Phil McLean was a New Zealand musician best known for his novelty songs in the 1960s, which combined humor with elements of traditional folk and pop music. His most famous track, "Small Sad Sam," was characterized by its satirical lyrics and playful melody, demonstrating his unique approach to songwriting. While McLean was not a major figure in global music history, his work holds a distinctive place in New Zealand's musical landscape due to its local popularity and unique blend of comedy and music. His influence can be seen in subsequent generations of New Zealand musicians incorporating humor into their work.