3 Hit Songs Written by Comedians That Keep Us ROTFL

Songs sometimes come from the strangest of places. You never know when inspiration will hit and also whom it will hit. For example, amazing tunes can be written by names like Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix, or they can be penned by people largely known for telling jokes.

Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from the latter category. A trio of tunes written by funny men who identify more as comedians than as songwriters. Yet, their output is excellent and often hilarious. Indeed, these are three hit songs written by comedians that keep us ROTFL.

[RELATED: Jack Black Reveals What the Future Holds for Tenacious D Amid Donald Trump Controversy]

“The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler from What the Hell Happened to Me? (1996)

This song, which hit No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999, is all about celebrating the holidays and letting us listeners know who joins in the fun. Written by former Saturday Night Live cast member Adam Sandler, who is Jewish, the tune goes through famous celebrities who are also Jewish. Sometimes when you grow up part of the faith and culture, it can feel lonely when the majority of people are celebrating Christmas. So, Sandler wrote a song to bring people together. And on it, he sings,

Put on your yarmulke
Here comes Chanukah
So much funukkah
To celebrate Chanukah
Chanukah is the festival of lights
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights

When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree
Here’s a list of people who are Jewish just like you and me

David Lee Roth lights the menorah
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli?
Bowzer from Sha Na Na and Arthur Fonzarelli

“Cruel Shoes” by Steve Martin from Comedy Is Not Pretty! (1979)

This track, which hit No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, is all about a wild and weird pair of shoes, a “hideous pair of black and white pumps” that were both left feet. A spoken-word song performed over light banjo—an instrument Martin is known for—the track induces laughter and curiosity. On the offering, the great standup says,

Anna knew She had to have a new pair of shoes today, and Carlo had helped her try on every pair in the store. Carlo spoke wearily, “Well, that’s it. That’s every pair of shoes in the place.”

“Oh, you must have one more pair….”

“No, not one more… . Well, we have the cruel shoes, but no one would want to try…”

“Yes, let me see the cruel shoes!”

“No, you don’t understand, you see, the cruel shoes are…”

“Get them!”

“The Pick of Destiny” by Tenacious D from The Pick of Destiny (2006)

This song, which hit No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006, comes from comedian rockers Tenacious D (aka Jack Black and Kyle Gass). This song comes from their second album of the same name, Pick of Destiny. As with all Tenacious D songs, it’s both ridiculous and propulsive with hardcore rock music. And on it, sings Black,

Cause it’s the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
You know we will be rockin’ cause it’s fucking insane!

It’s just the Pick!
Of Destiny child,
More precious than a diamond on a platinum chain!

In Venice Beach, there was a man named Kage
When he was buskin he was all the rage.
He met Jables and he taught him well,
All the techniques that were developed in hell.
Cock pushups and the power slide,
Gig simulation now there’s nowhere to hide.
They formed a band they named Tenacious D,
And then they got the Pick of Destiny.

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