Any song by The Shaggs requires a bit of explanation. The Shaggs were a three piece out of Fremont, New Hampshire comprised of sisters Helen, Dorothy and Betty Wiggin. The band, hotly tipped for fame by their grandmother, were managed (in some reports rather forcefully and always eccentrically) by their father Austin. He booked them regular gigs at school halls and community theatres, and even pushed them into recording their one and only album Philosophy of the World, from which the above is taken.
Now as you may have noticed if you've begun listening to the track, The Shaggs are not a fantastically gifted band musically. Rhythms wander, guitars jangle discordantly, and the singing can't quite decide on a key. There are wonderfully serendipitous moments of harmony appearing out of the mix, but overall things lack polish to put it generously. However what The Shaggs lack in musical training they more than make up for in unselfconscious sincerity. There's an innocence and a genuine belief in the music they're putting out which cuts to the heart far quicker than lush harmonies or rich orchestration ever could.
Nowhere is this better exemplified than the song Who Are Parents. The song is a sweet n' slow piece of sixties pop reminding kids that, in the end, your parents are going to love you no matter what. Is it a little trite? Sure. Yet no other band has even tried to approach this message, and one suspects that if they did they wouldn't pull it off with anywhere near as much heart. Simple, sweet and it'll have you thinking fondly for your folks. Not something I expect to write about a rock song, but thoroughly glad that I am able to.
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