Mungo Jerry Song Poll

237 points (inc 10 pts for the Boot Power version)

“My personal favourite. Captured the ‘magic’ of the classic line-up in 1971.” – Alan Taylor.

“Never get tired of it after all these years. Simple song but not an easy one to write.” – Bengt Hertzman.

“Bought for me on my 14th birthday in the summer of ’71. Such a great song.” – Frank Smith.

133 points

“Simply a great record, that’s so evocative of my teenage years, I had to include it.” – Jim McHugh

121 points

“Utter musical mayhem, and my favourite live Mungo song.” – Mike Berry.

103 points

“The sentiments registered with me as a rebellious, repressed adolescent.” – Mike Berry.

“Ray using the medium of pop music, to make valid social comment every bit as effectively as Ray Davies.” – Jim McHugh.

“Always loved this one. The lyrics still up to date.” – Bengt Hertzman.

103 points

“Very possibly my favourite Mungo single. Came out late ’72, great song and great memories. Should have been a hit.” – Frank Smith.

“How did this not become a hit”? – Derek Wadeson.

82 points

“Says it all”! – Derek Wadeson.

74 points

(including 25 points for the Boot Power version, 8 points for Oxford Arms live)

61 points

57 points

53 points

“The follow-up number one to In The Summertime that never was.” – Jim McHugh

53 points

“Criticised at the time by some critics as being just another In The Summertime/Lady Rose hybrid. Speaking for myself, this track instantly puts me in a good mood.” – Frank Smith.

50 points

“Happy song, the lyrics, the arrangement, everything is nice here.” – Bengt Hertzman

“So catchy”! – Derek Wadeson.

47 points

41 points

41 points

41 points

“From the same maxi-single as My Girl & Me and another gem.” – Frank Smith.

40 points

“The epitome of the early Mungo Jerry sound, built on kazoo, harp and Ray’s gruff irreverent vocal.” – Jim McHugh.

“Just realised I hadn’t included anything from that wonderful first album. And again, on a different day, I could have picked any one of four or five.” – Frank Smith.

39 points

“Wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the only one to choose this track as no-one else I’ve spoken to seems to rank it so highly. Not sure why, because it’s a massive favourite of mine.” – Frank Smith.

38 points

“Even though I loved In The Summertime, I became a real Mungo fan with the release of Baby Jump. The most exciting record I’d heard at the time and not sure ANY record I’ve heard since has had the same effect.

“Amazingly, Baby Jump has now just missed out on my top 10 and I’ve plumped for the Paul King track instead. Loving its irresistible  good-time feel. I remember learning and writing down the lyrics in my school jotter ; ‘Go on the booze, what you got to lose, cos’ women they come free!’

“Ha-ha! really Paul? Speaking from bitter experience (two relationship break-ups in my earlier adult life), I can say without question that women certainly DO NOT come free!” – Frank Smith.

36 points

“Electronically Tested was the first LP I ever bought and I was so happy and proud of my purchase that I could barely let it out of my sight. So much so, that I stood it up on my bedroom chest of drawers when I went to bed, so that it would be the first thing I saw when I woke up in the morning!

“This is probably my fave track, but they’re hard to separate!” – Frank Smith.

33 points

32 points

“I’ve heard Ray say this was a throw away, but I  think it’s an hauntingly melancholy folk song.” – Jim McHugh.

29 points

“I think Ray’s first serious piece of work, the last track on Electronically Tested  pointing to a future that sadly didn’t materialise. Would have been at home with a horn and string arrangement on Cold Blue Excursion” – Jim McHugh

28 points

26 points

“Uptempo blues with a great sound.” – Derek Wadeson.

25 points

24 points

(including 18 points for the Lost Recordings version, 6 points for Together Again version)

“The version on Together Again is a perfect rock/pop song. Should have been a hit.” – Bengt Hertzman

23 points

23 points

“Love hearing it live and it especially reminds me of a fantastic gig at The Archer pub in Newcastle in 1996.” – Frank Smith.

22 points

22 points

20 points

“Sounds great both on record and live.” – Derek Wadeson.

18 points

18 points

18 points

17 points

“Slow version, and whilst totally different to Baby Jump, for me it’s a favourite live singalong song.” – 

16 points

16 points

(including 4 points for the long version)

“Serious blues with a beat.” – Derek Wadeson.

16 points

“A beautiful melody well arranged, albeit on simple instrumentation.” – Jim McHugh.

15 points

(Snakebite version)

15 points

“A masterpiece in all aspects, timeless lyrics and perfect arrangement.”  – Bengt Hertzman.

14 points

“A great song I think. Tim Green was brilliant on the entire album.” – Alan Taylor.

14 points

14 points

“Written by Paul about our sadly departed friend Joe Rush.” – Alan Taylor.

13 points

(Lovin’ In The Alleys, Fightin’ In The Streets version)

12 points

12 points

“One of the very best Mungo Jerry recordings for me. Never tire of listening to it”. – Alan Taylor.

12 points

11 points

10 points

10 points

10 points

10 points

10 points

10 points

“Authentic rock ‘n roll at its best”! – Derek Wadeson.

10 points

10 points

9 points

“Great vibe”! – Derek Wadeson.

9 points

9 points

“Sadly nearly forgotten, but it is a perfect pop single with Ray’s voice at its best. Should have been a hit in more territories than just Denmark.” – Bengt Hertzman.

“No social comment here, just bubblegum pop at its best. This could have been number 1 for Smokie in 1977.” – Jim McHugh.

8 points

“In your face rocker”! – Derek Wadeson.

6 points

I’m always thinking that Mungo Jerry should record this again but a more hard-hitting version. Very good song and with ever fresh lyrics.” – Bengt Hertzman.

3 points

“An overlooked classic. One of Ray’s best  stomping songs, with an anthemic sing-along coda.” – Jim McHugh.

2 points

“Please Ray, remix it and put some female vocals on the chorus. It can be a hit.” – Bengt Hertzman.

2 points

(It’s Hard Rock and All That Version)

“Nostalgic home thoughts from abroad, built around a beautiful riff.” – Jim McHugh.

1 point

“Just like the albums title, it’s Naked From The Heart.” – Derek Wadeson.