Frank Zappa & Linda Radio Ad & Simpsons Theme Song

[philly]

1967 Frank Zappa & Linda Ronstadt radio ad that influenced ‘The Simpsons’ theme
08.26.2012
dangerousminds.net/comments/1967_frank_zappa_linda_ronstadt_radio_ad_that_influenced_the_simpsons_theme

When Matt Groening hired Danny Elfman to write the theme for The Simpsons, he gave him a mixed tape of songs that he wanted the music to sound like: The theme from The Jetsons, some of Esquivel’s “space age bachelor-pad music,” a teach-your-parrot-to-talk record, selections from Nino Rota’s Juliet of the Spirits soundtrack and this unused Frank Zappa-produced radio commercial for Remington electric shavers that features the vocal stylings of none other than a young Linda Ronstadt.

The future queen of country rock is nearly unrecognizable here, speeded-up, multi-tracked and sounding like she’s just taken a hit off a helium balloon. At the end, Zappa tells listeners that the Remington electric razor “cleans you, thrills you… may even keep you from getting busted.”

According to legend, after giving the tape several listens Elfman told Groening, “I know exactly what you’re looking for!”

If you haven’t heard yet, Universal Music Group is re-releasing the entire Frank Zappa oeuvre and the first dozen of his 60s and early 70s albums—everything from 1966’s Freak Out! to the 1972 live set, Just Another Band From L.A.—are already out.

You can get more information and updates on the Frank Zappa remasters by following Jeff Newelt’s Twitter feed.

[the Scribe]

That is really interesting.

Here is the full theme song:



But it isn't until you hear this version that the Zappa-Ronstadt influence becomes the most obvious:



Here is the Jetsons theme, kind of:

[wdcats]

Too Funny!!

[sliderocker]

I've always wondered what that tv commercial sounded like and whether it was actually ever shown on tv back in the 60s. Given Zappa's unique and wonderful weirdness and brilliance and then-counterculture leanings, I could've just pictured the Remington executives sitting in the screening room watching the commercial and listening to Linda, and thinking WTF? and killing the commercial as far as airings were concerned. It's funny in true Zappa style but I'd be willing to bet the Remington executives didn't get it at all.

[the Scribe]

I am still hoping that someone posts Linda's Cantrice commercial from 1970 or thereabouts.

[sliderocker]

Seems like there was another commercial from the late 60s or early 70s I remember hearing a female singer on, that I thought was Linda. It sure sounded like her. I think it was for some candy company but it was such a long time ago, I don't remember which one it was.

[linda2006nicci]

Is "Remington Electric Razor" officially released on Frank Zappa's remastered album?