''20 Comedy Hits'' is a collection of previously recorded songs by

Ray Stevens Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939), known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian, known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty", as well as novelty ...

, released in

1995 File:1995 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: O.J. Simpson is O. J. Simpson murder case, acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman from the 1994, year prior in "The Trial of the Century" in the United States; The ...

. The first, third, fourth and fifth tracks were included through the courtesy of

Barnaby Records Barnaby Records was an American record company founded by singer Andy Williams in 1963 with his purchase of soon-to-be-liquidated Cadence Records. It held the rights to work by a number of popular music performers including Williams work before ...

, for whom Stevens recorded during the early seventies. The selection of "

Shriner's Convention "Shriners Convention" is a song written and recorded by American musician Ray Stevens. It is based on Stevens' experiences at an Atlanta hotel where an actual Shriners convention was being held.''Music City News''. June 1986. Shriners have taken t ...

" is a live version that was taken from the album ''Ray Stevens Live!'' "

Gitarzan "Gitarzan" is a novelty song released by Ray Stevens in 1969 about a character who lives in a jungle and forms a musical band with his female partner, Jane, and their pet monkey. The song features Tarzan's jungle calls, scat singing, and a funky ...

" is the album version that begins with audience noises, and "

Ahab the Arab "Ahab the Arab" (also written "Ahab, the Arab") is a novelty song written and recorded by Ray Stevens in 1962. Lyrics In the song, Arab is pronounced () to rhyme with Ahab. The hero of the story is Clyde the camel and Stevens has made referen ...

" is a re-recording of his 1962 hit for his album ''

'' (released in 1969). The remaining tracks are selections that were recorded for

Curb Records Curb Records (also known as Asylum-Curb and formerly known as MCG Curb) is an American record label started by Mike Curb, originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963. From 1969 to 1973, Curb merged with MGM Records where Curb served as President of ...

; of these selections, only two were released as singles ("Super Cop" and "The Motel Song") and the rest served as album cuts. The sixth to ninth tracks were taken from the album ''Classic Ray Stevens'', the tenth to thirteenth tracks from '' #1 With a Bullet'', and the last seven from ''Lend Me Your Ears''. Overall, it is not completely accurate to include the word "hits" in the title of this compilation, as it contains only seven songs that were previously released as singles and five of the seven made true impact on the charts. Inside the album cover is an essay by Barry Alfonso that covers Stevens' life and career from his year of birth to the time of the release of this collection.

Track listing

Album credits

*All tracks except "Gitarzan" were produced and arranged by: Ray Stevens *"Gitarzan" was produced and arranged by: Ray Stevens, Fred Foster and

Jim Malloy James Malloy (May 23, 1932 – May 18, 1972), was an American racecar driver. Born in Columbus, Nebraska, Malloy's family moved to Englewood, Colorado, where he attended grade school and high school. Malloy lettered in football and baseba ...

*Art Direction and Design: Neuman, Walker + Assoc. *Illustration: Jill VonHartmann *Album Coordination: Sarita Martin Compiled from liner notes.

References

{{Authority control 1995 compilation albums Ray Stevens compilation albums Curb Records compilation albums