The One on the Left is on the Right - Noel Harrison Smothers Brothers

[@TheScunneredMan]

Never heard this song for many years. Glad I stopped by.

[@vleiratfilms2020]

How great to see Noel. I followed him at the Colony night club in Johannesburg South Africa in my first cabaret as a aspiring singer. Dear generous man, he stayed for a week after his run, and taught me more about cabaret than I could have learned in years locally. He also showed me the way he slung his guitar so he could take it off quickly. I couldn’t buy one in SA so I made a sling from a saxophone sling a shoelace and an aluminium plate to go into the sound hole on the guitar. I used that sling, and what Neil taught me for 30 years in cabaret stage and television. ❤️ that man .. and what a cool performer. Oh and the Smothers were my model for comedy and song for all those years too. Love those guys ❤️

[@NoelHarrisonfan]

That’s interesting. Was it around this time: www.thewindmillsofyourmind.com/albums/atunika

[@vleiratfilms2020]

@@NoelHarrisonfan Didn’t know about the album or that he had performed in Jobug in 1960. I lived in Cape Town at the time and had just left school so only knew him as Rex Harrison’s son. Windmills of your mind was after he was at the Colony I think, as I remember being very pleased and impressed by his success with it when I was already recording and playing the coffee bars in Joburg. I wonder if he’s still alive and kicking. 🤔

[@NoelHarrisonfan]

@@vleiratfilms2020 Sadly Noel died in 2013, but we keep his legacy alive through the website!

[@Edelweiss-hh6tk]

Nice story. Glad that you got to know him

[@susanhancock1634]

Don't remember this but enjoyed it! What TV was like back in the day....

[@damamae950]

OMG. . When I was a teen we were crusihing SO hard on Noel Harrison.

[@mt.shasta6097]

I remember it well.

[@darupe]

When I was young we would all gather around to watch the Smother's brothers. All seven of us, two brothers two sisters, mom and dad sat around the only tv in the house. Although the tv was black and white, it was great as there was comedy and music in the same show. I do miss those good old days.

[@January.]

*Smothers

[@Katatouille]

RIP Noel Harrison. This performance is SO RELEVANT NOW. It deserves to be Twittered and shown on every news channel that reports his passing today!

[@rzu7120]

I didn’t know he died.

[@lindahoganson8721]

And was So relevant then!

[@susanhansen1290]

My college roommate and I followed him around the US when he did summer theater, and we would go to the filming of the variety shows her filmed in Los Angeles. We also went to see him when he appeared at the hungry I in San Francisco in 1967 and 1968. The first year they had a juggler on ahead of him. We were in the front row and the juggler missed one of the bowling pins and it hit me in the head. We got free drinks and got to meet Noel and got his autograph. he recognized us in the audience at his shows after that and we got to meet him a couple of times.

[@susanhansen1290]

I wonder if he ever told that story about the juggler?

[@NoelHarrisonfan]

What a great story - thanks for sharing!

[@obfuscated3090]

No entertainer today is this well spoken. Think about it.

[@anton-scottgoustin5425]

Noel (son of Rex) Harrison was very talented musician, and athlete (skiing)!

[@rm2ken]

He's the son of Rex Harrison and was on England's Olympic ski team in 1952 and 1956!

[@2150dalek]

did not know that.

[@brendapetersen364]

Rest in Peace Tom😢

[@risosilva1275]

I'm Brazilian, please, what the meaning of METHODISt in the song?

[@Danjanon]

​@@risosilva1275 Methodist is a denomination of Christianity

[@winstonelston5743]

@@Danjanon Protestanf Christianity. Sort of Presbyterian-Lite, somewhere between High Anglican and Nazarene. I hear they have bishops. And sons of bishops.

[@arcar66]

I never saw this one before... sorry I missed it...glad I got it now. Better late than never.

[@5ivestring]

I saw the Smothers Brothers tv show live one time. The things that went on off camera was hilarious

[@cgarv101]

That was a treat indeed.

[@January.]

*were hilarious

[@sshelget]

Would love to hear your stories! -😂

[@pacificostudios]

I was about 5 when the Smothers Brothers had their TV show, and their humor shaped mine for ever. Tommy's way of sneaking a reference to their banter into the actual song was his trademark.

