I’ve always loved this song since I first heard it in the 80s in the Python Hollywood Bowl movie. I later looked into Innes further , and then I discovered the Rutles. Innes was terrific.
Thank you Neil. The Rutles were more like the Beatles than the Beatles themselves. Neil was an Absolute musical Genius. Thank you SO VERY MUCH for posting this my friend. Thank YOU all 👍
I knew this song years before Oasis, but I never thought to look it up again, I am blown away at how much it sounds like Whatever, but anyway whenever I hear Whatever I always sing I'm from to be an Idiot in my head because of this song, and I am a massive Oasis fan, seen them live numerous times.
I love the film Yesterday - when the protagonist recovers from his knock on the head and realises that no one has heard of The Beatles but they know the Rolling Stones and .. then he searches Google for Oasis and they don't exist either .. go figure? As soon as I heard Whatever I thought they had covered Neil Innes song and I was gobsmacked that it was an oiriginal composition!!! Like the poster, I always sing the Innes lyrics to the Oasis song!
Neil Innes is a National Treasure: from the Bonzos, through RWT, the Rutles, Monty Python films, his radio series, through to his current tour, his wry thoughtfulness and incisiveness about the world have made me feel so much better about the world. Sweet Idiot indeed. Now if Viv Stanshall had survived as well (or at all)...
R.I.P Neil, condolences to the family. What a seriously funny dude. A stoned off his nut genius. There's always a inspirational character from my life dies at this time of year. Nearly made it to 2020 without losing a hero.
What a beautiful melody, it sounds like something Elton John could have written. There is air of whimsy and melancholy about it. Appropriately it was played at the funeral for Monty Python's Terry Jones, a fitting epitaph.
i love Noel Gallagher, and i quite like this too, good to play on my guitar for my friends who like Oasis....who are then bewildered when i start singing this.......oh how sweet ;-)
I remember buying Monty Python live at Drury Lane (around 1974)and playing the album to death. This was one of the beautiful tracks that stood out for me.
hell, no, I am here for the "Yellow Submarine Sandwich" with Cheese and Onions! (ERIC IDLE; "Ladies and Gentlemen...The RUTLES!" (girls screaming hysterically) from the 1978 NBC-TV USA video "All You Need Is Cash" (see it on You-Tube): Neil Innes lead vox as "Ron Nasty" a John Lennono doppelganger and sound-a-like): "Do I have to spell it out? C-H-E-E-S-E A-N-D O-N I-O-N-S, oh no, /Man and machine (man and machine)/Keep yourself clean (Keep yourself clean)/or be a has-been (ah-ah) like a dinosaur, oh-oh..." etc.
Nope, I'm here because I liked this song when I heard it on Monty Python live at the Hollywood Bowl. This, sadly, is an awful, awful poor quality version.
Neil has got a lot of mileage out of that duck hat - he wore it in the promo for "Urban Spaceman" and is still wearing it on stage when he performs "Idiot".
I remember this from 'Monty Python Live at Drury Lane'. It's been a while, but I found myself singing the line: "You've as much imagination as a caravan site!"
Can't believe he got Co write credit for Whatever. How can you write a song without sounding like something else. The similarity was only a few secs long
A few seconds long but "the heart of the work" in copyright law. That short musical phrase is the heart of "Whatever" and "How Sweet to be an Idiot." It is instantly recognizable, and was stolen goods (in terms of the Oasis borrowing of it). No biggie. N. Gallagher didn't grumble and settled out of court, quite willingly. So no point being bitter about it 25 years later. And RIP Mr. Innes.
@@hsjcarrier707 Not bitter about it, it was just a bit silly. This is how music works, people hear things, it influences their own songs. Do you think you could write an original melody even a few seconds long that doesn't sound like something else? I'm sure Neil borrowed plenty over the years
This was the one song that got Oasis ‘Free to be whatever I ‘ Having been been sued by The Beatles for most of his Rutles songs, Neil finally got Kharma on their soundalikes. That and a piano piece used by Bowie in ‘Oh you pretty things’ A great under appreciated talent.
karma? Innes copied the Beatles for 20 years and got logically sued by them, Noel did not know about his song and shared the melody with him. Inform yourself
He didn't copy them, he parodied their work. The owners of the Beatles rights at the time sued. Doubt, the actual band would have done so as they were all mates. Gallagher heard this song before.
