The silliest/worst lyrics you've ever heard...

[Neofolis]

Funny you should mention White Room, because I always remember thinking it made no sense and then one day in my youth, when I was probably in a similar state to Clapton, Bruce, Baker or whoever wrote it, it all made perfect sense.  It's actually quite poetic and makes good use of metaphoric imagery, but it's unusual because there is very lean use of words.  It's like they didn't join any of the thoughts together, just wrote each thought and missed out the words that would turn it into a sentence.  Kind of reminds me of the way Tom Chance from Chance In A Million used to speak, with unimportant words missing.

For example, take the beginning of the second verse

"You said no strings could secure you at the station"

Fairly self explanatory, someone obviously parting from someone else, in this case by train (metaphorically or otherwise).

"Platform ticket, restless diesel, goodbye window"

Well you would have a platform ticket if you were seeing someone off at a train station.  Restless diesel, referencing the engines running, ready to leave.  Goodbye window, the window that someone waves from as the train departs.

The first verse is obviously not so self explanatory making greater use of metaphor.

For example the line:

Silver Horses Ran Down Moonbeams In Your Dark Eyes.

Silver horses would be tears, running down.  Moonbeams just referring to the light source that is glistening In Your Dark Eyes, referencing the eyes showing sadness.

Of course, this is only my interpretation, but I quite like the use of language in poetry and like the fact that the imagery within poetry is open to personal interpretation.

[Neofolis]

If you want really cryptic imagery, try most songs by Sisters Of Mercy.

Here is the entire song This Corrosion...

"Gimme the ring, kissed and toll'd

Gimme something that I missed (gimme the ring)

A hand to hold, wild and what it seems(gimme the ring)

Kill the king, when love is the law,

And the well turn round... (gimme the ring)

Gimme dream child

And do you hear me call? (gimme the ring)

On the loan and on the level

...still on the floor (gimme the ring)

Sing dream child

And do you hear at all?

(sing)

(sing)

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing...

Gimme siren, child and do you hear me?

Gimme siren, child, and do you hear me call?

Sing, child, of right and wrong

Gimme things that dont last long

Gimme siren, child, and do you hear me call?

(sing)

(sing)

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing...

On daze, like this

In times like these

I feel an animal deep inside

Heel to haunch on bended knees

Living on the if I and if I tried,

Somebody send me... please...

Dream wars and a ticket to seem

Giving out and in

Selling the don't belong

Well, what do you say

D'you have a word for giving away?

Got a song for me?

(sing)

(sing)

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing this corrosion to me

Hey now, hey now now, sing...

I got nothing to say I ain't said before

I bled all I can, I wont bleed no more

I don't need no one to understand

Why the blood run hold

The hired hand

On heart

Hand of god

Floodland and driven apart

Run cold

Turn

Cold

Burn

Like a healing hand

Like a healing hand

Like a healing hand

Like a healing hand"

Now, make sense of that.

[Wai`anae Steve]

Keith,

 Being a "good old boy" from the south, (I'm one too eventhough I was born in the Bronx, grew up in Brooklyn and matured - I think I did - in Wai`anae) you should know this one.

  Don't know who sung it but the words are OH SO TRUE.

It's hard to kiss the lips at night that chew your ass out all day long

    :cool:   :laugh:

[metalfan]

Corey,

I love the Sisters. Even though their lyrics are weird.

One band I never really understood was the Red Hot CHile Peppers. I mean, they are an okay band for a pop band I guess. I never really fell in love with them the way a lot of my female friends did (I have a suspicion they were more in lust with Anthony Kiedis than with the band's music) but to me their lyrics are often silly and simplistic.

I mean, really:

"Supercalifragilistic

Kiss me in the futuristic"...????

or:

"Knock on wood we all stay good

Cause we all live in Hollywood

With Dracula and Darla Hood

Unspoken words were understood"...

I could go on but I'll spare ya

[Zac in NC]

Well, I like the song but the title is weird. Well thought out Twinkles by Silversun Pickups. Stupid title but a pretty good song.

