Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - The Rationals

First off, I want to thank Kurtis for letting me take over Covering the Mouse today. I love this website and I am very humbled to be able to contribute to a website that has helped me out so much in my pursuit.

I spend about half of every day conducting research on the Internet. I am either looking for Disney news, fan art and cool fan made websites to showcase on DisFanReview.com or I am looking for cool Disney cover music and fun Disney audio for our DisFanReview radio shows on Reedy Creek Radio.com.

Often times this entire process reminds me of searching through sofa cushions looking for loose change and only usually finding nickles and dimes. In the case of THE RATIONALS' amazing cover of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah, it was a lot like finding a buried treasure in said sofa cushions. The Rationals were contemporaries of fellow Detroit rockers The MC5, and had opened for the likes of Ten Years After and Eric Clapton's band Cream. The Rationals were hometown heroes and their soulful rock version of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah was a crowd favorite every time they played live.

Though you have never heard of the Rationals their sound left a lasting impression on the Detroit music scene that can indeed still be heard in the music of bands such as The Go, and Jack White's The White Stripes and the Raconteurs. The Rationals came close to national success when their version of Otis Redding's Respect broke into Billboards Hot 100. Unfortunately, the song never went further than that. They would have a few more flirtations with stardom, but would remain staples in the Detroit area for years until the band finally disbanded in 1971.

What makes this version of the classic Song of the South tune different is an unrestrained soul that flows through with a powerful stream of pure Rock n Roll. While more modern covers of Disney songs feel packaged and somewhat forced, the Rationals' Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah feels like a joyful celebration, a life affirming call to action that demands that you sing along. There is an exuberant feeling that seems to emanate from a pure love of the song itself. It was recorded in 1966 which makes this track 44 years old, a fact that seems impossible when you listen to it.

This song is fresh and amazing every time I hear it, and I can't imagine it ever getting old! I have, on occasion, been prone to making outrageous statements, and this occasion is certainly one. I believe that this song is the best cover of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah I've ever heard, and MIGHT be the best Disney cover song of all time. And, let me tell you, I love that I get to play it on the radio and share it with all of my fellow Disney fans.

-Admiral Duke