The Doormat Singers

	The Doormat Singers

In the mid 1960s, there emerged around MIT's Cambridge campus a couple of guys doing stupid songs about student life. They went by the name of the Doormat Singers. Here are some remnants of those days.

"In a way, they are extremely valid because the songs they sing and which have been broadcast are written by themselves, topical, pointed, and aimed at the problems that tech, or "tute," students have to face." -- Dave Wilson, The Broadside of Boston, January 6, 1965

For history, lore, and four of the better-known songs, check out Dan Smith's original Doormat Singers site.
Here are some pictures.
An article from Broadside of Boston which includes the lyrics of one of the songs.
Wikipedia notes the Doormat Singers as somewhere in the line of MIT students who wrote their own songs.

From the Vault.

All of the Doormat Singers songs were recorded originally in the studios of the MIT student radio station, WTBS (now WMBR, 88.1). This is the complete list:

Following are some lesser known songs from a year or so later.

Desolation Sigma. Probably the best of all the songs, but since it is based on Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row", that's not too surprising.
Student Center. Noting the oddities of the newly-opened Julius A. Stratton Student Center.
Boston Breakdown. Getting away from MIT a bit.

In addition, a recording was made of the Doormat Singers appearance at the All Tech Sing, March 20, 1965, in Kresge Auditorium. (Described in The Tech.) These versions became by far more commonly played. Included is the comment by Dean Fassett at the conclusion of the Doormat Singers performance, which nicely sums it up.

Comments and recollections welcome.