The Laughing Gnome
Encyclopedia
"The Laughing Gnome" is a song by David Bowie
. A pastiche of songs by one of Bowie's early influences, Anthony Newley, it was originally released as a novelty
single on Deram Records
in 1967, the track consisted of the singer meeting and conversing with the creature of the title, whose sped-up voice (created by Bowie and studio engineer Gus Dudgeon
) delivered a number of pun
s on the word 'gnome
'. At the time, "The Laughing Gnome" failed to provide Bowie with a much-wanted chart single.
William Mann's contemporary review of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
referred to "The Laughing Gnome" as "a heavy-handedly facetious number which... steadfastly remained the flop it deserved to be". NME
editors Roy Carr
and Charles Shaar Murray
later described it as "Undoubtedly the most embarrassing example of Bowie juvenalia..." However, Bowie biographer David Buckley has called "The Laughing Gnome" a "supremely catchy children's song" and compared it to contemporary material by Pink Floyd
's Syd Barrett
, while Nicholas Pegg
considered that "the world would be a duller place without it".
The song became a hit when reissued in 1973, in the wake of Bowie's commercial breakthrough The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
. Despite it being radically different from his material at the time, the single made #6 in the UK charts, which according to NMEs Carr and Murray left Decca Records
as "about the only unembarrassed party". A second reissue in 1982 was not as successful, failing to chart.
In 1990, Bowie announced that the set list for his 'greatest hits' Sound+Vision Tour would be decided by telephone voting, and music magazine NME
made a concerted effort to rig the voting so Bowie would have to perform "The Laughing Gnome" (with the slogan "Just Say Gnome"), but the voting system was scrapped.
The mono single and its flip side were given a stereo remix in July 2009 at Abbey Road Studios
for the 2010 double-disc "deluxe" package of Bowie's debut album
. According to the sleeve notes, "The Laughing Gnome" was recorded at Decca Studios
No. 2 on 26 January, 7 February and 10 February 1967.
Musicians
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
. A pastiche of songs by one of Bowie's early influences, Anthony Newley, it was originally released as a novelty
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
single on Deram Records
Deram Records
Deram Records was a subsidiary record label established in 1966 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. At this time U.K. Decca was a completely different company than the Decca label in the United States, which was then owned by MCA Inc. Deram recordings were also distributed in the U.S. through...
in 1967, the track consisted of the singer meeting and conversing with the creature of the title, whose sped-up voice (created by Bowie and studio engineer Gus Dudgeon
Gus Dudgeon
Angus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
) delivered a number of pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
s on the word 'gnome
Gnome
A gnome is a diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, first introduced by Paracelsus and later adopted by more recent authors including those of modern fantasy literature...
'. At the time, "The Laughing Gnome" failed to provide Bowie with a much-wanted chart single.
William Mann's contemporary review of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
referred to "The Laughing Gnome" as "a heavy-handedly facetious number which... steadfastly remained the flop it deserved to be". NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
editors Roy Carr
Roy Carr
Roy Carr is an English music journalist. He joined the New Musical Express in the late 1960s and has edited NME, VOX and Melody Maker magazines...
and Charles Shaar Murray
Charles Shaar Murray
Charles Shaar Murray is an English music journalist. His first experience in journalism came 1970 when he was asked to contribute to the satirical magazine Oz...
later described it as "Undoubtedly the most embarrassing example of Bowie juvenalia..." However, Bowie biographer David Buckley has called "The Laughing Gnome" a "supremely catchy children's song" and compared it to contemporary material by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
, while Nicholas Pegg
Nicholas Pegg
Nicholas Pegg is a British actor, director and writer.A graduate of the University of Exeter, Pegg trained at the Guildford School of Acting. His acting work in the theatre includes productions for Nottingham Playhouse, Scottish Opera, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth...
considered that "the world would be a duller place without it".
