Listening to this song always makes me laugh. "The Wrong Idea" was a song that Charlie recorded in 1939 and released to the public in 1940 as a B-Side to "The Right Idea". What makes this song a classic is how he and Billy May poke fun at the music of bandleaders Sammy Kaye and Kay Kyser.
Sometimes you have to dig deep or read between the lines to find these jabs that musicians sometimes take at each other. This one was right at the surface. On the 78 itself was the phrase "Sing and Sweat with Charlie Barnet" mocking the more famous phrase "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye".
I'm a fan of both Sweet and Hot Bands and we play both here on Swing City Radio. Regardless of your personal taste, this has to go down as one of the most entertaining musical "punch in the face" songs of the Big Band Era. Just listen to the lyrics and music and judge for yourself. Enjoy!
Listen to "The Wrong Idea" by Charlie Barnet
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