The Simpsons Sing the Blues

The Simpsons Sing the Blues
Studio album by Matt Groening and The Simpsons
Released	December 17, 1990 (Worldwide)
Recorded	September 1990
Genre	Various
Length	42:22
Label	Geffen Records
Producer	John Boylan, Bryan Loren, DJ Jazzy Jeff
Professional reviews
Allmusic link Tiny Mix Tapes link
Matt Groening chronology
Crazy Backwards Alphabet (1987) The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) Stranger than Fiction (1992)
The Simpsons chronology
The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) Songs in the Key of Springfield (1996)
John Boylan chronology
The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) Chipmunks in Low Places (1992)
Singles from The Simpsons Sing the Blues
"Do the Bartman" Released: November 20, 1990 "Deep, Deep Trouble" Released: 1991 "God Bless the Child" Released: 1991

The Simpsons Sing the Blues is the 1990 album released as an offshoot of The Simpsons. The album contained originally recorded music not featured in the series save for the first verse of the track "Moaning Lisa Blues" which was first featured in the episode Moaning Lisa, aired February 11 1990.

An early musical number, "Do the Bartman", leads the album as the first track and the first single released. It was an international success, including being the UK number one single on February 16, 1991, staying there for a further two weeks being certified Gold after selling over 400,000 copies.^[1] This was over 5 years before the show was actually shown on mainstream British TV, though it had premiered on the satellite channel Sky One in 1990. The album was released in the same month, and reached number six. This song is considered a style parody.

Though "Bartman" was hugely popular on North American radio and video music channels, it was not released commercially as a single.

The second single released, "Deep, Deep Trouble" also did well in the UK, reaching number 7. Both "Do The Bartman" and "Deep, Deep Trouble" were released as music videos in 1991.

Different cast members lent their voices to the album with both new material and cover songs.

There were a number of notable musicians who appeared on the album, including B. B. King, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Dr. John and Marcy Levy.

Chart Performance/Sales

The album The Simpsons Sing the Blues was released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200, making it the highest charting Simpsons album.^[2] On February 13, 1991 it was certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.^[3]

The album was also a success in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #6 on the country's albums chart. The album was eventually certified Gold in the UK.

Track listing

1. "Do the Bartman" (anonymously co-written and produced by Michael Jackson)
   • Bart Simpson
2. "School Days" (originally by Chuck Berry)
   • Bart Simpson
   • Featuring Buster Poindexter (vocals) and Joe Walsh (slide guitar)
3. "Born Under a Bad Sign" (originally by Albert King)
   • Homer Simpson
   • Featuring B. B. King (guitar) and the horn section from Tower of Power (horns)
4. "Moanin' Lisa Blues"
   • Lisa Simpson
   • Featuring Joe Walsh (slide guitar), John Sebastian (harmonica), and the horn section from Tower of Power (horns)
5. "Deep, Deep Trouble" (Matt Groening)
   • Bart Simpson
   • Homer Simpson
   • Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff (scratches)
6. "God Bless the Child" (originally by Billie Holiday)
   • Lisa Simpson
   • Cameo by "Bleeding Gums" Murphy
7. "I Love to See You Smile" (originally by Randy Newman)
   • Homer Simpson
   • Marge Simpson
   • Featuring Dr. John (piano solo)
8. "Springfield Soul Stew" (based on "Memphis Soul Stew" by King Curtis)
   • Marge Simpson
9. "Look at All Those Idiots" (Jeff Martin, Sam Simon, Jai Winding)
   • Montgomery Burns (Listed as J. Montgomery Burns on this album)
   • Smithers
10. "Sibling Rivalry" (John Boylan, James L. Brooks, Jai Winding)
    • Bart Simpson
    • Lisa Simpson

Singles

Discography

References

• The Simpsons Discography (SNPP), as of March 19, 2007.