Monday, April 09, 2012

The story behind "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs"

Since I seem to be on a FRASIER jag (and I'm going up to Seattle Friday for the Mariners' home opener), here's a Friday Frasier question that deserves its own post. And a special guest to answer it.

Brian asks:

What's the story of the song "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs" that Kelsey Grammer sings at the end of the show? Who wrote it? What does it mean? Who's idea was it to put it at the end of the show and for Kelsey to sing it?

To answer I went to the source, the extremely talented, Bruce Miller. (Bruce also did the music for ALMOST PERFECT so you know I'm more than a fan.)

Having been the composer on a show called "Wings", I was asked by the creator's of that show to try to come up with a song for their next effort….that is to submit as one of three submissions for the "prize" in a blindfold test to chose the one they liked best!

I was told they wanted something pretty eclectic and jazzy, but to avoid any direct references to specific subject matter. So it was necessary to stay away from words about psychiatry, radio shows, the name "Frasier", and anything else directly indicating aspects of the show.

I immediately wrote the song/music itself, but then needed a lyric that would work, so I called my friend Darryl Phinnesse who is really talented and really smart. I gave him the idea of the show and he called back with the idea of "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs". At first I was a bit baffled myself until he explained that these were things that were "mixed up"….like Frasier Crane's patients. Once we agreed on this premise (by the time I fully understood it), we went into completing the song. I actually did contribute a couple lines, but the heavy lifting here was Darryl, and lucky for me that I went to him to him in the first place.

"Hey baby I hear the blues a-callin"-refers to patients with troubles calling into the radio show
"Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs"
"But maybe I seem a bit confused"-Frasier's personality was a bit????
"Maybe, but I got you pegged"-Frasier does understand these people and helps them.
"But I don't know what to do with those Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs"-it's a tough business….gotta deal with these "crazies" every day.
"They're calling again"-oh, oh….should be self explanatory.

When I first wrote the song, I instantly thought of the great jazz singer, Mel Torme. He would have been perfect, but the producers wanted me to try Kelsey….and of course, he really made it his own with his interpretation.

As you can see, there were elements of this whole process that came to me from others. Those elements are what eventually helped to make the song successful on the show.

I'd assume the network wanted to get right into the show as quickly as possible (just my guess), so the song needed to go where it could be played full length. When the short little graphics of the Seattle skyline were created for the open of the show, I was asked to compose several different short pieces in the style of the theme, which were alternated each episode, depending upon the particular graphic used for that episode. I recall having composed about 25 of those little main titles by the end of the show's run.


Thanks so much, Bruce. Here's your now-classic closing theme.

113 comments :

Carol said...

Thank you for this! I've been watching Fraiser on Netflix recently, and my son kept asking me why they sing 'tossed salad and scrambled eggs' at the end. I just read this to him. He's very happy to have the mystery solved.

Every time you name comes up in the credits, I think 'oh I know him,' even though I don't. Silly, but there you go.

Mike Schryver said...

I loved the little opening melodies, which seemed to set the mood of the show.
If I may say so, I never enjoyed listening to the end theme. I guess the song is just fine, but it seems to clash with Kelsey's singing style.
He's fine doing operettas or things like "Isn't It Romantic?", but for this type of number, I would've preferred someone like Mel Torme.

Joe in DC said...

Nice post! I love getting the "real story" from the people who were there.

On a separate note, Ken, have you seen this AV Club interview with Zachary Knighton ("Happy Endings")? I wondered what your thoughts were about his discussion of how his show's cast and its writers interact. Do you think it's possible that such collaboration exists? And also, I wondered what you thought about his suggestion that older writers can't write for younger actors.

Thanks as always for a great blog!

Jeremiah Avery said...

Great post! I liked how the intro music was simple, yet elegant and I didn't have to sit through a lengthy credit sequence. I thought the ending theme was peculiar but now it's great to see how the theme really did tie into the show and wasn't completely random.

I've come to enjoy "Frasier" more as I've gotten older and some of the references aren't as over my head as they were when I was a teen. The show never talked down to the audience and I remember reading an article shortly after it ended in which the show was described as "A sitcom for actual adults" - very apropos.

While the show is very funny, overall, I think the truly laugh out loud moments came from David Hyde Pierce. A simple expression or one line could have me cracking up. (e.g. in "Agents In America, Part III" when Bebe answers the door wearing just Frasier's shirt and Niles just rings the doorbell again and has a slight smirk on his face. Ending it with, "Ah, paid your commission up front, I see.")

