Beans in My Ears
Encyclopedia
Beans in My Ears is a song created and sung by protest singer, Len Chandler
. It became a hit single when covered by The Serendipity Singers
, reaching #30 in June, 1964. Doctors protested that many children were actually putting beans in their ears and so it was banned in some places such as Boston
. It was also covered by Lonnie Donegan
in 1964.
The insistent chorus goes
The song was covered by Pete Seeger
in his 1966 album Dangerous Songs!?
. Seeger's version satirically attacked Lyndon B. Johnson
's involvement in the Vietnam War
. In addition to Chandler's original lyrics, Seeger sang that "Mrs. Jay's little son Alby" had "beans in his ears", which, as the lyrics imply, ensures that a person does not hear what is said to them. To those opposed to continuing the Vietnam War, the phrase suggested that "Alby Jay", a loose pronunciation of Johnson's nickname "LBJ", did not listen to anti-war protests as he too had "beans in his ears".
Len Chandler
Len Hunt Chandler, Jr. , better known as Len Chandler, is a folk musician from Akron, Ohio.-Biography:He showed an early interest in music and began playing piano at age 8. Studying classical music in his early teens, he learned to play the oboe so he could join the high school band, and during...
. It became a hit single when covered by The Serendipity Singers
The Serendipity Singers
The Serendipity Singers were a 1960s American folk group, similar to The New Christy Minstrels.This nine-member folk-oriented group started at the University of Colorado with seven original members of a group called the Newport Singers...
, reaching #30 in June, 1964. Doctors protested that many children were actually putting beans in their ears and so it was banned in some places such as Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. It was also covered by Lonnie Donegan
Lonnie Donegan
Anthony James "Lonnie" Donegan MBE was a skiffle musician, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. He is known as the "King of Skiffle" and is often cited as a large influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960s...
in 1964.
The insistent chorus goes
The song was covered by Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
in his 1966 album Dangerous Songs!?
Dangerous Songs!?
Dangerous Songs!? is a 1966 album by Pete Seeger and was released on the Columbia Records label.-Track listing:# "Medley: Robin The Bobbin/ Mary, Mary Quite Contrary/ Little Jack Horner"# Die Gedanken sind frei 1:52# Jackaro 3:53...
. Seeger's version satirically attacked Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
's involvement in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. In addition to Chandler's original lyrics, Seeger sang that "Mrs. Jay's little son Alby" had "beans in his ears", which, as the lyrics imply, ensures that a person does not hear what is said to them. To those opposed to continuing the Vietnam War, the phrase suggested that "Alby Jay", a loose pronunciation of Johnson's nickname "LBJ", did not listen to anti-war protests as he too had "beans in his ears".