Don't Jump Off The Roof Dad!

Album: The Best of Tommy Cooper (1961)
Charted: 40
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 2004, 20 years after his death, Tommy Cooper was voted Britain's all-time favorite comedian by a Reader's Digest poll. Many comedians have released the odd novelty single, and he was no exception. In his entire career, Cooper never told an offensive joke, but like all of us he had his dark side, and "Don't Jump Off The Roof Dad!" contains such a joke. After a particularly hard day the man of the house decides to end it all by leaping to oblivion only for his kids to shout up at him, concerned not for his welfare but for the impression he'll make on their mother's flower bed. They advise him instead to drown himself in the local park; the Barclay James Harvest song "Suicide?" incorporates similar dark humor, although that is a darker song altogether.

    Cooper had some assistance with the chorus, and doubtless he had everyone in the studio in stitches too.
  • "Don't Jump Off The Roof Dad!" was backed by "How Come There's No Dog Day?", although there is some dispute as to which was the A Side.
    The British Library holds the sheet music for both songs, which were composed by American songwriter Cy Coben. Retailing for two shillings each, they were copyrighted by Delmore Music of New York, 1960, and 1961 by Good Music, Sole Selling Agents Campbell Connelly of London.
    Cooper's recording was released on the obscure Palette label in August 1961; the song was first recorded in the USA by Homer & Jethro. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.