D. McEwan said...

Thanks for this most-interesting post. Now, does anyone now a really effective psychic? You see, my mother enjoyed Frasier. She disliked Kelsey rather a lot, but she so deeply loved David Hyde Pierce, she'd watch him in anything, and so she enjoyed Fraiser as long as Kelsey was offstage, or if Bebe, who alway broke her up, was on. (Same thing with Cheers She only wanted to see episodes that featured Bebe.)

BTW, Mom was a Republican, so it wasn't his politics that cheesed her off. I never did figure out why she disliked him so. I at least had his conservatism as a reason to loathe him, but I seldom had any problem with him as an actor, at least until I saw his rather unfortunate performance as Sweeney Todd.

However, she just did not "get" Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs. Nor did I, but I enjoyed it. (The closing theme song for Red Dwarf is similarly out of left field, and features the line: "Drinking fresh mango juice," which in their accents, the singers unintentionally made sound like "Drinking fresh mangled Jews," a lyric I always found a tad disturbing.) Mother was bothered by it, and so she labeled it "stupid," and tended to hit the "Mute" button whenever it came on. (Before the very talented Bruce Miller takes offense at my mother calling Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs "stupid," please bear in mind that Mother thought Mary Baker Eddy was the most-brilliant genius who ever lived, so my Mother was an idiot.)

Mother died in 1997, so it would be nice if a psychic medium could read her this column in The Next World. She'd probably get it now. Daphnee?

D. McEwan said...

PS. I guess, in light of Mother's unwavering faith in the idiocy dispensed by Mary Baker Eddy, that I should not say that Mother died in 1997. Rather, reflecting her particular religious delusions, I should say Mother has been "Manifesting a belief in Death" since 1997. She manifests it very convincingly.

Kirk said...

I, for one, like Kelsey's version of the song. In fact, he may have missed his calling as a jazz or blues singer. With the ingruous pairing of "tossed salad" and "scrambled eggs", I always assumed it was about confusion, but Frazier's own confusion, not his patients. Even though Kelsey sang it, I never imagined it coming from Frazier himself, unless he had a hip alter ego that was never revealed on the show.

I always like it in movies or TV shows when a song expresses the overall theme or mood, but the lyrics can't really be taken literally. Best example: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" comes on. Obviously, it's not raining in that scene, but it best describes Butch's insouciant attitude.

Breadbaker said...

Nice to know you'll be at Opening Day on Friday. It will be so surprising to be playing the A's again. I'll try to wave at you in the booth (we sit right behind the screen just past the Diamond section.

John said...

Side question -- Starting with the 1994-95 season, NBC was the first network to eliminate closing title themes, going instead with the annoying microscopic side title bar, while a network promo occupied three-quarters of the screen.

All the NBC shows starting in the fall of '94 were hit ... except for 'Frasier', which managed to keep its end titles and theme all the way to the end. Was it due to the action/gags continuing on through the closing titles, or coming off 'Cheers' did the production team simply have enough clout with the network to avoid seeing the end title theme eliminated and the credits crushed against the left side of the screen?

RCP said...

Nice to get clarification on this - I've always enjoyed Frasier's closing theme (didn't catch on for a while that it was Grammer doing the singing).

D. McEwan said...

"Does anyone know a really effective psychic?"

With all due respect to your mom, I found your post very funny. You know, I happen to be a bit psychic myself and if it's okay with you, I'd like to attempt a frequency...wait a minute...

"Yes? Hello? Mrs...Mrs. McEwan? Oh you know what I'm going to ask? Yes? I'll do that, thank...yes? Got it. Thank you."

She still thinks it's stupid. And pick up your socks.

Johnny Walker said...

Haha! Wonderful post and hilarious comments by D McEwan, too.

The left-fieldness of Frasier's theme song always bugged me. I'm glad there's logic to it... I always felt there was something I wasn't "getting". Now it seems obvious.

As for Red Dwarf, that classic show, that always made sense to me. I guess I saw it as the internal wishes of the characters: Getting out of space and back to earth.

I admit it's pretty left-field though!

cadavra said...

One of my favorite DHP moments came when one of the others defended a comparison between two things that were practically identical. Beat, then he deadpanned, "Ah. The distinction being...?"

Denny said...

Opening and closing credits and theme music. How quaint.

xjill said...

Love this story! I always wondered...

Chris said...

Very technical friday question: any idea why in the Seinfeld pilot the general frame looks like it's shot on tape (so like crap) and the close ups look like they're shot on film (way better)?

I'm watching the HD version, the difference is huge.

Frank Abe said...

Ken,
Any chance you'll meet with Seattle readers this weekend?

