HARRY NILSSON POPEYE DEMOS plus BONUS tracks

HARRY NILSSON POPEYE DEMOS plus BONUS tracks

From Planet Ludwig by Steve Ludwig

March 5, 2026 · 1h 8m

About this episode

This episode explores the demos and soundtrack of Harry Nilsson's music for the film Popeye, featuring previously unreleased tracks and insights into the music's creation.

Robert Altman's 1980 film, POPEYE, featuring the music of Grammy winner Harry Nilsson, starred Robin Williams & Shelley Duvall. Harry Nilsson's demos are wonderful; he wrote and sings them all. My personal fave among this superb collection of demos is Nilsson's duet demo with Shelley Duvall. Included are previously unreleased tracks from the film score, by Thomas Pierson. PLUS the original Popeye theme AND the original 1930 Popeye vocal track. Enjoy! Sweethaven Swee' Pea's Lullabye ("Dear Swee' Pea") Blow Me Down Everything Is Food He Needs Me Everybody's Got To Eat Sail With Me I Yam What I Yam It's Not Easy Being Me Kids I'm Popeye the Sailor Man (music & lyrics by Sammy Lerner) I'm Mean He Needs Me (Harry & Shelley Duvall duet, with Paul L. Smith providing the whistling )"bomp-bomps." Din' We (home demo) Sailin' (home demo) Popeye the Sailor Man Main Theme Popeye the Sailor Man (1930's vocal version) From the previously unreleased soundtrack by Thomas Pierson: 18. Skeleton Cave 19. Now Listen Kid / To The Rescue / Mr. Eye Is Trapped / Back Into Action 20. Saved / Still At It / The Treasure / What? More Fighting / Pap's Boy / Olive & the Octopus / What's Up Pop…

People in this episode

Host: Steve Ludwig

Topics covered

  • Harry Nilsson
  • Popeye film
  • music demos
  • soundtrack
  • film score
  • Robin Williams
  • Shelley Duvall

Keywords

  • Harry Nilsson
  • Popeye
  • demos
  • soundtrack
  • film music
  • Robin Williams
  • Shelley Duvall

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: POPEYE, Sweethaven Swee' Pea's Lullabye, I'm Popeye the Sailor Man, Skeleton Cave, End Title Medley

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