Jake the Peg
{{Infobox song
| name = Jake the Peg
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Rolf Harris
| album =
| released = 22 May 1965
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:40
| label =
| composer =
| lyricist =
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
"Jake the Peg" is the title of a comedic song about a fictional three-legged man performed by Rolf Harris and released as a single in 1965.
The song was adapted in 1965 from a version performed by Frank Roosen (a Dutch performer from Vancouver, Canada).{{cite web | title = The Comedy Couch interview with Rolf Harris | url = http://www.comedycouch.com/interviews/rharris.htm | accessdate = 13 Nov 2013}} The original Dutch party skit was "(Ik ben) van der Steen".{{cite web | title=Ik ben van der Steen | url=http://www.benhartman.nl/volksliederen/uitbeelding/ik-ben-van-der-steen/ | accessdate=7 Sep 2014}}{{cite web | title=Van Der Steen Met Het Derde Been | url=http://www.liederenbank.nl/bronpresentatie.php?zoek=1008373&lan=en | accessdate=7 Sep 2014}}
In a 2004 poll by Virgin Radio, Harris' version was voted the fourth-best Australian single of all time.{{cite news |title=Rolf track pegged in top ten |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/26/1074965476117.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 January 2004 |accessdate=2009-04-02 }}
Live performances
Harris would perform the song with the aid of a theatrical prop leg.{{cite book|title=The A to Z of who is who in Australia's history|chapter=Rolf Harris|author=Bruce Elder|publisher=Child & Associates|year=1987|isbn=9780867773705|pages=235}} June Whitfield reports, in her autobiography And June Whitfield, that she used to watch Harris's performance of the number on stage from the wings, as she waited to follow him, and could not tell during the performance which of his three legs was the false one.{{cite book|title=And June Whitfield|author=June Whitfield|author-link=June Whitfield|publisher=Bantam|year=2000|isbn=9780593045824 |pages=231}}
Harris wore a long coat that came down to the knees, and apparently had three identical legs. He would walk around the stage putting his middle foot forward, and then his two side feet, and at times would also stand on his middle leg and stick both outer legs out. While he was moving around the stage he sang the song, which told of his life with three legs.
Cover versions
"Jake the Peg" had been a childhood favourite of comedian Adam Hills, because he was born with only one foot, and Hills performed the song with his prosthetic leg as a child. Hills performed a parody of the song on The Last Leg television show following Harris's conviction for sexual offences.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13196470.Why_Ched_Evans_is_not_yet_ready_to_be_part_of_family_entertainment/ |title=Why Ched Evans is not yet ready to be part of family entertainment |first=Kevin |last=Ferrie |website=Herald Scotland |date=January 9, 2015 |accessdate=September 14, 2015}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Rolf Harris}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jake The Peg}}
Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1965
Category:Songs about fictional male characters
Category:Songs written by Rolf Harris
{{fict-char-stub}}
{{1960s-single-stub}}