Frank

By Ken Levine said...

Frank,

That's a great idea. Let me post something and see if there's enough interest. Maybe Saturday lunch at F.X. McCrory's.

Ken

Max Clarke said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LouOCNY said...

McEwan - you could always get the great Madame Mertzola...

"Ethel to Mrs. McEwan..Ethel to Mrs McEwan..."

Max Clarke said...

Thanks, Ken, I have always wondered why in the world Frasier would sing about tossed salads and scrambled eggs. Kelsey does it so well, it's unlike any tv series song I've heard.

Now that you've explained it, the song title sounds a bit like the album Emerson Lake and Palmer released in the 70s, Brain Salad Surgery.

Interesting that ELP was mentioned by Rebecca in the last episode of Cheers. That was the fictitious law firm she claimed to work for,"...yeah, they're a pretty famous group..."

Sparky said...

It would've been great to have Kelsey sing something in character at the end of "Boss."

Larry said...

Wow, so all those years I completely misunderstood what the song was about.

I like shows that have unexpected and different themes at the end, like "WKRP" and "The Young Ones."

D. McEwan said...

" RCP said...
Yes? Hello? Mrs...Mrs. McEwan? ... She still thinks it's stupid. And pick up your socks."


Tell her I'll give her words the same weight I did when she was alive, which means I just dumped the rest of my socks on the floor. Oh, and please do tell her of my toting all her Bibles and other tons of religous "literature" to the dump to rot when she'd been gone less than a week.

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I always felt the song was about Frasier being a bit down and sick. (Given all that goes on during the show) And at the end, his illness gets the best of him.

RockGolf said...

Big time, Ken, big time.

This article has been linked to in from EW.com - click on my name to link back to the article.

FIRST TIME VISITORS: Set awhile and read some of the other articles.

Ruth S said...

I always figured that was all he could cook.

RCP said...

D. McEwan said...

"Tell her I'll give her words the same weight I did when she was alive, which means I just dumped the rest of my socks on the floor. Oh, and please do tell her of my toting all her Bibles and other tons of religous "literature" to the dump to rot when she'd been gone less than a week."

I’m sorry, but I can’t be in contact with your mom right now. A lovely woman, but she started nagging ME about the Bible – so I’ve been forced to use my own mute button.

Mark S. said...

This article bugs me: I smell bovine excrement.
"Tossing a salad" is prison slang for manual sex. There are two things "tossed salad" could mean and that's one of them. Given that combined with the fact that the show featured three bachelors mostly striking out in the relationship department,"scrambled eggs" really could not have any but the same meaning.

I'm sorry for any unwanted mental images, but that's quite definitely what the song is about.

Anonymous said...

Makes perfect sense. Now I know the meaning behind "Toss Salad and Scramble Eggs" whenever I watch Fraiser.

Anonymous said...

I always thought those lyrics described Frazier's life after divorcing Lilith; tossed salads and scrambled eggs sound like things a single-guy would make/eat to sustain himself.

Dale said...

Who were the musicians who played on the session?

Eric said...

Mr. Levine:

Are you scheduled to call any Mariners games this year?

I hope so.

Eric said...

Mr. Levine:

Are you going to call some Mariners games this year?

I hope so.

D. McEwan said...

"Mark S. said...
'Tossing a salad' is prison slang for manual sex. There are two things "tossed salad" could mean and that's one of them. Given that combined with the fact that the show featured three bachelors mostly striking out in the relationship department,"scrambled eggs" really could not have any but the same meaning."


Ah yes, because Niles and Frasier were noted for their constant employment of ephemisms au currant with the Incarcerated Community. Why, Frasier was practically Oz, only with 99% less male nudity and rape scenes. When I think the Crane Brothers, I always think: "Prison Slang."

There's actually a third meaning for "Tossed Salad": a salad that has been mixed by tossing, but no. Frasier was undoubtedly just singing his jazzy prison slang terms, given it was a show about two Harvard-grad psychiatrists who were gay in every imaginable way except that they still thought they were straight and went after women who responded the the manliness of discussing dead opera divas and undetectable differences in slight color-shade gradations before going off to their wine-tasting club.

I still treasure that episode where Niles accidentally shanked Daphnee.

"Anonymous said...
I always thought those lyrics described Frazier's life after divorcing Lilith; tossed salads and scrambled eggs sound like things a single-guy would make/eat to sustain himself."


I like that one. Of course Frasier Crane's bachelor meals are more likely to be tossed caviar and quiche, but still, I could see that one, even if it misses the obvious prison masturbation references so glarlingly clear in the song.

