The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
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| "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" | ||
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| Single by XTC | ||
| from the album Nonsuch | ||
| Released | 1992 | |
| Genre | Pop Rock | |
| Label | Virgin Records | |
| Writer(s) | Andy Partridge | |
| Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon | |
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| "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" | ||
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| Single by Crash Test Dummies | ||
| from the album Dumb and Dumber Soundtrack | ||
| Released | 1995 | |
| Genre | Alternative Rock | |
| Writer(s) | Andy Partridge | |
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| Crash Test Dummies singles chronology | ||
| God Shuffled His Feet (1994) | The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead (1995) | He Liked to Feel It (1996) |
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead is a single by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch. The song was covered and released as a single by Crash Test Dummies in 1995 for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber. Crash Test Dummies' version is notable in the fact that it was their first (of two) singles to feature Ellen Reid on lead vocals. The Crash Test Dummies version differs slightly to the XTC version, omitting the second verse.
The song follows the story of Peter Pumpkinhead, a man who comes to an unspecified town, "spreading wisdom and cash around". He is extremely popular with the people of the town, but extremely unpopular with government figures. In the end, Peter Pumpkinhead is killed by those he made enemies of, "nailed to a chunk of wood" (probably a reference to being crucified, like Jesus, possibly even comparing the two men).
Many believe "Peter Pumpkinhead" is a pseudonym for and refers to one of various historic figures such as John F. Kennedy, Jesus Christ or John Lennon - however the writer of the song, Andy Partridge, stated that he was not referring to any one being, but to such characters and their lives as a whole; namely that their mission to do good resulted in their death brought about by "government" figures.
The name Peter Pumpkinhead in fact came about by Partridge having carved out a Hallowe'en pumpkin and, following the October festival, sticking it on one of the fence posts in his garden. Partridge walked past the pumpkin each day on the way to his composing shed and, feeling sorry for the increasingly decaying fruit head, decided to write a song about him.
[edit] Music videos
[edit] XTC
The XTC music video features a scenario very similar to the assignation of President John F. Kennedy. It also briefly features an actress dressed like Marilyn Monroe during the 3rd verse. In addition, it makes brief reference to Jesus Christ by flashing the words "three nails" and showing a crown of thorns. The lyrics "Peter Pumpkinhead was too good; Had him nailed to a chunk of wood" reinforce this crucifixion reference. It also cross references all three stories by strongly implying that the death of all three were caused because of some sort of government conspiracy.
[edit] Crash Test Dummies
Crash Test Dummies' music video features Jeff Daniels reprising his role of "Harry Dunne" from Dumb and Dumber. In the video, Harry falls and get a Jack-o'-lantern stuck on his head. In his struggle to get it off, he foils a bank robbery and becomes a media sensation. However, he is unfairly found guilty of the bank robbery and narrowly avoids being hanged (he is saved by the pumpkin, which is placed on his head before he's put in the noose).
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