Pop novelty. Erskine Hawkins and the Ray Charles Singers teamed up for this novelty tune that was inspired by a running gag on MBS, the Mutual Broadcasting System, which was in turn inspired by the yurts in the 1956 John Wayne film 'The Conqueror.' Billboard rated "The Yurt" 71/100 in the March 24, 1956 issue: "A novelty—in the manner of 'The Thing' of several years back. The Ray Charles Singers deliver the enigmatic lyric to a heavily accented musical background by Hawkins." Flip side is "Waltz in Blue."