The band's only appearance on the UK Singles Charts was "I'm the Urban Spaceman", which reached #5 in October 1968. The single was produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym "Apollo C. Vermouth". The band disbanded in 1970. The band reunited briefly in 1972 and again in 1988, before reuniting permanently in 2002.
After the initial split, Innes provided songs for "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and the Monty Python troupe's subsequent films, and is often considered to be an "unofficial member" of the troupe. Stanshall died in a house fire in 1995.
The band's six albums are: "Gorilla" (1967), "The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse" (1968, released as "Urban Spaceman" in the US), "Tadpoles" (1969), "Keynsham" (1969), "Let's Make Up and Be Friendly" (1972) and "Pour l'Amour des Chiens" (2007).
Alí Baba
The Bonzo Dog Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out for what we all want, lots of L.S.D.
He also had a camel, stole it from a zoo
How he loved the camel, and the camel loved him too
(Oh, how the how the camel loved Ali Bar Bar!)
Ali Baba's camel loved Ali Baba so
No matter where he went to, the camel had to go
Wherever you think Ali has gone, his camel's gone there too
Crossing the Equator, oooo, how hot it was
Poor old Ali Baba cursed and swore, because
He was so very thirsty, and everybody knows
It's horrible to walk for miles with sand between your toes
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali Baba... brrrrr!)
Ali Baba's camel turned round and licked his hand
He said, "Oh, Ali Baba, I surely understand
We must find an oasis and get a drink somehow
But, hark! I hear the temple bells, they'll all be open now"
(Bleah bleah. Glorious beer, fills you right up with it... aaahh)
They entered for the races at the desert sports
There goes Ali's camel in his filthy cotton shorts
The starter cracked his pistol, off the camel's hared
Ali Baba's camel wins by half a camel's hair
(Hey Ali Baba! Hey Ali Baba!)
(Your camel loves you! Your camel loves you!)
Ali Baba's camel had run for miles and miles
His tail was pointing backwards, that's how a camel smiles
But Ali and his camel, they both were out of breath
They'd run so far, they laughed so much
They laughed themselves to death
[Sounds of crying and wailing)
Oh! Gather round the campfire! Sing a roundelay!
But don't sing out of tune, though
('Cause eggs are cheap today!)
Sing of Ali Baba, sing about his men
Sing about his camel, and then sing it all again
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali Baba)
Ali Baba's camel loved Ali Baba so
No matter where he went to, that camel had to go
Some say that he's in Heaven, but this I know as well
Wherever you think Ali has gone, his camel's gone to.....
(Hey, give us a tune there, Jock......Ya-hoo!)
(Piano plays "Knees Up Mother Brown" to end)
The lyrics of The Bonzo Dog Band's Ali Baba's Camel are about Ali Baba, a character from Persian folklore who is known for discovering the secrets of the den of 40 thieves by using the magical phrase "Open Sesame." The song describes the love between Ali Baba and his beloved camel who accompanied him everywhere he went, even when Ali was stealing or running away from the authorities. Despite the absurdity of the subject, the lyrics contain an element of psychedelic culture, as the opening line suggests, "Out for what we all want, lots of L.S.D." This line indicates the use of drugs as a means of escape and searching for a new form of consciousness.
The song is mostly composed of playful, joyful in its tone and is filled with witty wordplays and catchy melodies. One of the unique aspects of the song is the way it combines Eastern and Western musical elements, which was a common practice among psychedelic bands in the '60s. The lyrics mention crossing the Equator and entering a desert oasis, which adds an exotic flair to the song.
The overall theme of the song seems to be celebrating the freedom to do what you want, as represented by Ali Baba and his camel. The song suggests that life is more enjoyable when you have companionship and someone to share it with. The song ends with a call to sing about Ali Baba and his adventure, inviting listeners to sing along and enjoy the fun.
Line by Line Meaning
You've heard of Ali Baba, forty thieves had he
You're probably familiar with the Ali Baba story, who had 40 thieves working for him
Out for what we all want, lots of L.S.D.
Ali Baba was out for a similar goal as all of us, acquiring lots of LSD.
He also had a camel, stole it from a zoo
In addition to the thieves and the LSD, Ali Baba also had a camel which he stole from a zoo.
How he loved the camel, and the camel loved him too
(Oh, how the how the camel loved Ali Bar Bar!)
Ali Baba had an affectionate relationship with his camel, and the camel reciprocated that love for Ali Baba.
Ali Baba's camel loved Ali Baba so
No matter where he went to, the camel had to go
Ali Baba's camel was devoted to him and followed him wherever he went.
Some say that he's in Heaven, but this I know is true
Wherever you think Ali has gone, his camel's gone there too
Even after Ali Baba's death, his camel was believed to follow him wherever he ended up.
Crossing the Equator, oooo, how hot it was
Poor old Ali Baba cursed and swore, because
He was so very thirsty, and everybody knows
It's horrible to walk for miles with sand between your toes
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali Baba... brrrrr!)
While crossing the equator, Ali Baba faced dehydration and cursed, but his camel was still there with him and was feeling the heat as well.
Ali Baba's camel turned round and licked his hand
He said, "Oh, Ali Baba, I surely understand
We must find an oasis and get a drink somehow
But, hark! I hear the temple bells, they'll all be open now"
(Bleah bleah. Glorious beer, fills you right up with it... aaahh)
Ali Baba's camel showed affection to him by licking his hand and assured him that they will find water. They decided to head towards the temple where they could get water and beer to quench their thirst.
They entered for the races at the desert sports
There goes Ali's camel in his filthy cotton shorts
The starter cracked his pistol, off the camel's hared
Ali Baba's camel wins by half a camel's hair
(Hey Ali Baba! Hey Ali Baba!)
(Your camel loves you! Your camel loves you!)
Ali Baba and his camel entered a race and won by a tiny margin. Ali Baba's camel expressed its love for him and others cheered for them.
Ali Baba's camel had run for miles and miles
His tail was pointing backwards, that's how a camel smiles
But Ali and his camel, they both were out of breath
They'd run so far, they laughed so much
They laughed themselves to death
[Sounds of crying and wailing)
After running for miles, Ali Baba and his camel started to laugh and eventually died while laughing a lot.
Oh! Gather round the campfire! Sing a roundelay!
But don't sing out of tune, though
('Cause eggs are cheap today!)
Sing of Ali Baba, sing about his men
Sing about his camel, and then sing it all again
(Oh, how the camel loved Ali Baba)
The song ends by inviting others to sing around the campfire and sing the song once more with the same excitement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NOEL GAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind