# Are there any songs you can't listen to without thinking of a parody? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 28, 2021, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045 "2021-11-28T05:44:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/61 "2021-11-29T15:26:18Z")
Da Yoopers parody of Jingle Bells - “Rusty Chevrolet”: “I strike a match to see the dash, and then I start to pray.” No love for Spike Jones? ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/62 "2021-11-29T15:36:27Z")
Joan Osborne seemed to disappear as quickly as she appeared in the mid-90s, but I still occasionally find myself wondering “What if God Smoked Cannabis?” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/63 "2021-11-29T16:17:31Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Self-parodies by the original composers sometimes intrude on my memories of the real thing. John Lennon liked to goof around with Beatles lyrics (lots of examples in the Get Back six-hour film). And when I think of Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday,” I sometimes hear in my head “Scrambled eggs…oh, my baby, how I love your legs” — Paul’s own placeholder lyrics, before he came up with real ones. I remember reading an interview with Billy Joel years ago where he mentioned that when he was writing the song “Honesty”, his placeholder lyric was “Sodomy”. So of course that’s what always pops into my head when I hear that song. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/64 "2021-11-29T16:20:13Z")
Another one from my childhood. Glory, Glory, Halleluiah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/65 "2021-11-29T16:35:13Z")
I am you, in this regard. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/66 "2021-11-29T22:17:26Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > No love for Spike Jones? I love Spike Jones, but in most cases, I have never heard the originals. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/67 "2021-11-29T23:34:37Z")
Is the “Dance of the Hours” segment of _Fantasia_ considered a parody? The music itself was played completely straight, but I don’t think ballet-dancing hippos is quite what Ponchielli had in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/68 "2021-11-29T23:58:15Z")
I never developed full lyrics, but every time I see a box of mac and cheese branded as “shells and white cheddar” I hear it to the tune of Knights in White Satin. shells and white cheddar never tasting so good always a bummer have something else, you should… ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/69 "2021-11-30T00:09:32Z")
Well, if we’re tossing out non recorded types of parodies at college we used to sing to the tune of a certain BTO song. Eatin’ lots o’ pizza, Every day. Eating lots o’ pizza Every way. Eating lots o’ pizza Sure tastes great. Eating lots o’ pizza, And getting overweight. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/70 "2021-11-30T00:24:42Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > I love Survivor’s “The Eye of the Tiger” Glen! Glen Glen Glen! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rdXiiDAfSPc/hqdefault.jpg "Starbucks- Eye of the Tiger") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdXiiDAfSPc) RIP Jimi Jamison, eh? What a voice! And “Winter Wonderland?” Slightly NSFW: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/IbPy9zqWGcU/maxresdefault.jpg "Bob Rivers - Walkin' 'Round In Womens Underwear") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPy9zqWGcU) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/71 "2021-11-30T00:31:46Z")
Whenever “My Way” comes up, I have the Sid Vicious/Sex Pistols version in my ears. The lyrics are unchanged, but of course it’s a parody. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/72 "2021-11-30T00:43:06Z")
Some of the childhood parody lyrics reminded me of the alternative lyrics we learned, as kids, to “Strangers in the Night” (spoilered because they are slightly NSFW, and because it’s crass humor that a 10-year-old would find hilarious): Strangers in the night Exchanging rubbers This one is too tight I’ll try another This one is too loose But it will hold the juice! My cousin and I used to sing this at the top of our lungs in the back seat of the car; we were both young enough that we didn’t really know exactly what the lyrics meant. 😃 Not that I often hear “Strangers in the Night,” but when I do, those sophomoric lyrics come right back to me. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/73 "2021-11-30T00:50:29Z")
In the version I remember, the last line was “It would fit a moose!” ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/74 "2021-11-30T00:51:09Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > Another one from my childhood. > Glory, Glory, Halleluiah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school. We have crucified the prinicipal and broken all the rules. Something something something. Glory glory Hallelujah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. I bopped her on the bean with a rotten tangerine. The truth goes marching on. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/75 "2021-11-30T00:52:05Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Some of the childhood parody lyrics reminded me of the alternative lyrics we learned, as kids, to “Strangers in the Night” (spoilered because they are slightly NSFW, and because it’s crass humor that a 10-year-old would find hilarious): My version for a 10-year old was: Changes in the night With seven children there’ll be Changes in the night… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/76 "2021-11-30T00:55:37Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Strangers in the night > Exchanging rubbers > This one is too tight > I’ll try another > This one is too loose > But it will hold the juice! I almost choked on my salami sandwich just now! 🤣 My ten-year-old sense of humor is still intact! 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/77 "2021-11-30T00:57:42Z")
I can’t hear the up-tempo finale of the “Dance of the Hours” (after the “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” section) without inserting the lyrics from “The Garfield Opera”: Eat! Have a bowl of shredded wheat! Add some sugar, make it sweet It’s so neat When you mix it with some fruit or berries… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/78 "2021-11-30T00:58:20Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > > [@Author\_Balk](#): > > > > Another one from my childhood. > > Glory, Glory, Halleluiah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. > > Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school. We have crucified the prinicipal and broken all the rules. Something something something. > > Glory glory Hallelujah. Teacher hit me with a ruler. I bopped her on the bean with a rotten tangerine. The truth goes marching on. I wanted to post Bart Simpson’s version of this, but couldn’t find a clip in English. 😧 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/79 "2021-11-30T01:36:09Z")
“What’s Up” - that’s a great self-parody song by Four Non-Blondes. or, wait ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2021, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045/80 "2021-11-30T02:28:29Z")
I can’t hear the opening lines of **I Am The Walrus** “I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together” without thinking of **The Rutles** homage “I know you know what you know but you should know by now that you’re not me” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-songs-you-cant-listen-to-without-thinking-of-a-parody/955045.md?page=5)