Songs in the Key of Z

Songs in the Key of Z is a book and two compilation albums written and compiled by Irwin Chusid. The book and albums explore the field of what Chusid coined as "outsider music". Chusid defines outsider music as; "crackpot and visionary music, where all trails lead essentially one place: over the edge." Chusid's work has brought the music of several leading performers in the outsider genre to wider attention. These include Daniel Johnston, Joe Meek, Jandek and Wesley Willis. In addition, his CDs feature some recordings by artists who produced very little work but placed their recordings firmly in the outsider area. Notable amongst these are nursing home resident Jack Mudurian who sings snatches of several dozen songs in a garbled collection known as Downloading the Repertoire and the obscure and extreme scat singer Shooby Taylor AKA 'The Human Horn.'

The compilation albums
Songs in the Key of Z – The Curious Universe of Outsider Music, the companion compilation albums to Chusid's book were released on Which? Records, the first volume originally in 2000, with the two volumes later combined and released by Cherry Red. The collections, compiled by Irwin Chusid, include performances by gay country singer Peter Grudzien, music schoolteacher B. J. Snowden, and Swedish Elvis-impersonator Eilert Pilarm, along with better-known artists such as Daniel Johnston, the Shaggs, Wesley Willis, Joe Meek, and Captain Beefheart. The collections have drawn criticism from some quarters, with Alvin Dahn's wife unhappy with his inclusion in an 'outsider music' compilation, and B. J. Snowden also unhappy with the categorization.

Vol. 1
1. "Philosophy of the World" – The Shaggs

2. "Walking the Cow" – Daniel Johnston

3. "Walking On The Moon" – Lucia Pamela

4. "Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" – Peter Grudzien

5. "Downloading the Repertoire" (Excerpt) – Jack Mudurian

6. "Stout-Hearted Men" – Shooby Taylor, The Human Horn

7. "In Canada" – B. J. Snowden

8. "Jailhouse Rock" – Eilert Pilarm

9. "Virgin Child of the Universe" – Song poem, Unknown

10. "Rock N' Roll McDonald's" – Wesley Willis

11. "Telstar" (Demo) – Joe Meek

12. "At the Grass Roots" – Sri Darwin Gross

13. "Cousin Mosquito #1" – Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker

14. "El Touchy" – Luie Luie

15. "Standing in a Trash Can (Thinking About You)" – Legendary Stardust Cowboy

16. "Vampire Suite" – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

17. "Butterfly Mind" – Arcesia

18. "They Told Me I Was a Fool" – Jandek

19. "Baby, Your Love's in Town" – "Dusty Roads" Rowe

20. "True Love" – Tiny Tim With Miss Sue

Vol. 2
1. "Lift Every Voice & Sing" – Shooby Taylor

2. "You're Out of the Computer" – Bingo Gazingo & My Robot Friend

3. "Mr. Snuggles" - Dr. Love

4. "America" – B.J. Snowden

5. "You're Driving Me Mad" – Alvin Dahn

6. "Cousin Mosquito # 2" – Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker

7. "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)" – The Space Lady

8. "Touch of Light" – Luie Luie

9. "Curly Toes" – Unknown

10. "Stepping High Dance" – Eddie Murray

11. "5 Ft. 9 1/12 Inches Tall" – Dick Kent

12. "Recitation About Roy Acuff" – Gary Mullis

13. "Deep Bosom Woman" – Wayne

14. "High Speed" – Bob Vido

15. "Herma, Scene 5; Recitation/An" – Thoth

16. "Jet Lady" – Tangela Tricoli

17. "Birthmark Story" – Buddy Max

18. "Heart of the Heartland" – Mark Kennis

Vol. 3
1. "Hap-Hap-Happy Heart" - Lucia Pamela

2. "Rock and Roll Baby" - Eddie Murray

3. "The Future is Now" - Neil Dick

4. "Indiana" - Shooby Taylor, The Human Horn

5. "Lonesome, Lonesome George Jones" - Queenie Montgomery

6. "Hitting the Bottom" - Tony Mason-Cox

7. "First Time" - Kitty

8. "Rock & Rolling Dance" - Gordon Thomas

9. "The Cook Who Couldn't Cook" - Bingo Gazingo & Leo Abraham

10. "Boo-Bah-Bah" - Bob Vido

11. "Because We Care" - Beulah

12. "Vote for Buddy Max" - Buddy Max

13. "Settle Down" - Polly Feazel

14. "Die With Your Boots On" - Anton Maiden

15. "They Are There! (Third Take)" - Charles Ives

16. "Adele's Laughing Song" - Florence Foster Jenkins

17. "Rainy Weekend" - San D'jinn Din

18. "Wake Up America" - Sylvia Boshers

19. "The President's Prayer" - Freddie Martell

20. "I Want To Marry An Egghead" - Leona Bass

21. "Hi, Dear Mister Master Keith Richards (Intro)" - Paul "Super Apple"

22. "Apple Love" - Paul "Super Apple"

23. "Love Lives On" - Paul "Super Apple"

24. "The Chance" - Paul "Super Apple"

25. "Please Call, Keith (Outro)" - Paul "Super Apple"

Vol. 4
1. "It Gets Better All the Time" - Shooby Taylor

2. "Star's Ghost" - Frances Cannon, The Singing Psychic

3. "I Wanna Job" - Abner Jay

4. "In the Ghetto" - Eilert Pilarm

5. "Moon Pilot" - Unknown

6. "Dock of the Bay" - Mexia State School Sunshine Singers

7. "Delightful Company" - Dana Drake

8. "Something" - Gary Strivant

9. "Michael Ferrucci" - Unknown

10. "Why Do People Try & Hurt Little Birdie" - Little Birdie

11. "Worship Me" - Amanda

12. "It Just Is" - Sri Darwin Gross

13. "I Really Don't Want to Know" - Ali Mapo & His Girls

14. "Cruise Around the Planets" - David Dynamo

15. "Hey Fireman, Put out the Fire" - Omo the Hobo

16. "Our Flag" - Tom Merlo

17. "Letter to a Christian" - Hallmark Song-Poems & Alice J. Jackson

18. "The Nightclub" - Michael O. Sullivan, The Singing Irishman

19. "Stella by Starlight" - Ivo Araujo

20. "The Garbage Can" - Bingo Gazingo

21. "Make Our Love Positive" - Martin Mechanic

22. "Genevieve, Oh My Genevieve" - "Dusty Roads" Rowe

23. "I Want a Nurse" - Jack Barrett

24. "Message to the Label Industry" - J&H Productions

25. "New York, New York" - Ken DeFeudis