Rube Goldberg’s wacky inventions have made his name an adjective in the dictionary!

The year was 1977. Popular music was at its lowest point since Thomas Edison recorded “Mary Had A Little Lamb.” Disco was king. If not for a few bright spots like The Ramones it would have been the end of recorded music as we know it. And then along came Dean Friedman with “Ariel,” the freshest, cleverest, catchiest, most infectious pop song in years. I think it’s been on every mix tape I’ve made in the last three decades. If you don’t know it, listen to it. If you don’t have it, buy it. ‘Nuff said!

(click for a closer look)

But we’re not here to talk about “Ariel.” We’re here to talk about tunes related to comic books and comic strips. Which brings us right back to Dean Friedman!

Yep, thirty years later and he’s still got it! And to hear it you just have to follow this link to Dean’s MySpace page, and click on the song “HobNobbin.”

http://www.myspace.com/deanfriedman

Can you think of cooler lyrics than these? I can’t!

Hob-Nobbin’ by Dean Friedman

Superman is a friend of mine. He drops by my house all the time.
He’s no different than me or you. He even helps start the barbecue.
And when the rest of the guests get there,
He grills those burgers medium rare. And I’m…

Hob-Nobbin’ Sharin’ a meal with the Man of Steel.
Hob-Nobbin’ Hangin’ loose with a guy named Bruce.
Hob-Nobbin’ Partee with the cats from DC.
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

Who’s that raidin’ the refrigerator? It’s none other than the Caped Crusader.
The Boy Wonder is in the den, playing five card stud with the X-Men.
And though I know it’s not polite to point. But there’s the Joker and the Penguin and they’re smokin’ a joint. And I’m…

Hob-Nobbin’ Make the scene with Wolverine
Hob-Nobbin’ Talking trash with the Flash
Hob-Nobbin’ Gettin’ in the swing with the Thing
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

Daredevil he’s the man without fear eatin’ jalapeno peppers with a cold beer.
The Green Hornet and Kato too, and all they ever do is argue.
Silver Surfer he’s so cool, floatin’ on his board in my swimming pool. And I’m…

Hob-Nobbin’ Shootin’ the breeze with Mr. Freeze
Hob-Nobbin’ Gettin’ tight with the Dark Knight
Hob-Nobbin’ Sharin’ a feast with the Beast
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

Anytime I’m feelin’ less than zero.
I get together with the superheroes.

Had a little problem, it wasn’t too drastic. Got a helpin’ hand from Mr. Fantastic.
Someone locked the bathroom on the 2nd floor.
So, he reached through the window and he opened the door.
But when we walked in we were thunderstruck - Supergirl was in the bath with Howard the Duck. And I’m…

Hob-Nobbin’ Cruisin’ the room with Dr. Doom
Hob-Nobbin’ Sippin’ Cider with Ghost Rider
Hob-Nobbin’ Talkin’ up a storm with the Storm
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

Sometimes Spiderman, he swings by. He’s a pretty introspective guy.
He’s not all that dynamic. Likes to hang around in his webbed hammock.
But let me tell you, Spidey’s in for a shock. ‘Cause Gwendolyn’s dancin’ with Doc Oc. And I’m…

Hob-Nobbin’ Gonna linger with the web-slinger
Hob-Nobbin’ Hob-Nobbin’ with the Hob-Goblin
Hob-Nobbin’ Just chillin’ with the Master Villain
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

After a while the teenagers appear. We send ‘em out for pizza and beer.
When they return the music is pumpin’, the temperature’s hot and the joint is jumpin’.
Thank Stan and his gang and the cats from DC. Superheroes sure know how to party.

Hob-Nobbin’ Make the scene with Wolverine
Hob-Nobbin’ Talking trash with the Flash
Hob-Nobbin’ Shootin’ the breeze with Mr. Freeze
Hob-Nobbin’ with Batman and Robin

copyright © 1998 Dean Friedman Music (PRS)

Next week, an updated cartoon tune you’ve just gotta hear!

During WWII, Mussolini banned all American comic strips but one…his beloved Mickey Mouse!

The Simpsons’ Matt Groening pens a weekly strip, Life in Hell, for alternative newspapers. Groening declares, “If I can make somebody laugh and really annoy the hell out of somebody else, I think I’ve done my job!”

In 1914, Winsor McCay created the first commercially successful animated cartoon in history. It required 10,000 drawings of its star, Gertie the Dinosaur…All done by McCay!

“The song “I’m Popeye the Sailor Man” was elected to the songwriter’s hall of fame! Weird but Toot-Toot!”

Spider-Man is known world wide..though he does tend to let himself go on those cross-Atlantic web slings…

“The Italian word for “Comics” is ‘fumetti,’” derived from “fumo,” the word for “smoke”…because that’s what word balloons resemble!”

“When fitted for her skin-tight purple costume, Batgirl TV actress Yvonne Craig found “it absolutely flattened” her chest. She told the producer who berated the costumer for ruining “Two of the reasons we hired Yvonne!” The costumer reworked the outfit to better show off Yvonne’s bat-bust!”

Lots of people hve been writing me to ask what’s up with Doll Man!