Fab Flipside #6--The Turtles, "Umbassa the Dragon"

[gremashlo]

Okay, I know that it was an almost sacred tradition to put a mediocre song as a "B" side (a "flip flop" as it were) to make sure that DJ's did not play anything but the intended hit (Phil Spector did this especially well, as he'd slap annoying slapdash instrumentals on the flips of many Philles singles).

Mostly this went well--dj's got the message--"NOT THIS SIDE!" But, some didn't, and the intended bad flipsides that became hits is surprising--Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", The Champs' "Tequila" and "Which Way You Going, Billy" by Poppy Family are but three examples.

But...does anything explain THIS?



This is the flipside to "Sound Asleep" (White Whale 264, 1968)...sleep soundly indeed...

To be fair, the Turtles often used flipsides as a "joke" for fans and DJ's knowing that it would not detract from the hit.

I have an image of some stoned DJ plaing this over and over, trying to get the hidden meanings, only to be physically removed from the station! ;D

[Ken]

"I have an image of some stoned DJ plaing this over and over, trying to get the hidden meanings, only to be physically removed from the station!" ;D

LOL! ;D

I first heard this probably around 5 or 6 years of age (my older brother had the 45, he still has it) and I really didn't know what to think - after all this time, I still don't! ;D


One of the later b sides I actually don't mind is "Surfer Dan" the flip side of "Elenore."

[H2IZCOOL]

Mar 6, 2010 8:44:48 GMT -5 gremashlo said:

Okay, I know that it was an almost sacred tradition to put a mediocre song as a "B" side (a "flip flop" as it were) to make sure that DJ's did not play anything but the intended hit (Phil Spector did this especially well, as he'd slap annoying slapdash instrumentals on the flips of many Philles singles).

Mostly this went well--dj's got the message--"NOT THIS SIDE!" But, some didn't, and the intended bad flipsides that became hits is surprising--Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye", The Champs' "Tequila" and "Which Way You Going, Billy" by Poppy Family are but three examples.

But...does anything explain THIS?



This is the flipside to "Sound Asleep" (White Whale 264, 1968)...sleep soundly indeed...

To be fair, the Turtles often used flipsides as a "joke" for fans and DJ's knowing that it would not detract from the hit.

I have an image of some stoned DJ plaing this over and over, trying to get the hidden meanings, only to be physically removed from the station! ;D

Hmmm ... sorry. I'm not familiar with this version. I didn't know that the track by the same name from Brother Grem's Dance Party CD was a cover. The Turtles version isn't nearly as good.

[m c dornan]

Funny thing is, I've never heard the flip-flipside, "Sound Asleep".

But I think "Umbassa" caused John & Paul to think, how can we top that?. And thus, "Revolution # 9" was born...