The Combine Harvester

"The Combine Harvester" is a novelty song which was a number one hit for Brendan Grace in Ireland in 1975 and then also for The Wurzels in the UK in 1976. Written by Brendan O'Shaughnessy, the song is a parody of Melanie Safka's 1971 hit, "Brand New Key", with rustic lyrics replacing the original theme of roller-skating.^[2]

"The Combine Harvester"
Single by Brendan Grace
Released	1975
Genre	Novelty Scrumpy and Western
Composer(s)	Melanie Safka
Lyricist(s)	Brendan O'Shaughnessy (new lyrics)

"The Combine Harvester"
Single by The Wurzels
B-side	"The Blackbird"
Released	May 1976[1]
Genre	Novelty Scrumpy and Western
Length	3:03
Label	Solo, EMI[1]
Producer(s)	Tommy Ellis, Bob Barratt[1]
Official Audio
"The Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)" on YouTube

In the UK the song was released by The Wurzels, a band from Somerset with a rustic West Country style which they called "Scrumpy and Western". It reached number one on 12 June 1976 and stayed there for two weeks.^[1]

Charts

Chart (1975)	Peak position
Irish Singles Chart	1
Chart (1976)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	1
Chart (1976)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[3]	97

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[4]	Silver	250,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Jon Kutner (2010), 1000 UK Number One Hits, Omnibus Press, ISBN 9780857123602
2. Audrey Healy (2002), Dubliners: What's the Story?, Currach Press, p. 67, ISBN 9781856079006
3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 344. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
4. "British single certifications – Wurzels – Combine Harvester". British Phonographic Industry.