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Is Neil Innes a witch?

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

I've enjoyed the Rutles for years, both the mockumentary and the music. I'd be hard-pressed to choose a favorite between the original soundtrack and 1996's Archeology (which, IMHO, is probably the most underrated and overlooked album of the 90s).

I've often considered Neil Innes a musical genius, whether it be the Rutles, Monty Python, or the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. With that said, there're some lyrics of his that are either prescient or coincidental (yeah, probably) from Archeology's "Questionnaire". I contend the verses could be construed as being about three of the Beatles. To wit:

Tell me what you think about this low-fat diet shampoo? / Do you think it's crunchy, half-crunchy, or not crunchy at all?

This is Paul, given his vegetarianism and animal rights activism. Okay, it's a stretch; work with me here.

Now can you tell me what you think about how easy it can be to buy a gun? / Do you think it's crazy, half-crazy, or not crazy at all?

This is about John and his senseless murder. I'd read conjecture of this meaning somewhere in a forum and that's what got me thinking about this in the first place.

Tell me what you think about the devil and the deep blue sea? / Do you think there's one true God, a false god, or no God at all?

George's involvement with Eastern mysticism and Hare Krishna is well-known. The freaky part is George recorded a cover of "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" five years after this song was released. Think about that for a sec.

Now, it's also well-known George was friendly with the Pythons, and even had a cameo in All You Need Is Cash, so maybe it's not a coincidence for whatever reason. But still...