Julieta Pedrosa said...

Thank you for the explanation! I`m Brazilian and a big fan of Frasier. I have all its seasons in blu-ray and/or dvd and I think it`s one of the most sophisticated/witty and funny American sit-coms ever!

pumpkinhead said...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/12/frasier-tossed-salad-and-scrambled-eggs_n_1422023.html?ref=tv

Marsha in San Diego said...

WOW... The inventive comentaries are almost as interesting as the explanation... OMG... PRISON SLANG ?? I for one, and possibly more than one, can imagine Mel Torme singing, but Frazier's voice, intonation, and the song's ability to provide a continuation of the show past it's ending was a great "wrap-up." For those who do not know the PSYCHIC, BIBLE, Christian Science "tie-in" by a post member who had a love hate relationship with his Mother... SHE WAS CHRISTIAN SCIENCE... having been a youngster who was toted off to Sunday School to learn about the power of healing and love is reflected in love philosophy, by Mary Baker Eddy, it was not all bad... actually, I've put it to good use. Just pick up your socks on Sunday... Mommy loves you.

Joel said...

One thing that made interpretation of the lyrics more confusing was Kelsey Grammer's occasional ad libbing. "Scrambled eggs all over my face. What is a boy to do?" Definitely sounds like food references and not a euphamism. Makes me wonder if he understood the song himself! Thanks for clearing up the mystery.

Anonymous said...

Still love that show and watch the reruns all the time. Have all the episodes on DVD. Thanks for explaining makes sense and Kelsy did a great job with it. Still one of the best shows out there!

Sue said...

Love that show after all these years-Watch the reruns whenever I can and have all the episdoes on DVD. Thanks for the explanation. A really fun theme song.

jeff said...

"Oh, and please do tell her of my toting all her Bibles and other tons of religous "literature" to the dump to rot when she'd been gone less than a week. "

Agnostic myself, but that is an impressive dickish thing to say. I still have my parents bibles. Cause they belonged to my parents.

Back Maskerson said...

I always thought that any meaning in the jazzy little ditty was eclipsed by Kelsey Grammer's ego. And Eddie doing something cute.

But that was before I played the sound file backwards.

When you play the song backwards, you clearly hear, "Brip jum brip murple yim D McEwan's mother tosses salads in hell byup blim yumba."

And then it all made so much sense.

blogward said...

I'd so much like to hear William Shatner doing this.

ktbird21 said...

Too bad Frasier isn't "practicing" anymore- sounds like D. McEwan could benefit from a few sessions! Repressed anger much?

Jane said...

BThanks so much for the information. My roommates really didn't "get" the song and this explanation is fantastic! I am a huge Frasier fan and it is great to read the history of the song! Congrats on a huge hit!ao23

Anonymous said...

Great post. Follow-up question: Towards the end of the fifth season there is an episode in which KACL becomes a Spanish-language music station (due, as usual, to Frasier's well-intentioned bungling - scrambled eggs all over his face again), and at the end of the episode they cleverly played a Spanish version of the title song. Anyone know the lyrics/author of the Spanish version?

Phread said...

I'm sorry if this is inappropriate ,however I could not listen to the song without feeling ill. Tossed Salad is slang for "oral anul" , then later when he added "Scrabbled Eggs all over my face" It was sickening, and Grammar knew this. I believe it was his way of saying he was bi-sexual.

N. K. Albritton said...

I have loved watching Frasier for many years and now watch it in syndication every night on Hallmark. The theme song has always been interesting to me (I like it) and I wondered what it was about.

Since I could not figure out the meaning, I thought that it might be part of a whole song and the remaining words would help me understand the meaning. Tonight I decided to look for the lyrics to the whole song and found this blog that explained the meaning. All I can say is GENIUS!

Lisa D. Sparks said...

Caught in a Netflix Frasier marathon (working from home today) and I was curious about the theme's lyrics. So to Google I went. And this was the first sit that popped up. So glad I now know.

Bittersweet though. The mystery is now gone.

Elizabeth said...

I love this. I honestly grew up with Frasier both on cheers and Frasier and recently started watching the reruns.
I've always thought "scrambled eggs" fit very well because of the "cracked " people who called or sometimes the way they acted. Never could figure out the "tossed salads". And of course "they're callin' again" is so self explanatory.

Elizabeth said...

Never heard the phrase "egg all over my face" meaning "embarrassed ". I think it fits.

Anonymous said...

Hi!

