Pop Songs that had no reason to exist
I'm talking songs that had no justification whatsoever. My prime candidate for this was "The Morning Side Of The Mountain":
There was a girl, there was a boy
If they had met they might have found a world of joy
But she lived on the morning side of the mountain
And he lived on the twilight side of the hill
They never met, they never kissed
And they will never know what happiness they missed
For she lived on the morning side of the mountain
And he lived on the twilight side of the hill
For love's a rose that never grows
Without the kiss of the morning dew
And every Jack must have a Jill
To know the thrill of a dream that comes true
And you and I are just like they
For all we know our love is just a kiss away
But you are on the morning side of the mountain
And I am on the twilight side of the hill
For love's a rose that never grows
Without the kiss of the morning dew
And every Jack must have a Jill
To know the thrill of a dream that comes true
And you and I are just like they
For all we know our love is just a kiss away
But you are on the morning side of the mountain
And I am on the twilight side of the hill
It's a song about two people who didn't know of each other's existence-song by an third person to a fourth person whose existence HE doesn't know of.
What was the whole freaking point?
Anybody have any other songs they think would fit this category?
I don't think I've heard that one before, but I think it's kind of nice. A person dreaming about a future lover they might meet someday...what's wrong with that? :)
I think it means "You should get out more."
That's a level of hoke I haven't seen in a long time.
That was sung by Donnie and Marie Osmond. Dare I admit it is on one of the first records I bought as a wee tyke?
How about "Abracadabra (I Wanna Reach Out and Grab Ya)" by Steve Miller?
Thanks for posting those lyrics, Ken. The irony of life's randomness; the parallel universes of unliveable possibility; the eternally unrequited yearning; the uniquely human lure of invention/discovery/salvation just beyond that ever-receding horizon - it may be the most beautiful yet soulful ode I have ever heard. I think it has changed my life. Thank you.
Do we need to mount an intervention, Unionist?
LOL!
Anyway, here's my contribution. I defy anyone to find redeeming value in this (from the Randy and the Rainbows version):
I'm in love with you, Denise, dooby doo.
I'm in love with you, Denise, dooby doo.
I'm in love with you.
Oh, when we walk (dooby doo), it seems like paradise,
And when we talk (dooby doo), it always feels so nice.
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), I'm so in love with you.
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), oh, won't you hold me tight?
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), oh, can we kiss goodnight?
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), I'm so in love with you.
Your move.
Da Doo Ron Ron
(Spector/Grennwich/Barry)
I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Somebody told me that his name was Bill
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Yeah, my heart stood still, yeah, his name was Bill
And when he walked me home, da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
I know what he was thinking when he caught my eye
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
He looked so quiet but, my oh my
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Yeah, he caught my eye, yeah but my oh my
And when he walked me home, da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
He picked me at seven and he looked so fine
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Someday soon I'm gonna make him mine
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Yeah, he looked so fine, yeah I'll make him mine
And when he walked me home, da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron
Da do ron ron ron, da do ron ron Check!
Hey now, I wasn't saying it was the most brilliant song of all time - I was just responding to Ken's dismissal of the song entirely, and his interpretation of the meaning of the song.
How about "Bobby's Girl"? I've posted this a few times on babble over the years as an example of probably one of the most drippy, obnoxious, sexist songs EVER. :D(You're not a kid anymore)
When people ask of me
What would you like to be
Now that your not a kid anymore
(You're not a kid anymore)
I know just what to say
I answer right away
There's just one thing
I've been wishing for...
I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl
That's the most important thing to me...
And if I was Bobby's girl
If I was Bobby's girl
What a faithful, thankful girl I'd be
Each night I sit at home
Hoping that he will phone
But I know Bobby has someone else
(You're not a kid anymore)
Still in my heart I pray
There soon will come the day
When I will have him all to myself...
I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl
That's the most important thing to me...
And if I was Bobby's girl
If I was Bobby's girl
What a faithful, thankful girl I'd be
What a faithful, thankful girl I'd be
I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl
The music isn't as bad as "Denise".
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Checkmate.Dont you know that I love you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby,
Dont you know that Ill always be true?
Oh, wont you come with me
And take my hand?
Oh, wont you come with me
And walk this land?
Please take my hand!
Unionist, at least there's some half-decent harmonies in "Denise". Although I agree, the lyrics suck. :D
Caissa, no you don't! I'm gonna win with this one:
aha
aha
aha
What you will and what you won't
What you do and what you don't
What you can and what you can't
This is what you need to know:
Loved you though it didn't show
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, da da da
da da da
da da da
da da da
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
(whispered)
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht.
I know why you ran away, aha
Understand you couldn't stay, aha
Wonder where you are today, aha
After all was said and done
It was right for you to run!
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, aha
Ich liebe dich nicht, du liebst mich nicht, da da da
da da da
da da da
da da da
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
Da da da I don't love you you don't love me
da da da (repeat to fade)
(Although, I love Da Da Da, so it really doesn't belong in this thread, since I think it has lots of reason to exist...just the coolness factor alone!)
Caissa wins, hands down.
Or, at least, so I always thought since this "song" first came out - until I learned that no less a critic than Trotsky himself had a different take on it:
Here's my entry.....
Who let the dogs out
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo)
And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo)
I tell the fellas "start the name callin'" (Yippie Yi Yo)
And the girls report to the call
The poor dog show down
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
I see ya' little speed boat head up our coast
She really want to skip town
Get back off me, beast off me
Get back you flea infested monger
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
I'm gonna tell {Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo}
To any girls calling them canine {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Tell the dummy "Hey Man, It's part of the Party!" {Yippie Yi, Yo}
You fetch a women in front and her mans behind {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Her bone runs out now
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Say, A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it
A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it
Wait for y'all my dogs, the party is on
I gotta get my girl I got my myind on
Do you see the rays comin' from my eye
What could you be friend
That Benji man that's breakin' them down?
Me and My white short shorts
And I can't seek a lot, any canine will do
I'm figurin' that's why they call me faithful
'Cause I'm the man of the land
When they see me they doah-ooooo(howl)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
I strenuously object to the inclusion of Trio's 'Da Da Da' in this thread. The sparsity and minimalism of those lyrics combined with the restrained and simple melody produce a powerful, glorious statement on the Thatcherite 80s. What, the Talking Heads get all the credit?
I also think the first song, at least when sung by Johnny Mathis, is loverly.
And including 'In a Gadda Da Vida' in this thread is kind of like including Funkadelic's 'Maggot Brain' (with the best guitar solo ever thrashed) for its 'lyric':
For y'all have knocked her up.
As for my submission, I offer:
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so she sat bundled up on the shore
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the blanket she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
Now she's afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she's gonna do
Now she's afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl's turning blue
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the water she wanted to stay
(From the locker to the blanket)
(From the blanket to the shore)
(From the shore to the water)
Yes, there isn't any more
Ooooh, that's good, ElizaQ.
Catchfire, I know that's probably a really sexist song, but I always thought it was cute. I know, I know. I'm going to feminist hell.
George Harrison during a bad year:
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonne take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right child
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
And this time I know it's for real
The feelings that I feel
I know if I put my mind to it
I know that I really can do it
I got my mind set on you
Set on you
I got my mind set on you
Set on you
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonna take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
And this time I know it's for real
The feelings that I feel
I know if I put my mind to it
I know that I really can do it
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonna take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right
Set on you
Set on you
He rhymes "you" with "you", "money" with "money" and "time" with "time". Isn't that breaking some kind of songwriter's law or something?
I like Weird Al's version of that song, Maysie. "This Song's Just Six Words Long".
But at least it's catchy!
This Song's Just Six Words Long - video
Caissa, regarding the Doo run run song. Gah. Gah and double gah. The version of that I hate to admit I know so well was Shaun Cassidy's version which he change to "Met her on a Monday' and 'her name was Jill'. It's been stuck in my head all durn morning. That was the second album that I ever owned, the first being Abba's Super Trooper. And yes I'm hanging my head in shame....:)
And now I have those Abba songs in my head. In grade three we used to do primary grade wide aerobics to "On and on and on, keep on rocking baby, oo ooo ooo " and the best part '...,Over in the corner I could see this guy. He was kinda flirty and he was giving me eye. So I took advantage of the fact that I was star, shook my head and took a stroll over to the bar..." and Super Trooper "I was sick and tired of everything, when I called you last night from the Glasgow, all I do is eat and sleep and sing, wishing every show was the last show....". They were by far the favorites. I still have such vivid memories of my teacher standing up on a table and jumping around. Funny thing is at the time most of us had no clue to what the actual lyrics were talking about. :D
He rhymes "you" with "you", "money" with "money" and "time" with "time". Isn't that breaking some kind of songwriter's law or something?
So I feel blue, honey, is that a crime?
My sister owned the Shaun Cassidy version. It is the one I am most familiar with as well.
thread drift/The Abba song I like the most is "The Way Old Friends Do"
You and I can share the silence
Finding comfort together
The way old friends do
And after fights and words of violence
We make up with each other
The way old friends do
Times of joy and times of sorrow
We will always see it through
Oh I dont care what comes tomorrow
We can face it together
The way old friends do
(repeat)
We can face it together
The way old friends do
end thread drift.
George Harrison during a bad year:
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonne take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right child
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
And this time I know it's for real
The feelings that I feel
I know if I put my mind to it
I know that I really can do it
I got my mind set on you
Set on you
I got my mind set on you
Set on you
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonna take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
I got my mind set on you
And this time I know it's for real
The feelings that I feel
I know if I put my mind to it
I know that I really can do it
But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonna take plenty of money
To do it right child
It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right
Set on you
Set on you
He rhymes "you" with "you", "money" with "money" and "time" with "time". Isn't that breaking some kind of songwriter's law or something?
Actually, it was written by Rudy Clark & first recorded by James Ray in 1962.
Caissa, regarding the Doo run run song. Gah. Gah and double gah. The version of that I hate to admit I know so well was Shaun Cassidy's version which he change to "Met her on a Monday' and 'her name was Jill'.
Ian Matthews covered the song & had a British hit with it in 1972. And he didn't change the lyrics.
LOL!
Anyway, here's my contribution. I defy anyone to find redeeming value in this (from the Randy and the Rainbows version):
I'm in love with you, Denise, dooby doo.
I'm in love with you, Denise, dooby doo.
I'm in love with you.
Oh, when we walk (dooby doo), it seems like paradise,
And when we talk (dooby doo), it always feels so nice.
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), I'm so in love with you.
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), oh, won't you hold me tight?
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), oh, can we kiss goodnight?
Denise, Denise (dooby doo), I'm so in love with you.
Your move.
Surely Blondie's bilingual cover version ("Denis") has redeeming value:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahGxiSV_LH0
CHORUS
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!
This was my high school jazz band's "signature tune"...of course it was all instrumental...no one singing the stupid lyrics.
How about "Bobby's Girl"? I've posted this a few times on babble over the years as an example of probably one of the most drippy, obnoxious, sexist songs EVER. :D
(You're not a kid anymore)
When people ask of me
What would you like to be
Now that your not a kid anymore
(You're not a kid anymore)
I know just what to say
I answer right away
There's just one thing
I've been wishing for...
I want to be Bobby's girl
I want to be Bobby's girl
That's the most important thing to me...
What can I say ... I'm devastated. This is my favourite song of all time..........NOT!!!
ROTFLMAO!!!
Some of us have NICE "name songs". Others of us...not so much. :D
MacArthur's Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down...
Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again
Oh, no!
I never understood that song. I kept looking for the reasoning for a metaphor, but it has me lost.
I love this thread! Doing some rather boring work and this has brightened my brain.
My contribution....
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
We were out on a date in my daddy's car
We hadn't driven very far
There in the road
Straight ahead
A car was stalled the engine was dead
I couldn't stop
So I swerved to the right
I'll never forget the sound that night
The screamin tires
The busting glass
The Painfull scream that I heard last.
