Little Boxes

[underpants]

Run time: 01:54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONEYGU_7EqU   Posted on YouTube: August 11, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: January 31, 2009 By DU Member: underpants Views on DU: 765

 
"Little Boxes" is a song written by Malvina Reynolds in 1962 that lampoons the development of suburbia and what many consider its bourgeois conformist values. It is best known through Pete Seeger's 1963 performance of the song.

The term "ticky tacky" became a catch-phrase during the 1960s, attesting to the song's popularity.<2> Tom Lehrer described Little Boxes as "the most sanctimonious song ever written".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boxes

[Buzz Clik]

1. I remember seeing a similar video on the tube shortly after Seeger recorded it.

The video that accompanied the song back in the 60s was amazing -- it showed massive neighborhoods of houses that did, indeed, all look just the same. The video in the OP lacks that distinction. The Victorian house in the video very well might be on a historical preservation list somewhere, as might the green and yellow houses. I get the distinct impression that whoever put this video together was targeting wealthy people rather than middle class sheep.

Also keep in mind that in 1963 the universities were perceived as existing for no other reason than to sustain themselves, and their curricula were deemed "irrelevant." All colleges and universities underwent sweeping changes to make the education they were offering more meaningful.

Housing and college educations are again worthy of criticism, but "Little Boxes" is no longer relevant.

[underpants]

2. My wife tells me that this is the theme song to "Weeds"

and every season they have someone else sing the song

I've never watched the show but from what I hear it is rather clever

[Buzz Clik]

3. If you follow your link to Wikipedia ...

you'll find an interesting discussion about the role of the song in "Weeds" and all the artists who have performed it. I would watch the program just to listen to these people sing the song.

[underpants]

5. Yes I know that

I have actually watched about 3 minutes of the show

"the box dance" was enjoyable

and one of the all time great quotes from TV

the main characters stay-at-home-mom friend

"I want to have an affair but the thought of another **** in my mouth makes me gag"

[leftchick]

4. they don't use it anymore

The first two seasons they did. One woman sang it the whole first season. The second was various artists singing it. After Agresta burned down I guess they didn't need it anymore. I miss it. Thanks for this link, I had no idea how old the song was.


edit: whoopsies: from your link....

Starting with the second episode of the fourth season, Little Boxes was no longer used.

[underpants]

6. I heard this on a indie radio station coming back from getting breakfast

googled it and then my wife told me it was the theme to her favorite show

Very funny song

[leftchick]

7. it is my favorite show too

That and of course Dexter. :)