Friday Music: Boys on Wheels
Since I posted this at The Gimp Parade last June, Boys on Wheels has been a fairly major contributer to my site's daily visitor hit count -- easily 30+ hits per day. Obviously people are fascinated enough to Google. So, what do you think?
Funny or not so much?
Direct YouTube link here. (Or at the bottom of the post.)
The lead singer of Boys on Wheels is Jesper Odelberg and he is a guy with cerebral palsy, as well as part of a Norwegian comedy show. The four-minute video linked above is a montage of rock songs with lyrics slightly altered. Subtitles are provided in the language each song is sung in. For example, the first song is in Norwegian, the second is a spoof on the '80s hit by Norwegian band A-Ha: "Take On Me," instead called "I'm Not Gay." Bryan Adams' '80s power ballad "Heaven" has been altered so the lyrics begin:
Baby, you're all that I want, but you're living on the fifth floor.
I'm finding it hard to get there, in my wheelchair.
Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer" is spoofed as "Living In A Wheelchair." Three men in power wheelchairs sit on a stage with dynamic colorful lighting. Sometimes the two backup guys do some dancing with their wheelchairs. Odelberg's costume changes to match the song, with '80s-era Bon Jovi hair and clothes for the last song.
Also at YouTube, Boys on Wheels singing "My Balls are OK" and "Making Love in a Handicap Toilet"
Cross-posted at Alas, A Blog
4 comments:
I'm fairly easily amused, but: not funny. Of course, I don't like Weird Al either.
I don't think it was intended to make fun of anyone. I found it interesting.
Sigh. Ok - I did find it a little funny and a little sad in that he is spoofing himself in a way. Is it gallows humor or is he just being in your face? I like it that either way he is in your face and will make people think about disability. I also do like that these guys wanted to be a band are doing music which I am assuming they like. So good for them. They are getting some traction too and hopefully making some money. But pure comedy - no. Sarcasm and lots of wit and a sort of in your face attitude - yes.
Don't forget this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBGP2tLtLtw
I think it's good. Some jokes aren't my style and a lot of it makes me uncomfortable, but it's also pretty funny. And well, it's eye opening and educational for some people, too.
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