Where did "Batman Smells" come from?

[Earth 2 Chris]

You know, the alternate version of Jingle Bells

"Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,
Robin laid an egg,
The Batmobile lost a wheel,
And the Joker got away"

Or some variation thereof. I remember hearing it as a kid. Maybe from my sister. I'm guessing it originated during the 60s bat-craze or shortly thereafter.

The first time I noticed it was something beyond my region was on the first Simpsons episode, where Bart sings it.

The Barenaked Ladies sneak it in on their Christmas album.

So any clues? Or is this just another unsolved mystery, like why did the phone booth get so connected to Clark Kent changing to Superman when he rarely if ever did that in the comics, movies, or on TV?

Chris

[SUP-Ronin]

This particular version was sung (by the Joker himself - as voiced by Mark Hamill) in "Christmas with the Joker", an episode of Batman: The Animated Series.

I think it was around before that, but that's all I could find.

[Mikey]

I remember us singing it in school as far back as 1973

[BlackKnight]

[QUOTE=Earth 2 Chris;238952]

Robin laid an egg

Egg's Stink ,... & Robin was probably next to him. My guess is He Farted,.. hence the Frase Laid an Egg .

Or Alot of people have never appreciated the Character,.. & Because he was created,.. He made Batman Smell ... because the frase laid an egg can also mean something Sucking .

Yeah,.. I dunno where the song came from,.. But I do Know I have heard the song ever Since I was like 8 yrs old in 83 .

My Guess is Stan Lee invented the Song,.. I am sure he would Claim it.

& If the Batmoble did loose it's wheel,.. the Joker would probably get away.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yes, it was in that BTAS episode, and in many other TV shows and movies. But the Simpsons episode is the first one I recall. I think that was Christmas of 89?

So Mike says it goes back as far as 73. So it probably did originate with the 66 Batmania, or at the very least, after the show went into wide syndication.

Chris

[PNGwynne]

Hmmm...

I've known it since I was a kid, too in the early/mid '70s.

I always wondered about the origin as well, it must be pretty widespread if it turns up in mass-market animation.

Great post, Chris.

[filmation batman fan]

I also remembered hearing it when I was a kid in grade school back in the late
1970's. I too wonder who originated it.
Cheers.

[kingdom warrior]

Adam West Started it after the show was cancelled......he was pretty PO"D

[Jmass]

I started it, circa 1970. Back in the day I also wrote "Frodo Lives" on a whole lotta stuff...

[johnnystorm]

We sang that WAYYYY back in the 60S when the show was on

[wayne foundation 07]

I rember we use to sing it in music class in grade school in the mid 70's instead of the regular words an the music teacher would get so upset with us.I still think it funny.

[saildog]

Some little dude named Hector came up with it whilst taunting schoolmates who believed Bats could take Supes out in a head-to-head fight.

He ain't changed much. Still gives Supes too much credit.

[Jmass]

Is it "batmobile lost a wheel and Joker got away" or "Robin laid an egg"? Or are there other variations out there?

[saildog]

Another version that has long been common among elementary school children throughout the English-speaking world, is of unknown origin.

Jingle bells, Batman smells,
Robin laid an egg,
the Batmobile lost a wheel
and the Joker got away.

NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

[The Toyroom]

Like Mike said, that goes back to the early 70s at the very least. I remember hearing it in kindergarten (back in '72)...Batman was a "water-fountain" subject everyday (we didn't have "water coolers"....)