"Deteriorata" is a comedy record released as a
single in 1972. It is a
parody of
Les Crane's 1971
spoken word recording of "
Desiderata", the early 20th-century
poem by
Max Ehrmann. ("Desiderata" is
Latin for "desired things"; "deteriorata" is a
portmanteau of the verb "deteriorate" and "desiderata".)
"Deteriorata" appeared on the lower reaches of the
Billboard magazine charts for a few weeks in late 1972, peaking as high as No. 91 on the
Billboard Hot 100 Charts.[1] The parody gained some significance and popularity as a frequent presentation on the
Dr. Demento radio show.[2][3]
Les Crane himself later admitted that he preferred the parody version over his
Grammy-winning recording of the original poem.[4]
Cultural references
The song incorporates several catchphrases and news items of the era:
"Consider that
two wrongs never make a right, but three do." A play on directional logic and the double meaning of the word "right;" as a direction, three left turns (at 90-degree angles) will result in traveling in the same direction as one right turn.
"Remember the Pueblo", a bumper sticker slogan honoring the crew of the
USS Pueblo, held hostage by North Korea in 1968.[5]
"Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle and mutilate", parodies a caution printed on
punched cards, particularly those used as government checks, in the mid-20th century.[6]
"Take heart amid the deepening gloom that your dog is finally getting enough cheese", making fun of a
Gaines-Burgers dog food advertising campaign, which asked, "Is your dog getting enough cheese in his diet?"[7]