Neil Innes
neil innes, “how sweet to be an idiot,’
from: how sweet to be an idiot, 1973
“How sweet to be an Idiot,
As harmless as a cloud,
Too small to hide the sun
Almost poking fun,
At the warm but insecure untidy crowd.
How sweet to be an idiot,
And dip my brain in joy,
Children laughing at my back,
With no fear of attack,
As much retaliation as a toy.
How sweet to be an idiot, how sweet.
I tiptoe down the street,
Smile at everyone I meet,
But suddenly a scream,
Smashes through my dream,
Fie fye foe fum,
I smell the blood of an asylum,
(Blood of an asylum,
But mother I play so beautifully, listen. ha ha)
Fie fye foe fum,
I smell the blood of the asylum,
Hey you, you’re such a pedant,
You got as much brain as a dead ant,
As much imagination as a caravan sign.
But I still love you, still love you,
Oh how sweet to be an idiot,
How sweet. how sweet. How sweet.
”
Neil Innes is not a household name depending of course upon the household. In ours, once I became aware of his contributions to 20th century music, I bought everything he had done that I could get my hands on. He was the musical genius behind one of the most diversely talented bands of the 60’s, the legendary Bonzo Dog Band, A lyrical and compositional pop wizard. I’ll leave it at that. If you are intrigued by what you hear here, here here! Go exploring.
Neil in the Rutles.
Original lp cover