Songs About Television

Drjohnrock · 01-10-2026, 08:08 PM

Louis "Grandpa" Jones - TV Blues

Released in 1952, when a lot of homes in the US were just beginning to get TV sets, this song is a cautionary tale: the new TV the protagonist buys disrupts his household when all his wife and kids want to do is watch it.

The photo in the video is a rare one, showing Jones without his "Grandpa" makeup.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0752...&start_radio=1

Psy-Fi · 01-11-2026, 05:55 AM

Take it away, Don Pardo...

Frank Zappa - I'm the Slime (Live on SNL)

Drjohnrock · 01-28-2026, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psy-Fi

Take it away, Don Pardo...

Frank Zappa - I'm the Slime (Live on SNL)

I thought I had seen all of the SNL episode(s) Zappa appeared on. I guess not, since I don't recall that song being played. Thanks for posting it.

And now, after two tunes that take a cynical lookk at the idiot box, here's a rockabilly-flavored tune that praises it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd6...&start_radio=1

Drjohnrock · 02-14-2026, 08:05 PM

Bruce Springsteen - 57 Channels (And Nothin' On)

I agree with Bruce about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEus...&start_radio=1

jadis · 02-21-2026, 05:10 PM

It mentions television...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7kIB8HTE3k

ChefBrunch · 02-21-2026, 08:24 PM

Mari Nakamoto is one of my favorite singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sux5...&start_radio=1

Drjohnrock · 02-21-2026, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefBrunch

Mari Nakamoto is one of my favorite singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sux5...&start_radio=1

Interesting. I’ve never heard this artist before. The sing faded while she was still singing. Is this an edited version of the song?

ChefBrunch · Today, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drjohnrock

Interesting. I’ve never heard this artist before. The sing faded while she was still singing. Is this an edited version of the song?

here is the LP version, this is my channel,It sounds better on Vinyl,,,yes the song just fades out...its the first track so easy just push play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU3R...&start_radio=1

Mari Nakamoto is more of a Jazz singer , this is one of her attempts at a more city pop type album in the 80's. The album grows on you, some actually pretty great lyrics.

she is one of Japan's top Jazz singers from back in the 70's and 80's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rJE...&start_radio=1

01-10-2026, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Drjohnrock Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 870	Songs About Television Louis "Grandpa" Jones - TV Blues Released in 1952, when a lot of homes in the US were just beginning to get TV sets, this song is a cautionary tale: the new TV the protagonist buys disrupts his household when all his wife and kids want to do is watch it. The photo in the video is a rare one, showing Jones without his "Grandpa" makeup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0752...&start_radio=1

02-21-2026, 05:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
jadis Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: dont ask Posts: 1,918	It mentions television... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7kIB8HTE3k __________________ Wireless enthusiast intercepts government secret radio band and uncovers secrets and scandals of deceitful type proportions

02-21-2026, 08:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
ChefBrunch Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 144	Mari Nakamoto is one of my favorite singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sux5...&start_radio=1 __________________ You can learn to like new music in the same way you learn to like new food.

02-14-2026, 08:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Drjohnrock Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 870	Bruce Springsteen - 57 Channels (And Nothin' On) I agree with Bruce about this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEus...&start_radio=1