[@tinawalton7703]

Noel Harrison is so charming -- and Smothers Brothers great as always. Thanks for this.

[@brianarbenz7206]

Our family had people on the left, the right, and Methodists! This connects with me.

[@risosilva1275]

Sorry, I'm Brazilian, but what the meaning of METHODIST in this song?

[@brendapetersen364]

A Methodist is a member of a Christian denomination.

[@brianarbenz7206]

@@risosilva1275 I believe it was said because the Methodist Church (formally called the United Methodist Church) famously does not lean to the left or right politically. Its public presence is quiet and the denomination keeps to itself politically.

[@risosilva1275]

@@brianarbenz7206 Ok. As Brazilian citizen is easy understanding the word's translations, but not the meaning. Thanks for explanation. I'm going study this music to my students. Thank you a lot.

[@ardithmckeaigg548]

They were great! I loved their singing so much!

[@tangobango9653]

I had forgotten what good singers the Smothers Brothers are.

[@winstonelston5743]

And if you notice, Tommy usually took the harmony (considered by some to be more challenging in small vocal ensembles) while Dick stayed on melody.

[@DRShissler1]

I always have to comment under my husband's account for some reason, but I just discovered these guys a few days ago. And i can't get enough! I am a fan of oldies and older movies/T.V. and for some reason I always pictured/thought the Smothers brothers were two brothers who sang older (40s-50s) slow songs crooners. Wow was I wrong they are great.

[@garybanglebangle7949]

This song is great today in 2020. I remember when this was funny to sing. Today it puts a different spin on life. Still funny.

[@winstonelston5743]

And 2024.

[@lbcharlie05]

Great comedians make you laugh and think at the same time. Almost 60 years old and it is still fresh.

[@katherinehunter9526]

Rest in PEACE Noel .. Thanks for all the GR8 PERFORMANCES

[@digigal]

Noel's smile could light up a room!

[@tombloom99]

I love these guys.

[@ghostspirit52]

Too funny. One of the funniest shows ever. Right up there with Rowan and Martins Laugh In

[@williamwitte]

Wish they still had shows like this! So funny!!

[@jerrybrownell3633]

Noel Harrison co-starred with Stephanie Powers in the TV Series " The Girl From U.N.C.L.E." He had a top 40 hit in 1967 with " A Young Girl". The song "The One on The Left Is On The Right" was written by Jack Clement a producer, engineer and staff songwriter for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Johnny Cash recorded it while he was with Sun Records. Other songs Johnny recorded by Clement were "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" and " Guess Things Happen That Way". Clement discovered Jerry Lee Lewis.

[@dominicsmith181]

His dad was from huyton in Liverpool 👍

[@nbenefiel]

This is what we used to watch on TV.

[@duncanmitchel8994]

Just a historical note: The Smothers Bros were on one hour a week for a couple of seasons. This is not typical of what "we used to watch on TV," it was very, very atypical.

[@katherinebybee6847]

Noel looked so much like his father it was amazing!

[@saundraduffy-hawkins7593]

Bring back the Smothers Brothers!!!

[@katieohara3222]

Put this show on Get tv with the old Sonny and Cher shows, MTM. Really enjoyed this!

[@winstonelston5743]

Remember, _To Tell The Truth_ was a popular TV quiz show back in the day.

[@anitahuie1145]

I truly miss them .

[@JackiePhillipsTheSocialPet]

I had never heard of Noel Harrison before this.

[@winstonelston5743]

Have you ever heard of _THE GIRL FROM U,N.C.L.E._ before? Maybe that's why.

[@donna30044]

Their show being cancelled because they wouldn't bow down to the censors was a travesty, but it ensured their place as lentertainment legends with socio-political conscience.

[@terryroland5650]

Noel was talking about the first Smothers Brothers show..which was a half hour sit com where Tommy plays an angel. I'm not even sure if it went a year. They returned with the more successful and now legendary variety show.

[@garychambers5850]

@@terryroland5650 I remember that show. from 1965. Originally titled " *My Brother the Angel* " It lasted One season from 1965-1966. Dick is a rising young business executive who life is turned upside down when his younger brother Tom reenters his life. This wouldn't be too unusual, but Tom had died two years earlier in a boating accident and is now an apprentice angel always trying to help others, but frequently only makes things worse, which forces the young angel to call upon his earthly brother to sets things aright. 👼🏽😇

[@girlfromthebronxbywayofelb7288]

I have seen a few episodes on KZbin, pretty silly stuff, not surprised that it was cancelled. Actually, reminded me a bit of My Favorite Martian, with Uncle Martin popping in and out. That's mostly what the angel did. That show was probably the reason that they found so hard for creative control because they didn't trust network executives to come up with a quality product. And then, of course.... Vietnam, Civil Rights, things that were difficult to be silly about .. But they pulled it off before they got fired. Then they won the lawsuit too. Rest in power, Tommy. 🎭

[@mikerobbins1292]

I just love getting Smothered

[@Off-Brand-Helldiver]

Yo hold up

[@captainjimolchs]

"Smothered" refers to how and why their show, the most popular on TV was cancelled.

[@AmblingAl]

Love the Jimmy Durante reference near the end: "Stop the music!"

[@katieohara3222]

AmblingAl I didn't even get that until you said it! Thanks 🌞

[@winstonelston5743]

Jimmy Durante called "STOP DA MUSIC!" when Carmen Miranda staggered on stage while recording an energetic dance number. Jimmy offered to take her lines and allow her to take it easy, but, trouper that she was, she insisted on finishing in great style. She entertained the cast and friends afterward, late into the evening and early the next morning, and passed away after everybody had gone home. Miranda's family insisted that she would have wanted the episode to be aired, and Jimmy gave a moving tribute as an introduction.

[@TheAppletreetheatre]

he sang the songs how i'd like to hear them, he should have had more hits, i love his version of suzanne and mr tamborine man, i would have loved to have met him and shook his hand, RIP noel harrison

[@sonyahannah]

Kinda frightening to realize just how precisely this song fits 2017 in the U.S.A. . . .

[@jcmick8430]

I wanted to comment something similar!

[@Scottlp2]

Funny, there used to be a party of “live and let live”. Wonder whatever happened to them? Johnny Cash does a good version of this song.

[@msattler111]

@@Scottlp2 It's now 2019.........

[@sorellman]

@@Scottlp2 On which planet? Not on this one.

[@ghw7192]

Also in 2020...

[@Moonsfire62]

OMG I used to watch this show...these guys were very funny.

[@garybanglebangle7949]

Love this song. Today in 2019 this is the way to be. Different points of view or political correctness so not to make problems. So if you DON'T like it then you can xxxx xxxx self.

[@Desmond4956]

I am really sorry to read this. Thank you for the update.

[@tommurphy4307]

"mom always liked you best!"

[@captainjimolchs]

In the song "My Old Man", they explain why.

[@phatchick96]

It was amazing how conservation they looked and how subversive they could get.

[@January.]

*how conservative they looked

[@Squee_Dow]

They were so cute that you could overlook their liberalism. ;) I will FOREVER be grateful for Tommy Smothers. He's responsible for launching Glen Campbell's career. I can't imagine this world without Glen's music.

[@brendalg4]

@socal rocks no you're just rhe party of the president who paid off Iran in the middle of the night.

[@williamhutcheson6511]

Still funny after all these years.

[@ThePeterichardson]

Folk music at its best making social commentary. Johnny Cash's version is excellent also.

[@barneyboyle6933]

Love Johnny’s version. I like all kinds of folk too, but my favorites are definitely the non-commentary. Folk is by definition a grassroots phenomena and I like the idea of it being untainted by political squabbling

[@malissahallenbeck8504]

I remember that ❤️✌🏽

[@ktkat1949]

This song just describes what is happening now.

[@captainjimolchs]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@samueladams4218]

Been looking for this, but swear Johnny Cash cut a version.

[@NoelHarrisonfan]

Yes, he did.

[@humboldthammer]

So did Peter, Paul, and Mary. So Connie (Conway Twiddy) says to Johnny Cash, after listening to Donnie McClean's song, American Pie. "I'm sorry Johnny, and you, too, Donnie, but I'm gonna have to pass. Tain't Country." Johnny looked aghast and began to sing, "I was a lonely, teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pick-up truck, . . . Whadya mean Tain't Country?" So Connie says to Johnny, "Oh, Johnny, you know that all the great country hits go to the Four Chord for the chorus. But what's Donnie do? He goes to the One -- for crying out loud, the One. And that ending, Four, Five One Four One. Do you know what happened to the last guy with a Four-One ending? I think it was Ricky Nelson. Lonesome Town. No sir, Johnny, if that's a hit, that'll be the day that I die."

