When Stephens received several requests for The New Vaudeville Band to tour he had to put together a group, since the song was recorded by studio musicians hired only for the recording session. He contacted a real group, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, which played similar music at the time. Only Bob Kerr from that group was interested, so he left The Bonzos to help Stephens form a touring version of The New Vaudeville Band. The lead singer of the touring version of the group was Alan Klein, who was billed as 'Tristram—Seventh Earl Of Cricklewood'. The group enjoyed success for two years until the novelty wore off. Kerr then formed his own group, Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band, which continues to perform.
In 1967, The New Vaudeville Band released the Finchley Central LP.
Whatever Happened To Phyllis Puke
New Vaudeville Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A scintillating darling who'll come along and baby me:
She′s got to be a girl who's a thoroughbred,
Who'll bring me my cocoa when it′s time for bed
And entertain the Duchess and Duke,
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
They call me Dashing Dennis with a gleaming white smile,
I wish I had a cutie of my very own
To pour me out a port and lemon when I get home
And fix the dinner with the cook,
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
So I went to see the parson to ask his advice,
I said I'm looking for a darling who′s got to be awfully nice,
For I'm a gay young bachelor of thirty-three
And everybody in the village talks about me
And gives me peculiar looks,
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
Whatever did happen to Phyllis Puke? Well, wasn′t she the one who ran off with that colonial bus conductor chappie from Brixton?
The New Vaudeville Band's song "Whatever Happened To Phyllis Puke?" is a quirky and lighthearted tune that tells the story of two gentlemen in search of the perfect woman. The first gentleman is looking for a girl to bring him his cocoa at bedtime and entertain royalty, while the second is seeking a cutie to serve him a port and lemon and cook his dinner. Both are hoping to find the perfect woman, and the song humorously ponders the whereabouts of a woman named Phyllis Puke who was supposedly seen running off with a colonial bus conductor from Brixton.
The lyrics are meant to be humorous and satirical, poking fun at the stereotypical roles and expectations of men and women in relationships. The song's tone is light and playful, celebrating the carefree and frivolous attitudes of the time. Despite its comical nature, the song also carries a subtle message about the changing attitudes towards relationships and gender roles in the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for a darling to share my early-morning tea,
I am searching for a charming girl to spend my morning time with, sharing tea, and pampering me.
A scintillating darling who'll come along and baby me:
Someone who is sparkling and entertaining, who will accompany me while being indulgent towards me.
She's got to be a girl who's a thoroughbred,
She has to be a well-bred girl, coming from a good family background.
Who'll bring me my cocoa when it's time for bed
Someone who will bring me my bed-time cocoa or any other such preferences, taking care of me.
And entertain the Duchess and Duke,
And must be able to engage and dazzle the nobles or people with high status.
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
And this line reminds me of Phyllis Puke, whatever happened to her?
They call me Dashing Dennis with a gleaming white smile,
I am called Dashing Dennis, adored for my charming and bright smile.
And when I'm out playing tennis with Lord and Lady de Lyle
And when I am engaged in a game of tennis with Lord and Lady de Lyle.
I wish I had a cutie of my very own
I long for someone adorable to call my own.
To pour me out a port and lemon when I get home
To serve me a glass of port and lemon when I return home.
And fix the dinner with the cook,
And to manage or supervise the cooking in the kitchen.
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
And that reminds me, what happened to Phyllis Puke?
So I went to see the parson to ask his advice,
Thus, I went to the parson to ask for his consultation or suggestion.
I said I'm looking for a darling who's got to be awfully nice,
I told him I'm searching for a pleasant and charming girl.
For I'm a gay young bachelor of thirty-three
As I am a jolly and unmarried young man of the age of thirty-three.
And everybody in the village talks about me
And everyone in this village speaks of me.
And gives me peculiar looks,
They give me strange looks or scrutinize my moves.
And that reminds me, whatever happened to Phyllis Puke?
And that reminds me of Phyllis Puke, what may have happened to her?
Whatever did happen to Phyllis Puke? Well, wasn't she the one who ran off with that colonial bus conductor chappie from Brixton?
As for Phyllis Puke, didn't she run away with that bus conductor from Brixton who came from a colony?
Writer(s): Geoff Stephens, Alan Charles Klein
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.