This song brings back so many memories. I first heard it from my dad when I was around 6 or 7yrs old. That was almost 30 years ago now and to this day it remains one of my favorites. He passed away 4 years ago and I was never able to recover the cassette I had when I stayed with him back then. Thanks for making my childhood absolutely hilarious, Mr. Stevens.
I remember growing up and had an interest in vikings and my dad brought me this song to start teaching me about the historical things in a nice kind of way. I always loved this song
@Michael Eshom: Yes, you are correct! "Erik the Awful" debuted in 1984. The 'He Thinks He's Ray Stevens' album had a CD reissue in 1992 under the title "Mississippi Squirrel Revival" and I assume that's the reason some others had been citing 1992 as the year this song came along. I'm a long time fan of his.
Been listening to Ray Stevens since i was 3 years old and still listen to him he always makes me smile and laugh and everything is beautiful will always be his most powerful song
The song is at least 20 years old, so it's not a reference to Eric Holder. Unless Ray has some superpowers we don't know about. But the coincidence seems almost Providential!
Me and My uncle favourite songs and video's were i saw elvis in the ufo it's me again Margaret the streak surfing U.S.S.R shriners convention sitting up with the dead guitarzan Mississippi squirrel revival help me make it through the night can he love you half as much as i erik the awful my uncle that i looked up to as a dad god rest his soul was a huge fan of ray stevens and that's how i became a big fan and we also liked santa claus is watching you
Vikings never had horns on their helmets until they were portrayed in operas in the 1800s. Because horns on a helmet are completely impractical for fighting, pillaging, etc., but look mighty impressive onstage.
Yeah, when I was younger I did NOT understand what a hickey was, and now I realize that was Ray offering a slightly politer version of the usual last word in "ravage, plunder, pillage, maim and...", well you get it.
My dog was named Erik the awful he was rotten chow (rottwieler and chow.) One of the guys at hubby s work asked who the guy in the front seat wearibg the carhart coat was? Dave (hubby) said that s no guy that s my dog.
Libralord Zodiac i know this is 5 years old but yeah Erik is real, this song is about the famous viking Erik Bloodaxe, you can probably guess what he was like.
+Becky Brooks HE DID "EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL" WHICH IS COMPLETLY SERIOUS. I GREW UP WATCHING A VHS TAPE OF HIS VIDEOS AND THAT WAS THE LAST SONG ON IT.
He actually sang ( and produced other artists ) serious songs at the beginning of his career. He didn't make it big until he stated singing funny songs. They have some of his earlier songs on RU-vid.
Also, I'd like to add, if you're interested in his serious songs he has an album titled A Brighter Day ( although I can only find it in cassette and vinyl form ) that has all serious music ( including some gospel ).
Becky - Everything is beautiful..in its own waaay... . Look it up here on YT. If you don't remember it now, you will when you hear it. But I like his funny stuff best too.
Seems like Obama has gotten to Ray about his political songs and has succeeded in shutting him down... All that's going on in politics and this is what Ray comes up with?
