The Doormat Singers

In the mid 1960s, there emerged around MIT's Cambridge campus a couple of guys doing stupid songs about student life. They went by the name of the Doormat Singers. Here are some remnants of those days.
"In a way, they are extremely valid because the songs they sing and which have been broadcast are written by themselves, topical, pointed, and aimed at the problems that tech, or "tute," students have to face." -- Dave Wilson, The Broadside of Boston, January 6, 1965

January 21, 2015

In an as yet unexplained development, two new recordings of Doormat Singers songs has been created by residents of East Campus. Stay tuned for futher developments, but listen while you have the chance. This may be a temporary aberration and could quickly disappear. Visit the East Campus Website for official information.

June 4, 2010 - Doormat Singers Reunion


Proving conclusively that "with age comes wisdom" is a complete myth, the Doormat Singers made a live appearance -- the first in over 40 years -- on June 4, 2010 as part of the MIT Class of 1965 Reunion.   During the entire course of the evening, and despite the fact that the Doormat Singers performed every one of their old songs, no ambulances or police cruisers were summoned to Baker House.  The event was therefore considered a success.  As proof that this event really did occur and was not just a delusion, we include here visual and audible evidence salvaged from the Baker House dumpster mere moments before it was to be sent to the MIT incinerator.  Items marked with "*" are Doormat Singers original songs from the 1960s; viewer discretion is advised.

  1. Peter Heinemann Introduces the Doormat Singers
  2. When the Ship Comes In
  3. Earth Sciences Building*
  4. The White House Un-American Activities Rag (The Watergate Story)
  5. Talking McCormick*
  6. Everything Possible
  7. Institute Screw*
  8. Come Look Beyond
  9. Boston Breakdown*
  10. River
  11. Student Center*
  12. Desolation Sigma*
  13. MTA
  14. Great Days
  15. Old East Campus*

What's here:

From the Vault.

All of the Doormat Singers songs were recorded originally in the studios of the MIT student radio station, WTBS (now WMBR, 88.1). This is the complete  list:
  1. Earth Sciences Building Song
  2. Talking McCormick Hall
  3. The Institute Screw
  4. Old East Campus
Following are some lesser known songs from a year or so later.  
  1. Desolation Sigma.  Probably the best of all the songs, but since it is based on Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row", that's not too surprising.
  2. Student Center. Noting the oddities of the newly-opened Julius A. Stratton Student Center.
  3. Boston Breakdown.  Getting away from MIT a bit.
In addition, a recording was made of the Doormat Singers appearance at the All Tech Sing, March 20, 1965, in Kresge Auditorium.  (Described in The Tech.) These versions became by far more commonly played. Included is the comment by Dean Fassett at the conclusion of the Doormat Singers performance, which nicely sums it up.
Poster for East Campus Christmas Party



Comments and recollections welcome.



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