Saturday August 20, 2022 “Coconut” Harry Nilsson

If you've been eating along with me all week, today's song may be the cure that you will need from the gastric problems you are likely experiencing.

For me Harry Nilsson is one of the great underappreciated singer songwriters of the 60s and 70s.  An artist with a remarkable vocal range and the ability to create music and lyrics that ran the gamut from “Without You” to “Jump into the Fire” along with something as whimsical and memorable as today’s “Coconut”.

When they began recording this tune, Nilsson was going to sing the song straight through with his normal voice, but his producer Richard Perry encouraged him to add contrasting voices for the characters of the narrator, the girl, and the doctor. Perry explained in the documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?: "Harry played it for the first time on guitar and he sang it straight through with no changes at all. I thought to myself, 'This song has the potential to be like a little animated cartoon.' There are at least three different characters. So I said, 'Why don't you try using different voices. Nilsson liked the idea and  gave this marvelous theatrical performance that has made the song a classic."

I need to suggest that the documentary Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)? Is so worthwhile to give you a sense of what a gifted and eccentric talent Nillsson was.  Harry refused to tour so his audience and success, as broad as both were, still suffered from his lack of exposure.

Of course he got a ton of exposure during his drunken exploits with John Lennon during Lennon’s separation from Yoko Ono while Lennon was producing Nilsson's album, Pussy Cats.

Stay safe and well…and even though the advice comes from a ‘doctor’I wouldn’t recommend it as a cure for...well, anything.

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime

His sister had another one she paid it for the lime

 She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up

She put the lime in the coconut, she call the doctor, woke 'I'm up

 And said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"

I said "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"

I said "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

 Now lemme get this straight

You put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot'up

Put the lime in the coconut, you call your doctor, woke 'I'm up

 Said "doctor, ain't there nothing' I can take?"

I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?'

I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

 You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' together

Put the lime in the coconut and you'll feel better

Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning"

 Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

 Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime

His sister had another one she paid it for a lime

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up

She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke 'I'm up

 And said, "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?'

I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"

I said, "doctor, now lemme get this straight

 You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot'up

Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut, you're such a silly woman

 Put a lime in the coconut and drink 'em bot' together

Put the lime in the coconut, then you'll feel better

Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both down

Put the lime in your coconut, and call me in the morning

 Woo, ain't there nothin' you can take?

I say, woo, to relieve your belly ache

You say, well woo, ain't there nothin' I can take?

I say woo, woo, to relieve your belly ache

You say ya, ain't there nothin' I can take?

 I say wow, to relieve this belly ache

I said "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"

I said, "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"

I said, "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"

I said, "doctor you're such a silly woman"

 Put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em both together

Put the lime in the coconut, and you'll feel better

Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em bot' up

Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning

 Yes, you call me in the morning, you call me in the morning

I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning

I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning

I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning

I'll tell you what to do and if you call me in the morning

I'll tell you what to do