119. “Simon Smith and his Amazing Dancing Bear” is a song by Randy Newman. Newman is a master of Irony. You only need to listen to “Political Science”, “Sail Away”, or “Rednecks” to know how good he is at saying exactly what he doesn’t mean. Although “Simon Smith and His Amazing Bear” appears to be a song about a dancing bear act, knowing Newman’s interest in sarcasm, I believe it is really about his contempt for those who would charge admission to see a majestic wild animal on display.