For those unaware - in late-70's Britain the BBC2 TV channel used to broadcast a series called 'The Innes Book Of Records' (usually around 9pm, either Monday or Tuesday night ? - could be wrong). This song was one of those original compositions aired. I loved the surreal ambience of the programme. Those who think NI is 'ripping-off Oasis' really ought to check the series out before casting such judgements around so liberally.
How sweet to be an Idiot, As harmless as a cloud, Too small to hide the sun Almost poking fun, At the warm but insecure untidy crowd. How sweet to be an idiot, And dip my brain in joy, Children laughing at my back, With no fear of attack, As much retaliation as a toy. How sweet to be an idiot, how sweet. I tiptoe down the street, Smile at everyone I meet, But suddenly a scream, Smashes through my dream, Fee fie foe fum, I smell the blood of an asylum, (Blood of an asylum, But mother I play so beautifully, listen. ha ha) Fee fie foe fum, I smell the blood of the asylum, Hey you, you're such a pedant, You got as much brain as a dead ant, As much imagination as a caravan site. But I still love you, still love you, Oh how sweet to be an idiot, How sweet. how sweet. How sweet.
R.I.P. Neil Innes, one of the greatest musical satirists sadly gone at 75.
"I'm free to be an idiot"
hahah
"I'm Freeeeee"
Sunshineeeeeeeeeee
maybeeeeeeee
Citeeeeeeeehhh
ForevVAAAAAAAAA
Wow Mr Humphries is here !🤣
"How sweet to be an idiot and dip my brain in joy". This line has stayed with me for decades. Thank you for your music Neil.
I'm free to be whatever I
Whatever I choose
And I'll sing the blues if I want
yep, my first thoughts too
"I'm free to be whatever I, whatever I choose, and I'll sing the blues if I want...."
Remember this when he first sung it. Loved it since then. Always made me feel a bit sad. A little masterpiece.
R.I.P to a creative genius Neil Innes, the world needs more like him xx
So sorry to hear we've lost this great man
Thank you Neil, this song has been with me since I was a child. Sorry you had to leave us so soon.
I’ve always loved this song since I first heard it in the 80s in the Python Hollywood Bowl movie. I later looked into Innes further , and then I discovered the Rutles. Innes was terrific.
Good to hear the original version of this melody.😆 A true genius.❤️
I still can’t get over that Neil Innes is gone. One of my serious regrets in life was never seeing him live. 😭
Thank you Neil. The Rutles were more like the Beatles than the Beatles themselves.
Neil was an Absolute musical Genius. Thank you SO VERY MUCH for posting this my friend. Thank YOU all 👍
I still remember George Harrison singing about wanting to be a pirate , I was watching the show on TV and I just laughed at the surprise .🤣
The 7th Python and The 5th Beatle .... May God bless him where ever he may be!
Sad to read of Neil's passing away. This song is one of those 'soundtrack of my life' songs. RIP Neil - a true genius.
The Oasis melody is definitely there, no definitely maybes about it! :)
I see what u did there
that s the Beatles ,
no, its The Rutles!
nigefal the piano melody that’s about it, oasis just made this song 10xx better
Whatever !
I knew this song years before Oasis, but I never thought to look it up again, I am blown away at how much it sounds like Whatever, but anyway whenever I hear Whatever I always sing I'm from to be an Idiot in my head because of this song, and I am a massive Oasis fan, seen them live numerous times.
It doesn’t sound like it though. Oasis song Whatever is rock and classical. I don’t know what this shit is supposed to be.
@@startracker5895 right, why do you think he sued whatever is a brilliant tune unlike this shite.
I love the film Yesterday - when the protagonist recovers from his knock on the head and realises that no one has heard of The Beatles but they know the Rolling Stones and .. then he searches Google for Oasis and they don't exist either .. go figure? As soon as I heard Whatever I thought they had covered Neil Innes song and I was gobsmacked that it was an oiriginal composition!!! Like the poster, I always sing the Innes lyrics to the Oasis song!
RIP, you wonderful and creative man, you will be missed a great deal Mr Innes 29/30 December 2019.
Neil Innes is a National Treasure: from the Bonzos, through RWT, the Rutles, Monty Python films, his radio series, through to his current tour, his wry thoughtfulness and incisiveness about the world have made me feel so much better about the world. Sweet Idiot indeed. Now if Viv Stanshall had survived as well (or at all)...
I’ve always enjoyed Monty Python but never heard of RWT before. Thanks for your comment: some great comedy to discover for the first time.
