Neil Innes - How Sweet to be an Idiot

[@stephencooke4569]

R.I.P. Neil Innes, one of the greatest musical satirists sadly gone at 75.

[@kirnpu]

"How sweet to be an idiot and dip my brain in joy". This line has stayed with me for decades. Thank you for your music Neil.

[@hdmat101]

"I'm free to be an idiot"

[@rubyruby_2000]

hahah

[@Brenners2010]

"I'm free to be whatever I, whatever I choose, and I'll sing the blues if I want...."

[@agunemnon]

Thank you Neil, this song has been with me since I was a child. Sorry you had to leave us so soon.

[@mondellomusic]

So sorry to hear we've lost this great man

[@dennisporter-avis7576]

R.I.P to a creative genius Neil Innes, the world needs more like him xx

[@WakaWaka2468]

"I'm Freeeeee"

[@gangstermedia9039]

Sunshineeeeeeeeeee

[@willmorris2425]

maybeeeeeeee

[@willyc.8141]

Citeeeeeeeehhh

[@peekay4336]

ForevVAAAAAAAAA

[@rexnemo]

Wow Mr Humphries is here !🤣

[@thomridgeway1438]

The 7th Python and The 5th Beatle .... May God bless him where ever he may be!

[@iankennardmusic]

Good to hear the original version of this melody.😆 A true genius.❤️

[@minanes6549]

Remember this when he first sung it. Loved it since then. Always made me feel a bit sad. A little masterpiece.

[@williampaterson8963]

Thank you Neil. The Rutles were more like the Beatles than the Beatles themselves. Neil was an Absolute musical Genius. Thank you SO VERY MUCH for posting this my friend. Thank YOU all 👍

[@rexnemo]

I still remember George Harrison singing about wanting to be a pirate , I was watching the show on TV and I just laughed at the surprise .🤣

[@marthamydear7499]

I still can’t get over that Neil Innes is gone. One of my serious regrets in life was never seeing him live. 😭

[@Noycey64]

I’ve always loved this song since I first heard it in the 80s in the Python Hollywood Bowl movie. I later looked into Innes further , and then I discovered the Rutles. Innes was terrific.

[@kon23uk]

Neil Innes is a National Treasure: from the Bonzos, through RWT, the Rutles, Monty Python films, his radio series, through to his current tour, his wry thoughtfulness and incisiveness about the world have made me feel so much better about the world. Sweet Idiot indeed. Now if Viv Stanshall had survived as well (or at all)...

[@verybigheart]

I’ve always enjoyed Monty Python but never heard of RWT before. Thanks for your comment: some great comedy to discover for the first time.

[@wayulooktonige]

Sad to read of Neil's passing away. This song is one of those 'soundtrack of my life' songs. RIP Neil - a true genius.

[@guitarlover302]

RIP ❤️ thanks for your brilliant work

[@yakacm]

I knew this song years before Oasis, but I never thought to look it up again, I am blown away at how much it sounds like Whatever, but anyway whenever I hear Whatever I always sing I'm from to be an Idiot in my head because of this song, and I am a massive Oasis fan, seen them live numerous times.

[@startracker5895]

It doesn’t sound like it though. Oasis song Whatever is rock and classical. I don’t know what this shit is supposed to be.

[@M.Studios.]

@@startracker5895 right, why do you think he sued whatever is a brilliant tune unlike this shite.

[@alain_de_frothcorn]

I love the film Yesterday - when the protagonist recovers from his knock on the head and realises that no one has heard of The Beatles but they know the Rolling Stones and .. then he searches Google for Oasis and they don't exist either .. go figure? As soon as I heard Whatever I thought they had covered Neil Innes song and I was gobsmacked that it was an oiriginal composition!!! Like the poster, I always sing the Innes lyrics to the Oasis song!

[@whoopjohn]

"Oh you pretty thing" by Bowie is in there too. RIP Neil - gone but not forgotten.

[@philip3917]

Good spot !

[@whoopjohn]

@Tom Rees yes and I think Supertramp also. Reginald Dwight?

[@MisterTMH]

Plus a spot of "Maybe I 'm amazed" by Paul Mc./Billy Sheppard too.

[@justmadeit2]

Also at 1:46 the piano sounds like the song boy from New York City by Manhattan transfer

[@canucktunes]

RIP Neil Innes 1944-2019

[@thomasdoran2363]

Oh, he was such a star ! Sadly missed - what a great talented guy

[@kennethmacgregor-Gregorach]

Here's to you Mr Innes, and thanks for all the laughs.

[@TheDreamingTiger62]

Beautiful.....and Yes ..It Is Sweet......Thank You for Posting.

[@davylaffs179]

Neil and Viv !! what a Pair of Beautiful Crazies !!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless !!!!!!!

[@flimbar]

I remember the bit from 1:50 onwards where he's a giant and the close up head shots really creeping me out and giving me nightmares as a kid

[@jamiestuart4017]

Glad that I got to see Neil live at (Whitley bay)dome.a number of yrs ago ..peace be with you (R.I.P.)

[@LeeLucas]

R.I.P Neil and you was a Genius of a songwriter.

