"The Combine Harvester"
Single by Brendan Grace
Released1975
Genre
Composer(s)Melanie Safka
Lyricist(s)Brendan O'Shaughnessy (new lyrics)
"The Combine Harvester"
Single by The Wurzels
B-side"The Blackbird"
ReleasedMay 1976[1]
Genre
Length3:03
LabelSolo, EMI[1]
Producer(s)Tommy Ellis, Bob Barratt[1]
Official Audio
"The Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)" on YouTube

"The Combine Harvester" is a novelty song which was a number one hit for Brendan Grace in Ireland in 1975 and then also for The Wurzels in the UK in 1976. Written by Brendan O'Shaughnessy, the song is a parody of Melanie Safka's 1971 hit, "Brand New Key", with rustic lyrics replacing the original theme of roller-skating.[2]

In the UK the song was released by The Wurzels, a band from Somerset with a rustic West Country style which they called "Scrumpy and Western". It reached number one on 12 June 1976 and stayed there for two weeks.[1]

Charts

Chart (1975) Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart 1
Chart (1976) Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 1
Chart (1976) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] 97

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[4] Silver 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Jon Kutner (2010), 1000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, ISBN 9780857123602
  2. ^ Audrey Healy (2002), Dubliners: What's the Story?, Currach Press, p. 67, ISBN 9781856079006
  3. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 344. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. ^ "British single certifications – Wurzels – Combine Harvester". British Phonographic Industry.
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