In 1988, A&M Records released an album entitled Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films. Popular musical artists of the day – the majority of them “independent” – covered songs from the early animated and live-action features of the Disney Studios, under the producer’s wand held by Hal Willner. One of the tracks was “Castle in Spain,” performed by Buster Poindexter, and sandwiched in a medley that also contained Sleeping Beauty‘s “I Wonder,” sung by the legendary Yma Sumac.
[audio:Buster_Poindexter___Castle_in_Spain.mp3]
“Castle in Spain” (1988) by Buster Poindexter & The Banshees of Blue
Poindexter (an alter ego of punk band New York Dolls member David Johansen) introduces his version of the song by muttering “Ava Gardner, blah blah blah blah blah blah…,” giving some indication of his campy rendition to come, and the equally theatrical roots of the number.
“Castle in Spain” was featured in the Disney live-action film Babes in Toyland, released in 1961. The film was based on an operetta of the same name by Victor Herbert, originally produced in the early 1900s. There was also an earlier film version of Babes, produced in 1934 and featuring Laurel & Hardy. In the Disney film version, Ray Bolger (who, in 1939, had played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz) plays the scheming and miserly Barnaby, who has designs on Mary Contrary. “Castle in Spain” is his attempt to woo Mary (played in the film by Annette Funicello), even though he has forced her into a situation from which she cannot refuse him.
Mary, looking quite contrary, while Barnaby overcompensates.
In our castle in Spain, you’ll be living rent-free
Every capital gain you’ll share with me
From this village below, every cent we will drain
And your fortune will grow in our castle in SpainEvery mortgage and lease I will re-valuate
And for you I’ll increase their interest rate
You’ll eat nothing but cake, you’ll drink naught but champagne
You’ll be in on the take in our castle in SpainSurely, you must agree that it makes your head whirl
To be marrying me, you lucky girl
You have caught me today in a generous way
Come now, what do you say to our castle in Spain?
“You’ll eat nothing but cake…”
“Come now, what do you say to our castle in Spain?”
7 responses so far ↓
1 PhishTails // Jul 2, 2009 at 12:45 AM
I have owned 3 copies of that CD and it keeps disappearing. Tom Waits does a version of “The Dwarves Work Song” that makes me giggle like a schoolgirl whenever I hear it, and I’m not a giggly type of guy. Sinead O’Conner’s dripping sarcasm is readily apparent in “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and Suzanne Vega does a haunting rendition of “Stay Awake” from Mary Poppins. I love this CD!
2 spitballarmy // Jul 2, 2009 at 8:38 AM
It is a great CD, indeed. Thanks for visiting, Phish!
3 Tina Young // Jul 9, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I totally love this! Song & performance… a number of perffection. I just heard it for the first time in a Walt Disney’s songs CD.
4 taryn // Sep 25, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Thank you. I grew up listening to Castle in Spain. Long after the tape was lost I’ve randomly thought of it and attempted to find it with no avail. Until now .
5 James // Feb 6, 2010 at 11:37 PM
The original is available on iTunes.
[Admin.: Indeed it is.]
6 Junk Thief // Nov 16, 2011 at 10:49 PM
Ah, just back from tapas and I had this tune stuck in my head and was glad to land on your site for the first time as I searched for the lyrics. I look forward to diving deeper into the spit.
7 Michele // Feb 8, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Ah, have been looking for this (and other songs) from Stay Awake! Thanks for posting!
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