# All time great inappropriate choices. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337 "2009-06-29T13:43:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/1 "2009-06-29T13:43:50Z")
Last year the Pope, who is apparently the head of some large religious organization was in Sydney for World Youth Day. As I am not a member of his cult I took no interest in their festivities. A few days ago I heard that part of the celebrations involved the crowd singing along to Leonard Cohen’s _Hallelujah_ in honor of this Pope chap as evidenced [here](http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1823802,00.html). I must admit I was somewhat taken aback. I am a longtime fan of Mr Cohen and even own the unpopular album \*Various Positions \* which his record company didn’t even release in the US. It has a number of good songs, \*Dance Me To the End of Love \*, _Coming Back to You_ and of course _Hallelujah_. I used to play these for friends before other versions became more popular. However as indicated by the title of the album, \*Various Positions \*, the song _Hallelujah_ is about the act of sexual congress. It has no Jesusy component at all. For instance: Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you To a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah And remember when I moved in you The holy dove was moving too And every breath we drew was Hallelujah You say I took the name in vain I don’t even know the name But if I did, well really, what’s it to you? Any similar favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/2 "2009-06-29T13:50:43Z")
A friend of mine claimed that he heard George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” on a Christian radio station. Somehow I think that was a case of just looking at the title, and not an attempt at interfaith with the Hare Krishnas. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/3 "2009-06-29T14:00:29Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > However as indicated by the title of the album, \*Various Positions \*, the song _Hallelujah_ is about the act of sexual congress. It has no Jesusy component at all. It may not have “Jesusy components” but it is extremely rich in Old Testament imagery, MUCH of which is fairy erotic and sexual. Go to an Easter Vigil ceremony some time - there’s plenty of sexual imagery to dispel your silly notion that religious =/= sexual. Also, after reading the link, I saw nothing in there that “part of the celebrations involved the crowd singing along to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah”. It mentions a rock concert after the ceremony. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/4 "2009-06-29T14:05:55Z")
Oh give me a break. I’m just trying to start a conversation. Life is more fun than you think it is - just don’t be so literal. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/5 "2009-06-29T14:06:32Z")
Born in the USA used by Reagan during the '84 campaign as a great message for America. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/6 "2009-06-29T14:08:22Z")
And I am an ordained minister. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/7 "2009-06-29T14:09:29Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > just don’t be so literal. :rolleyes: You mean by explaining the purpose of the literal words of the lyrics you posted? If it’s casual conversation you want, maybe ease up on the preachy commentary next time. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/8 "2009-06-29T14:14:48Z")
Amen. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/9 "2009-06-30T15:15:40Z")
John Cougar Mellencamp’s [‘Pink Houses’](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Houses) has been used by several politicians (Reagan, McCain) who likely just heard ‘Ain’t that America?’ and thought it’d be perfect (or, rather, their campaign managers did). Despite Mellencamp being a pretty vocal democrat. Apparently he even asked McCain to stop using it. Any wedding that features ‘Every Breath You Take’ by The Police. Even Sting has expressed confusion over using a song about stalking to celebrate love. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/10 "2009-06-30T15:21:32Z")
Most inappropriate use of a song? Well, when I was in high School, someone thought it was a good idea to play Warren Zevon’s _Excitable Boy_ during the junior prom dance… For those unaware, part of the lyrics go as follows: > [@](#): > > He took little Susie to the Junior Prom > Excitable boy, they all said > and he raped her and killed her, then he took her home > Excitable boy, they all said > Well, he’s just an excitable boy ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/11 "2009-06-30T15:30:41Z")
I remember during the first Gulf War crowds of people who were in favor of charging in guns blazing held marches where they carried signs supporting the war while singing “Give Peace A Chance” by John Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/12 "2009-06-30T15:36:06Z")
I have to agree with Munch on the blatant religious imagery in _Hallelujah_ (I personally prefer Jeff Buckley’s rendition of it and actually played it for a nun this morning who also likes the song). As far as the question posed in the OP, I thought of my first Sunday at college. I knew that Mass was held in the student center at 4:00 pm on Sundays, so I went in search of it. I soon learned that Mass was upstairs. I found this out by looking quite lost and when someone asked me if I was looking for the church service I ended up at the non-denominational service held on the ground floor and singing along to _Brown Eyed Girl_. For some reason “making love in the green grass behind the stadium” wasn’t quite was I was used to having grown up in a rather traditional Catholic parish. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/13 "2009-06-30T15:44:20Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Born in the USA used by Reagan during the '84 campaign as a great message for America. Also used as entrance music for uber-patriotic wrestlers Cowboy Bill Watts, and the tag team of Ted Dibiase and Steve “Dr. Death” Williams. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/14 "2009-06-30T15:44:25Z")
People finding sexual imagry astonishing in judeo-christian contexts must be _amazed_ at the stuff in the Song of Solomon. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/15 "2009-06-30T15:47:44Z")
In college I saw a stripper select tunes on a jukebox in a mostly empty strip club and then dance to the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” Mm, a slow tune about alienation and death. Perhaps on other nights she would titillate to the entirety of Pink Floyd’s _The Final Cut_ or some Nick Drake. In retrospect, it was weird that she needed to select her songs on the jukebox. ---
**Author:** ![Heckity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/16 "2009-06-30T17:36:39Z")
> [@MissMossie](#): > > I have to agree with Munch on the blatant religious imagery in _Hallelujah_ (I personally prefer Jeff Buckley’s rendition Me too! Buckley intersperses an entirely different lyric into Leonard’s song - I don’t know where that comes from - but I love it! ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/17 "2009-06-30T17:45:14Z")
Practically every time I hear some radio commercial that is supposed to have something to do with the Fourth of July (Come to our sale for Revolutionary Deals!) the background music is _The British Grenadiers_. Yeah, I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/18 "2009-06-30T17:55:30Z")
Were they singing the English version? My cousin was listening to the Spanish version of the song by Il Divo and told me the lyrics are all super pious. Not like the Cohen version at all. I don’t remember the exact stuff but it was like: a soldier returns home today, and infirm child is cured, an atheist now believes, someone donates a fortune to a church, and now everybody is singing hallelujah. Looked it up and ran it through Google translator. Yeah, the Spanish lyrics are about hungry people eating, peace on Earth, pure souls, God protecting us from evil, yadda, yadda… ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/19 "2009-06-30T18:01:06Z")
So, he sees her the way David saw Bathsheba, and she cut his hair like Delilah did Samson’s. Now they’re married and there’s no evidence the sex they’re having ever took place outside of a committed marriage open to fertility. Hallelujah! ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337/20 "2009-06-30T18:24:12Z")
> [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > In college I saw a stripper select tunes on a jukebox in a mostly empty strip club and then dance to the Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” Mm, a slow tune about alienation and death. Perhaps on other nights she would titillate to the entirety of Pink Floyd’s _The Final Cut_ or some Nick Drake. > > In retrospect, it was weird that she needed to select her songs on the jukebox. Was it in Atlanta, by any chance? The Clermont Lounge? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-great-inappropriate-choices/501337.md?page=2)