(The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether

Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning a wild track tonight with The Alan Parsons Project's "(The System of) Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether" from their debut album Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe. This song, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's dark comedy short story from 1845, dives into the chaos of a mental asylum where patients overthrow the staff, tarring and feathering them in a bizarre revolt. The track, sung by the legendary John Miles, whose voice also graced hits like "Stereotomy," was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in September 1975. It climbed to #37 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the album's top single. Fun fact: the 1987 remix added a haunting cathedral organ played by Alan Parsons himself, giving it an extra eerie vibe. Fans on Reddit rave about its "feel-good" energy, with one user calling it a genius blend of chords echoing "The Raven" from the same album. A post on X from April 2025 honored John Miles on his would-be 76th birthday, noting his unforgettable mark on this track.

The song’s Poe-inspired narrative sets it apart. Unlike other tracks on the album that retell Poe’s stories directly or use instrumentals, this one zooms in on the tar-and-feather punishment, a brutal practice from the 1700s where mobs humiliated victims with hot tar and feathers. The lyrics, penned by Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, take the perspective of an inmate pitching this chaotic "treatment" as a cure, with lines like "Find the end of the rainbow / Fly wherever the winds blow." A Songfacts entry highlights how the song captures the asylum’s role reversal, where the mad run the show. Fans on Reddit’s TheTikiHut still geek out over the album’s ability to channel Poe’s twisted world, with one user saying it “still floors” them decades later.

The Alan Parsons Project began as a studio collaboration between Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson in 1975. Parsons, a sound engineering prodigy, got his start at Abbey Road Studios, assisting on The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be at just 19. His engineering chops shone on Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, earning him a Grammy nomination. Woolfson, a songwriter and pianist, brought melodic and lyrical depth, having penned hits for others before teaming up with Parsons. The duo envisioned a revolving cast of session musicians to craft concept albums, blending progressive rock with cinematic storytelling. Their debut, Tales of Mystery and Imagination, was a bold tribute to Poe, recorded with a mix of orchestral flourishes and rock energy. The Project’s unique approach—Parsons as producer-engineer, Woolfson as composer-narrator—set them apart in the prog rock scene, leading to a string of hits through the 1980s.

Stay connected with The Alan Parsons Project through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest updates on tours and releases. Fans can dive deeper at sites like ProgArchives, which offers detailed discographies and reviews, or join discussions on Reddit’s AlanParsonsProject community. The Alan Parsons Project Fan Group on Facebook is another hot spot for Zoo Freaks to swap stories, share vinyl finds, and geek out over classics like this one. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the freak flag flying!