Thank you for sharing one of the most beautiful songs ever written...! (:-))
R.I.P Neil, condolences to the family. What a seriously funny dude. A stoned off his nut genius. There's always a inspirational character from my life dies at this time of year. Nearly made it to 2020 without losing a hero.
Here's to you Mr Innes, and thanks for all the laughs.
RIP Neil Innes 1944-2019
What a beautiful melody, it sounds like something Elton John could have written. There is air of whimsy and melancholy about it. Appropriately it was played at the funeral for Monty Python's Terry Jones, a fitting epitaph.
I love the mirror on the piano instead of sheet music. He need read only himself to play the song. Brilliant!
"Oh you pretty thing" by Bowie is in there too. RIP Neil - gone but not forgotten.
Good spot !
@Tom Rees yes and I think Supertramp also. Reginald Dwight?
Plus a spot of "Maybe I 'm amazed" by Paul Mc./Billy Sheppard too.
Also at 1:46 the piano sounds like the song boy from New York City by Manhattan transfer
Oh, he was such a star !
Sadly missed - what a great talented guy
RIP Neil! How sweet...
RIP ❤️ thanks for your brilliant work
i love Noel Gallagher, and i quite like this too, good to play on my guitar for my friends who like Oasis....who are then bewildered when i start singing this.......oh how sweet ;-)
RIP Neil Innes - Genius
"Whatever I choose and I'll sing the blues if i want"
Beautiful.....and Yes ..It Is Sweet......Thank You for Posting.
I love Neil Innes!
RIP, Neil Innes 😢 I always remember 'I'm an Urban Spaceman' from childhood. 💖💖
Same here.
So you don’t exist?
R.I.P Neil and you was a Genius of a songwriter.
RIP Neil - great talent. 😢
I remember buying Monty Python live at Drury Lane (around 1974)and playing the album to death. This was one of the beautiful tracks that stood out for me.
Rest in peace Neil. You beautiful man
Rest In Peace Neil. You were a legend.
Glad that I got to see Neil live at (Whitley bay)dome.a number of yrs ago ..peace be with you (R.I.P.)
Thanks for inspiring noel to write a great song
RIP Neil Innes.
I remember the bit from 1:50 onwards where he's a giant and the close up head shots really creeping me out and giving me nightmares as a kid
I don't know why, but I always associated this song with The Rutles - or was it Rutland Weekend Television? Anyone know if/what the connection was?
Anyone here because of Quinton Reviews?
Me
Me
one of the most underrated geniuses ever!
Along with Einstein and Charles the great
I’m freeeeeee to be whatever I whatever I choose and I’ll sing the blues if I want
The first 3 notes of the vocal are like “Whatever”, the rest has nowt in common whatsoever
Rest in Peace, Neil
i listened to this when i was 15, im 24 now, the memories!
Now you have 36 how the time has gone thats sad I jst remember the people thats its gone and just cry
I'm was expecting the beat to kick in then hear Charlamagne's voice.lol #Brilliant idiots
Rest in peace Neil❤️
RIP Neil. X
Beautiful tune.
Beautiful
funny how basically everyone is here because of oasis
hell, no, I am here for the "Yellow Submarine Sandwich" with Cheese and Onions! (ERIC IDLE; "Ladies and Gentlemen...The RUTLES!" (girls screaming hysterically) from the 1978 NBC-TV USA video "All You Need Is Cash" (see it on You-Tube): Neil Innes lead vox as "Ron Nasty" a John Lennono doppelganger and sound-a-like):
"Do I have to spell it out? C-H-E-E-S-E A-N-D O-N I-O-N-S, oh no, /Man and machine (man and machine)/Keep yourself clean (Keep yourself clean)/or be a has-been (ah-ah) like a dinosaur, oh-oh..." etc.
Nope, I'm here because I liked this song when I heard it on Monty Python live at the Hollywood Bowl. This, sadly, is an awful, awful poor quality version.
Not me. I'm here because I love Neil.
Duke Mantee So am I. He is my idol. Seen him perform live 3 times here in San Diego and LA!
Naahh.. this is also the theme from the Brilliant Idiots hip hop podcast.
Neil has got a lot of mileage out of that duck hat - he wore it in the promo for "Urban Spaceman" and is still wearing it on stage when he performs "Idiot".
RIP Neil!
Neil and Viv !! what a Pair of Beautiful Crazies !!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless !!!!!!!
As much imagination as a caravan site - perfect!
I remember this from 'Monty Python Live at Drury Lane'. It's been a while, but I found myself singing the line:
"You've as much imagination as a caravan site!"
