Bees in Music – Side A: “Bee” Songs
It all started with Beethoven.
I could only jot down handful of ideas when I began my Beethoven-inspired mission of researching bees in music for this article. So I dug around a bit and came across a cluster of music distributors, songs and musical groups that have embraced bees in their name or as a song theme or title.
I had no idea this would turn into a two-part opus.
I’ve culled the best and worst of the bunch, and put together an ecclectic selection of videos and links to follow if you dare.
But I guarantee it’ll be a fun, strange, enlightening and entertaining trip down memory lane with a detour into the far side.
Bee Songs
Some of the songs I had forgotten about, others I’d never heard of before and some stuff is truly “out there” in one way or another.
I think it’s only appropriate to kick this off with experimental music made using real honeybees that I found on Gizmodo.
This obviously was more successful than the art project involving 10,000 bees in a sitar …and Honeybees – The Musical.
OK. We’ve all heard Flight of the Bumblebee, right? Well, it’s fascinating to see it performed by a symphony orchestra.
And this will bring back memories for all you boogie woogie fans – Bumble Boogie by B. Bumble and the Stingers!
I came up with two different songs titled “Honey Bee” in my travels.
A delta blues classic by Muddy Waters recorded in 1951 and a 2011 hit by country music artist Blake Shelton.
The Blake Shelton video is beautifully filmed, featuring hundreds of jars labeled “Tupelo Honey“. Speaking of which, here’s that Van Morrison classic – with an awesome sax solo by Pee Wee Ellis.
Rockin’Blues
Slim Harpo’s “I’m a King Bee” was popular with high-profile rock bands from the 60’s and 70’s – recorded by The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, and The Grateful Dead.
Without a doubt, the most memorable performance of this song was January 17, 1976, on Saturday Night Live by comedian John Belushi.
Look for Bees in Music – Side B: “Bee” Bands. Coming Soon.
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