FRANK ZAPPA - "DINAH-MOE HUMM" (reaction) 

If you liked this, be sure to check out our Frank Zappa podcast! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qyOpmQ7p-DA.html

We called in and requested a radio station play this back in the day. They were clueless and put it on. They took it off the air half way through and apologized.

Tina Turner and the Ikettes on background vocals.

Zappa described this song as one he was making to be "radio friendly", not a single curse word used! Also, those background singers are Tina Turner and the Ikettes

DynaMoeHum is one of those songs that 50 years later I can still recite it perfectly - thanks!

GREATEST COMPOSER OF THE 20TH CENTURY!

I'm 70 and listened to Zappa most of my life and this song was what was pretty much expected from the Mother's. Zappa and Mother's pretty unique!

Absolutely one of Zappa's best satire songs. And Frank wrote these songs not merely because he wanted to, but as placeholders for our 1st Amendment rights, for which he was a non-stop advocate. Use it or lose it. Zappa used the hell out of his rights. And that was good for us all.

There are two kinds of poeple in this world: those who love Zappa and those who never heard of him and never will.

Zappa could make a musical movie in your own mind 🎶🎵

I heard this was Tipper Gore's favorite Frank song :)

I love how the guy is laughing his ass off and the girl is like "oh it's about sex and i am not sure how to behave now". Brilliant. I love Zappa!

Yes, I have ten minutes for Dinah-Moe Humm.

Just the fact that he had the Ikettes sing backup....🤣

Frank never gets real credit for how tight his band was, they were amazing

This is one of the few Zappa tunes that shows up in Karaoke books.

They wondered what folks back in the day thought when they bought a new Zappa album. We memorized it and spoke it to each other quite regularly.

A DYNAMO is an electrical power generator and it makes a continuous HUM while in operation. That is the effect he wants to achieve with her sugar plum.

I first heard this when I was about 10 , I am the youngest of 7 kids that all liked to party and listen to rock n roll . I grew up with ZAPPA Deep Purple , Black Sabbath, Grand Funk Railroad , and you get the idea . ZAPPA has been a favorite for 40 plus years . And you will not hear ZAPPA on the radio , at least not around here.!!!!!!

digging the Zappa retrospective. underrated because of his dry & sex driven obsenity humor. His music is legendary.

It helped that he had his own label.

As someone who bought this album when it first came out, and had a lot of other Zappa albums, I was not surprrisd,, shocked, or offended, Just Frank being Frank.

Frank used to get his band members to reveal what they got up to the night before, at breakfast whilst on tour, and put it to music. Lots of the songs are from band mates experiences. He also had his own record company and didn't need anyones approval.

I saw him in concert in 73 or 74 not sure but he was phenomenal

You gotta understand that Frank was a leading proponement for the rights of the 1st ammendment. he firmlly stated that he did not feel that explicit material caused moral admage and that the act of sex in all it's configurations was valid. (My interpritation) Whilst not having an obsession with sex, he went out of his way to demonstrate that the industry, i.e. record companies et al. Could not dictate the parameters that an artist could work in. The pure genius of this man is that he could compose a song like this. I mean, chart every note from every instrument, and produce lyrics that border on porn without actully saying anything specific. I mean conservatives and such might have objected but there was nothing tangible to object to. Pure genius. Not the most amazing song for me but the gesture is very clear and succinct. A true composer equal to anyone else.

Hi Guys. Greetings from Australia. Love your work and I especially love all the Frank Zappa reactions. My only hope is, is that the young sophisticated get a chance to enjoy what he did, and maybe become Zappateers. It was only a matter of time before you got to this song. Someone will request Jewish Princess, and Catholic Girls, and maybe Crew Slut. Me I would request Ng Biz. Live version, from the album/cd "you can't do that on stage anymore, volume 3" The one thing about Frank Zappa, he didn't give a fuck! And the proof is in that song, so much so that he had Ray White sing that song. If he had something to say, he was going to tell the world. I don't think there is anyone in history that put out a body of work like Frank Zappa did. And had no commercial success. When it came to politics, music and so many other subjects, Frank was probably the most sought after person to be interviewed. Just have a look how he handled the P.M.R.C. In the link below you will find the story behind the song. It is widely believed that one of the two ladies was Germaine Greer, however there is no proof. It was acted out as fast as it was happening. rap lyrics are in your face. Frank Zappa's lyrics are intellectual. Remember, "there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pF0agrvMeCw.html

