1001 Songs Challenge #721: The Humpty Dance (1989)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

 

Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance (1989)

 

 

We’re leaving the Republic of Ireland, dear reader, and making our way back to the US and to California. Digital Underground were formed in 1987 with the principal member being Greg “Shock G” Jacobs. Specialising in alternative hip hop and being influenced by funk, Digital Underground had a career of more than 20 years and are responsible for launching the likes of Tupac Shakur. When we join them in 1989 it is with their debut album – Sex Packets – and 1001 Songs have gone with the track, The Humpty Dance. 

The Humpty Dance is rather peculiar, let’s be completely honest. Shock G takes on the role of Humpty Hump who is not the most attractive of people. In fact, he is considered rather amusing to look at and mocked by many people. It isn’t all bad though. Humpty Hump is something of a Casanova figure when it comes to the ladies. He does not hold back in sharing details of his sexual prowess. Shock G then invites us to take part in the Humpty Dance, well, I think he is inviting the ladies to take part in this particular action and that should probably shed light on what he means by this dance. Saucy devil indeed. 

The Humpty Dance is a silly but fun bit of hip hop, detracting from social commentary in favour of a humorous tale of a so-called ugly man’s sexual antics. The track would prove very popular upon release as was their debut album from which the single came. The group continued to perform until 2008 when Shock G announced the group would be disbanding with one final album released before they stepped away from the limelight.

 

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1978)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)