Thanks a lot! Almost always the answer is found on internet and once again found it, it didn't let me down. I've been also wondering why he sings tossed salad and scrambled eggs. Now I know why :)

Frasier is the best and I've always enjoyed a lot by watching it.

Anonymous said...

WOW thanks for that!!! I always wondered what the heck this song meant. I knew it couldn't possibly be a lament about having to go to the bathroom to take a dump after a bad meal, like it initially seemed to me LOL Seriously, it could almost double as an Imodium commercial.

Hungarican Chick said...

I had some idea that eggs and salad represented something that wasn't right or ordered. Mixed up things... Tossed salad... Scrambled eggs. But I guess I needed someone to tell me I was on the don't path. The rest of the lyrics are fairly easy ti figure out otherwise. I always come away from hearing the music with a yen for fluffy scrambled eggs and buttery toast. Go figure. I've been marathoning the series this past month, netflix has then all to stream so I have bee. Watching a few episodes each night on my smartphone before I turn off the light. I always loved the show... Brilliant writing. And I have never really liked Kelsey. He comes off as such a Dbag in real life. But I have to credit him his due props for Frasier... He is nothing short of genius. DHP however is the one I love the most. I am in mid season ten and am already lamenting that it will soon be over. Then onto Wings I suppose. ::sighs::

Anonymous said...

Love the show, love the music. I get up at 6 AM just to watch. Great way to start off the day.

janathon said...

Glad for explanation of "TSASE". On a different note. I am puzzled. S3/E18 ("Chess") shows Daphne emerging from her room apparently around the corner from Frasier's room (when smoke detector goes off). Her room has always been down the hall from where the piano sits. Mistake?

Noah Vale said...

Why, during all of this talk about the song, is Gary Burton, who p[lays it with his group behind the singing, not even mentioned?



























KeremGo3D said...

This is brilliant! I'm a long time fan of the show. Watched all episodes when it was on the air and now I have it's dvds and watching everyday! Most wonderful thing ever produced on TV!

Anonymous said...

Fascinating. I always just figured it had to do with strange food cravings being a psycological thing. Always wondered if there was a specific episode that went into detail about Frasier craving salad and scrambled eggs. Now I know why there's not.

Cheesesteak said...

Yeah, Niles stole the show on Frasier... Enjoyed the writing on that show, top notch. Its cool to hear the explanation of the theme song finally

Anonymous said...

The information here on the theme song is very enlightening. I always wondered about the words, especially the phrase, "They're calling again". In my youth, that phrase referred to something that a person ate that was being regurgitated, so then the thought of salad and eggs made me think of someone who was eating a clash of foods that would make them sick. I'm glad that is all cleared up for me now! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thank you Ken Levine...

Come to this post late but I've just booked a holiday to Seattle, so thought of Frasier, rather than Starbucks. Big fan of the show and good to have had two British actors. Niles Crane and fainting from blood gets me every time.

Good to hear the lyrics meaning from the actual writer - if that's what they mean then no extrapolation is needed.

Jess from London, England

Anonymous said...

On a side note (no pun intended) the cast member that received the most fan mail was Eddie.

Anonymous said...

A bit late, but just for info. the song for Red dwarf refers to one of the characters desire to leave space duty, move to Fiji and set up an idyllic life.

Rhonda Curtis Waller said...

I love Frasier and I've been binging watching it on Netflix lately. Soooo happy to be able to read this explanation of the song. THANX!

Anonymous said...

Huh????

elle said...

"Phread said...
I'm sorry if this is inappropriate ,however I could not listen to the song without feeling ill. Tossed Salad is slang for "oral anul" , then later when he added "Scrabbled Eggs all over my face" It was sickening, and Grammar knew this. I believe it was his way of saying he was bi-sexual."

Omg i've been laughing so hard reading these comments. What I'd like to know is- why at the beginning of the show they drawn outline of the city is shown.. on some, lights come on in some of the windows.. on other episodes they dont'. Does this signify anything??

Hopeful said...

After watching Frasier for over 20 years, I now understand the story behind the theme song! Love me some Frasier.

Batch said...

Just having a lazy Sunday morning watching Frasier repeats here in the UK.

First episode finishes, and I am reminded that the meaning of the 'tossed salad' playout theme has been annoying me since it originally aired.

So, thankfully, now I know!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy to read this explanation, the song always bothered me cause it made no sense. Worse, I found the slang description for tossed salad and got grossed out. I'm relieved to see it meant something else.

Unknown said...

Dude...what are you talking about..?

almightylynda said...

WOW... DEEP!
I have a LOT of tossed salads an scrambled eggs!
My 90 yr. Old Daddy wants scrambled eggs for breakfast and tossed salads (the usual, lettuce, tomato, onion with bleu cheese dressing) for lunch EVERY DAY! Is Daddy the NUT, OR are my husband and I the NUTS, for this insanity?I'm
FRASIER & ASSOCIATES...thanx for the insightful and poignant take on a bunch a' craziness in a fractured world!

Jachra said...

This has been driving me MAD for nearly 20 years now. Finally, the mystery is solved, the message uncoded.

Unknown said...

LMAO!!! you're a very funny guy...

thecurrancosmos said...

Sorry, I love the show and the belly laughs I feel, but cringe when I hear Kelsey try to simulate a jazz singer on his theme song. He doesn't have the innuendos or smooth jazz sound for this theme. He tries to sing it with jazz styling but still sings it like a stage singer, which his voice really is. And a great stage voice he has. But he holds some lines far too long like trying to show off his vibrato "...they're calling againnnnnnnn", on some versions. I'd hate to hear him try to sing in a jazz vocal group and harmonize. His voice is too cutting and full of edge. I sang with The Lettermen in 1969-70, American's most romantic trio and soft harmony was our trademark.I am also a connoisseur of jazz vocal groups - but can't beat Mel Torme as a jazz soloist. I had to so some solos too, and could sing big when the song required - you have to be able to adapt your voice to the style. Sorry but Kelsy doesn't do that. And it's "whose" not "who's" at the top of the blog post.

Unknown said...

Excellent piece.

I'm wondering how anyone could *not* have figured out the meaning behind "Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs." To me, at least, it was always perfectly clear that the song was about the people Frasier deals with.

Kelsey Grammer's rendition of the song was perfect and fitting, and he made it his own.

I'm just sorry that Frasier ran for only 11 seasons. I miss the show and hope that at some point they might do a reunion show.

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad you posted. I've been wondering about this for a long time, especially as a musician and published poet. I thought it was the dumbest song ever but now it makes sense.

Anonymous said...

That lousy closing theme was the only thing I really disliked about the show Frasier. Otherwise, it was a great little sophisticated sitcom, with sharp writing and a a fine cast. But having to sit through Kelsey Grammer singing "Scrambled eggs all over my face! " each week was a general pain. Even with the explanation, the song still sucks.

Unknown said...

What a GREAT ending song. Whenever I hear it/heard it I always thought of Frasier. Very cleaver how you got around the criteria's of what you could used. 90's Acid Jazz was a aways a good choice, I wish more people had the courage to step-outside the box of expected (anonymous) CONFORMITY.

But, not everyone has the guts to be so bold, so forward or so original.

c.L

Anonymous said...

Anyone who visits a psychiatrist needs their head examining.

Steven Roussos said...

Anyone ever figure out what the music is that's played at the end of "When the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon, Part 2" when as Niles aND Daphne have their first "real date" on the roof of the building? It is so tender and touching and beautiful. This has been asked a few times over the years but no answers except one mention of "Hiphen - Mystical Things Have Happened" which I can find zero info on.

sadtruth said...

Baby i hear the blues a callin
(Blue balls, perhaps?)
Tossed salad and Scrambled Eggs
(Two wildly obvious sexual terms)
And maybe i seem a bit confused
(Frasier always acted gay, yet he dated women (beards?))
But baby, i got you pegged
(Pegged? Really? I got frasier pegged)
But i don't know what to do with Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs
(All these gay feelings...)
They're calling again.
(He needs to feed)
Scrambled eggs all over my face.
(Happens when you toss a salad a certain way)
Don't let bullshitters bullshit you about obvious things. This was early infiltration and subterfuge.

Anonymous said...

@Steven Roussos, it's "For Your Love" sung by Ed Townsend.

shelitha said...

I know this post is old but, I just had to comment. I love the show Fraiser always has. I have been watching it since I was a senior in high school in 2002. I never understood the song at the end but now I know! Very interesting. Thank you for this post!

Popi said...

"Frasier" and the good writing on the show does not age. Just like Rocky and Bullwinkle which was a cartoon for adults, the writing is superb, subtle, and clever including the chapter titles.
We watch all of the episodes over and over again. Have to agree that DHP's silent piece about ironing his pants, fainting from the blood, etc has us on the floor as well as the couple with huge noses talking about their "2 Giant Schnauzers". There is a little bit of inherent knowledge to know that schnauzer means snout or nose in German.
Whoever asked why Gary Burton's name never came up.....is that Gary Burton? He has the chops to play that beautifully and his bass player was spot on as well.

