365 Days #139 - Charlie's Tune (mp3s)

MP3:
Charlie's Tune (3:40)
Charlie's Tune (Instrumental) (2:53)

There's something oddly Orwellian about this promo 45 for Charlie Perfume. Everything about it is CHARLIE. Charlie is watching you. The song just sort of meanders on and on, breaking most of the rules of economic jingle-writing. At least they managed to cram the name of their product in a zillion times. I especially like the little stop-start bits toward the end that sort of jolt you into re-focusing on Charlie, as if they can tell your attention is probably wandering by that point. The B-side is a nice bossa instrumental. Oh, and they also include a nice Charliescope on the cover so you can find out "How much of you is Charlie?"

- Contributed by: Pea Hix

Images: Front/Back Covers

Media: 45
Label: Charlie Records
Credits: Charlie's Men, produced by Charlie's Way
Date: 1974, The Year Of Charlie

Comments

[Miles Bogus]

I have this 45. Why do I have this 45? Isn't it yellow vinyl. Maybe that's why.

[bann johanson]

my mother used to work for the Charlie Co (actually a subsidiary of Brostol-Myers)

this was also the era of "Hai Karate" cologne, who had the crowds of girls chasing Hai karate-wearing into phone booths

strange time he 60s

[craig]

in the mid-90s i put out a 45 by the austin garage-punk band the inhalants called 'charlie was an icon;' we used a xerox of this single as an insert. the lyrics and horoscope are extra fun when read in a manson context.

[craig]

oooooooh - just noticed yours has blood on it... extra charlie goodness!

[EricW]

Aw, I was hoping this was the lounge-jazz Charlie jingle. This one's kinda catchy, but the one that came later was part of the legend of Charlie.

[dave]

i remember my cousin getting a bottle of charlie for Christmas around that time. i am embaressed to admit i still remember some of the lyrics from the other jingle:
'theres a fragrance thats here today and they call it charlie,
kinda young, kinda now, charlie!
kinda free kinda wow, charlie!'