Ode to Branson

Ode to Branson is an Emmy-nominated song from the episode The Old Man and the Key. It takes place in a revue paying tribute to stars of yesteryear we haven't heard from in a long time. The music was written by Alf Clausen and the lyrics by Jon Vitti. It is the seventh track on the album The Simpsons: Testify. It was nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics in 2002. It lost to "You've Got a Lot to See" from its rival Family Guy.

Lyrics

Cast:

Remember the stars

You loved yesterday?

Where did they go?

Did they all pass away?

Was it drugs or a car crash

Or face lift gone wrong?

No, they're right here in Branson,

And singing this song!

Charo:

My name is Charo, I shake my maracas.

Mr. T:

Remember me, fool, I was B.A. Baracus.ª

Cast:

We're the performers

You thought were dead

Like Bonnie Franklin

And Adrian Zmed.

Branson's the place

They can always be found

They took Nick at Nite

And made it a town.

Ray Jay Johnson:

You can call me "Ray,"

Or you can call me "Jay,"

Just don't call me "washed up,"

I do three shows a day!

Charlie Callas:

Charlie Callas doesn't sleep in the ground

Yes, I'm still alive, and I'm making my sounds.

(Callas makes crazy sound effects)

Cast:

So sit back, relax,

And watch our revue.

Yakov Smirnoff:

In Soviet Union,

Revue watches you!

ªOn the album, the lyric is just "Remember, fool, I was B.A. Baracus."