Now, let's all send some money for D McEwan's psychotherapy. "Loathe" is a pretty strong word and he disses his mother thoroughly.

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to find out the meaning behind the lyrics to the closing theme of "Frasier" "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs" FOREVER it seems. It has really been coming to the forefront of my mind within the past 3 years but for some reason, the curiosity never presented itself when I was online. Only THIS time, it did. I watch "Frasier" in syndication on Comcast's Hallmark channel from 1am on (though I think they have gone wayyy too far with the censorship of words that are said even on regular network TV; it's rather annoying when these now common "adult language" words are used everywhere on every other show).

Always loved "Frasier", the openings (enjoying predicting what scene will happen over the Seattle skyline), and truthfully, the fact that the plucky music gives way to the show quickly and the theme accompanies the credits at the end. Very clever and appreciated in this case.

Now knowing what each lyric means, it makes so much sense. Further, it won't frustrate me each time I hear them, as that was building up turning me into a tossed salad and scrambled eggs! Thank you for your post. Clearly I'm not alone in curiosity of the lyrics as this blog has comments going back to 2012 and up through current 2016. Thanks for clearing this up! Now, tis time to make scrambled eggs (truly)!

Steven Roussos said...

Anonymous, THANK YOU! for the song ID! What a PERFECT choice! "For you Youe" by Ed Townsend from 1958. WOW! That's one step closer. Now a new question... IS THERE A RECORDING of this piano/strings instrumental version used in this episode? If so, can't locate one, or any information about such, so I wonder if they had it commissioned for the show? It's really very calm and touching. LOVE the original, but this slow, ethereal take is just so calming and glowing.

Unknown said...

I can't believe there is so much disparity in what this little song is about. I thought it meant he ate eggs and they ran right through him....so they are calling again and he had to run to the bathroom.....but I see I was all wrong....and it does make sense now and it is quite simple.

Unknown said...

I can't believe there is so much disparity about what this little song is about. I'm not trying to be funny, but I've thought it meant the eggs he had for breakfast ran right through him and since they are calling again he had to run to the bathroom. I see I was way off. I understand now and actually it looks like many of us way over thought this one...it is really quite simple isn't it?

Unknown said...

I just purchased who whole series on DVD. I was watching it on late night TV but got sick and tired with the station screwing around with the time slots on re-runs. I grew up watching this show and I never tire from it. For someone who has lost a lot of people and things in ones life, it's nice to know that I will always have Frasier to provide laughter and comfort. Best therapy if you ask me.
Sasha from Australia.

Susan Gay said...

My husband said he hated the show, so I've watched shows here and there over the years. I laugh myself to sleep watching it. For Christmas he bought me the series and is watching it with me and he LOVES it as do I! I love the song. I love that Kelsey sings it! I love everything about the show! It must be the funniest show ever. And yes, it does speak to the intellect of true adults. Thanks for all your work. I love the show!

almonaco said...

What Andrey said

Touchmeniles said...

LOL

Lee B. J. Hart said...

Wow. I always thought it was just some dumb song about a guy who can't cook and possibly needs a woman in his life. I figured maybe it was taken from some broadway show, thus made no sense out of context.

However, to be able to finally read this explanation is absolutely wonderful! It all makes perfect sense now, really clever, great song. :) I'm so glad I Googled this! :)

Now that this mystery has been cleared up, I will enjoy watching Frasier that bit more. I had always felt somehow "left out" not understanding the lyrics. Now I feel included! Little details like this matter to me, and can bug me at a subconscious level.

For the record, for years I had no idea it was Mr Grammar singing it. I assumed it was some professional singer, and I really like his version. He brings so much personality to it, which I'm not sure if Mel Torme would have done as much (no disrespect to him).

Not to mention that it's always wonderful when a show's lead actor sings his own theme tune. Another good example of this is the classic Australian kids' show "Round The Twist".

Tyler Dawn said...

Goodness thank you - been watching on Netflix and it is safe to say that I wouldn't have deciphered the meaning for myself in a million years :)

Tavi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dionysios Karantzis said...

It is very important for a fan of a show, especially if he is a foreigner, to understand all aspects of the production. Thank you for your excellent post.

Unknown said...

Naw! I disagree. It was just right. Mel, I don't think, could have owed it like Kelsey did.

Unknown said...

Also, the ending part, " scrambled eggs all over my face" is a reference to having egg on your face, meaning to look stupid. And it always happens in episodes where Frasier does something very stupid or embarrassing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this. My daughters have been watching Frasier lately and I overheard one ask the other what the lyrics meant. She replied, "Nothing," so I did a quick Google search just in case and we are all delighted.