Zac

[palmmermaid]

There's a new country one out.  I can't remember many of the words but the last line of the refrain is "I want to check you for ticks"  I mean, what is that about?

And then there is Don't worry be happy.  I think that is the only song a lot of bands in the islands know!  By the time I am ready to come home, I am so sick of that song!

I usually only listen to songs I can understand the lyrics.  I just love to sing along.   I don't like heavy metal but I like the lyrics to several Pink Floyd songs as well as Midnight Oil.

And I am so southern!

[osideterry]

Behind America, my least favorite lyrics belong to Steve Miller Band. Great musician and songwriter, and really nice guy from what I've heard, but the lyrics are lame. A couple of examples:

Abra-abracadabra, I wanna reach out and grab-ya...

Some people call me Maurice (cat-call) 'cause I speak of the pompitous of love...

That Wild Mountain Honey song is almost unlistenable.

[_Keith]

Ughhh, Steve Miller Band.  My hand can't move fast enough to change the tuner.

[_Keith]

(metalfan @ Jan. 22 2008,07:49)

QUOTE

Seventies radio was a very strange place to be as a teen. My sister drove an old bomber Fire Chief Pontiac that was about 15 feet long and it only had AM radio. So all we had was top 40 crud. Then my father agreed to let her put an 8 track player in there and at least we got some Led Zepplin and Kiss.

Even after we got hold of a car that had an FM radio the selection wasn't that much better.

The only thing that we really liked to listen to was vinyl.

Its interesting reading these books by the guys in Motley Crue. It really shows just how much the record labels controlled what you heard on the radio in the 70's and 80's, and even into the 90's.

Slash from the "then fledgling" Guns N Roses was a good friend of Nikki Sixx, when Motley Crue was already established and raking in millions. Motley Crue was touring with Whitesnake and hated them, and wanted the record label to let them tour with then-infant Guns and Roses because they believed that they were the "next big thing" if only they could get some exposure. The record label fought everything they did. I remember seeing an almost unknown Guns and Roses playing an outdoor street festival in Los Angeles in about 1986 for free.

MTV banned most of the videos by bands like Motley Crue and other rock bands because they didn't fit into the squeaky clean automaton pattern of New Wave and soft rock like Fleetwood Mac. Heaven forbid a kid should actually see a tattoo on a rocker's arm.

I think music history is very interesting. You have to wonder what was going on in these people's heads to lead to some of the weirder lyrics of the 70's and 80's.

So, we are about the same age.  Did you tune into the AM station out of Little Rock on Saturday nights from like 10PM to 1AM?  It was the only source of alternative (heavy) rock at the time.  Had a name something like "Beaker Street."  Senility is setting in.

[Neofolis]

I think you can add most music from the late 60's to this thread, well the hippy movement at least.  Procal Harum, most late Beatles stuff, etc.,  there is probably meaning in there somewhere, but finding it is going to be no easy task.

The more I think about this, I think it would actually be a harder task to find songs that don't have silly lyrics.

[putu enjula]

(keiththibodeaux @ Jan. 22 2008,20:52)

QUOTE

Ughhh, Steve Miller Band.  My hand can't move fast enough to change the tuner.

Double ugh...  

What line STILL bugs to this day is

"Time keeps on slippin' into the future.."

Into the future?? That doesn't make any sense!!!  

Wouldn't it "slip" into the past??

[Walter John]

What about Bob Dylan ? Now there's rubbish lyrics if ever there was ones

Well, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Yes, I see you got your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Well, you must tell me, baby

How your head feels under somethin' like that

Under your brand new leopard-skin pill-box hat

Ah get born, keep warm

Short pants, romance, learn to dance

Get dressed, get blessed

Try to be a success

Please her, please him, buy gifts

Don't steal, don't lift

Twenty years of schoolin'

And they put you on the day shift

[metalfan]

Whether time slips into the past or the future depends on the quality of your microdot

[osideterry]

Keith - I grew up in Southwest Missouri, and on a good night was able to catch "Bleaker Street". It was during my high school years.