[@dagnabbit6187]

Showbiz Gold !

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

A great cover of an old pete seeger classic.

[@fromthesidelines]

He passed away a few days ago, Desmond.

[@lindapfister2484]

They were playing In Las vegas

[@richardranke7878]

To Kittyprydekissme- My experience was the reverse...I heard this rendition long before I knew Johnny Cash had sung it before.

[@NextstopoltenCh]

It was Jack Clement who wrote the song. I wonder if there is a version of him singing it.

[@MacDaddyRico]

They were ahead of their time

[@brendalg4]

Not sure what you were talking about. Politics was always this way

[@captainjimolchs]

Actually, they were in touch with the times, which i why they were cancelled.

[@kittyprydekissme]

I'd only heard the Johnny Cash version before. Obviously, they re-wrote the fourth verse for the show here, but the third verse is different, too. Does anyone know who did the song originally? I wonder if there were any other differences.

[@LordGreystoke]

When the skits worked, they worked great!

[@alanvallazza9781]

I remember the show from 1988 when I was about 9. It was a summer series but it really didn't work. The thing I remember the most was the yo-yo tricks. It was back when they did those Magnavox commercials which led to them getting their show for the final time.

[@neilgerace355]

"My brother and myselves" hahahahaha

[@humboldthammer]

Son of a Bircher, I mean Bircher's Son.

[@doodahman101]

Noel Harrison was what all the girls liked in the 60s; British accent, young, hansome, mod, and he and Tom Jones made the turtleneck sweater look pretty cool!

[@cgarv101]

I think David McCallum aka Illya Kuryakin did it for me. Of course I lived in upstate NY so turtlenecks were a must anyway.

[@RobKandell]

I love how they modeled theirs after the Homer & Jethro version.

[@richardranke3158]

I heard Johnny Cash sing this too.

[@mishawakapost2681]

Noel had a nice voice.

[@jamesbraun2763]

Try the song 2525 , made in the 60's . somebody knew then about now .

[@felixmadison5736]

In one show, Dick said, "We've come a long way since that first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, when the Pilgrims sat down at the table with the Indians to eat turkey." Tom replied, "Boy, I'll say we've come a long way. Now we're in Paris, sitting down at a table with the Viet Cong, eating crow."

[@Condorman12]

Johnny Cash had a great cover of this .

[@jppicur]

When they first did this song on their original show, the one in the back was a hippie who burned his draft card. The brothers' second show was more closely censored.

[@fpoasec]

I was hoping to hear that. I wonder how many remember the "draft card" part.

[@Fopenplop]

Somehow burning your driver's license is funnier though

[@brendalg4]

@@fpoasec me... Johnny cash version

[@garychambers5850]

Great Show, one of the oldies channels ME-TV should pick up these shows: The Smothers Brothers, Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and Tony Orlando & Dawn. Three great shows from the 60's & 70's. There are no good shows out today. Just a bunch of reality shows and singing and dancing shows. Actually there once was a really good show: 'DANCING WITH THE STARS" but they ruined it. The fired the two really good hosts and through in Tyra Banks? How horrible. The show sucks big time now. Lots of people have stopped watching. too bad.

[@edwardburner2721]

imagine this show on TV now, with Trump, his twitter device would melt

[@mallakbado]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@patrickryan1515]

The Smothers Bros. - the brightest, dumbest duo of the Sixties.

[@ApartmentKing66]

Yeah, kinda like Gracie Allen. Tom did the "dumb" act well.

[@Nrgheal]

Check Johnny Cash doing this song too!

[@johnn2920]

Seems this would fit quite well in today's political climate. And yes the one in the rear is a MethoPresbyterian Hindu.

[@Richard-zd8pg]

Almost every entertainer wants popularity and money. Tommy Smothers was a notable exception. He put himself in the cross hairs of the powerful for his principles. Singing anti war songs and allowing blacklisted Pete Seeger on his show took great courage.

