Released as a single in 1972, "Dead Skunk" didn't catch on right away, but by the end of March in 1973, the track made it all the way to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Pretty impressive, especially considering the song was inspired by roadkill and written in mere minutes.
"I wrote that song in 12 minutes or something," Wainwright explained, adding, "I ran over a skunk that had already been run over."
Crossing the highway late last nightHe shoulda looked left and he shoulda looked rightHe didn't see the station wagon carThe skunk got squashed and there you are
"Some of my songs are very nonsensical, and that was one of them," Wainwright said. "I went in and started to perform it, and I realized people loved it...So I became the 'funny-animal-guy songwriter.' Which got to be a drag after a while. But I certainly made a lot of money that year."
"It’s really fun to be driving around and listen to yourself on the radio, and boy, that record got a lot of airplay at that time. So I’ve enjoyed that, but I don’t think it’s one of my best songs," he said.
As for why the "silly and goofy" song resonated with listeners, Wainwright said he didn't know, though he recognized it was "something everybody can relate to."
Ian Dickson / Getty Images
"My dad just passed away and he was the one who instilled the love of this song in me," one person wrote. "So darn catchy!"
"My dad always sang the chorus of this song growing up when we passed a dead skunk. This is the first time I've actually heard it," someone else commented, with another adding, "My dad used to sing this chorus on every single road trip...50 years ago. I looked up this artist I heard on a podcast. And there it was. I thought my dad made it up!"
When asked if funny songs get taken less seriously, Wainwright was quick to point out the value of humor in music.
Now, like Wainwright sings...come on, stink!
Related: 1966 Classic Rock Anthem, Written in 10 Minutes, Was Sung by an 18-Year-Old
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