Wal - I give Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Byrds, The Doors, etc. a pass because there lyrics were more abstract art than traditional. The worst lyrics are lame attempts at traditional lyrics. I'm almost as big a fan of The Beatles as a you, but could easily knock "I Am The Walrus", and "Strawberry Fields" as having silly/dumb lyrics. Not true.

[Wai`anae Steve]

(palmmermaid @ Jan. 22 2008,20:06)

QUOTE

There's a new country one out.  I can't remember many of the words but the last line of the refrain is "I want to check you for ticks"  I mean, what is that about?

I love that song.  There is this one young lady down at the local Honky Tonk that I would love to check for ticks.  

She and I both request it from the DJ.  We then dance to it.  I bet her husband and my wife might have something to say about it.

Lucky niether of them ever show up.  Of course I'm not so sure she'd want me to do the "checking" but I'd never refuse a lady's request.  

[Hollywood Palms]

The ultimate : MacArthur's Park

A small sample:

Spring was never waiting for us, girl, it ran one step ahead as we followed in the dance,

Between the parted pages that were pressed,

A love hot fevered like a striped pair of pants,

MacArthur 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 I could take it, `cause it took so long to bake it,

And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no!

The Wiki Article

Pain, pain, pain....

David

[osideterry]

Humorist Dave Barry voted MacArthur Park worst song ever. Yep.

[Walter John]

(osideterry @ Jan. 24 2008,17:03)

QUOTE

Humorist Dave Barry voted MacArthur Park worst song ever. Yep.

Who the hell is Dave Barry ? Like that means something ?

[putu enjula]

(Wal @ Jan. 24 2008,00:47)

QUOTE

(osideterry @ Jan. 24 2008,17:03)

QUOTE

Humorist Dave Barry voted MacArthur Park worst song ever. Yep.

Who the hell is Dave Barry ? Like that means something ?

Yeah who is he?

[Walter John]

(blonddude @ Jan. 24 2008,14:23)

QUOTE

The ultimate : MacArthur's Park

A small sample:

Spring was never waiting for us, girl, it ran one step ahead as we followed in the dance,

Between the parted pages that were pressed,

A love hot fevered like a striped pair of pants,

MacArthur 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 I could take it, `cause it took so long to bake it,

And I'll never have that recipe again, oh no!

The Wiki Article

Pain, pain, pain....

David

You have no idea man, that's genius lyrics. Blonddude, yeh, I bet you worked on that ID for a while  

[metalfan]

MacArthur Park was ***almost*** ahead of my time, I think I remember the original version by Chicago playing on AM radio when I was maybe 7-8 years old? Of course most people know the Donna Summer (was that her name?) version. But I have always thought that was one of the silliest songs ever.

Okay, we've heard silly lyrics you DON'T like, what about those you DO like?

I'm a fan of "Horror Schlock Rock", older bands like the Cramps,  Gwar, White Zombie/Rob Zombie, Hellbilly, etc.

Newer bands like Rob Zombie (hah hah!) Murderdolls and Wednesday 13.

Like "Graverobbing USA":

"...And I'm riding around in my black starship

looking for some crypts to kick

I'm gonna pull your body from the grave

Cause I'm Grave Robbing, USA"

[Walter John]

I think I remember the original version by Chicago

Close Gina, but no gorilla, try Richard Harris.

I agree though, let's see some good/fine lyrics, probably should be another thread really.

[osideterry]

Dave Barry is a columnist in Florida. Back in the 90s he had his readers nominate and vote on the worst songs of all time. Here's a link to the results.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Barry...ok_of_Bad_Songs

[putu enjula]

(osideterry @ Jan. 24 2008,09:42)

QUOTE

Dave Barry is a columnist in Florida. Back in the 90s he had his readers nominate and vote on the worst songs of all time. Here's a link to the results.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Barry...ok_of_Bad_Songs

I bet "Hot Love" by Donna Summer is on there...  that one is on everybody's list.

[putu enjula]

(metalfan @ Jan. 24 2008,04:06)

QUOTE

MacArthur Park was ***almost*** ahead of my time, I think I remember the original version by Chicago playing on AM radio when I was maybe 7-8 years old? Of course most people know the Donna Summer (was that her name?) version. But I have always thought that was one of the silliest songs ever.

Okay, we've heard silly lyrics you DON'T like, what about those you DO like?

I'm a fan of "Horror Schlock Rock", older bands like the Cramps,  Gwar, White Zombie/Rob Zombie, Hellbilly, etc.

Newer bands like Rob Zombie (hah hah!) Murderdolls and Wednesday 13.

Like "Graverobbing USA":

"...And I'm riding around in my black starship

looking for some crypts to kick

I'm gonna pull your body from the grave

Cause I'm Grave Robbing, USA"

You'll have to start a new thread Gina!    

This one was inspired by horrible lyrics of the Big Island  

(I know, it's so "negative!")

But seriously, there's not only bad lyrics, but bad music as well...  a lot of it is so trite.  The only requirement is that it has to be Hawaiian or have a reggae beat or both!

Don't get me wrong, I love a lot of traditional Hawaiian music, and there's tons of great reggae...  they just don't seem to play it on the radio in Kailua-Kona.

I've noticed there are as many songs about food as there are about love.

There's one about huli-huli chicken and there's another song that says: "I love my poi, I'm a big boy.....  don't forget the lau lau" etc.

I think all you palm enthusiasts/musicians should come to Hawaii and start a band :laugh:    I would try to start one but I can only play gamelan music!

[Zac in NC]

OMG, Achy Breaky Heart was on the list. Yes, that was a horrible song!

Zac

[Tad]

express ohio, yummy yummy yummy song, who  thought that song was a good idea? I bet someone got a demotion due to that peice of flop!

and lets not forgive weens contribution, push th lil daisys song

[jenks]

You can pretty much pick any Beck song.

I always liked the Chili Peppers, going back to the Freaky Styley - Uplift Mofo Party Plan days. They were fresh back in the day and had punk rock roots.

Primus has some wacky lyrics

Gina, come on and post the lyrics for the Salamanizer by Gwar      - You really need to listen to it for full effect. The last line is safe - "This deli tray is unacceptable!"

[Tad]

gwar, a bad idea poorly executed.

[Zac in NC]

Pepper by the Butthole surfers is strange.

Zac

[metalfan]

Jenks,

posting the lyrics to Salaminizer would get this thread pulled immediately and me banned, LOL. There is possibly one or more than one expletive/obscene word in each line of that song!!

One postable silly lyric from Gwar istthe opening line from "Saddam-a-Go-Go":

"...Lived on a collective farm

   She was a part time Antichrist

   Our sex went off like a bomb..."

Gwar is just one of those bands that were formed for the sole reason of their members cutting up, having fun and enjoying life.  Any commercial success they may (or may not) achieve is probably secondary for them.

I know there are a few Texas folks here who will remember a little classic band that still makes noise today....

The Uranium Savages!

An Austin Texas band that had no agenda other than playing satire, guzzling beer, smoking weed and having the best time possible.

I know folks like Weldertom have to remember Spamarama, Esther's Follies, and the days at the Soap Creek Saloon "Hot tubbin' with Lady Di..."??

They even played in Port Isabel once but they may have been before Tad's time

[ania]

"Bang a Boomerang" by ABBA. To this day, I can't figure out what it all means.

Ania

[Walter John]

(ania @ Jan. 28 2008,03:10)

QUOTE

"Bang a Boomerang" by ABBA. To this day, I can't figure out what it all means.

Ania

Must get lonely on walkabouts.

I wasn't serious before when I mentioned some Dylan lyrics, just stirring, these are stirring times  

[_Keith]

(metalfan @ Jan. 23 2008,06:17)

QUOTE

Whether time slips into the past or the future depends on the quality of your microdot

Dear Metalfan,

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