The Rotowhirl (Live)
๐ต 2305 characters
โฑ๏ธ 3:54 duration
๐ ID: 24071195
๐ Lyrics
Around 1978, I met the comedian Andy Kaufman. And he was performing
His avant-garde Elvis act in a club in Queens. The performance
Started with Andy playing the bongos, and for some unknown reason
Sobbing. We became friends. And I acted as Andy's straight man
In clubs and field trips. At the Improv in New York, Andy would
Begin his show by insulting women and saying, "I won't respect
Them until one of them comes up here and wrestles me down."
This was supposed to be my job. I sat in the club, drinking whiskeys
Trying to get up the nerve. In the meantime, I was also supposed to
Be heckling him. And after three whiskeys, I managed to get pretty
. Abusive. Wrestling him down, though, was really hard. Because Andy
Really fought. On our field trips, we would go to Coney Island to
Try out some of Andy's theories on cutting-edge comedy. We'd stand
Around the test-your-strength games, the one with the big
Sledgehammer and the bell. And Andy would make fun of
All the guys who were swinging away. And I was supposed
To beg him for one of the huge stuffed bunnies. "
Oh Andy, honey. Please get me a bunny. Please. Please."
Finally, Andy would step up to the big thermometer and take a swing
The indicator would rise a few inches, and "Try Again, Weakling"
Would flash. At this point, Andy would start yelling that the game
Was rigged, and demanding to see the manager. We also went on the
Roto-Quirl, the ride that plasters everyone against the walls of a
Spinning cylinder and stretches their bodies into Doppler
Blobs. Before the ride actually starts, there are a couple
Of awkward minutes while the attendant checks the motor and
The riders, bound hand and foot, stare at each other. This
Was the moment that Andy seized. He would start by looking
Around in a panic. And then he would start to cry. "I don't
Wanna be on this ride! I've changed my mind! We're all gonna die!"
The other riders would look around self-consciously. Should
They help? He would then begin to sob uncontrollably. I loved
Andy. He would come over to my house and read from a novel
He was writing. He would read all night. I don't know if any
Of this book was ever even published. I've never been one to
Hope that Elvis is still hanging around somewhere, hiding
But I will probably always expect to see Andy reappear someday
His avant-garde Elvis act in a club in Queens. The performance
Started with Andy playing the bongos, and for some unknown reason
Sobbing. We became friends. And I acted as Andy's straight man
In clubs and field trips. At the Improv in New York, Andy would
Begin his show by insulting women and saying, "I won't respect
Them until one of them comes up here and wrestles me down."
This was supposed to be my job. I sat in the club, drinking whiskeys
Trying to get up the nerve. In the meantime, I was also supposed to
Be heckling him. And after three whiskeys, I managed to get pretty
. Abusive. Wrestling him down, though, was really hard. Because Andy
Really fought. On our field trips, we would go to Coney Island to
Try out some of Andy's theories on cutting-edge comedy. We'd stand
Around the test-your-strength games, the one with the big
Sledgehammer and the bell. And Andy would make fun of
All the guys who were swinging away. And I was supposed
To beg him for one of the huge stuffed bunnies. "
Oh Andy, honey. Please get me a bunny. Please. Please."
Finally, Andy would step up to the big thermometer and take a swing
The indicator would rise a few inches, and "Try Again, Weakling"
Would flash. At this point, Andy would start yelling that the game
Was rigged, and demanding to see the manager. We also went on the
Roto-Quirl, the ride that plasters everyone against the walls of a
Spinning cylinder and stretches their bodies into Doppler
Blobs. Before the ride actually starts, there are a couple
Of awkward minutes while the attendant checks the motor and
The riders, bound hand and foot, stare at each other. This
Was the moment that Andy seized. He would start by looking
Around in a panic. And then he would start to cry. "I don't
Wanna be on this ride! I've changed my mind! We're all gonna die!"
The other riders would look around self-consciously. Should
They help? He would then begin to sob uncontrollably. I loved
Andy. He would come over to my house and read from a novel
He was writing. He would read all night. I don't know if any
Of this book was ever even published. I've never been one to
Hope that Elvis is still hanging around somewhere, hiding
But I will probably always expect to see Andy reappear someday