There is a fine line between complete obscurity and popular culture.
A "novelty" they call it.
it could be a funny gag or a new take on mundane matters that arrives at the right split of a second and drives millions mad (for another second or so).
As in the fine example of Tiny Tim who seemed always very much aware of his double standard position - he had always known the crowd never took him seriously. it's in his body language.
as a musician he was never the mainstream's cup of tea, they found him so ridiculous it was funny. funny is good. Americans love funny.
The lovely Klaus Nomi and Lene Lovich.
what happened in the 80's stays in the 80's (or the late 1970's).
The 1980's are known for their extravagant neon bright fashion, shoulder pads and for quite some vocalists with impossible hairdos, amongst other things that couldn't possibly be tolerated in the following couple of decades.
or this wonderful recording from 1901 by Dan W. Quinn - "I want to go to Morrow", which is based on a simple word play, you can either admire it for it's simplicity or find dull with such little effort.
or the whole Screamin' Jay Hawkins' voodoo thing. the costumes, the little friend on a stick, absolutely everything.
or the 90's hit "I'm too sexy", which is quite funny if you ignore the trashy pop that was forced onto it in the cheesy video.
or the more recent example of Electric 6 with "Danger! high voltage!" and "Gay bar" (the only songs that became smash hits of the band's entire catalogue).
Liam Lynch's "United states of whatever". or perhaps better yet - this one:
or funny guys like Jon Lajoie and one of his many masterpieces, "Show me your genitals":
or the Harry Merry phenomenon:
Outsider artists like Wesley Willis, even the Legendary Stardust Cowboy. or Avant-garde troubadours like Scott Walker live according to their own rhythm, and aren't bothered with a certain zeitgeist - they seem to be untouched by the time, able to base their entire careers upon a single schtick and it'll be so illusive or so ridiculous you'll end up wondering whether you can see what someone with a fine taste says there is. sometimes you'll find yourself both admiring it and feeling somewhat repulsed at the same time, knowing there's something not quite right about it.
The main difference between an "outsider artist" and just a very kooky showman is in the use of the medium - the first's usually limited (or on the contrary) by his technique or mental perception and the other -well, is just putting on an act, an exaggerated, extravagant, over-the-top show.
other really good novelty tracks you should listen to:
