Funny Man

Album: This Is Ray Stevens (1963)
Charted: 81
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Ray Stevens' breakthrough in music came with comedy songs like "Jeremiah Peabody's Polyunsaturated Quick-Dissolving Fast-Acting Pleasant-Tasting Green and Purple Pills" and "Ahab the Arab." Written by Stevens himself, this song was his first attempt to prove his artistic versatility. It tells the story of a man who has a reputation for always having a clownish persona and a love for making jokes (which leads everybody to think his personality is only two-dimensional) but is currently facing the heartache of a rejection by a woman.
  • Stevens later re-recorded this song for his album Even Stevens, which was released in 1968 and considered by many as his first "serious" album. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA

Comments: 1

  • Farrah from Elon, NcI've heard this song, and this does show a different side to Ray Stevens. Just because he's known for some hilarious songs, that doesn't meant that's all there is to him.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.