There was a little Spanish flea
A record star he thought he'd be
He'd heard of singers like Beatles
The Chipmunks he'd seen on TV
Why not a little Spanish flea?
Homer Simpson, The Simpsons, "The Otto Show"
"Spanish Flea" is an instrumental classic written by Jules Wechtner and performed and popularized by Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass Band. It was released on their album Going Places on Alpert's garage-run label A&M Records on November 6, 1965. The album went gold in December, and the song peaked at #27 on the Billboard charts.
The song was used as the walk on music for "The Dating Game"
The song itself is highly recognizable for its catchy California brass pop sound prevalent in the mid 1960s, as well as its varied and extensive use today as Muzak, hold music, and incidental music in waiting rooms. If you haven't heard Spanish Flea, welcome to Earth! Enjoy your stay as our new alien overlords.
If you don't think Alpert was getting laid in the mid-1960s, take a look at http://www.tijuanabrass.com/tjb2.php3. Oh yeah. Ladies look out!
Amazingly, Homer got the first verse exactly right! The rest of the lyrics (by Jules' wife Cissy), as followed:
And so he hid
Inside a doggie from Madrid
He arrived in the city
Still singin his sweet harmony
As proud as any flea could be
He walked around
As if he owned the town
Humming his pint sized melody
With his guitar he knew he'd be a star
And in his own home town, how proud he'd be
Then all at once he met a man
Who said, "I'll help you if I can"
He listened close to his song
And then he sang right along for you see
He loved that little Spanish flea
"You'll be the rage
I'll put you on the stage
In costumes like you've never worn."
Well, at a glance
He knew this was his chance.
Yes all at once a Spanish star was born.
For when the people heard him play
They all began to shout, "Ole!"
He was the pride of the nation,
A singing sensation was he,
Though he was just a SPANISH FLEA.
A copy of the "Spanish Flea" single (b/w "Walk, Don't Run") goes for about $50 today. The Going Places album is a bit more available, and will set you back about $20.
For similar artists, try: