He likes toast and jam

May 7, 2016 2:09 PM

When Larry Henley starts singing in The Newbeats' "Bread and Butter," it is one of the most arresting entrances in all of popular music.

"Bread and Butter" was their first and biggest hit, but lead singer Larry Henley hit it big again in the 80s—he co-wrote Bette Midler's US #1 hit "Wind Beneath My Wings."

posted by ocherdraco (19 comments total)

Pretty much agree, but "Won't get fooled again" starts pretty strong too.
posted by Alter Cocker at 2:41 PM on May 7, 2016 [3 favorites]

As I summarized it to my brother when I sent him the link: "Short, rhythmic, slightly alarming."
posted by languagehat at 3:08 PM on May 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

I only just now learned the lead singer is male. I've been listening to that song since middle school and always always always thought a woman was singing....

Also, may have toast and jam for breakfast tomorrow.
posted by chocotaco at 3:16 PM on May 7, 2016 [7 favorites]

I'm with chocotaco. I was 9 when that song came out & until this day I thought that was a woman singing. Whoa.
posted by Floydd at 3:22 PM on May 7, 2016

I know that the cardinal rule of YouTube, and indeed the internet, is "don't read the comments," but I loved the one that says "That guy would really be easy to feed."
posted by dhens at 3:24 PM on May 7, 2016 [26 favorites]

The lyrics kind of don't make sense (in 1960s heteronormative terms) if you imagine the singer as a woman though.
posted by dhens at 3:26 PM on May 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

I just now learned the lead singer is male.

Well, why don't you sta-a-ay just a little bit longer, 'cause I have news for you.
posted by y2karl at 3:35 PM on May 7, 2016 [11 favorites]

lead singer Larry Henley hit it big again in the 80s—he co-wrote Bette Midler's US #1 hit "Wind Beneath My Wings

I did not know this. I find it pleasing to imagine him seated at a piano, smoothly playing the chords, while singing, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" In that voice.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:43 PM on May 7, 2016 [8 favorites]

I find it pleasing to imagine him seated at a piano, smoothly playing the chords, while singing, "Did you ever know that you're my hero?" In that voice.

I hate to spoil a good mental picture, but he doesn't seem to sound like that any more.
posted by Halloween Jack at 4:28 PM on May 7, 2016

Nice post. This song rocks. It makes a fine addition to the Spotify playlist of Weird Do-Wop I've been building.

which incidentally includes Rubber Biscuit, the origin of ricochet biscuit's user name I imagine

posted by Slarty Bartfast at 5:06 PM on May 7, 2016 [2 favorites]

not quite as arresting as this guy
posted by pyramid termite at 5:23 PM on May 7, 2016 [4 favorites]

I had a sample of that "I am the god of hellfire" on a macplus back in the day, along with "Help, Help I'm being opressed!" and always wondered where the hell it came from. So, thanks for that.
posted by valkane at 6:12 PM on May 7, 2016 [1 favorite]

You know i've often sung this when eating toast and jam and never really known where it was from! Thanks!
posted by chapps at 8:41 PM on May 7, 2016

I'm with chocotaco. I was 9 when that song came out & until this day I thought that was a woman singing. Whoa.
posted by Floydd at 18:22 on May 7 [+] [!]

Unlike Floydd and others, I always knew it was a guy. I think because around age 9(?) I saw them on "American Bandstand", a show our family would never, ever miss.

And I am having toast and jam soon as the toaster pops.
posted by james33 at 3:29 AM on May 8, 2016 [1 favorite]

For whatever reason, falsetto male voices were pretty popular in this era. See also: Frankie Valli, Neil Sedaka, etc.
posted by tobascodagama at 6:48 AM on May 8, 2016 [1 favorite]

not quite as arresting as this guy

True that. Say what you will of later extreme performers such as G.W.A.R., they have to my knowledge ever sung with their fucking hats on fire.

And the song is indeed called Rubber Biscuit.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 11:36 AM on May 8, 2016

Somebody needs to let this guy know about grilled cheese. I mean, he already has most of the ingredients.
posted by escape from the potato planet at 3:11 PM on May 8, 2016 [2 favorites]

I always prefered Run Baby Run myself.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:41 PM on May 8, 2016

This song is now up and stuck in the head no thank you gimme some toast and jam
posted by unliteral at 6:25 AM on May 9, 2016