A Prologue to A Magic World - Ruperts People Columbia
single, 1967 Buried under the Alice in Wonderland covering is a very sad song about an isolated little girl. But we’re not intentionally trying to bring you down with a serious number; rather we think this is among the best modern fairytales on the list. What we find most clever about the song is that it’s essentially a rewrite of Reflections of Charles Brown but using a fairytale setting.
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Tales of Flossie Fillett –
Turquoise
Decca
single B-side, 1968 No
amount of analysis can ever convince us that this song is about anything
but the band’s ability to fit a bunch of strange names all into one
song. But it’s just that kind of nonsense that appeals to the
guardians of Toytown - gaining this song a coveted spot in the top ten.
So clever is the name Barbara Boffbon that we’re going to nominate it
to the Name Hall of Fame.
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Toyland - Alan Bown
MGM
single, 1967 Though
it only made the number 8 spot on our list we think this is probably the
ultimate Toytown song - mainly because it’s about our utopian Toytown
with teddy bears, molly mole, butter cups etc. Mind you, we’re not
using the word “utopian” lightly because it seems likely that this
visit to Toytown may be slightly drug induced. For those into such
details it’s the mono single version of this song that is the most
toytownesque. The main reason is that it features atmospheric playground
sounds and because the recorder part is more prominent. The stereo album
version is excellent but far more serious sounding. There is also a
fantastic live BBC version with a groovy horn section.
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Auntie Mary's Dress Shop –
Tomorrow
LP
track from Tomorrow featuring Keith West, 1968 It
was inevitable that the swinging 60s would produce a number of songs
about clothing shops but what’s so special about this one is just how
un-hip it is. While so many bands were taking the serious route, trying
to be accepted by the underground movement, Keith and Tomorrow came up
with this bouncy little tune. When all was said and done the band blamed
bad timing for their lack of commercial success but in reality songs
like this one proved that they weren’t as interested in the charts as
they were in producing a great record.
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Peter’s Birthday – World of Oz Deram
single B-side, 1968 In
our estimation this is one of the best songs about a child’s nightmare
ever made. It all starts when Peter overindulges at his own birthday
party and continues when black and white rainbows take him away to where
licorice Allsorts are made. Definitely a bit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
influence at work.
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