# Arguments in songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655 "2006-07-31T03:37:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/41 "2006-07-31T14:47:56Z")
Please remember that lyrics are copyrighted, and that beyond Fair Use, you cannot post them without the permission of the copyright holder(s). (This, of course, doesn’t apply to lyrics in the public domain.) The best thing to do is to post a few lines and then link to the rest. I’ve trimmed the lyrics in some of your posts because the amount posted went beyond Fair Use. Please be more careful in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/42 "2006-07-31T15:22:19Z")
**Bouncing Souls** - Wish Me Well (You Can Go To Hell) ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/43 "2006-07-31T16:01:47Z")
Beatles - **She Said She Said** ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/44 "2006-07-31T16:18:42Z")
[QUOTE=Heckxx] The Steets- The Irony of it All [/QUOTE] That reminds me, Get Out Of My House works too. White Stripes- It’s True That We Love One Another ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/45 "2006-07-31T16:43:20Z")
How about this exchange from **Highlands** by Bob Dylan: [QUOTE=Zimmy] Then she says, “I know you’re an artist, draw a picture of me.” I say, “I would if I could, but I don’t do sketches from memory.” Well she says, “I’m right here in front of you, or haven’t you looked?” I say, “All right, I know, but I don’t have my drawing book.” She gives me a napkin, she says, “You can do it on that.” I say, “Yes I could, but I don’t know where my pencil is at.” She pulls one out from behind her ear She says “All right now, go ahead, draw me, I’m standing right here.” I make a few lines, and I show it for her to see Well she takes the napkin and throws it back And says “That don’t look a thing like me!” I said, “Oh, kind miss, it most certainly does.” She says, “You must be joking.” I say, “I wish I was.” [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/46 "2006-07-31T16:46:28Z")
Just to expand on what **Skip** said, please read the [Forum Rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=343601) and note especially Post #2 about Copyright. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/47 "2006-07-31T17:05:56Z")
_Nothing Better_ by The Postal Service. Not that great as far as lyrics goes, but the singer’s angst positively ripples through the male lead’s parts, and the nearly-unshakable female’s voice show that she feels something as well but has made up her mind not to fall for his heartbreak again. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/48 "2006-08-01T16:40:54Z")
Arguments seem to crop up frequently in the operas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Take, for example, the trio "[I am so proud](http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/mikado/webopera/mk110.html) " from _The Mikado_, wherein Ko-Ko, Pish-Tush and Pooh-Bah argue over which among them should volunteer to have his head chopped off. Or the song "[In a contemplative fashion](http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/gondoliers/web_opera/gond17.html) " from _The Gondoliers_. The plot is complicated as all get-out, but essentially, Gianetta and Tessa, lately married to Marco and Giuseppi (respectively), have been told that one of the two gentlemen (but nobody knows which) was already married. In his infancy. By the end of the song, it turns into something of a catfight between the characters of Gianetta and Tessa. _The Pirates of Penzance_ has numerous argument songs. - Young Frederic, who has been at sea since he was eight years old, has not looked upon any other woman’s face in all that time except for that of Ruth – his former nursemaid. She has convinced him that she is an attractive prospect for marriage (I know, eewwww)…until he catches sight of General Stanley’s chrous of nubile wards. Now better acquainted with youthful feminine pulchritude, Frederic turns on Ruth in anger, and they sing the hilariously melodramatic duet [“O false one, You have deceived me!”](http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/pirates/web_op/pirates04.html) - In the Act I finale, Frederic and Mabel, who have known each other all of 15 minutes, are already pondering marriage (Hey, this is light opera. You want reality? Look out the window!). Suddenly Ruth enters and flings herself at Frederic’s feet, begging him to reconsider. As the two argue back and forth, the chorus of pirates joins in, lending their full support to each side in turn. > [@](#): > > **Ruth** : Oh, master, hear one word, I do implore you! > Remember Ruth, your Ruth, who kneels before you! > **Pirates** : _(to Frederic)_ Yes, yes, remember Ruth, who kneels before you! > **Frederic** : Away, you did deceive me! > **Pirates** : _(to Ruth)_ Away, you did deceive him! > **Ruth** : Oh, do not leave me! > **Pirates** : _(to Frederic)_ Oh, do not leave her! > **Frederic** : Away, you grieve me! > **Pirates** : _(to Ruth)_ Away, you grieve him! - Now that Frederic has been made aware that – due to an absurd technicality – he is contractually obligated to remain a pirate, he bids a tearful farewell to his beloved Mabel. In perhaps the only moment of her life wherein she displays a modicum of intelligence, she attempts to dissuade Frederic from returning to the pirate crew. The [recitative and duet](http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/pirates/web_op/pirates21.html) that follow include the heartbreakingly lovely “Ah, leave me not to pine alone and desolate.” I’d better stop now. I could go on with this all day. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/49 "2006-08-01T17:04:36Z")
