When we first put out the history of Pinoy song parodies following the Michael V. viral video, we tried as best we could to be as thorough with the list apart from making sure they were among the best songs recorded. Naturally, some songs had to be left out. But some of AO’s music journalist friends just had to pitch in their nominations for inclusion in the history. And so we’re back for more…
“THE LADY IS A TRAMP”
Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra featuring Edythe Wright (1937)
Originally a show tune from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart musical Babes In Arms, the song was intended to be a spoof of New York’s high society and all its pretensions (sample line: “I never bother with people I hate, that's why the lady is a tramp…”). Over the years, it has become a popular standard and has been identified with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ellla Fitzgerald and most recently with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett who recorded the song as a duet in 2011.
“AKO’Y BAKYANG BAKYA”
Celeste Legaspi
Back in the mid-‘70s, Tagalog adaptations of popular tunes were all the rage as rising singers like Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro scored hits with part or full Tagalog covers of American hits like “The Way We Were,” and “The Worst That Could Happen” a.k.a. “Panakip Butas.” In 1976, Celeste Legaspi released her first solo album, Popsongs Vol. 1 that featured songs translated in Filipino by the late Rolando S. Tinio. The carrier single was this adaptation of “The Lady is a Tramp.” Tinio’s translation was very faithful to the original’s parody nature, with dated references to Nina Ricci, Yves St Laurent, Luneta and ‘70s sex siren Elizabeth Oropesa that makes it even more chuckle-worthy when played today.
“ME AND MRS. JONES”
Billy Paul (1972)
Billy Paul’s soul classic that was covered by Michael Buble decades later was about a man who is having an affair with a married woman (“We got a thing going on, we both know that it’s wrong…”)
“BAKIT MRS. KA?”
Hajji Alejandro
Hajji Alejandro’s 1977 cover with Tagalog lyrics by again, Rolando Tinio is another literal adaptation of the original. Probably intended as a novelty recording, it still managed its share of laughs with its street-smart sensibilities (“Ang sabi mo’y may lusot…baaaaa-kiiit may asawa ka! Tulad ko! Tulad ko! Tulad ko!”) that made us wonder how Hajji managed to keep a straight face while recording it.
“BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY” (1975)
Queen
As depicted in the acclaimed film that bore its title, we now all know the genesis of Queen’s six-minute epic and how it eventually became the band’s signature song. The hit movie only further enhanced its timelessness and relevance.
“BOHEMYO”
Fred Panopio
There was more to Fred Panopio than just his yodeling country boy image. Shortly after “Bohemian Rhapsody” became a global smash, Fred recorded this adaptation of the rock classic, written by Joey de Leon. “Bohemyo” did away with the hard rocking final verse but kept the Galileo middle opera that was sung as “Palikero! Palikero! Palikero! Palikero! Yan ako! Yan ako, ho-ho!”
“AN AMERICAN DREAM”
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band featuring Linda Ronstadt (1979)
This was a country and pop hit for the legendary country rock outfit that was part of their late ‘70s renaissance. Received a lot of airplay here in the Philippines, which led to this next hilarious parody.
“TURISTANG BILMOKO”
Fred Panopio
Panopio’s adaptation has since become an ode to gold diggers: “Bilmoko no'n, bilmoko n'yan, ha? Sabi ng minamahal kong nobya. Ubos ang pera ko pati ang barya. Ganyan ka-grabe ang mahal kong nobya…”
“HAVE YOU SEEN HER?”
MC Hammer (1990)
Originally a hit ballad for the soul vocal group The Chi-Lites, it became a hit all over again in 1990 when then hip-hop sensation MC Hammer reworked this in his own inimitable style added rap lyrics, paving the way for our final parody.
“OPISINA”
Willie Nepomuceno
Voicing as Comedy King Dolphy and later to be revealed as the latter’s famous alter ego, John Puruntong, comedian and master mimic Willie Nepomuceno gives us another parody on marital infidelity: “Kaya’s gabi-gabi na lang ay ginagabi pagka’t meron nang excuse na lagi kong sinabi. Opisina, hehe. Galing opisina…” Does anyone know if Golden Gagamba beerhouse still around?
BONUS!!!
“GANGNAM STYLE”
Psy (2012)
The techno-flavored breakout international hit of KPop artist Psy refers to a Korean lifestyle associated with the Gangnam district of Seoul. A big part of its popularity is the viral music video highlighted by Psy’s hilarious dance moves.
“OPO PINOY STYLE”
Mikey Bustos
Not surprisingly, numerous parodies of the song mushroomed in the wake of the KPop hit’s popularity including equally hilarious videos by Eric Tai and Bogart The Explorer. But while the others merely danced to the tune, YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos took it further and made it very Pinoy with his own lyrics that partly goes: “Yeah it's hotter here, and that is why my skin is brown, and you'll find water here to wash my bum after I'm done raiding my Frigidaire…”