The song became a hit when reissued in 1973, in the wake of Bowie's commercial breakthrough The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a 1972 concept album by English musician David Bowie, which is loosely based on a story of a rock star named Ziggy Stardust. It peaked at number five in the United Kingdom and number 75 in the United States on the Billboard Music...
. Despite it being radically different from his material at the time, the single made #6 in the UK charts, which according to NMEs Carr and Murray left Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
as "about the only unembarrassed party". A second reissue in 1982 was not as successful, failing to chart.
In 1990, Bowie announced that the set list for his 'greatest hits' Sound+Vision Tour would be decided by telephone voting, and music magazine NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
made a concerted effort to rig the voting so Bowie would have to perform "The Laughing Gnome" (with the slogan "Just Say Gnome"), but the voting system was scrapped.
The mono single and its flip side were given a stereo remix in July 2009 at Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
for the 2010 double-disc "deluxe" package of Bowie's debut album
David Bowie (album)
-Bonus tracks :# "Rubber Band" – Mono Single A-side # "The London Boys" – Mono Single B-side # "The Laughing Gnome" – Mono Single A-side # "The Gospel According To Tony Day" – Mono Single B-side...
. According to the sleeve notes, "The Laughing Gnome" was recorded at Decca Studios
Decca Studios
Decca Studios was a recording facility in Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, North London, England.Famously, The Beatles failed their audition with Decca Records at the location on 1 January 1962, and subsequently signed with Parlophone instead....
No. 2 on 26 January, 7 February and 10 February 1967.
Track listing
- "The Laughing Gnome" (Bowie) – 3:01
- "The Gospel According to Tony Day" (Bowie) – 2:48
Production credits
Producer- Mike VernonMike Vernon (producer)Mike Vernon is an English record producer. He produced albums for British blues artists and groups during the late 1960s, working with the Bluesbreakers, David Bowie, Duster Bennett, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, John Mayall, Christine McVie and...
Musicians
- David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
: vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Derek Boyes: organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
- Dek Fearnley: bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- John Eager: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Gus DudgeonGus DudgeonAngus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
: Gnome vocal
Cover versions
- Ronnie HiltonRonnie HiltonRonnie Hilton was an English singer and radio presenter. According to his obituary in The Guardian newspaper, "Hilton was one of those 1950s vocalists whose career coincided with rock and roll's 1956 onslaught on the ballad dominated hit parade...
- B-side of his cover single "If I Were a Rich Man" (1967); also on the compilation Oh! You Pretty Things: The Songs of David Bowie (2006) - Living Room - Ashes to Ashes: A Tribute to David Bowie (1998)
- Buster BloodvesselBuster BloodvesselDouglas Trendle , better known as Buster Bloodvessel, is an English singer and the frontman of the ska revival band Bad Manners...
- Diamond Gods: Interpretations of Bowie (2001)
Appearances in popular culture
- "The Laughing Gnome" was frequently cited in the comic strip Great Pop ThingsGreat Pop ThingsGreat Pop Things was a comic strip by Colin B. Morton and Chuck Death . It first appeared in Record Mirror in 1987, transferred to the New Musical Express in 1991, and was also published in LA Weekly.The strip was a satirical faux-history of rock and pop music...
, where it was described satirically as a "mod anthem". Whenever Bowie would be featured in the strip there would always be some reference to the song, usually in the form of a pun. - Roger TaylorRoger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
of QueenQueen (band)Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
referenced the song in the opening lyrics of "No More Fun" from his album Electric FireElectric FireElectric Fire is the fourth solo album by Roger Taylor, from the band Queen. It features a cover of John Lennon's song "Working Class Hero".-Track listing:All tracks by Roger Taylor, except were noted.#"Pressure On" – 4:56...
: "From the Stairway to HeavenStairway to Heaven"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
to The Laughing Gnome, it's a mighty long way down Rock 'n' Roll... We got no more fun." - On BBC Radio 4 show 'And the Winner Is...', the song was recommended by Dave Schneider for the award of the 'Worst Song by an Otherwise Reputable Artist'.