In Monty Python’s “Galaxy Song,” a ditty from the group’s 1983 film The Meaning Of Life, Eric Idle offers this bit of existential comfort food:

Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown
And things seem hard or tough
And people are stupid, obnoxious or daft
And you feel that you’ve had quite eno-o-o-o-o-ough
Just remember that you’re standing on a planet that’s evolving
And revolving at 900 miles an hour

And on and on, pulling back until everything we know, love, and cherish is a mote of dust in an uncaring and infinite universe. But might we suggest a Milwaukee update to these lyrics? So: Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown, and all remaining shreds of true-blue Milwaukee identity are buried beneath luxury apartments and T-shirt-friendly flags, just remember there’s an old “Karma Chameleon” parody called “I’m A Milwaukeean” floating around out there, and that it’s wonderful.

The 1984 “Weird Al”-esque reworking of the 1983 Culture Club hit came courtesy of Guy Herman And The Bubbler Boys—a.k.a. former Milwaukee tunesmith Derrick Procell. It was a big hit in its day, even if—or perhaps because—Boy George’s lawyers demanded the song be pulled from Milwaukee radio station B97 (now 97-3 NOW). Also, despite being nearly 35 years old, its lyrics still hold up today: beer, brats, the Brewers, the Domes, Hooligan’s, and Wolski’s all get shout-outs.

Here’s the song, followed by the lyrics. Enjoy, ain’a don’t you know.

From West Allis all the way to Cudahy
Don’t you know I ride the bus every day
I’m a man with an addiction
To beer and bratwurst and sauerkraut
Polka bands with Polish diction
That’s what life is all about

I’m a Milwaukeean
Ain’a don’t you know, ain’a don’t you know
Admirals and Bucks and Brewers all the way
I said ain’a hey, ain’a hey

Cross the viaduct and cruise the avenue
Head for Hooligan’s and have a beer or two
Friday night I find a fish fry
Saturday I hit the Domes
Closing Wolski’s every weekend
Oh, Milwaukee, you’re my home

I’m a Milwaukeean
Ain’a don’t you know, ain’a don’t you know
Admirals and Bucks and Brewers all the way
I said ain’a hey, ain’a hey

Every day I feel so badly
I lost my job at Allen-Bradley
Every night I go out bowling
Down to Teddy’s rock and rolling

I’m a fan of Mayor Maier
Love to hear him sing a song
Everyone should be inspired
To sing along, come on, sing along

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Matt Wild weighs between 140 and 145 pounds. He lives on Milwaukee's east side.