Super Safi’s Monday Morning Musings 36 – Happy Birthday Lisa

Morning Musically-Minded, Medically-Minded, Masticators!

(Today’s post is sponsored by the letter “M”)

Over the past 600+ episodes, The Simpsons has taken us on an amazing journey involving music, science, and food to name a few concepts.

And what better way to start your week, then by discussing some of these concepts Monday morning?

So let’s get started this week by talking about a classic The Simpsons song, “Happy Birthday Lisa”.

In the thirty sixth episode of The Simpsons, Stark Raving Dad (Season 03, Episode 01), Bart places his lucky red hat in the wash, which turns Homer’s white shirts pink. When Homer wears a pink shirt to work, he is promptly committed to a mental institution. While at the institution, he meets a variety of characters including…

The Chief

Doctor: “This guy is the chief. He’s been here since 1968. Never says a word.”
Homer: “Hey, Chief.”
The Chief: “Hello. It’s about time somebody reached out to me.”

Dave

Dave: “I used to work as a VP in an insurance company, but then one morning when I woke up, I couldn’t leave the house.”
Homer: “Was the door locked?”
Dave: “No, I just couldn’t face what was out there.”
Homer: “Was it raining?”
Nurse: “No, Homer. Dave suffers from agoraphobia: a fear of open areas and crowds. Please, Dave go on.”
Dave: “Anyway, I knew I just couldn’t take that drive to work.”
Homer: “Were you out of gas?”
(Everyone stares at Homer)
Homer (scoffs): “Baby”

and of course ‘Michael Jackson’ (aka Leon Kompowsky)

‘Michael Jackson’: “I can’t believe you never heard of me. I’m a very popular entertainer.”
Homer: “Of course I’ve heard of you. You’d have to be living under a rock… What’s your name?”
‘Michael Jackson’: “Michael Jackson.”
Homer: “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
‘Michael Jackson’: “Heard of MTV, or Motown?”
Homer: “No.”
‘Michael Jackson’: ““Beat It”?”
Homer: “You beat it!”
‘Michael Jackson’: ““Thriller”?”
Homer: “What was that?”
‘Michael Jackson’: ““Thriller”.”
Homer: “No.”

Once released from the mental institution, Homer brings ‘Michael’ along. Of course, the entire town is disappointed to see the ‘Michael Jackson’ accompanying Homer. In all the hoopla that followed ‘Michael”s arrival, Bart forgot Lisa’s birthday. To make it up to her for forgetting Lisa’s birthday, he teams up with ‘Michael’ to sing her a song.

But have you ever wondered what they were singing?

Side note: For those who have been watching an episode of The Simpsons weekly with me may have noticed this episode was not in Disney Plus. On March 7, 2019, the episode was removed from circulation and banned after the release of the HBO documentary ‘Leaving Neverland‘ due to allegations of child sexual assault against Michael Jackson. Producer James Brooks remarked on the censorship “We have a lot of fond memories of working on that episode; and the recent documentary do not permit said memories to remain. I am against book burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we are allowed to cut out a chapter.“

Happy Birthday Lisa

Happy Birthday Lisa comes to us from the famous episode featuring guest star Michael Jackson using the pseudonym “John Jay Smith” (this was the last time a celebrity was allowed to use a pseudonym). Michael Jackson wrote the song himself. However, as a stipulation of Michael Jackson’s guest appearance from his record label, Leon’s singing voice was provided by singer/soundalike Kipp Lennon.

Kipp Lennon

Here are the lyrics to the catchy infamous song:

Michael: Lisa, it’s your birthday.
God bless you this day.
You gave me the gift of a little sister,
And I’m proud of you today.

Michael and Bart: Lisa, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.
Lisa, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.

Michael: I wish you love and good will.
I wish you peace and joy.
Bart: I wish you better than your heart desires.
Michael: And your first kiss from a boy.

Michael and Bart: Lisa, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.
Lisa, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Lisa.

Bart: Yeah!

And here’s a clip of ‘Happy Birthday Lisa’ from the episode:

Kipp Lennon returned as Leon Kompowsky to sing the extra verses Bart wrote for his sister in Mr. Lisa’s Opus (Season 29, Episode 08).

Now that we’ve learned more about the song Happy Birthday Lisa, be sure to come back next week when we continue our Monday morning musings with the next episode of The Simpsons.

And don’t forget to vote in this weeks Bracket Battle!

Have you ever heard of Michael Jackson? What about Kipp Lennon? Do you remember their guest appearance in this episode? Did you remember the song Happy Birthday Lisa? Have you ever had family miss your birthday? Have you ever been placed in a mental asylum for not wearing socially conforming clothes? What’s your favourite Simpsons song? What about your favourite Michael Jackson song? What about your favourite Simpsons celebrity guest appearance? Sound off in the comments below. You know we love hearing from you.