As you said a lot of labels wouldn't have released this, but Frank didn't have to worry about what the label thought. He always recorded under his own label. He would even tell young musicians not to sign recording contracts, to form their own record companies instead and just do distribution deals with the labels. "Profits are always better than royalties" was a mantra of his, and he meant that with your own company you count the money. With a record contract the label counts the money, and you get screwed. I know of several very popular bands whose first album went gold or even platinum, and they ended up owing their record company money, so he was right on.

Love Frank Zappa. It took me a while to understand his music, but at the same time, lyrically he always pushed the envelope. Loved your smiles.

The Treasury Department needs to make a forty-dollar bill, and they must put Frank Zappa's face on it. On the reverse side, they could have a picture of the Utility Muffin Research Kitchen.

In my hometown (Montreal) Zappa was kind of censored. I remember back in the late '70s I requested "Black Napkins" at the local radio station: they refused my request saying it was too vulgar. Damn ! Black Napkins is intrumental !!! Ironically, the same radio station was playing Dinah Moe Humm regularly ! Good review ! I love when I see your faces reacting to Frank's lyrics lol !

This is an amazing song in many ways. But Frank's voice (narration) stands out. Brilliant.

It’s not only a musical dirty joke but there’s great word play. From the titile itself to the forty dollar bill and flora and fauna the song is full of the musical sounds of language. And the zircon encrusted tweezers show up for a bit of conceptual continuity.

a lot of Frank's songs are about real road stories and inside jokes from the band itself. Frank had a well known lust for groupies! A crowd favorite that FZ ended up hating to have to play lol

Not quite explicit, not quite subtle, but one thing you have to admit is that he was almost as masterful with language as he was with his music. When he wanted to tell a story, he always made it interesting and off the wall. Nice reaction, no doubt how much Dan liked it since he almost fell off his chair a few times! And I saw Sifa snickering too...

I heard here on RU-vid where he told a radio station dj that this song contains not a single "dirty" word, and he was quite obviously right. Check it out minute for minute. It is you alone who hears something in it which might be in it or might not

Brilliant that album has been on steady rotation for me for over 40years

Kinda why you never heard zappa on the radio. Had to know someone who was brave or stupid enough to buy the albums to be able to listen. Then straighten up when their mom barges into their room asking turn it down and what are we all laughing so hard at.

Truth is, Frank didn't like to play this at live shows. I think he found it a bit boring for live shows. But it cracks me up every time. The names of the girls: Flora & Fauna: He saw the absurd side of life and satirized it, which is a sign of great intellect.

I first heard this in 74. I was all of 12 years old. I didn't really understand it, but I knew it was dirty! The lyrics came in to focus a few years later and I was able to appreciate how funny it was. After that I realized it was pure genius!

Just a reminder. Still the Ikettes doing the female vocals. You can hear Tina in the mix if you listen really close. Roxy, Apostrophe and Overnight Sensation used them in the studio.

It was so great seeing that first smile come across her face when she caught the gist of this song! 🙂

Glad you enjoyed this. If you’re going to know Zappa this is a requisite. Thank you for all the Zappa reactions I’m really enjoying your Zappa journey!

AND remember: Zappa had very early his own label! Now I remember one: "Barkin' Pumpkin Records" AND...: "HUMOUR BELONGS IN MUSIC!"

The Ikettes were the female back-up singers on this album (Yes the ladies who backed Tina Turner)

A few reaction back 'you' were wondering why Frank isn't as main stream as you would expect...well this is why. Listening to FZ was like listening to Richard Pryer or Funkadelic, or Redd Foxx. He crossed those boundaries and spoke frank. He is a comedian at some level. As far as this experience, it porbably didn't happen but remember this coming off of hippies and free love of the 60s into the early decadence of the 70s. It's vulgar, but it's a fun song especially for a teen. lmao BTW this whole album is great!!! Perfect reaction. Thanks!!

