The Old Philosopher - Eddie Lawerence

Hit comedy recording from 1956.

[@larrymoran_THE_CODGER]

Dec. 30, 2021 - I'm 80 and on occasion this comedy piece comes to mind for no apparent reason. It still makes me smile and I'm glad I Google searched it. I'm passing it on to some people in my immediate family and small social circle. I hope it comes to mind for them from time to time when they can use a smile😊

[@elisebean1]

For some reason, we listened to this every Christmas. I remember how my grandpa would shake with laughter. Such good memories. ❤️

[@natandsarasgran]

I’m 86. I remember hearing this for the first time, probably on The Ted Brown Show, while I was rushing to get ready for work. I howled. Just listening to it again made me laugh so hard. No smut, no four letter words, just clean fun. We’ve come a long way, perhaps too long...

[@mohammedcohen]

Ted Brown on WNEW AM radio???

[@codysconclusions895]

my grandfather just told me about this song. love it!

[@billbuschgen520]

I so love this...remember from the 1950's.

[@16412jrt]

I remember hearing this as a child and now, hearing it again, it brings back memories of when comedy was wacky and funny, with no hint of meanness. I am embarrassed to say that I had no idea Mr. Lawrence was still around in 2014, as I had heard nothing about him for years. He had a unique sense of humor (much like Bob and Ray, Allan Sherman, and other great comedians of the mid-20th century). This type of silliness is missed by this fan.

[@philswaim392]

This type of harmless silliness exists today and comedy was mean back in your day too, boomer.

[@drjawn]

@@philswaim392 who the f*ck is Phil Swaim,

[@bobbender2922]

I heard this for the first time on the Doctor Demento show back in 1979 it's actually comedy that the average guy can identify with still funny

[@1mespud]

Thank GOD for this man's humor! And may GOD help you if Mr. Eddie Lawrence is to narrate your life...

[@stephanieclark7581]

My Daddy had this crazy record when I was little. It reminds me of him. I wish I would have asked him about it when he was still here😢

[@russs7574]

Ah, brings back memories of mid-70's sitting in my dorm room at U. of Pgh. with my buddies, listening to the Dr. Demento Show on WYDD.

[@gmadiva]

Love this - My Mom used to listen to him......I miss her

[@paullanier9858]

I first heard this back in the late 90’s early 2,000’s! I’m so glad it still exists! Such funny memories! I can’t find the cd I used to have with this track either, so I’m glad I could still find it. Lol 😂 😂 😂

[@phylfritz1]

Thanks for the wonderful memories!

[@johnpollock3246]

I remember this from when I was a child. Classic!

[@Tom-Yum-Gai]

I'm sure I watched him on WPIX in the early to mid 60s I could hear his voice in my head even before I searched out this youtube recording

[@3281Anonymous]

I remember hearing this for the first time.

[@NormanHirsch]

thanks for the old memories in great quality sound.

[@mohammedcohen]

...I used to listen to him in the early/mid 60s (63 - 66) on WTFM @ ca. 7:20 AM on the Fred Darwin's morning show. Just now remember this guy and did search...WOW!!! I'm almost 73...

[@francesvr]

This is awesome!!!! Thanks!

[@kingpong61]

I first remembered this recording being played on the old Dr. Demento radio show which was broadcast in Phila. PA from the 1970's. I have been using it as my inspiration recently while playing the online games Wordle and Word Hurdle.

[@leftyspade]

Soupy Sales used to play this skit when he listened to a real old time radio. The guy was hilarious and Soupy's reaction on live camera was priceless. Ah, Being 15 in 1966 and all that went awry.

[@BillyDBunny]

Funny how dreams and life diverge, ain't it?

[@johnweisenhorn9788]

I have been trying to remember this, had a hard time finding it. So glad I did, it is a classic I remember from back in the 50’s when i was in the army. Great imagination. Love it.

[@sdaddyo67]

My Dad had this on vinyl.

[@biffalobull2335]

This is about where we are right now.

[@georgimihailov4906]

The Incredible Eddie Lawrence.

[@Chesterton7]

The greatest.

[@pbmaxx9]

Thanks so much for posting! I'm amazed to find this, and with such amazing sound quality!

[@Go1US1Marines]

Great Stuff. Thanks for posting!!

[@N2GJ]

Never give up that ship!

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

Eddie is still alive pushing 95!

[@steelbeard1]

Sadly, he died on March 25 at age 95.

[@Rustydymon]

I did the same thing "What's the matter Bunky" and finally found this video. Thanks for posting this, really, thanks.