Native Son said...

All this is very interesting, except that Kelsey Grammer didn't sing the song. The song was actually sung by the great Jazz and Blues singer, Joe Williams, also noted for singing with the great Count Basie Orchestra. Joe Williams also makes the comments at the end of the song. Let's give credit where credit is due.

Anonymous said...

Tossing salad is slang for licking a butthole, and scrambling eggs is obviously licking balls. As a teenager I always laughed at the end song, especially when he said "scrambled eggs all over my face, what's a boy to do!" like he just couldn't get enough of licking balls, haha. So juvenile, I know, but hey I was like 14 when I first started watching it.

Obviously I know they didn't intend anything dirty, but it was fun as a teen to laugh at the inadvertently hilariously gross imagery. Especially contrasted with how highbrow the show was, ha. Good times.

Tracy said...

Yes. This is a sexual reference and it’s disgusting. And he follows up with scrambled eggs all over my face. Google it guys. Either the jokes on him or he thought he was pulling one over on the majority (after all, it was before google)

Me said...

Ditto so many of the above comments.

Steven Roussos said...

What is the exact instrumental recording used at the end of "And the Dish Ran Away With The Spoon Part 2" playing on the boom box as Niles & Daphne dance? I know it is "For Your Love" sung by Ed Townsend, but what is the instrumental recording? Or was it played by studio musicians specifically for the show?

Drew said...

I had always heard the lyrics as “I don’t know what to do when they toss Sally in scrambled eggs” and I’ve been wondering my entire life why a woman named “Sally” was being thrown into a bathtub or plastic kiddie pool full of scrambled eggs. I wouldn’t know what to do either if I witnessed such a thing.

Jim Gordon said...

As for Mr. Grammer singing the song, there may well be a financial explanation. As comics began starring in successful sitcoms, they learned singing or composing the title song also generates revdnue, including the afterlife of syndication. Paul Reiser wrote the theme to "Mad About You", Drew Carey sang his (originally). Agents learned this trick too and presumably put it in their clients deal ny the 90's

Charles Strouss III said...

Totally agree. He sounded just like a typical blues singer in a Seattle nightclub. If I hadn't seen it in the credits I would not have known it's him. Mind you I'm on s01e19.

Unknown said...

Now that is downright hillarious! You manifest a keen Frazier-like psychoanalysys psychbabble of the obvious. A comedy writer in your future perchance?

Petunia Palmer said...

Just ask Dennis Waterman about singing the theme tune!

It's now 2019 and I've been watching Frasier repeats in the UK and finally wondered what the song is all about enough to actually Google it and found this page, thank you! For years, I think I just assumed it was about Frasier's fancy dining out in Seattle restaurants but I obviously never thought it through!

polecat said...

I could not stand Kelsey. He reminded me of someone I know and intensely dislike. I thought it was unfair of me to feel that way about an actor I really didn t know. But then I would hear things over the years about Kelseys behavior that was quite similar to he person in my life that I couldn t stand. I never cared for the show and refused to watch it, only because of him. I like David Hyde.

Sue said...

Yes, and the phrase “I’ve got you pegged.” Never liked the song

Steven Roussos said...

What is the recording used for the instrumental version of Ed Townsend's "For Your Love" that Frasier plays on a jukebox at the end of Frasier S8, Ep2 "And The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon, Part 2" for Niles & Daphne's surprise real-life "Starlight Room" dinner on the roof???

Featuring ONLY piano and strings!

I made a video with the audio and a still collage here: https://youtu.be/DWqSegAu544

I sampled every one of the many versions listed here with videos, and it's none of them:
https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/596437

It is slow, gentle, ethereal, ans EXTREMELY tender, romantic & beautiful! I've been longing for the full instrumental recording ever since 1st seeing this in 2000!!!

"Anonymous" in this blog entry here earlier told the song.

BUT all arrangements of that song, including Karaoke versions without vocals are very upbeat and jazzy. I am still searching after all these years for the ACTUAL INSTRUMENTAL RECORDING of above song used in the episode?

I assume only Composer Bruce Miller, Music Editor Chips Swanson, or Director Pamela Fryman can answer at this point? No amount of credits search or Blog googling has so far revealed the answer.

And I have no way of asking any of these 3 folks, or accessing detailed production records.

Perhaps it was a custom performance commissioned by the show and not available anywhere else in a complete version (which would be sad)???

Any suggestions how to proceed, or perhaps you can ask someone and find the answer?