[@CH-im3lb]

RIP, Neil Innes 😢 I always remember 'I'm an Urban Spaceman' from childhood. 💖💖

[@ponyboycurtis5734]

Same here.

[@simonmorris4226]

So you don’t exist?

[@sammaggs7128]

RIP Neil! How sweet...

[@MonkeyThrowMonkeyDoo]

I love the mirror on the piano instead of sheet music. He need read only himself to play the song. Brilliant!

[@waynewright444]

Thanks for inspiring noel to write a great song

[@annepoitrineau5650]

I got a link to this in the Guardian. I was living in Switzerland when it came out and had never heard of it. It is brilliant.

[@bobstar76]

RIP Neil - great talent. 😢

[@Chris-Top-HerB]

R.I.P Neil, condolences to the family. What a seriously funny dude. A stoned off his nut genius. There's always a inspirational character from my life dies at this time of year. Nearly made it to 2020 without losing a hero.

[@luminescent8781]

RIP Neil Innes - Genius

[@jacquelinecarty8579]

As much imagination as a caravan site - perfect!

[@JimiClownshoes]

Rest in peace Neil. You beautiful man

[@TorToroPorco]

What a beautiful melody, it sounds like something Elton John could have written. There is air of whimsy and melancholy about it. Appropriately it was played at the funeral for Monty Python's Terry Jones, a fitting epitaph.

[@AnonyFerret]

I love Neil Innes!

[@allsorts-allshorts]

i love Noel Gallagher, and i quite like this too, good to play on my guitar for my friends who like Oasis....who are then bewildered when i start singing this.......oh how sweet ;-)

[@chrispatterson1019]

"Whatever I choose and I'll sing the blues if i want"

[@fluffyfuzzbox]

i listened to this when i was 15, im 24 now, the memories!

[@solved5690]

Now you have 36 how the time has gone thats sad I jst remember the people thats its gone and just cry

[@russ6697]

I remember buying Monty Python live at Drury Lane (around 1974)and playing the album to death. This was one of the beautiful tracks that stood out for me.

[@zosothezephead837]

I don't know why, but I always associated this song with The Rutles - or was it Rutland Weekend Television? Anyone know if/what the connection was?

[@nickhaynesmusic7423]

I remember him saying in an interview that one of the lines was added by George Harrison. "Dip my brain in joy"

[@richardgadsby9060]

Rest In Peace Neil. You were a legend.

[@Feedersuper]

RIP Neil Innes.

[@steve-sk8tf]

funny how basically everyone is here because of oasis

[@rtrepsas]

hell, no, I am here for the "Yellow Submarine Sandwich" with Cheese and Onions! (ERIC IDLE; "Ladies and Gentlemen...The RUTLES!" (girls screaming hysterically) from the 1978 NBC-TV USA video "All You Need Is Cash" (see it on You-Tube): Neil Innes lead vox as "Ron Nasty" a John Lennono doppelganger and sound-a-like): "Do I have to spell it out? C-H-E-E-S-E A-N-D O-N I-O-N-S, oh no, /Man and machine (man and machine)/Keep yourself clean (Keep yourself clean)/or be a has-been (ah-ah) like a dinosaur, oh-oh..." etc.

[@bigcretin]

Nope, I'm here because I liked this song when I heard it on Monty Python live at the Hollywood Bowl. This, sadly, is an awful, awful poor quality version.

[@dukemantee2978]

Not me. I'm here because I love Neil.

[@rtrepsas]

Duke Mantee So am I. He is my idol. Seen him perform live 3 times here in San Diego and LA!

[@popefrancis1629]

Naahh.. this is also the theme from the Brilliant Idiots hip hop podcast.

[@notoriouskdt]

I’m freeeeeee to be whatever I whatever I choose and I’ll sing the blues if I want

[@demonsbutterfly]

Thankyou Neil. RIP

[@justmadeit2]

Nice piano work

[@BusinessButlers]

RIP, you wonderful and creative man, you will be missed a great deal Mr Innes 29/30 December 2019.

[@Tominparid]

The first 3 notes of the vocal are like “Whatever”, the rest has nowt in common whatsoever

[@picassodamelio3728]

one of the most underrated geniuses ever!

[@karld83]

Along with Einstein and Charles the great

[@henkwesterik]

One of the many brilliant songs of Neil Innes

[@ChrisJEPlace]

I miss him so much... :(

[@graytart]

Neil has got a lot of mileage out of that duck hat - he wore it in the promo for "Urban Spaceman" and is still wearing it on stage when he performs "Idiot".

[@milesgreb3537]

I'm free to be whatever I Whatever I choose And I'll sing the blues if I want

[@hollowmoon9]

yep, my first thoughts too

[@differous01]

I remember this from 'Monty Python Live at Drury Lane'. It's been a while, but I found myself singing the line: "You've as much imagination as a caravan site!"

[@TheHannible]

I will remember that line too!

[@domitype]

RIP Dec 29 2019...

[@leggdad1]

RIP Neil. X

[@andywhitemusic1997]

RIP Neil!

