LYRICS: "I've been staying high in the middle with an honest to
goodness hey diddle diddle, traded my horse for a cow and a fiddle
too."

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 21 Dec 2004 08:05 PST

Catchy lyrics.

So...what's your question?  How can we help you?

The song you are seeking is "High in the Middle," recorded in 1972 by
a California band called Honk. It was part of the soundtrack of a
surfing movie called "Five Summer Stories." The song was written by
Beth Fitchet, Richard Stekol, Don Whaley, and Steve Wood, members of
Honk.

"Five Summer Stories was finally out on video. Working in music stores
in Hawai'i, we sold so many copies of the soundtrack by 'Honk' for
that movie...for years it was hard for us to keep it in
stock....incredible music, that fit just right (my favorite was the
one 'I've been sittin' high in the middle with an honest to goodness
hey diddle diddle..."

Post from alt.surfing newsgroup
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.surfing/browse_thread/thread/cac4742819861fd6/eb22590f2ff4ad51?q=%22high+in+the+middle%22+diddle&_done=%2Fgroups%3Fq%3D%22high+in+the+middle%22+diddle%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26newwindow%3D1%26c2coff%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26tab%3Dwg%26&_doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#eb22590f2ff4ad51

"High in the Middle" is available on the soundtrack CD of "Five Summer
Stories," along with other great tunes by Honk:

Amazon: Original Soundtrack, Five Summer Stories
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001P10/104-0836938-6435914?v=glance

Other sources for the CD:

Musicstack: Honk
http://www.musicstack.com/listings.cgi?find=honk&t=five_summer_stories_soundtrack&media=All

GNP Crescendo: Five Summer Stories [Honk] OST
http://store.gnpcrescendo.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=269

Here you can learn more about Honk:

Craig Buhler Music: The Honk Band
http://www.craigbuhler.com/performances_honk.html

Google search strategy:

Google Web Search: honk "high in the middle"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=honk+%22high+in+the+middle%22

I hope this is helpful. If anything is unclear or incomplete, or if a
link doesn't work for you, please request clarification; I'll be glad
to offer further assistance before you rate my answer.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

Unbelievable answer. Fun and full of weird details.  I actually have
"Five Summer Stories" in VHS on my shelf, but never really paid much
attention to it because by far my favorite surf film by Macgillivray
and Freeman (makers of Five Summer Stories) was "Free and Easy".  I
have a giant collection of surf
films that keeps growing quickly, and "Five Summer Stories" just sort
of never got watched.  It was a girlfriend of 25 years ago who used to
play that "Honk" album, but I never knew the "High in the Middle" song
was related to a movie.
Thanks, that was fun, and you blew my mind!

Thank you for the kind words, the five stars, and the generous tip!
Since I enjoyed "Five Summer Stories," I'll have to check out "Free
and Easy." I am not much of a surfer, but I do love to watch. I
recommend this Taylor Steele boxed set:

http://www.surfvideo.com/product_info.php?products_id=491 

~pinkfreud

Pinkfreud,
Thanks for the Taylor Steele info.  I just noticed your comment today.
Have you seen Litmus? Probably the most interesting art/surf film
ever made. If you beg, borrow or buy it, don't miss the animated
segment towards the end of the film.
JS

I haven't seen "Litmus" yet. Thank you for the suggestion!

~pinkfreud

In case anyone else is interested in trying "Litmus," I've found it for sale here:

http://www.wetsand.com/store/product.asp?ProdId=304&CatId=88

Thanks again, johnsurf_okmijn!

~pinkfreud