The Aroma of Tacoma

[@deleasado6145]

When I was a kid, I had this 45 and played it repeatedly. I lived in Tacoma in the 1960s. I just played it for my class. They got a kick out of it especially because it is true.

[@panowa8319]

I never heard of this song, but do remember the Aroma of Tacoma whenever we drove by the city.

[@blahhumbug1]

Sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little star: Stinky, stinky little city What a shame and what a pity You can tell by the aroma When you are... in Tacoma! Stinky, stinky little city What a shame and what a pity As a kid this was our family car song every time we driving up north to Seattle.

[@alanbstard9301]

I am probably the only person outside Washington state who knows this song. Certainly a catchy little ditty by any standards.

[@jayfig9545]

Just found this record in a thrift store in Harlem GA where Oliver hardy hometown is. I had to come check out the comment section to know more about what this relic is hahahaha

[@MrHellfinger]

Quite a rare find.

[@deerelad62]

How many of us looked up this song after hearing about it on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me on 08/26/2013?

[@chunkeelilmonkee]

WHY HAVR I NEVER HEARD THIS ?????? that’s my home town.

[@shelleymagnussen1959]

We don't have that hot-dogs-in-a-wet-paper-bag smell anymore. They sent it on down to Oregon City. hahahahahahaha!"

[@richgallegos5807]

Washougal still smells wonderful tho'...

[@chunkeelilmonkee]

Omg ssssoooooo true. I live near there and visit my buddy often. I actually made a comparison one day my kid didn’t get it. I’m all “ Smells like home “. Hahahaahahahahah.

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

The Aroma of Tacoma [Jim Torrence/Don Lemon] Sung to the tune of "The Wabash Cannonball" _______________________________________ "Tacoma has a very special greeting for its visitors... but plans are to clean up the tide flats, and do away with - 'the aroma of tacoma.' We present this memory for future generations." ------------------------------------------------------- The aroma of Tacoma, takes your breath away You can tell it - you can smell it, when you're 14 miles away From the great Olympic Mountains, to the tide flats by the shore That aroma will be with us, for now and ever more As you drive along the highway, the scenery is sublime But the flowers smell like pulp mills, almost all the time The aroma of Tacoma will cure a head cold any day, In fact we guarantee it, to take your breath away ["And you know that halitosis is better than no breath at all!"] As you gather on your patio for the barbeque divine The aroma comes a creeping and you almost change your mind, [or] No matter how good that meat would taste when you dig that gorgeous smell You'd think the meat was butchered when it really wasn't well Someday they'll find a use I know for that unwanted aroma And when they do I hope it'll be 10,000 miles from Tacoma They can stuff it in a missile case and let the the green berets Use it on the Viet Cong to end the war that way Now if you keep complaining, remember we're not alone There always is Seattle with a smell all of it's own When [juries and courthouses*], Carsten lots of shame** While all we've got is a smelter on which to lay the blame (*my best attempt at a transcription by-ear, apologies for the iffy 2nd-to-last lyric] [**refers to the Carsten meat packing plant along the Puyallup river east of Tacoma Wa.]

[@julieschlaman500]

O yes I remember this as a kid!

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

first heard this one on Dr. D. i have a copy of this 45 as well.

[@neverjethot]

I sure miss Dr. Demento, and later, Music with Moskowitz. They don't have radio like that anymore.

[@dieselram05]

⁠@@neverjethotloved Music with Moscowitz !!!!!

[@neverjethot]

@@dieselram05 I looked forward to it all week! It sometimes made my wife roll her eyes, but I think she dug it too. I sure miss that dude.

[@cynthiaculiner9]

Why do I even live here…

[@thoughtsforthebuilders]

cheapish

[@michaelferguson1093]

Tacoma has official theme song. It was in sheet music display in the Tacoma Central library about 7 years ago. I am a Seattle/Snohomish guy. Any info or help?

[@ralphreinert]

Sounds like Wabash Cannonball. 🙂

[@AZGriffins2U]

Icky- smelly- little- city, what a shame, and what a pity. You can tell by it's aroma, that you're in, or near Tacoma.