[@rowanc88]

Rest in Peace, Neil

[@Woody991]

Genuinely surprised he won the lawsuit. Yes, the first line is very much comparable in phrasing and key, but after that there is no comparison.

[@doublahh]

I'm was expecting the beat to kick in then hear Charlamagne's voice.lol #Brilliant idiots

[@lixie1]

RIP, Neil. :(

[@markoutram7589]

For those unaware - in late-70's Britain the BBC2 TV channel used to broadcast a series called 'The Innes Book Of Records' (usually around 9pm, either Monday or Tuesday night ? - could be wrong). This song was one of those original compositions aired. I loved the surreal ambience of the programme. Those who think NI is 'ripping-off Oasis' really ought to check the series out before casting such judgements around so liberally.

[@fredinatub]

Nobody is saying he stole it off Noel they saying Noel stole it.

[@mehcol]

Beautiful

[@Runesve]

Rest in peace Neil❤️

[@jameslangfield5010]

RIP Neil.

[@neighbourhoodwitch18]

RIP lovely Neil. A true genius.

[@gaelatriano5996]

HA HA HA THAT IS IRONIC

[@GergelAni]

Very nice song. Sounds like a McCartney-Lennon collaboration. And a bit Bowie inside.

[@patrickbone6171]

This was the one song that got Oasis ‘Free to be whatever I ‘ Having been been sued by The Beatles for most of his Rutles songs, Neil finally got Kharma on their soundalikes. That and a piano piece used by Bowie in ‘Oh you pretty things’ A great under appreciated talent.

[@kennethantonsen2154]

Bowie wrote «Oh you Pretty Things» 1 1/2 years earlier than this was recorded, so it must’ve been the other way around.

[@matteoviola5760]

karma? Innes copied the Beatles for 20 years and got logically sued by them, Noel did not know about his song and shared the melody with him. Inform yourself

[@sergioleone1375]

He didn't copy them, he parodied their work. The owners of the Beatles rights at the time sued. Doubt, the actual band would have done so as they were all mates. Gallagher heard this song before.

[@johnmunro4952]

Rest in peace you brilliant clown.

[@just_lisa1931]

RIP Sir. 😔

[@majj2427]

Noel may have lifted this from him, but Neil lifted this from Maybe I'm amazed

[@davetodd7444]

What a great singer song writer. I wonder if this song inspired the Finn brothers in their song writing?

[@startracker5895]

It’s only one sentence that it sounds like Whatever by Oasis. I’m kinda disappointed that it doesn’t sound more like it! Lol

[@austinbennett2588]

Anyone here because of Quinton Reviews?

[@mr.v6052]

Me

[@thedoorlord11]

Me

[@aldaramalli.schmid2000]

Wonderful

[@charlieben3354]

Virgin Oasis vs. Chad Neil Innes RIP sir, we'll always remember you

[@tigerslap]

Beautiful tune.

[@wktodd]

RIP Neil

[@hannahbeardo]

Ok Oasis brought me here. But I must say this song is good and Neil Innes deserves the credit for it.

[@idw9159]

How sweet to be an Idiot, As harmless as a cloud, Too small to hide the sun Almost poking fun, At the warm but insecure untidy crowd. How sweet to be an idiot, And dip my brain in joy, Children laughing at my back, With no fear of attack, As much retaliation as a toy. How sweet to be an idiot, how sweet. I tiptoe down the street, Smile at everyone I meet, But suddenly a scream, Smashes through my dream, Fee fie foe fum, I smell the blood of an asylum, (Blood of an asylum, But mother I play so beautifully, listen. ha ha) Fee fie foe fum, I smell the blood of the asylum, Hey you, you're such a pedant, You got as much brain as a dead ant, As much imagination as a caravan site. But I still love you, still love you, Oh how sweet to be an idiot, How sweet. how sweet. How sweet.

[@Cristian-vm1bg]

i am also free to be whatever i choose. and ill sing the blues if i want.

[@carolkirton5629]

I... it relats to my life to be honnest

[@CGammie]

RIP you genius!

[@MasticinaAkicta]

*sniff* such a happy song.

[@TheYauruwa82]

Too Much!!! very very sweet :P

[@bobgrantsbus]

Loved this song since I first heard it on "Monty Python Live At Drury Lane".

[@leinadretaw]

this is one of my favourite songs from neil innes. the urban spaceman song was the best though

[@paulstanley518]

RIP mr i

[@stufaman]

Adrian Edmondson sent me. I'm glad he did.

[@marcosebastianodicaro6448]

I'm freeeeeeee to be whatever I... ops, wrong song

[@gsf67]

Neil innes is a genius pure and simple, have a look at the Rutles and the work he did with Monty Python.

[@maisiesummers42]

R.I.P. Neil Innes.

[@B2twenty]

S/o Brilliant Idiots

[@philip3917]

They should also check out The New Seekers , Slade , T Rex , Gary Glitter , Velvet Underground ........ Noel has lifted melodies from all of these artists . Influence is one thing , but plagiarism is another.

[@matteoviola5760]

And all those bands didn’t? Stop with this plagiarism stuff, music is taken from something universal: sheets

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Sounds very much like Harry Nilsson (that’s a compliment by the way!)