Did I Tell You About the Time My Own Joke Backfired?

Before I get to my story, know that I have a dad joke and/or pun for almost every situation. Sometimes dealing with every day items or objects I see so I can spring something on one of my kids in a heartbeat or even pertaining to certain artists and/or songs. All are, admittedly, not very funny, but comedy is all about timing.

This was one of those times. A pun pertaining to a certain artist and how it backfired on me hard. Twice.

So we're all driving to Spokane listening to the radio along the way. It was on a '90s channel and some familiar chords came on. Black Velvet by Alannah Myles. A song I like, it's one I haven't heard in a while but, as always, I have a pun ready to go.

Me: How many miles?
My wife: ...what?
Me: How many miles?
My wife: How many miles until what?
Me: ...Alannah Myles.
My wife: What are you talking about?
Me: This song. Black Velvet by Alannah Myles.
My wife: ...this is Melissa Ethridge.

As it turns out, she was right. The radio was playing I'm the Only One by Melissa Ethridge. Both have a jazzy kinda feel to them, sung by women. All I heard was the first few notes and I totally got the song wrong.

A cardinal sin if you're a radio DJ.

I was teased for a the next little bit. My wife saying things like "How many miles? Melissa Ethridge!" as we all had a great laugh.

The kicker came back later that day. I stopped by a gas station and hopped back in the car. When I turned it on I was so preoccupied to make sure I had everything I needed and made sure I could exit safely that I wasn't even paying attention to the radio. That's when my wife noticed what was playing.

My wife: "How many miles? Alannah Myles!"

Yep, when we got back in the car the radio was playing Black Velvet. She stole my joke from me

I was defeated. I was fuming I didn't have a chance to deliver the joke at the right time. I was too late this time. But I'll be ready for next time.

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