Download Instrumental The “bridge” of a song is a contrasting section (usually 8 bars) that prepares you for a return to the regular verse and chorus. It gives the listener a break from just hearing verses and a chorus over and over again. This song has no “bridge’ – or even a verse for that matter. It is only the chorus sung repeatedly (3 times) to the irritation of everyone – “second verse, same as the first”. How Herman’s Hermits had a #1 hit with this one in 1965 is beyond me. It is, however, quite “catchy” and that sometimes catapults a song into music history forever. You’ll only use this as an occasional novelty tune, but put it in your repertoire anyway. People seem to get a kick out it.
“I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am” was written in 1910 and was the signature song of a British music hall star named Harry Champion. It was a parody on British royalty where a common man suddenly becomes king…. and likes it! The end of one verse proclaims “I sat upon the bucket that the common think their own/Surrounded by my subjects I was sitting on the throne/Out came the potman, saying, ‘Go on, home to bed’/Said I, ‘Now say another word and off’ll go your head!” After that came the chorus, which is the familiar “I’m Henry the Eighth, I am” that Herman’s Hermits made so popular 55 years later.
The real Henry VIII was the King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry had six wives, the most famous being Anne Boleyn, the unfortunate queen he decided to execute for treasonous adultery and incest. He was an extravagant spender and had people banished or executed if they didn’t toe the King’s line. What a guy. He also looked amazingly like John McCain, doncha’ think?
You can listen to Harry Champion sing the original on the link below:
Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 