All the artists I’ve featured in theme weeks since I started them have achieved a level of critical respect worthy of their talents. But this week I’m focusing on a band that strikes me as woefully under appreciated — Barenaked Ladies.
Perhaps it’s the name. Is it difficult to take a group seriously with a name like that? Or perhaps it’s that they are not afraid to be funny and in the process are considered by some as a bit of a novelty act. Or perhaps this is all in my head and they receive critical acclaim commensurate with their talents but I’ve just missed it.
Regardless, I believe this band is extremely special and I’m happy to give them their due this week.
Barenaked Ladies’ first album, Gordon, was released in 1992 and proved a big hit in the band’s native Canada. The 15-song album is one of the band’s best, boasting a charming do-it-yourself aesthetic that contrasts nicely with their better-produced later material.
The best-known song on the album is ‘If I had $1,000,000,’ a live staple that manages to be great stand-up comedy and a touching love song simultaneously. Try that, Michael Bolton!
Today’s song, ‘Be My Yoko Ono,’ was written several years earlier and entered into a contest aimed at discovering new bands. They won first place and used the $100,000 prize to record Gordon. So they pretty much owe their entire recording career to this song.
And if there’s someone you can just shove out, do so.
You can be my Yoko Ono
You can follow me wherever I go
Be my, be my, be my Yoko Ono.
Isn’t it beautiful to see two people so much in love?
Bare naked as two virgins hand in hand and hand and hand in glove.
Now that I’m far away it doesn’t seem to me to be such a pain.
To have you hanging off my ankle like some kind of ball and chain.
Oh no, here we go, our life is just one big pun.
Oh no, here we go as Yoko sings: [Yoko singing]
I know that when I say this
I may be stepping on pins and needles.
But I don’t like all these people
slagging her for breaking up the Beatles.
(Don’t blame it on Yokey!)
If I was John and you were Yoko,
I would gladly give up musical genius,
Just to have you as my very own, personal Venus.
(Hit it!)
Meet Me In Montauk 
I agree this is a wonderful band. Not sure how much critical acclaim they have received, but it will be nice to hear them this week.
I guess this song provided the inspiration for their name, as well. That or they decided to try to incorporate the name of their band into this song. Regardless, I look forward to the week, and think this song is a classic 🙂