one of the band's shows (only to be caught by his boss playing the photocopier like a musical instrument), and the band performing on-stage (presumably at the show the flyers were being printed for).
Al Miller
Bruce McCulloch Lyrics
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It got that way 'cause he likes the taste of bacon and eggs
Al Miller's been my friend since college
Although they never saw him take classes
Al Miller's always been a philosopher
He says stuff like
"Getting drunk with your landlord:
"Don't trust a guy who
Keeps his change in his wallet"
Al Miller's wife rides the Nordic-Trac
She Nordic-Trac's while Al eats his bacon and eggs
Al Miller had a weird lump on his elbow
Got it cut off, he never even sat down
Al Miller's always been a philosopher
He says stuff like
"Get a clock radio,
That's the kind of life you're gonna have"
"Don't like your stir-fry?
Send it back"
Al Miller don't cater for gossip
Yet he'll get in a cab and talk Egyptian politics
Won't drink red wine or get an earring
Never went through a phase where he dyed his hair black
Al Miller's always been a philosopher
He says stuff like
"Getting drunk in a hotel?
Well, then you better play low-die"
He says stuff like
"Bruce, why are you writing a song about me?"
What he should say, as he looks in the mirror, is "I am Al Miller!"
The song "Al Miller" by Bruce McCulloch is a humorous portrayal of his friend Al Miller, who is described as having a heart like a lump of butter due to his love of bacon and eggs. Despite never being seen in classes, Miller is portrayed as intelligent and philosophical, offering advice such as not getting drunk with one's landlord and not trusting those who keep change in their wallets.
The lyrics also describe Miller's wife, who is seen exercising on a Nordic-Trac while he eats breakfast, and a weird lump on Miller's elbow that he had removed without even sitting down. McCulloch paints a picture of a quirky and unique individual who is not interested in gossip or trends, but is knowledgeable about Egyptian politics and advises against drinking red wine or getting an earring.
Throughout the song, Miller is characterized as someone who is always offering his philosophical insights, and even questions why McCulloch would write a song about him. In the final line, McCulloch suggests that Miller should recognize himself in the song and say "I am Al Miller!" The song is a lighthearted and affectionate tribute to a friend who is both eccentric and wise in his own way.
Line by Line Meaning
Al Miller's heart is a lump of butter
Al Miller has a very kind heart
It got that way 'cause he likes the taste of bacon and eggs
Al Miller loves the taste of bacon and eggs so much that it is reflected in his kind heart
Al Miller's been my friend since college
I have known Al Miller since we were in college together
Although they never saw him take classes
Even though no one saw Al Miller attend classes in college
Al Miller's always been a philosopher
Al Miller has always been a deep thinker
He says stuff like
He expresses his philosophy through sayings such as
"Getting drunk with your landlord:
"It's not a smart thing to do if you're looking to maintain a good relationship with your landlord
Not a smart thing to do"
"It's not a smart thing to do"
"Don't trust a guy who
"You shouldn't trust someone who
Keeps his change in his wallet"
"Keeps all his change in his wallet"
Al Miller's wife rides the Nordic-Trac
Al Miller's wife exercises on a Nordic-Trac
She Nordic-Trac's while Al eats his bacon and eggs
While she exercises, Al enjoys his bacon and eggs
Al Miller had a weird lump on his elbow
Al Miller had a strange bump on his elbow
Got it cut off, he never even sat down
He got it removed without even having to sit down
Al Miller don't cater for gossip
Al Miller does not indulge in gossip
Yet he'll get in a cab and talk Egyptian politics
However, he will discuss Egyptian politics while riding in a taxi
Won't drink red wine or get an earring
Al Miller does not like red wine or piercings
Never went through a phase where he dyed his hair black
Al Miller never had a phase where he dyed his hair black
He says stuff like
He expresses his philosophy through sayings such as
"Getting drunk in a hotel?
"If you plan to get drunk in a hotel, you should"
Well, then you better play low-die"
"Better make sure you play low key"
"Bruce, why are you writing a song about me?"
"Bruce, why are you writing a song about me?"
What he should say, as he looks in the mirror, is "I am Al Miller!"
Al Miller should be proud of who he is
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.