I couldn't tell you why, but for a handful of days I've been obsessing over the Was (Not Was) song "Zaz Turned Blue" from the 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes; though not over the song itself, but the absurdity of it.

It tells the classic story of some kids fooling around in a park, and one puts the another in what turns out to be a quite effective sleeper hold - that old chestnut.

What really makes this for me is that Don Was got Mel Torme to be guest vocalist, and that dude could emote the fuck out of a song, even one this silly, without a wink and a nod.

The only thing I can think of that comes close is "MacArthur Park," but that's obviously a metaphor for... something ...so it might get a pass.

So, is there a more absurd pop song? I'm not talking about novelty songs or ones that are intentionally "quirky" (so no Yankovic, Devo or They Might Be Giants) but ones that are true and earnest in their performance.

EDIT:
I'd be in error not to include PJ Harvey's strangely beautiful version of "Zaz" from the 1997 Lounge-A-Palooza compilation.

...because calling it "duelling cellos" doesn't seem quite right.

Whatever you think of Michael Jackson, I'd lay odds that you'll dig this suave version of his song.

So it's not quite a cover. It is, however, the most wonderful version of Old MacDonald you will ever hear (or at least it would be is the recording were better).

Songs From A Zulu Farm comes out February 1, 2011.

Hidden(?) track on Space Ghost's Musical Bar-B-Que