# Bitchiest songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 24, 2011, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001 "2011-05-24T12:36:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/21 "2011-05-24T23:56:36Z")
Wait a second, how is _The Battle of Who Could Care Less_ a “bitchy” song? It’s hard to make that argument when the singer addresses the following lines to the target: “Sometimes I wish I was that way” “You’re my hero I confess” ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/22 "2011-05-25T06:22:22Z")
Billy Joel’s “Big Shot” comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/23 "2011-05-25T06:38:18Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > Wait a second, how is _The Battle of Who Could Care Less_ a “bitchy” song? It’s hard to make that argument when the singer addresses the following lines to the target: > > “Sometimes I wish I was that way” > “You’re my hero I confess” That would be sarcasm. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/24 "2011-05-25T09:42:00Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It all starts with Dylan. > > [Positively 4th Street](http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/positively-4th-street) Classic example, but his most famous song and previous single to “Positively 4th Street”, [“Like a Rolling Stone”](http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/like-a-rolling-stone), has as much vitriol: > [@](#): > > Once upon a time you dressed so fine > You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you? > People’d call, say, “Beware doll, you’re bound to fall” > You thought they were all kiddin’ you > You used to laugh about > Everybody that was hangin’ out > Now you don’t talk so loud > Now you don’t seem so proud > About having to be scrounging for your next meal > > How does it feel > How does it feel > To be without a home > Like a complete unknown > Like a rolling stone? > [@](#): > > If you haven’t heard the original in Dylan’s voice, find it. It is a sneer, solidified. The same applies to the original studio recording of “Like a Rolling Stone”, but was taken to the extreme in the famous 1966 “Judas” version from the “Albert Hall concert” (actually from the Manchester Free Trade Hall). (only could find [this snippet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm1pLiyrGyw)) ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/25 "2011-05-25T10:04:33Z")
Elvis Costello is, of course, a master of this kind of song. Just two examples off his first album: [“Welcome to the Working Week”](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Welcome-to-the-Working-Week-lyrics-Elvis-Costello/57900D456AE5AADD482568AF0015774C) > [@](#): > > Now that your picture’s in the paper being rhythmically admired > and you can have anyone that you have ever desired, > all you gotta tell me now is why, why, why, why. > Welcome to the workin’ week. > Oh I know it don’t thrill you, I hope it don’t kill you. > Welcome to the workin’ week. > You gotta do it till you’re through it so you better get to it. and [“Alison”](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Alison-lyrics-Elvis-Costello/02B5C7AFD4357AB9482568AF00158F69) (AFAIK written about/addressed to his first wife) > [@](#): > > Oh it’s so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl. > And with the way you look I understand > that you are not impressed. > But I heard you let that little friend of mine > take off your party dress. > I’m not going to get too sentimental > like those other sticky valentines, > 'cause I don’t know if you’ve been loving somebody. > I only know it isn’t mine. > Alison, I know this world is killing you. > Oh, Alison, my aim is true. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/26 "2011-05-25T17:28:00Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It all starts with Dylan. Another acidic jewel from Dylan’s songbook: [Idiot Wind](http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/idiot-wind) > [@](#): > > One day you’ll be in the ditch, flies buzzin’ around your eyes > Blood on your saddle > > Idiot wind, blowing through the flowers on your tomb > Blowing through the curtains in your room > Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth > You’re an idiot, babe > It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/27 "2011-05-25T17:55:38Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > [“Alison”](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Alison-lyrics-Elvis-Costello/02B5C7AFD4357AB9482568AF00158F69) (AFAIK written about/addressed to his first wife) Interesting. Of all the speculation about who “Alison” might be addressed to that I have read, I had never seen that. Heck, I didn’t really know anything about Elvis’ romantic history other than his current marriage to Diana Krall. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/28 "2011-05-25T18:03:34Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > Ummm…Alanis Morrisette’s “You Oughta Know” First one I thought of. When I first heard it I felt bad for the boyfriend, hell yeah, I’d dump her ass too. Bitches be crazy. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/29 "2011-05-25T18:14:18Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > The same applies to the original studio recording of “Like a Rolling Stone”, but was taken to the extreme in the famous 1966 “Judas” version from the “Albert Hall concert” (actually from the Manchester Free Trade Hall). (only could find [this snippet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm1pLiyrGyw)) Found the[whole thing in all its glory](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oFYqbmSWlg&NR=1). It’s a crowning moment of rock history. And yes **Sailboat** , “Idiot Wind” fits perfectly in this thread, too. He did a lot of those. You can even take “Don’t think twice, it’s alright”, though it might come around as a bittersweet love song, it’s extremely blunt (“You just kinda wasted my precious time, but don’t think…”). Dylan, bless him, can be a mean prick sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/30 "2011-05-25T18:14:59Z")
Blondie’s [Rip Her to Shreds](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/blondie/riphertoshreds.html) deserves to be on the list. Sample lyrics: > [@](#): > > She got the nerve to tell me she’s not on it > But her expression is too serene > Yeah, she looks like she washes with Comet > Always looking to create a scene > > Yeah, she’s so dull, come on rip her to shreds > She’s so dull, come on rip her to shreds > She’s so dull. Rip her to shreds ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/31 "2011-05-25T18:17:13Z")
The complete works of Marshall Bruce Mathers III. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/32 "2011-05-25T18:21:27Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [_Lyin’ Ass Bitch_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OuiuolN1r4), by Fishbone. HA! You just made my day with that pull. I actually have that tape - yes audio cassette - in my car right this moment. Now I must go listen to Fishbone. 🙂 ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/33 "2011-05-25T18:36:13Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > Interesting. Of all the speculation about who “Alison” might be addressed to that I have read, I had never seen that. Heck, I didn’t really know anything about Elvis’ romantic history other than his current marriage to Diana Krall. Had to look it up. It’s from Graeme Thomson’s Costello bio “Complicated Shadows” [Quote=Graeme Thomson] Despite several contradictory theories over the years regarding the inspiration for the song, many fuelled by its author, ‘Alison’ is for and about Mary [his wife], plain and simple. [/Quote] ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/34 "2011-05-25T19:00:25Z")
Since “How do you sleep” is taken I’ll go with the Husker Du original and Foo Fighter covered [Never Talking to You Again](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEdtQRbkE94). Eminem has released several songs that were long bitch sessions about his mother, his ex-wife, his critics and others but I don’t know enough about his music to name the songs. (I’ve heard them in passing and thought “GTFOI!”) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/35 "2011-05-25T19:53:53Z")
**Idiot Wind** by Bob Dylan is pretty good. > [@](#): > > Idiot wind blowing every time your move your mouth > Blowing down the backroads heading south > Idiot wind blowing every time you move your teeth > You’re an idiot babe > It’s a wonder that you still know how to breathe ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/36 "2011-05-25T21:22:36Z")
I came in to mention “You Oughta Know” also. > [@The\_Conqueror\_Worm](#): > > The MOST whiny song in rock, Bob Seger’s _Turn the Page_. I don’t know about whiny, but it has to be one of the most BORING rock songs in existence. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/37 "2011-05-25T21:35:43Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Classic example, but his most famous song and previous single to “Positively 4th Street”, [“Like a Rolling Stone”](http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/like-a-rolling-stone), has as much vitriol… I don’t think of that as vitriol at all. There’s some told-you-so in there, but not much condemnation. Maybe even some commiseration. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/38 "2011-05-25T21:55:06Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > I don’t think of that as vitriol at all. There’s some told-you-so in there, but not much condemnation. Maybe even some commiseration. Sorry, but where do you hear a hint of commiseration in “Like a Rolling Stone”? For me its all, yes, told-you-so, gloat and schadenfreude. No niceness here. Like **Exapno Mapcase** pointed out for “Positively 4th Street”, as important as the lyrics is the way he sings them (as always for Dylan). ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/39 "2011-05-25T21:57:48Z")
Ain’t it hard when you discover that He really wasn’t where it’s at After he took from you everything he could steal ---
**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:** [May 25, 2011, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001/40 "2011-05-25T22:03:47Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Ain’t it hard when you discover that > He really wasn’t where it’s at > After he took from you everything he could steal I think in the context of the song, with these lines he’s mocking the girl for being dumb enough to let her get fooled and robbed by the diplomat, but that’s just my interpretation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitchiest-songs/583001.md?page=3)