I remember hearing this when I was in school. Very funny. Great songs as well, but good for him.

The lyric "can I interest you in a pair of zircon encrusted tweezers," is by far one of the most absurd, random lines in rock and roll history.

He owned Barking Pumpkin Records so no one was going to tell him he couldn't release it. He actually bought his entire catalog (put his house up as collateral, wonder what Gail his 2nd wife thought of that) from Warner Brothers. He went to Phonogram next, but they refused to release "I Don't Want To Get Drafted" single as too political so he formed Barking Pumpkin as a mail order distributor and distributed thru deals with major labels like CBS, MCA & EMI. The man was a genius & knew his recorded ouput would continue to sell. His net worth was 1 million when he died, his output is still being released by his 2nd son & Gail before she died.

Buns up wheeling and dealing 🙃

This song, like much of Frank's works, didn't get a lot of mainstream/AM radio play. Weekend late night FM on shows such as Dr. Demento's Power Hour? is where his work tended to show up with any regularity.

Saw Frank over 40 years ago. Great show! FZ was a genius. Underrated guitarist. Cool reaction. Good job!

FUN NOTE: All those ladies singing backup are the IKETTES, the backup singers for Ike and Tina Turner.

Frank Zappa was on British Court because of one of his text-lines: "You can sit on my face" - which song ever - and Frank Zappa only asked the judge if he could buy one of the wigs they wore, but the judge won't. :o)

I love Zappa can turn any song into a Gospel song.

8:44 - Indeed, it was just like you said, back in the early 70's: "He, we got the new Frank Zappa." Not surprised or uncomfortable at all by the lyrics. We lived it. Thanks for your reactions. I loved both your reaction 'styles', and analysis. Nice to find a new reactor channel that listens to quality music. Gonna check out your video library.

I got a spot that makes me hot and you aint been to it. I can't tell you how many times Zappa's lyrics have been repeated over and over throughout some of our lives. lol

Jees. Listen to the instruments in this one the vibe is outstanding

Ya, Frank was a comedian too ! More renaissance men are a mixture of Musician & Comedian prodigees, I mean at some level, you can't seperate one school of genius from the other......

Welcome to LA in the late 70s and 80's. I love it

Danced to this at high school parties while getting drunk on George V scotch... We all thought it was hilarious.

I didn't want to listen alone. Very cool,zappa is hilarious

Funny tune, fun reaction

The dynamo hum, describing the hum of dynamos which were used in the telharmonium. The first incarnation of synthesizer, basically an electric pipe organ (like the size of a church ones) that used high powered dynamoes to produce a note (hum/frequency)

I bought this album back in the seventies. When I was 17 There was a sleeve over the album cover 'Warning Explicit Lyrics " which of course made me want it more.

This went over so well live in concert.......😱😝

the musicians in this band were second to none.....Zappa had no peers....

It was so fun watching your reaction to this lyrics.....Thank You. Yes....Humor Belong In Music (also a record from 86 by Zappa). Talking about satire.......you should absolutely listen to Brown Shoes Don't Make It from Absolutely Free from 68. Other suggestions......Mud Shark and Do You Like My New Car from the 71 record Fillmore East....and.......AND!!! the 25 minutes masterpiece Billy The Mountain from the 72 record Just Another Band From LA.

It's a true hero's journey... I learned a lot!

What I love is that even when Frank does a song that's not much more than a dirty joke he still puts in 110% in the music. For Frank it's always about the music. Another fantastic Zappa song that gets a bit dirty is "Honey, Don't You Want A Man Like Me?" It reminds a lot of Dinah-Moe Humm as it's another song with amazing rhythm parts.

I absolutely love when FZ'S music made listeners uncomfortable. I think that was the goal. I'm 65 and back in the day this was real.

Who cares about the words. Not one word about how badass the music is. The drums, bass and the Clav keys are so syncopated.

Hmmm...I wonder why this was never a hit? ha ha ha. Saw the title and hit the like button immediately. I can't wait to see how you guys react to this one of Frank's 'cheeky little ditties" love your work... (Rory rules!) peace and love from Australia.