[QUOTE=Borborygmi] Not a perfect fit, but [A Little Time](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beautiful+south/a+little+time_20015215.html) by the Beautiful South has something of the feel of an argument, and is great song to boot. [/QUOTE] You’ve got the right group, but I was thinking of [Your Father and I](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beautiful+south/your+father+and+i_10027108.html), a duet where a man and woman describe the conception and birth of their child. Their recollections differ. \*I’ll remember the birth For the rest of my time on this land Your mother sweating buckets And me holding onto her hand Well your father was absent. He claimed he couldn’t find the ward Just tugging on mescal Trying to eat the umbilical cord\* You can just picture Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor singing that, can’t you? And then stabbing each other. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/50 "2006-08-01T17:06:21Z")
**“Master of the House”** from [Les Miserables](http://hyeforum.com/lofiversion/index.php?t7098.html) has the inkeeper going on about how awesome he is, then his wife chimes in with what a jerkwad he is. It’s really well done on stage. They banter back and forth for a bit. From pop music… \*\*Barenaked Ladies \*\* “ **Break Your Heart** ” has some arguing: You said “what’d you think that I was gonna do curl up and die just because of you? I’m not that weak you know. What’d you think that I was gonna do try to make you love me as much as I love you? How can you be so low. You arrogant man. What do you think that I am? My heart will be fine Just I’m wasting my time” \*\*Ben Folds Five \*\* “ **Last Polka** ”: She said “you’ve been pushing me like I was a sore tooth. You can’t respect me cuz I’ve done so much for you.” He said “well I hate that it’s come to this but baby I was doin’ fine - how do you think that I survived the other 25 before you?” ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/51 "2006-08-02T01:25:57Z")
“America” from _West Side Story_, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Puerto Rican girls arguing in favor of Manhattan vs. boys who don’t like it. Girls: _Here we are free and we have rights._ Boys: _Long as you stay on your own side._ Girls: _Here we are free to do as we choose._ Boys: _Free to wipe tables and shine shoes._ Boy: _I’d like to go back to San Juan._ Girl: _I know a boat you can get on. Bye-bye._ Years ago, Bollywood movies had a lot of men-vs.-women choruses doing a type of _qawwali_ where the chorus of men teases women and the chorus of women teases them back, just like in Sondheim’s “America.” I can’t remember any lyrics offhand, but I used to have a cassette of songs like this. Nowadays they mostly use modern music for boys-vs.-girls songs. There’s been a lot of hip-hop influence in Bollywood lately. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/52 "2006-08-02T01:48:38Z")
**Mr. Meadowlark** highlights the collaboration between a man and a bird that quickly devolves into an argument (Bing Crosby & Johnny Mercer’s version is exquisite). **Yah-Tah-Tah, Yah-Tah-Tah** involves a bickering couple and **Gone Fishin’** involves two friends ribbing each other. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/53 "2006-08-02T10:55:13Z")
I have a feeling I’ve probably missed this mentioned earlier in the thread, but I don’t \*think \*anyone’s mentioned "[Hit the Road, Jack](http://users.cis.net/sammy/roadjack.htm) " yet? \*\*WARNING: \*\*This URL will take you to a page with an auto-play midi file of the music, so don’t go clicking at work unless you have sound turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/54 "2006-08-08T04:11:22Z")
[Suite Sister Mary](http://www.queensryche.com/releases/operation-livecrime/lyrics/08-suite-sister-mary.html) by Queensrÿche. One of the best bands ever to use gratuitous umlauts. He’s trying to get her to leave, hoping that she can get away from the underground movement, she’s trying to get him to kill her. If you listen to the whole album, you get the full picture of their twisted homage-to-classic-courtly-love relationship. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/55 "2006-08-08T05:20:05Z")
[Suite Sister Mary](http://www.queensryche.com/releases/operation-livecrime/lyrics/08-suite-sister-mary.html) by Queensrÿche. One of the best bands ever to use gratuitous umlauts. He’s trying to get her to leave, hoping that she can get away from the underground, she’s trying to get him to kill her. If you listen to the whole album, you get the full picture of their twisted homage to classic courtly love. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/56 "2006-08-08T05:31:41Z")
I think the greatest dis record of all time is [“No Vaseline”](http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Ice-Cube/No-Vaseline.html) by Ice Cube. Fresh from an ugly breakup with his former band, N.W.A., Cube calls out his former bandmates and manager thusly: [QUOTE=Ice Cube] You’re gettin’ fucked real quick, and Eazy’s dick, is smellin’ like MC Ren’s shit. Tried to tell you a year ago, but Willie D told me to let a hoe be a hoe, so [/QUOTE] It gets much, much better. The fact that Cube and Dr. Dre made up years later is a miracle, considering what was said on wax! ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/57 "2006-08-08T08:14:54Z")
“The Real You” by the Suicide Machines. This song fits the OP so well I thought for sure it was one of the songs that inspired it. > [@](#): > > Conflicting spheres of interest pose a threat to who we are > And where we want to be, we just can’t see > We throw the walls up around ourselves > Our visions are dulled and doubtful > It’s our double standards > That’ll wrap us up inside ourselves and never let us out… > > I wanna see the real you! (Repeat 6x) > > (girl) Motherfucker! > (guy) Fucking Bitch! > (girl) Hypocrite! > (together) Ahhh! > The Real You! > I wanna see the real you! (Repeat 6x) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2006, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655/58 "2006-08-08T12:35:35Z")
Can’t believe we’ve missed this one. [Bohemian Rhapsody](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/q/queen/bohemian+rhapsody_20112599.html): _Easy come easy go-,will you let me go- Bismillah! No! We will not let you go (Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go (Let him go!) Bismillah! We will not let you go (Let me go!) Will not let you go (Let me go!) Will not let you go (Let me go!) No,no,no,no,no,no,no- Mama mia,mama mia,mama mia Let me go!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-songs/366655.md?page=2)