Expert: Bong Santos - 5/27/2006

Question
CAN YOU TELL ME THE NAME OF THIS SONG AND WHO DID IT, FROM THESE LYRICS- COULD HAVE BEEN THE WHISKEY, MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE GIN, COULD HAVE BEEN A 3-4 SIX PACK, I DON'T KNOW, BUT LOOK AT THE MESS I'M IN. MY HEAD IS LIKE A FOOTBALL- THEN SOMETHING ABOUT A CAT, FRIG AND UNDER THE KITCHEN TABLE  

Answer
Dear Brie,

Now that was an old song originally from the 70's. Nevertheless, it was also an 80s hit so here is my answer.
The song is titled WASN'T THAT A PARTY? written by TOM PAXTON and originally recorded in 1973 for his album NEW SONGS OLD FRIENDS (or NEW SONGS FOR OLD FRIENDS on some prints). In 1981, THE ROVERS recorded the most successful version of the song. It hit the Billboard Hot 100 on May 2, 1981 when it peaked at #37. The song has been covered numerous times by acts like The Irish Rovers, Scooter Lee, Jimmy Sturr and John Scott Trotter. Here is its lyrics:

WASN'T THAT A PARTY ?
(Tom Paxton)

Could-a been the whisky, might-a been the gin.
Could-a been the three or four six packs, I don't know,
But won't you look at the mess I'm in?
A head like a football, I think I'm going to die.
But tell me, a-me oh, me oh my,
Wasn't that a Party?

Someone took a grapefruit, wore it like a hat.
I saw someone under my kitchen table, talking to an old tomcat.
They were talking about football. The cat was talking back,
Along about then everything went black.
Wasn't that a party

It sure it's just my memory,
Playing tricks on me,
but I believe I saw my buddy,
Sittin' up in my neighbours tree.

He was singin' a folk song;
Sounded pretty good.
Woulda sounded better if his wife hadn't made such a racket
Choppin' up my neighbor's wood.
It coulda been his wood pile.
It mighta been his door.
I know she musta got three or four,
But wasn't that a party?

Bill, and Joe and Tommy,
Went a little far.
They were sitting in the front yard,
Blowing on the siren,
Of somebody's police car.

And so you see, Your Honour,
It was all in fun.
That little bitty track meet down on main street,
Was just to see if the cops could run.
Well they run us down to see you,
In an alcoholic haze,
And I sure can use those thirty days.
But wasn't that a party?

Maraming slaamt po!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines