"I've Got a Brand New Combine Harvester" was a parody of a (slightly) more serious song called I've Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skatess; likewise, I am a Cider Drinker was a parody of the popular song Una Paloma Blanca. The band also covered Harvest of Love by Benny Hill.
In its heyday the band was very popular despite disdain from "serious" critics.
The name of the band came from the fodder beet Mangelwurzel.