The Combine Harvester

Last updated
"The Combine Harvester"
Single by Brendan Grace
Released1975
Genre
Composer(s) Melanie Safka
Lyricist(s) Brendan O'Shaughnessy (new lyrics)
"The Combine Harvester"
The Combine Harvester.jpg
Single by The Wurzels
B-side "The Blackbird"
ReleasedMay 1976 [1]
Genre
Length3:03
Label Solo, EMI [1]
Producer(s) Tommy Ellis, Bob Barratt [1]
Official Audio
"The Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)" on YouTube

"The Combine Harvester" is a novelty song which was a number one hit for Brendan Grace in Ireland in 1975 and then also for The Wurzels in the UK in 1976. Written by Brendan O'Shaughnessy, the song is a parody of Melanie Safka's 1971 hit, "Brand New Key", with rustic lyrics replacing the original theme of roller-skating. [2]

Contents

In the UK the song was released by The Wurzels, a band from Somerset with a rustic West Country style which they called "Scrumpy and Western". It reached number one on 12 June 1976 and stayed there for two weeks. [1]

Charts

Chart (1975)Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart 1
Chart (1976)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 1
Chart (1976)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [3] 97

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [4] Silver250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Jon Kutner (2010), 1000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, ISBN   9780857123602
  2. Audrey Healy (2002), Dubliners: What's the Story?, Currach Press, p. 67, ISBN   9781856079006
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 344. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. "British single certifications – Wurzels – Combine Harvester". British Phonographic Industry.