Released January 6, 1969 Label Monument | Format 45 rpm vinyl Length 3:153:00 (7" version) | |
B-side "Bagpipes - That's My Bag" | ||
"Gitarzan" is a novelty song released by Ray Stevens in 1969, about a character who lives in a jungle and forms a musical band with his female partner, Jane, and their pet monkey. The song features Tarzan yells, scat singing, and a funky Boogie Woogie, as well as a quote from the song "Swinging on a Star", with the line "Carrying Moonbeams Home in a Jar" sung with the wrong notes. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1969, and #10 in Canada in May 1969. The music and lyrics were written by Stevens with a title supplied by Bill Justis. Justis is officially credited as Bill Everette.
Cover versions
A cover version was recorded by country music parodist Cledus T. Judd on his tribute album Boogity, Boogity - A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens in 2007. Judd's cover features Keith Urban and Heidi Newfield (former lead singer of Trick Pony). An earlier cover appeared on Ralph's World's "Green Gorilla, Monster and Me!" (a children's music album) in 2006.