[@humboldthammer]

Jesus NEVER taught war -- Matthew 5: 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies . . . But we wage war after war in the NAME of Jesus -- Matthew 7: 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Epochal Eclipse April 8th 2024. Don't stare at the sun: Matthew 16: 4.

[@AthenaSchroedinger]

Funny!!!

[@richardwest1433]

Just as relevtoday.

[@miriamjewett5438]

LOL! Nothing has changed ..

[@Desmond4956]

Whatever happened to Noel Harrison? I thought he was cool. The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. was a great show...back in the days when secret agents ruled the airwaves.

[@susanhansen1290]

He did records, tv variety shows, summer theater, guest appearances, lived on a tree farm in Canada for several years. Moved back to England where his kids lived, sang at clubs and guest shots. He passed away in 2013 from a heart attack at 79, still singing.

[@davidreed3357]

Kinda makes you think of the current politics in America today. Lol

[@Off-Brand-Helldiver]

How to make people mad in 2019

[@kiradsilver5527]

a Johnny Cash song

[@brendalg4]

He wasn't the first either

[@pallidbustofpallas4679]

Compare anything in todays entertainment industry against this all you will find is abject failure. Our entire entertainment industry has become morally, intellectually, and in all other ways broken. And what's worse, it isn't even entertaining.

[@4bikeboy]

Dixie Chicks and Lady Antebellum should listen to this. Until we get Obama sings the classics, entertainers should stick to entertainment.

[@cindyschneider4728]

Unless of course they sing your tune.

[@tneil.4292]

666 likes ftw

[@whatsup7253]

I used to be a Democrat back then but at some point, they left me and flew over the cuckoo's nest.

[@cindyschneider4728]

....or maybe it's you.

[@humboldthammer]

I see by your outfit that you are a Prophet. I see by your outfit that you're a Prophet, too. We see by our outfits that we are both Prophets, if you get an outfit, you can be a Prophet, too. (sung to Streets of Laredo) ALL the Pentecostal Rapture Prophets on Christian TV proclaimed Trump CHOSEN BY GOD to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. 100's of millions deceived. Matthew 24: 24. One "Amen" is all it takes to fool the ewes in the pews.

[@shawnduncan3757]

Not as good as Jonny cash. Too bad they cancel The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.

[@rustyyates421]

The Smothers brothers comedy and timing were amazing! I didnt like the political part of their humor. They had plenty of skits that weren't political at all and extremely funny!

[@ApartmentKing66]

I don't know if Dick was when their show was on the air, but he eventually became a Christian. He, as you would expect, wasn't at all thrilled when his son, Dick Jr., went into porn. They were interviewed together on one of those tabloid-type TV shows (Inside Edition or Current Affair) and the elder told the younger that he would pray for him. The younger responded by saying, "Don't do me any favors." I think Dick Jr. got up and walked out of the interview.

[@Scottlp2]

Check out the Johnny Cash version. Better I think.

[@corgicottage8578]

My father complained during the whole show about their liberalism. Now we have 24/7 mainstream media liberalism. It's so much worse in 2018.

[@Flyingdingii]

How do you explain the president then?

[@patrickhenigin4805]

Somebody has some issues to deal with. I hope you get help.

[@brendalg4]

@@Flyingdingii the media fights him every step of the way. Twisting what he says to make it seem bad or completely making it up

[@Flyingdingii]

@@brendalg4 the dude doesn't need help from the media to look like a nimrod, he does it well enough on his own. He called a sizeable population of the American public terrorists. He has bragged about fondling women that didn't want to be touched. And most recently, due to his own personal incompetence, he contracted a virus that he said would leave during the summer, when its hot outside.

[@Flyingdingii]

@@brendalg4 it gets better though, he still got elected despite what "the media" said. The dude could walk into any hospital, look at a cancer patient and say "you are cured" and while that patient won't actually be cured, Trumps supporters will call him a hero. His biggest "allies" right now are the people who don't vote and the folks who only vote third party. Now, gtfo with this "the media is against him" crap. If this guy wins again, its because of certain elements of the media, scare tactics from his supporters and an apathetic public all came together to let him win.

[@FBAV]

Yea start talking politics and everything falls apart

[@cindyschneider4728]

What is music if not a reflection of culture?