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"Mr Wonderful" is a song by The Residents, which opens their concept album Demons Dance Alone, released in April 2002 by Ralph America and Euro Ralph. The song, with a reprise titled "Life Would Be Wonderful", was also featured in the album's live show, which toured America and Europe between October 2002 and September 2003.

In 2005, "Mr Wonderful" was arranged into a medley with "Betty's Body" for the group's 33rd Anniversary mini-tour, The Way We Were. In January 2023, the song was performed by the acapella men's choir Conspiracy of Beards at The Residents' 50th Anniversary secret show at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Lyrics[]

Original version (2002)[]

Life would be wonderful
Life would be wonderful
If I was a little taller
If I was not quite so old
If my raincoat had a collar
To help me keep away the cold
If my little mouse named Norman
Was still alive inside the sock
He used to keep himself so cozy
Inside his little cardboard box
If I had a nice location
To sit where people passing by
Looked like they were on vacation
And helped me buy some pecan pie
If I could afford a breakfast
Of bacon, toast and scrambled eggs
If I hadn't been so reckless
When I lost my other leg
If there was an open doorway
Where I could be warm and dry
And visit with some memories
I made once upon a time
Life would be wonderful

List of releases[]

List of versions[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 San Anselmo studio recording, November 2001 - March 2002 (3:47)
  2. Demons Dance Alone live recording, Warsaw Theater, New York City, November 15th 2002
  3. Demons Dance Alone live recording, Warsaw Theater, New York City, November 15th 2002 ("Life Would Be Wonderful" reprise)
  4. The Way We Were live recording, Australia, March 2005 (3:53)
  5. Demons Dance Alone live recording, Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway, February 27th 2003 ("Wonderful 1")
  6. Demons Dance Alone live recording, Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway, February 27th 2003 ("Wonderful 2")
  7. San Anselmo studio demo recording, ca. November 2001
  8. The Way We Were live rehearsal recording, ca. March 2005 ("Wonderful Betty")

See also[]

External links and references[]