I'd Rather Have A Bottle In Front Of Me (Than A Frontal Labotomy)

Album: Dr. Demento 30th Anniversary Collection (1992)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A song with such an alluring title has to be on somebody's favorite list, and in the 1994 publication The Book of Lists: The '90s Edition, by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace, it figures at #8 in Dr. Demento's 11 Worst Song Titles Of All Time.

    Without wishing to question Dr. Demento's judgment, this is great title for a song, and it gets even better because it really is as good as it sounds. Randy Hanzlick M.D. was a real life doctor, and this composition is pure joy.
  • The good doc appears to have borrowed the title from the American wit Dorothy Parker; the original is "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, than a pre-frontal lobotomy" - without the brackets. The song begins with a young boy asking his father what is a lobotomy, and by way of explanation the father explains by relating the story of two brothers, one who went insane, the other who took to the bottle. No prizes for guessing who was the happiest.
  • The song has a C&W feel to it, and an accompaniment of a youthful chorus, and how about these immortal lines?

    But I'd rather have a bottle in front of me
    Than have to have a frontal lobotomy
    I might be drunk, but at least I'm not insane


    And

    Funny how the world works
    People can be real jerks


    The good doctor proves without a doubt that laughter is truly the best medicine. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Randy Newman

Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends

Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.