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
When I woke up
The rain was pouring down
There were people standing all around
Something warm falling into my eyes
But some how I found my baby that night
I lifted her head
she looked at me and said
Hold me darling just alittle while
I held her close
I kissed her our last kiss
I found the love I knew I had missed
but now she's gone
even though I hold her tight
I lost my love, my life that night
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world
ooooooooooooooooo
oooooo oooooooooo
ooooooooooooo
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOO OOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOO
RF! That takes me back. God bless K-Tel. Sound Explosion or Music Power, that song was definitely on one of those two.
According to Wikipedia:
The song is named after MacArthur Park, a park in Los Angeles, California, although the title on the disc and record cover art is spelled with a space between Mac and Arthur. Its lyrics, which include the memorable line "Someone left the cake out in the rain", are more symbolic than descriptive, beginning as a poem about love, then moving into a lover's lament.
How about the second and third songs that Dan Hill wrote about losing his virginity?
Same thing goes for Eric Carmen - it's not like having a solo career after The Raspberries made him a virgin again.
MY GIRL BILL
(Jim Stafford)
Jim Stafford - 1974
Bill walked me to my door last night
And he said, "Before I go
There's something about our love affair
That I have a right to know"
I said, "Let's not stand out here like this
What would the neighbours think?
Why don't we just step inside
And I'll fix us both a drink"
My girl, Bill
My, my girl, Bill
Can't say enough about the way I feel
About my girl, (My girl, my girl), my girl Bill
William's hands were shaking
As he took his glass of wine
And I could see we both felt the same
And when his eyes met mine
I said, "Who we love and why we love
It's hard to understand
Let's just sit here on the couch
And face this, man to man"
My girl, Bill
My, my girl, Bill
Can't say enough about the way I feel
About my girl, (My girl, my girl), my girl, Bill
"Bill, you know we just left her place
And we both know what she said
She doesn't want to see your face
And she wishes you were dead!
Now, I know we both love her
And I guess we always will
But you're gonna have to find another
'Cause she's my girl ...... Bill!"
My girl, Bill
My, my girl, Bill
Can't say enough about the way I feel
About my girl, (My girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my little girl
My girl, Bill
My girl, Bill
My, my girl, Bill
Can't say enough about the way I feel
About my girl, (My girl, my girl), my girl, Bill .....FADE
CHORUS:
I don't want a pickle
Just want to ride on my motorsickle
And I don't want a tickle
'Cause I'd rather ride on my motorsickle
And I don't want to die
I just want to ride on my motorcy...cle
It was late last night the other day
I thought I'd go up and see Ray
So l went up and I saw Ray
There was only one thing Ray could say, was:
CHORUS
Just last week I was on my bike
I run into a friend named Mike
Run into my friend named Mike
Mike no longer has a bike. He cries:
CHORUS
Has anyone posted "She's having my baby" yet? I seem to remember that being a favorite song-to-hate from a long time ago on babble. :) I'd never heard it before seeing it posted here!
Try subjecting this,.."Johnny Get Angry" to a feminist analysis:
Johnny, I said we were through
Just to see what you would do
You stood there and hung your head
Made me wish that I were dead
CHORUS
Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture I ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me
Every time you danced with me
You let Freddy cut in constantly
When he'd ask, you'd never speak
Must you always be so meek?
CHORUS
Every girl wants someone who
She can always look up to
You know I love you , of course
Let me know that you're the boss
CHORUS
Johnny, get angry, Johnny
Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny
My contribution....
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
We were out on a date in my daddy's car
We hadn't driven very far
There in the road
Straight ahead
A car was stalled the engine was dead
I couldn't stop
So I swerved to the right
I'll never forget the sound that night
The screamin tires
The busting glass
The Painfull scream that I heard last.
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
When I woke up
The rain was pouring down
There were people standing all around
Something warm falling into my eyes
But some how I found my baby that night
I lifted her head
she looked at me and said
Hold me darling just alittle while
I held her close
I kissed her our last kiss
I found the love I knew I had missed
but now she's gone
even though I hold her tight
I lost my love, my life that night
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world
ooooooooooooooooo
oooooo oooooooooo
ooooooooooooo
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOO OOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOO
"Last Kiss", hit version by J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Kiss
This is the worst earworm thread ever!
Re. ABBA
1) Everyone knows Dancing Queen, but did you know it's earlier incarnation, Nina Pretty Ballerina?
You can see as she catches a train
Just a face among a million faces
Just another woman with no name
Not the girl youd remember but shes still something special
If you knew her I am sure youd agree
cause I know shes got a little secret
Friday evening she turns out to be...
Nina, pretty ballerina, now she is the queen of the dancing floor
This is the moment shes waited for
Just like cinderella, just like cinderella
Nina, pretty ballerina, who would ever think she could be this way
This is the part that she likes to play
But she knows the fun would go away
If she would play it every day
So shes back every morning to her work at the office
And another week to live in a dream
And another row of early mornings
In an almost never-ending stream
Doesnt talk very often, kind of shy and uncertain
Everybody seems to think shes a bore
But they wouldnt know her little secret
What her friday night would have in store...
Nina, pretty ballerina, now she is the queen of the dancing floor
This is the moment shes waited for
Just like cinderella, just like cinderella
Nina, pretty ballerina, who would ever think she could be this way
This is the part that she likes to play
She would like to play it every day
Nina, pretty ballerina, now she is the queen of the dancing floor
This is the moment shes waited for
Just like cinderella, just like cinderella
Nina, pretty ballerina, who would ever think she could be this way
This is the part that she likes to play
It takes a lot of gall as a songwriter to rip yourself off, eh?
2) In The Winner Takes It All, they directly contradict themselves.
About the things weve gone through
Though its hurting me
Now its history
Ive played all my cards
And thats what youve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
Thats her destiny
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking Id be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
Its simple and its plain
Why should I complain.
But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all
I dont wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
Youve come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all.....
Shall we blame it on writing in their second language?
My Submission: And take heed "Flow like a harpoon daily and nightly " so sayith Vanilla. And yea though they did (for 3 months in the charts)
and many a soul faced " killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom "
Yo VIP let's kick it
Ice ice baby (x2)
All right stop collaborate and listen
Ice is back with my brand new invention
Something grabs a hold of me tightly
Flow like a harpoon daily and nightly
Will it ever stop yo I don't know
Turn off the lights and I'll glow
To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal
Light up a stage and wax a chump like a candle
Dance go rush to the speaker that booms
I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom
Deadly when I play a dope melody
Anything less than the best is a felony
Love it or leave it you better gain weight
You better hit bull's eye the kid don't play
If there was a problem yo I'll solve it
Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it
CHORUS
Ice ice baby vanillla (x4)
2 verse deleted for sake of sanity
If there was a problem yo I'll solve it
Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it
REPEAT CHORUS
Take heed 'cause I'm a lyrical poet
Miami's on the scene just in case you didn't know it
My town that created all the bass sound
Enough to shake and kick holes in the ground
'Cause my style's like a chemical spill
Feasible rhymes that you can vision and feel
Conducted and formed
This is a hell of a concept
We make it hype and you want to step with this
Shay plays on the fade slice like a ninja
Cut like a razor blade so fast other DJs say damn
If my rhyme was a drug I'd sell it by the gram
Keep my composure when it's time to get loose
Magnetized by the mic while I kick my juice
If there was a problem yo I'll solve it
Check out the hook while Shay revolves it
Ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby (oh-oh) vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla
Ice ice baby vanilla ice
Yo man let's get out of here
Word to your mother
Ice ice baby too cold
Ice ice baby too cold too cold (x2)
Ice ice baby
I used to think that My Humps by the Black-eyed Peas qualified as a song that never should have existed, but then Alanis Morrissette did her version of it which is actually good.
wtf
This thread started off as being about songs that "had no justification whatsoever".
Some have taken that to mean "songs with nonsense lyrics." Some have taken it to mean "songs with sexist or otherwise politically incorrect lyrics." Some have taken it to mean "songs with intelligible but pointless lyrics."
By any of those interpretations of the topic, we could list numerous songs by the Beatles, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and others. But I think that would be a mistake.