[@bsj71]

Billy West, Gilbert Gottfried, and Frank Santopadre brought me here… bunky

[@larrybaker9924]

Would have to had Eddie give my eulogy

[@jackgrattan3144]

Hiya Cousin.....Ya say ya got a certain catch phrase stuck in your skull for over 50 years and no way of knowing who said it? Is that what's troubling ya, Bunkie? WELL, LIFT YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND TAKE A WALK IN THE SUN AND NEVER GIVE UP NEVER GIVE UP NEVER GIVE UP THAT SEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nardpuncher]

Jack Grattan well done!

[@grantmartin1852]

Damn Jack, we must be in each others' heads! I'm 61 and I've been using that catch phrase followed by the flourish for decades and as mentioned, I couldn't remember where I heard it. Thanks main!

[@jackgrattan1447]

Is that what's been troubling ya all these years, Bunkie?

[@grantmartin1852]

Yep!

[@sueme1954]

God is good and great for this would have driven me insane had I thought of it earlier in my life having no way to find the answer. Just now the line with only the words --- Is that what's botherin' you bunky-- for a clue and recording and comedy thank goodness for the internet then youtube I found the name and the author. So sad he passed. He lived to age 95 which ain't bad. Last March he could have hit 100. I heard it quoted many times but at an age that really I could not appreciate it..6 or seven.

[@JNash317]

I think Adam Sandler was inspired by this guy. But, The Old Philosopher is still the best.

[@JMaxfield09]

I believe this recording inspired Garrison Keillor to create "Be-Bop-A-Rebop Rhubarb Pie" for A Prairie Home Companion.

[@BeezoHow]

LOL! I think you are right! Hahahha!

[@RicdelaBastide]

Respect

[@DoctorX101]

That's ship!

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

@ctdsnark you are right about the bunky thing, it is in a book, but this version i have known all my life. I first heard this comedy routine on THE MOBY PHONE service , starting in the early 1980's

[@stlmark9111]

I have the same urge every time that I listen to him list all of these troubles & ask "Is that what's bothering you?" I want to reply, "No. Those are actually the least of my problems. Let me tell you what's really bothering me..."

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

You say you didn't know your wife used to be a guy? And she wants to go back to being a guy? Is that what's troublin you friend? (2014 lyrics)

[@ELVISISKING1000]

MUSICAL MEMORIAL: COMEDIAN EDDIE LAWRENCE, BORN AS LAWRENCE EISLER, DIED ON THIS DAY, MARCH 25, 2014, AT THE AGE OF 95. THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS UNDISCLOSED. MAY LAWRENCE EISLER, AKA EDDIE LAWRENCE, REST IN HARMONY. FOR MORE INFO AND MEMORIALS, PLEASE JOIN MY GROUP AND VIEW MY KZbin PAGE: TONY JAMS MUSICAL MEMORIALS 1950'S AND BEYOND. FACE BOOK PAGE: TONY JAMS MUSICAL MEMORIALS. THANK YOU.

[@waverlyfowler5415]

Doctor Demento

[@rossharmonics]

Do you have Loco Baseball? It was on the flip side of the 45, which I had as a kid.

[@wfj50]

Wasn't this also used in a tv commercial?

[@ijohnny.]

Will Jones Yes, the poor slob was "Bunky". Wish one of the ads was posted.

[@rclaughlin]

I don't know about TV, but Lawrence reprised his Old Philosopher character for a series of Olympic Overcoat ads on radio in the 70s.

[@theBaron0530]

The Old Philosopher was copied for a lot of commercials on radio over the years, too. I remember commercials on Philadelphia radio stations in the 70s that did.

[@jeffwade7547]

Where is the flip side? "The New Philosopher" Ya say your air conditioner fell off the winda-sill and hit an old lady? Ya say yer oldest boy wantsa be a jockey? And he's 36? And weighs over 200 pounds?

[@accam6734]

🤣😂😆

[@t4705mb6]

Don't get married. Don't have kids. Work for yourself. Read Consumer Reports.

[@PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

#RIPEddieLawrence

[@ZbigBF]

Eddie Lawrence (born Lawrence Eisler; March 2, 1919 - March 25, 2014) was an American monologist, actor, singer, lyricist, playwright, director and television personality, whose unique comic creation, the eternally optimistic Old Philosopher, gained him a devoted cult following

[@skullzrck14]

Are you a man OR A MOUSE? Squeek, squeak...

[@patteeling2851]

Are you a man or a MOUSE?? Squeak up!