Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be bringing you a series of 10 Great Songs. I won’t define them as the ‘top 10’ as we will all have differing opinions on what should be included! I want to bring you a selection of ten songs from different genres and eras, all connected by a theme: some serious and some just for fun. You might find a new favourite or two or hear something you’ve not heard for years. Either way, this is for the craic and to share some exciting songs with you, the sophisticated XS Noize audience. So, here are 10 Great Fruity Songs.
Coconut – Harry Nilsson
Given a new lease of life after featuring in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 classic movie Reservoir Dogs, this novelty song by Harry Nilsson entered the psyche of a new audience. It’s a fun song you cannot help but sing. The Muppets have done a cover version – that’s a seal of approval right there!
Strange Fruit – Billie Holliday
Released in 1939, “Strange Fruit” caused quite the furore in the United States of America. A protest song about the lynching of black people, particularly in the southern states, has been seen by many as the start of the Civil Rights movement. The authorities were so concerned by this song that the FBI targeted Holliday, leading to her being arrested on occasion.
Pineapple Head – Crowded House
A 1994 release from the antipodean Crowded House, it’s a jaunty track with some odd lyrics. Neil Finn’s son, Liam, had been unwell and developed a fever. He uttered several phrases whilst in his fevered state, which Finn included in the song.
I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
Written by legends Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966, this was originally released by Gladys Knight & the Pips. However, Gaye’s 1968 release became a soul classic. Despite being a chart-topper in the US & UK, it strangely only reached number 88 on the French charts. Go figure.
Banana Splits (The Tra La La Song) – The Dickies
An explosive burst of punk delivered in under two minutes, US band The Dickies invaded the UK charts with this cover version of the theme to the US TV show, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. Utterly nuts and completely pointless, it urges you to get up and jump about like a loon. I still have the 7″ yellow vinyl version of the single for my sins.
Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles
Once heard, never unheard. With this track, the Beatles marked a departure into new musical styles, venturing into the psychedelic. The band spent 45 hours in the studio recording three versions of this song. Two of those versions were combined to make the final cut. They were all inspired by a Salvation Army children’s home in Woolton, Liverpool.
Slice of Lime – The Reytons
Rotherham’s finest indie-rockers, The Reytons, caught my attention with this track. Although it smacks of Arctic Monkeys, it still stands up on its own. It appeared online in 2017, but it was 2021 when it finally made it on the band’s first LP, Kids Off The Estate. We’ve all witnessed those they are singing about, which I guess is why it resonates so well.
Banana Chips – Shonen Knife
There’s such a beautiful innocence about the music of Japan’s Shonen Knife. Here, we have a Ramones-esque sound whilst they sing about their love of banana chips. They excel in writing catchy tunes with playful, fun lyrics. This track is a good example of their output.
Apples and Oranges – Pink Floyd
Syd Barrett’s last song written for the band Pink Floyd produces a trippy-sounding effort. It is nothing more complex than a song about meeting a woman at a supermarket. It was the first Floyd single not to chart in the UK, though this may be partly due to the single being issued in mono despite being recorded in stereo, which created a murky sound.
Cherry Bomb – The Runaways
Released in 1976, The Runaways’ raucous track combines a healthy dose of rock with a smattering of early punk sensibilities. The song, co-written by Joan Jett and The Runaway’s manager Kim Fowley, has gained a new audience as it has featured in a number of popular movies and TV shows in recent years, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, The Boys, and Mrs America.
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