if i had one million dollars/ i'll buy you a monkey (haven't you always wanted a monkey?)

You know how there are bands out there you recognize by hearing them occasionaly mentioned over the radio , but you never got around to really buying their records or finding out more about them thinking that they are just ' usual' bands that come and go with radio hits, and then one day someone tells you more about them, send s you a couple of older singles and bang! you are gobsmacked when you realize that the band was so much more and different from what you thought.

Introducing The Barenaked Ladies.. they of " Pinch Me", " One Week" and that song about chinese chicken fame. Amiable and giddly irreverent, TBL were different in that they were simply more interested in making someone laugh than being reflective and ' deep'. From what I can tell, a huge aspect of their popularity stemmed from live shows where TBL's signature improvised rapping and stage banter continued to draw in new fans who simply wanted to enjoy a gleeful evening out with friends. Oh well maybe that is why I did not really take notice of them as a lot of their magic were probably lost due to me only listening to their studio hits over the radio.

Nevertheless, " If I Had $1, 000, 000" captures some of that lost sparkle. A charming crowd favourite back when it was released in their native Canada, it rolls along just nicely with a sprinkle of piano here, a dash of violins, a lovely bass that happily tags along in the background. All in all, a gem.

The Barenaked Ladies - If I Had $1, 000, 000

A link to an excellent bio of TBL on allmusic.com..