I would like to make the case for the primacy of the music over the lyrics. Many popular songs have inventive and catchy musical qualities that have contributed to the musical development of the genre despite their lyrical shortcomings, and some have even become iconic, if not downright anthemic. Submitted for your consideration: Little Darlin' by the Diamonds, I'm Henry the 8th by Herman's Hermits, Sh-Boom by the Crewcuts, Wooly Bully by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs, and Louie, Louie by The Kingsmen. All of these songs have plenty of "justification" for their existence - and their popularity - despite their banal or unintelligible lyrics.
I would also include in this category some songs that have already been dissed in this thread: Da Doo Ron Ron (not just because of cousin Phil) and In A Gadda Da Vida, for example, both of which are classic numbers without which popular music would have been all the poorer for their absence. There is plenty of "justification" for them.
That said, there are other pop tunes that we could truly say have no redeeming social or musical value, and thus lack "justification". To that list, I would add: A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum; Over and Over by the Dave Clark Five; Everybody Loves a Clown by Gary Lewis, and much of the corpus of Neil Diamond's work.
Even though Pearl Jam is my favourite rock band, here's a handful of pointless Pearl Jam songs. Pointless enough that Pearl Jam has not even performed them live:
Pry, To
Bugs
Aye Davantia
Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me
Red Dot
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
We were out on a date in my daddy's car
We hadn't driven very far
There in the road
Straight ahead
A car was stalled the engine was dead
I couldn't stop
So I swerved to the right
I'll never forget the sound that night
The screamin tires
The busting glass
The Painfull scream that I heard last.
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I'll leave this world
When I woke up
The rain was pouring down
There were people standing all around
Something warm falling into my eyes
But some how I found my baby that night
I lifted her head
she looked at me and said
Hold me darling just alittle while
I held her close
I kissed her our last kiss
I found the love I knew I had missed
but now she's gone
even though I hold her tight
I lost my love, my life that night
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good
So I can see my baby when I leave this world
ooooooooooooooooo
oooooo oooooooooo
ooooooooooooo
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOO OOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOO
Pearl Jam's cover of Last Kiss certainly has reason to exist. It produced the group's only number 1 single, and it introduced people to a side of the group that most would not otherwise have heard.
Oh where oh were could my baby be
The lord took her away from me
This is but one example of a whole genre of teenage car/motorcycle crash early death songs. "Leader of the Pack" is in there too, somewhere.
Here's my existentially ironic nomination, from that most pointless of genres, disco:
Patrick Hernandez "Born to be Alive"
We were born to be, alive
Born, born to be alive (born to be alive)
You see we're born, born, born, born to be alive
People ask me why I never find a place to stop and settle
Down down down
But I never wanted all the things that people need to find their
Lives lives lives
You see we're born, born, born to be alive (born too be alive)
You see we're born, born, born
It's good to be alive, to be alive, to be alive
It's good to be alive, to be alive, to be alive
It's good to be alive
Times was on my side when I runnin'in the street it was the
By by by
A suitcase and an old guitar and something new to occupy my
Mind mind mind
You see we're born, born, born to be alive (born too be alive)
You see we're born, born, born
You see we're born, born, born to be alive (born too be alive)
You see we're born, born, born
You see we're born, born, born to be alive (born too be alive)
You see we're born, born, born
Born to be alive
You see we're born, born, born to be alive (born too be alive)
You see we're born, born, born, born to be alive.
This piece of drivel popularized by "Tiffany" comes to mind.
I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW
Thats what they say when were together
And watch how you play
They dont understand
And so were
Chorus:
Running just as fast as we can
Holdin on to one anothers hand
Tryin to get away into the night
And then you put your arms around me
And we tumble to the ground
And then you say
I think were alone now
There doesnt seem to be anyone around
I think were alone now
The beating of our hearts is the only sound
Look at the way
We gotta hide what were doin
cause what would they say
If they ever knew
And so were
Repeat chorus
I think were alone now
There doesnt seem to be anyone around
I think were alone now
The beating of our hearts is the only sound
I don't know. I always kind of liked that song. At least as originally done by Tommy James and the Shondells.
