Seven Far Side Comics Focus on Music References

Much of Gary Larson’s comic strip The Far Side feels timeless. Subjects like cows, cavemen, and dinosaurs keep his work looking fresh decades after publication in newspapers around the world. At the same time, Gary Larson occasionally made jokes tied directly to the popular culture of his era, which is especially true of his music-themed strips.

Gary Larson had many strong opinions about music. Accordions and banjos frequently became the target of his jokes, and he often poked fun at the stuffiness of classical music. While jazz usually received a flattering portrayal, rock and pop music often met his razor wit.

Many musical references from past decades require explanation today. Here are seven dated Far Side comics and the subjects Gary Larson referenced.

1 Madonna

Madonna remains alive and active in music, but she lacks the absolute dominance she held in 1992 when Gary Larson published this strip. The joke targets her infamous cone bra, debuted during the Blond Ambition tour in 1990. Madonna intended the cone bra as a symbol of female empowerment and a way to mock conservative critics. Gary Larson viewed the extra-pointy attire as a terrible choice for someone boarding an inflatable life raft.

2 Mack the Knife

This surreal strip references “Mack the Knife,” a song from the 1928 musical The Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht. The song follows a serial killer nicknamed Mack the Knife. Despite the gruesome subject matter, the song became a hit outside the play through recordings by jazz vocalists Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Rock and roll artist Bobby Darin released the most famous version in 1959. When Gary Larson published the comic in 1987, the reference was already nearly thirty years old.

3 Blueberry Hill

“Blueberry Hill” is a 1940 song written by Vincent Rose, Larry Stock, and Al Lewis. The track became a massive hit in the 1950s after artists like Elvis Presley and Louis Armstrong recorded covers. Rock and roller Fats Domino released the most famous version in 1956. Understanding the joke requires knowing the opening lyrics, which begin with the line “I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill.” Gary Larson substituted the word “thrill” with “drill” to feature a man missing his power tool.

4 Joy to the World

This comic relies entirely on knowing song lyrics. The rock band Three Dog Night gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. Their biggest hit, “Joy to the World,” featured intentionally nonsensical lyrics. The opening verse goes like this:

Jeremiah was a bullfrog

Was a good friend of mine

I never understood a single word he said

But I helped him a-drink his wine

And he always had some mighty fine wine

Gary Larson took this opening verse and built a comic about bullfrogs spending time together while drinking fine wine.

5 Let’s Twist Again

Gary Larson used his familiar formula of pairing a popular rock song with animals acting out the lyrics. Written by Kal Mann and Dave Appell, “Let’s Twist Again” was a 1961 hit for rock and roller Chubby Checker. The song served as a sequel to his 1960 single “The Twist,” which had launched a massive dance craze the previous year. The singing snake in the comic delivers an exact lyric from the song. Gary Larson even gave the snake Chubby Checker’s signature hair and bow tie.

6 Sinatra, Prince, etc.

Published in 1992, this strip departs from Gary Larson’s typical one-panel single gag by offering a collection of smaller jokes. Under the caption “Albums to avoid,” the comic pokes fun at unlikely musical pairings. Crooner Frank Sinatra and pop star Prince share the spotlight in a collaboration that would likely sound terrible.

7 Jaws

This strip could easily have felt dated if Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster Jaws had failed to remain an enduring piece of cinema.

Source: Polygon