I will remember that line too!
RIP Dec 29 2019...
Very nice song. Sounds like a McCartney-Lennon collaboration. And a bit Bowie inside.
I miss him so much... :(
It’s only one sentence that it sounds like Whatever by Oasis. I’m kinda disappointed that it doesn’t sound more like it! Lol
Thankyou Neil. RIP
Can't believe he got Co write credit for Whatever. How can you write a song without sounding like something else. The similarity was only a few secs long
A few seconds long but "the heart of the work" in copyright law. That short musical phrase is the heart of "Whatever" and "How Sweet to be an Idiot." It is instantly recognizable, and was stolen goods (in terms of the Oasis borrowing of it). No biggie. N. Gallagher didn't grumble and settled out of court, quite willingly. So no point being bitter about it 25 years later. And RIP Mr. Innes.
@@hsjcarrier707 Not bitter about it, it was just a bit silly. This is how music works, people hear things, it influences their own songs. Do you think you could write an original melody even a few seconds long that doesn't sound like something else? I'm sure Neil borrowed plenty over the years
@@shredder9536 he based his own career on the Beatles I guess that’s fair
Noel may have lifted this from him, but Neil lifted this from Maybe I'm amazed
RIP Sir. 😔
RIP Neil.
これ好き。
RIP, Neil. :(
*sniff* such a happy song.
Wonderful
This was the one song that got Oasis ‘Free to be whatever I ‘
Having been been sued by The Beatles for most of his Rutles songs, Neil finally got Kharma on their soundalikes.
That and a piano piece used by Bowie in ‘Oh you pretty things’
A great under appreciated talent.
Bowie wrote «Oh you Pretty Things» 1 1/2 years earlier than this was recorded, so it must’ve been the other way around.
karma? Innes copied the Beatles for 20 years and got logically sued by them, Noel did not know about his song and shared the melody with him.
Inform yourself
He didn't copy them, he parodied their work.
The owners of the Beatles rights at the time sued. Doubt, the actual band would have done so as they were all mates.
Gallagher heard this song before.
RIP Neil Innes
Rest in peace you brilliant clown.
One of the many brilliant songs of Neil Innes
For those unaware - in late-70's Britain the BBC2 TV channel used to broadcast a series called 'The Innes Book Of Records' (usually around 9pm, either Monday or Tuesday night ? - could be wrong). This song was one of those original compositions aired. I loved the surreal ambience of the programme. Those who think NI is 'ripping-off Oasis' really ought to check the series out before casting such judgements around so liberally.
Nobody is saying he stole it off Noel they saying Noel stole it.
Nice piano work
Too Much!!! very very sweet :P
this is one of my favourite songs from neil innes. the urban spaceman song was the best though
How sweet to be an Idiot,
As harmless as a cloud,
Too small to hide the sun
Almost poking fun,
At the warm but insecure untidy crowd.
How sweet to be an idiot,
And dip my brain in joy,
Children laughing at my back,
With no fear of attack,
As much retaliation as a toy.
How sweet to be an idiot, how sweet.
I tiptoe down the street,
Smile at everyone I meet,
But suddenly a scream,
Smashes through my dream,
Fee fie foe fum,
I smell the blood of an asylum,
(Blood of an asylum,
But mother I play so beautifully, listen. ha ha)
Fee fie foe fum,
I smell the blood of the asylum,
Hey you, you're such a pedant,
You got as much brain as a dead ant,
As much imagination as a caravan site.
But I still love you, still love you,
Oh how sweet to be an idiot,
How sweet. how sweet. How sweet.
* * * * * Still simply superbness.
RIP Neil
Loved this song since I first heard it on "Monty Python Live At Drury Lane".
RIP lovely Neil. A true genius.
HA HA HA THAT IS IRONIC
I... it relats to my life to be honnest
i am also free to be whatever i choose. and ill sing the blues if i want.
How sweet indeed
I'm freeeeeeee to be whatever I... ops, wrong song
Sounds very much like Harry Nilsson (that’s a compliment by the way!)
RIP mr i
Adrian Edmondson sent me.
I'm glad he did.
I'm freeeeeee to be an idiot
Virgin Oasis vs. Chad Neil Innes
RIP sir, we'll always remember you
What a great singer song writer. I wonder if this song inspired the Finn brothers in their song writing?
Neil innes is a genius pure and simple, have a look at the Rutles and the work he did with Monty Python.