One of these days you two should listen to a Frank album front to back - as they were meant to be heard.

Guys people listen to Frank for the musicianship. He was a tremendous composer with no filter whatsoever. His father taught chemistry and metallurgy, post graduate level, to the defense dept. Frank violated his father's security clearance several times. Frank got his father's genius and eccentricity. None of his kids got it though, but Dweezel is a good guitar player.

The local radio station here in Cleveland in the 70's and 80's played this on the air all the time

From his most commercially successful album. Lots more great hard rock cuts. Check out The Slime and Camarillo Brillo

I love a song with a good story and a happy ending

Hehe, love your reactions =D This is one of the most asked for songs at end of the conserts, together with "Camerillo Brillo".

🐾 "For each type of music there are listeners who think that reviewers don't know what they're talking about. These listeners, when excited about a certain group or style of music, will fight for it in their hometowns. These are the people who have made it possible for me to stay in music through the years and I thank them for it." - FZ

FRANK ZAPPA IS THE BEST!!

Even today! Frank had the ability to Get people to go to their incorrigible side. Every person has a dark side. Frank goes there and the musicianship is tight.

WBCN in Boston got away with playing that for a few years in the late 70's before the "establishment" came down on it.....

When I was at a college radio station, this was put on the “DO Not Play” list. Someone went as far as taking a nail to the track rendering it unplayable.

We busted out laughing when we first heard this back in the day.

She a Dynamo is like some kind of an alternator or generator or an electric motor and of course being that it has alternating current you'll have a 60 cycle hum so yeah I really nice play on words from the Zapp Leone

It was great.

first rap ever on record !

Oh dear, it won’t be long before ‘Bobby Brown Goes Down’ shows up. Bring it on.

I understand that the women singing on this song are The Ikettes. When Ike Turner heard the record he wouldn't let the Ikettes get listed on the record jacket. Ike did take the money for the recording session.

Well they did play "Love to love..." with Donna Summer on the radio ^^

Sight After Dark: I'm probably watching this video for the 4th or 5th time - I could scream with laughter when I see your faces - you are amazing!!!

It was banned on most radio stations. I was lucky enough to hear it on CHOM FM in Montreal, Quebec, once. Same with the song High School Confidential.

I wanna remember to this (that's out of the pink zappa book) for some absurdities: there were a twin-couple-sisters (Groupies) who made imprint-copies of the rockstar-penieses with any plastic. - And they asked Frank too - and he said NO!

ZAPPA NEVER DIES

No, probably not a true story, but very well could be based on things taken from stuff that happened on the road. Mudshark is a must hear, if for no other reason than to understand the verse "Destined to take the place of the "mudshark" in your mythology, here it goes now, the circular motion rub it." from the song "Nanook Rubs it" off Apostrophe. Mudshark is definitely based on something that happened on the road.

"Would y'all like some more-a? Right here on the flora? An' how 'bout you, Fauna? Y'wanna?" I'm not certain, but I think that's a dbl-entendre. Because the listener hears, "Right here on the floor-a?" and then Zappa throws a curve ball, "An' how 'bout you, Fauna?" and the listener then reinterprets the previous verse. And then realizes that FZ is calling the sugar plumb...the flora. He's being nasty, to not too awfully so. I would say, R-Rated. Or it might be an innuendo, but my vocabulary needs work.

I am slow...I just now realized you play the music in your intro! I was sitting there thinking: "Damn, they synched those tracks really well."

Frank was explicit from the start. The Flo and Eddie years were super Raunchy lol and they predate this album. Hopefully you guys dive into the Live at the Filmore album soon

Acid Party's melting down dripping with LSD

Sometimes it's VERY HARD TO SAY, but NOW I have to: I (in person, brain and body) understand this line TODAY the FIRST TIME, after listening to Zappa-Songs for FOURTY YEARS!!! "I didn't hear no Dinah-Moe ..... 'humm'!" I know what 'humm' means... Oh my God, I was outed for stupidity and cluelessness......... :o) I am SO ashamed! YOU TWO helped or forced me to become enlightened - Thank you for this............... *grmpf