Mrs. Robinson

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some juicy trivia about Mrs. Robinson by The Lemonheads, the track we're spinning from their iconic album It's A Shame About Ray. This cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic wasn’t even meant to be a big deal—Evan Dando and the band recorded it as a lark during a goof-off session in Berlin while on tour. It was only laid down to mark the 25th anniversary of The Graduate’s home video release in 1992, but it exploded into their biggest hit, storming alternative radio and propelling the band into the mainstream. Fun fact: Dando didn’t even like the song and reportedly aimed to make Paul Simon hate it—and word is, he succeeded! The track’s raw energy, complete with an audible bong rip, captures the band’s slacker vibe, and it even popped up in films like Wayne’s World 2 and The Wolf of Wall Street. The music video, featuring a young Johnny Depp, was on heavy MTV rotation, cementing its '90s alt-rock legacy.

Another tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: Mrs. Robinson wasn’t originally on It’s A Shame About Ray. Atlantic Records, seeing its potential, pushed to tack it onto later pressings of the album, which some fans felt overshadowed the band’s original work. The cover’s garage-psych outro stretches for a glorious 40 seconds, giving it a distinct edge over the polished Simon & Garfunkel original. Nic Dalton, who played bass on the track, joined the band just for this recording, replacing Juliana Hatfield. Interestingly, when The Lemonheads toured for the album’s 20th anniversary, Dando skipped playing Mrs. Robinson entirely, focusing on the album’s original tracks. Fans on Facebook still rave about the B-side Being Around, a melodic gem that shows the band’s knack for clever, catchy songwriting.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Lemonheads got their start. Formed in Boston in 1986 by high school pals Evan Dando, Ben Deily, and Jesse Peretz, the band emerged from the punky, college-rock scene with a sound that blended hardcore energy with pop melodies. Named after a sour-then-sweet candy, they gigged around local venues and dropped their debut album, Hate Your Friends, in 1987 on Taang! Records. Their early records were raw, punk-infused, and built a cult following through college radio and word-of-mouth. By the late '80s, they signed with Atlantic Records, and with Dando as the constant frontman, they honed their jangle-pop sound. The 1992 release of It’s A Shame About Ray, produced by the Robb Brothers, marked their breakthrough, blending grunge’s grit with '60s-inspired hooks.

Dando’s charisma and songwriting, paired with the band’s revolving lineup (including stints by Juliana Hatfield and Nic Dalton), made them a '90s staple. Despite struggles with addiction and fame, Dando kept The Lemonheads alive, reforming in 2005 and releasing new music like the 2019 album Varshons 2. They’re still touring, with recent posts on Instagram hyping shows where they play It’s A Shame About Ray in full. For more, check out their official site at evandando.co.uk, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Zoo Freaks can also join fan discussions on the Lemonheads Fan Group on Facebook or dig into fan tributes at sites like evandando.co.uk, which doubles as a fan hub with tour updates and archival goodies.