Martin Mull and Glen Campbell collaborated on The Tom and Dick Smothers Brothers Special II in 1980, delivering a funny musical performance. Mull’s witty tune “Licks Off Of Records” was a standout performance by these two skilled guys. You could tell they were having a great time up on stage. Mull’s funny lyrics about simply mimicking guitar licks he’d heard on records provided the perfect opportunity for Campbell to showcase his famed pickin’ abilities.

The juxtaposition between Mull’s self-deprecating comedy and Campbell’s virtuosic performance made me smile from ear to ear. Remember when variety shows dominated the airwaves? This performance transported me back to the days when musical comedy segments like this were must-see television. Mull was riding high after his triumph with “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” at the time.

Of course, Glen Campbell was a household name due to his hit recordings and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. You’d never believe Mull was mostly renowned as a comedian based on the way these two swap licks and harmonize. His guitar skills were impressive. But compared to a maestro like Campbell, anyone would appear to be playing “licks off of records”!

The song itself is a great parody of musicians who recycle familiar riffs. Mull’s deadpan delivery selling lines like “I got no special style of picking, I’ll imitate a train or chicken” had me laughing. Campbell’s lightning-fast fills were the ideal punchline.