M. Spector: I love Neil Diamond! :D
How about Chacarron? I'd post the lyrics, but there aren't any, except for "Chacarron Macarone".
But it's catchy! And funny!
And I love Whiter Shade of Pale.
I agree that nonsensical lyrics should not nominate a song for this list, but I would argue that the songs you've listed, and others that fit the description, are not great in spite of their nonsensical lyrics, but because of them. "Louie, Louie", for example, the great garage rock punk song, has a rawness in both the filthy three chord structure and the inarticulate growl of a simple chorus. Lou Reed, I think, had an unsurpassed talent for inserting a 'yeah' or a handclap at precisely the right moment that would make all the difference in a pop song.
How about Chacarron? I'd post the lyrics, but there aren't any, except for "Chacarron Macarone".
But it's catchy! And funny!
Then again, there's the early 70's song "Hot Buttered", that has no lyrics at all, only a synthesizer imitiating the sound of popcorn being popped.
I agree that nonsensical lyrics should not nominate a song for this list, but I would argue that the songs you've listed, and others that fit the description, are not great in spite of their nonsensical lyrics, but because of them.
Well, only in part because of the lyrics, I would say. In my opinion, a great song has to have at least something original or memorable about the music - whether it be the rhythm, the harmony, a memorable melodic cadence, an unusual instrumental sound, a vocal trick or gimmick, or in the arrangement.
That's why I think tunes like The Macarena, Sukiyaki, or Incense & Peppermints, with meaningless or unintelligible lyrics, do not belong on the list - they are great in spite of their lyrics.
P.S. We should compare notes on barbershop some time.
That said, there are other pop tunes that we could truly say have no redeeming social or musical value, and thus lack "justification". To that list, I would add: A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum;
I heartily agree. And here's the latest breaking news on that story:
A former keyboardist with Procol Harum has been awarded a portion of the royalties from A Whiter Shade of Pale by Britain's highest court.
The decision, handed down Thursday by the House of Lords, means Matthew Fisher will get part of future royalties from the chart-topping song.
A Whiter Shade of Pale, recorded in 1967, featured a memorable organ accompaniment between its mystifying lyrics.
Fisher, now 62, claimed in court that he wrote, as well as performed, the Bach-inspired melody.
He left Procol Harum in 1969, and it was 2005 before he launched legal action to claim part of the royalties from the song, which has sold 10 million copies.
His lawsuit was opposed by band members Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, who "strongly denied" Fisher's version of events, saying they had written A Whiter Shade of Pale before he joined Procol Harum.
And you'll really like this one:
Surely, in this case, the money is worth more than the credit.
Then again, there's the early 70's song "Hot Buttered", that has no lyrics at all, only a synthesizer imitiating the sound of popcorn being popped.
I'm no expert, but technically, isn't it required of a song that it can be sung?
Oh, Cassia, you didn't dis "In-A-Godda-Da-Vida" did you? Did you know the guy playing lead guitar in that song was only 17 at the time? It was cutting edge then-- even if it enjoyed more radio air time than it should have because, like Macarthur Park, it provided washroom breaks for D.J.'s *Sigh*. D.J.'s or "Disc Jockeys" used to be actual people, instead of the automated "D.J. 3000" we listen to today. They'd actually choose the content, and put a record on...*sigh*...a record was this flat black thing made out of vinyl......
Anyway, Like M. Spector said, I was confused about the deffinition of the tuneage to be disparaged.
A more literal approach would be pop songs that got a lot of air play due to "payolla". That is, songs nobody really liked, but got pushed by D.J's as a "hit" because the record company paid them to say so, in order to influence kids who didn't know better to go out and buy crap. Or, White covers of black artists back when radio was segregated. For example, anything by Pat Boone.
Or Nickleback.
C'mon, payolla is the only rational explanation there.
Then again, there's the early 70's song "Hot Buttered", that has no lyrics at all, only a synthesizer imitiating the sound of popcorn being popped.
I'm no expert, but technically, isn't it required of a song that it can be sung?
No, the only requirement is that it can be sold.
A requirement that, for reasons science still has not discovered, "Popcorn" fit perfectly well.