# Clever (and not so clever) rhymes in songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 12, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588 "2016-08-12T18:49:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/1 "2016-08-12T18:49:14Z")
More as I think of them, but just to get the ball rolling… In Terry Allen’s _Amarillo Highway_… “I don’t wear no Stetson But I’m willin’ to **bet son** That I’m a big a Texan as you are” ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/2 "2016-08-12T19:02:34Z")
My own favorite is the 1966 Captain America cartoon theme: “When Captain America throws his mighty shield All those who chose to oppose his shield must yield! When he’s led to a fight And a duel is due, Then the red and the white And the blue’ll come through When Captain America throws his mighty shield!” On the other side, when I was really into country/western in the '80s, all of the near-rhymes in Barbara Mandrell’s “Wish You Were Here” grated on my ear. It rhymed “another” with “summer,” “ocean” with “broken,” “postcard” with “so far,” and “gotta be honest” with “pina coladas.” Painful. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/3 "2016-08-12T19:09:22Z")
Pete Seeger (and friends) version of Old Time Religion: (use New England accent for the second to final line) \*Let us pray like the Egyptians Build pyramids to put our crypts in And fill subways with inscriptions That’s good enough for me [Gimme that Old Time Religion… etc] Let us pray to Zarathustra Pray just like we used ta I’m a Zarathustra booster That’s good enough for me\* ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/4 "2016-08-12T19:15:34Z")
I’ve always liked a lot of Roger Waters internal rhymes and alliterations, stung throughout the phrases and not just tacked on to the end of lines. One from **Dogs** “And when you lose control, you’ll reap the harvest you have sown. And as the fear grows, the bad blood slows and turns to stone. And it’s too late to lose the weight you used to need to throw around. So have a good drown, as you go down, all alone, Dragged down by the stone.” ---
**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:** [August 12, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/5 "2016-08-12T19:17:07Z")
Under “not so clever”, we must, of course, mention Steve Miller’s “Take the Money and Run”: Billy Mack is a detective down in Texas You know he knows just exactly what the facts is He ain’t gonna let those two escape justice He makes his livin’ off of the people’s taxes ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/6 "2016-08-12T19:21:45Z")
_“…He was the village idiot, and though it was a pity it was so…”_ ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/7 "2016-08-12T19:28:14Z")
We’re not gonna get better than ‘Venus’ and ‘seen us’ from Europe’s The Final Countdown. We’re just not. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/8 "2016-08-12T19:37:20Z")
First you get down on your knees, Fiddle with your rosaries, Bow your head with great respect, and Genuflect! Genuflect! Genuflect! You can do what steps you want if You have cleared them with the Pontiff. Everybody say his own Kyrie eleison Doin’ the Vatican Rag. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/9 "2016-08-12T19:48:13Z")
could have been written by a first grader _Well, I’m hot blooded, check it and see I got a fever of a hundred and three_ ---
**Author:** ![Cartoonacy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/848f3c/32.png) [@Cartoonacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartoonacy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/10 "2016-08-12T19:54:55Z")
Allan Sherman (to the tune of _The Yellow Rose of Texas_): “I’m Melvin Rose of Texas, And my friends all call me Tex. When I lived in old New Mexico, They used to call me Mex. When I lived in old Kentucky, They called me Old Kentuck. I was born in old Shamokin, Which is why they called me Melvin Rose.” ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/11 "2016-08-12T19:59:54Z")
> [@Cartoonacy](#): > > My own favorite is the 1966 Captain America cartoon theme: > > “When Captain America throws his mighty shield > All those who chose to oppose his shield must yield! > When he’s led to a fight > And a duel is due, > Then the red and the white > And the blue’ll come through > When Captain America throws his mighty shield!” “Doc Bruce Banner, Pelted by gamma rays, Turned into the Hulk. Ain’t he _unglamor-ous!_” …or _unglamorate_ or _unglamo-rays_ or _agglomerate_ or… Then there’s the Merry Marvel Marching Society lyrics, but we won’t go there. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/12 "2016-08-12T20:36:45Z")
“My name is Nine, recognize, remember you’re too tender To get slick with the number one contender I flow like diarrhea when I’m droppin’ shit Mamma mia, ain’t no cure for the pure lyrical gonorrhea” - Nine, “Ova Confident” ---
**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:** [August 12, 2016, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/13 "2016-08-12T20:41:30Z")
From “[Popular](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_uM8bUnlGQ)”, Galinda’s song in Wicked, written by Stephen Schwartz: Don’t be offended by my frank analysis Think of it as personality dialysis Now that I’ve chosen to be come a pal, a sis- ter and adviser There’s nobody wiser Not when it comes to— Popular, I know about popular And with an assist from me to be who you’ll be Instead of dreary who-you-were, (well, are) There’s nothing that can stop you from becoming popu-ler… lar When I see depressing creatures With unprepossessing features I remind them on their own behalf To think of Celebrated heads of state or Especially great communicators Did they have brains or knowledge? Don’t make me laugh! They were popular! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/14 "2016-08-12T20:59:28Z")
Here’s the second verse and chorus of **Elvis Costello’s New Amsterdam** > [@](#): > > Down on the mainspring, listen to the tick tock > Clock all the faces that move in on your block > Twice shy and dog tired because you’ve been bitten > Everything you say now sounds like it was ghost-written > > New Amsterdam it’s become much too much > Till I have the possession of everything she touches > Till I step on the brake to get out of her clutches > Till I speak double dutch to a real double duchess ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/15 "2016-08-12T21:27:34Z")
I know it’s unfair, but I’m going with Cole Porter The girls today in society Go for classical poetry So to win them all you must quote with ease Aeschylus and Euripides… If she says your behavior is heinous Kick her right in the Coriolanus. There’s also Noel Coward: In tropical climes there are certain times of day When all the citizens retire To tear their clothes off and perspire It’s one of those rules that the greatest fools obey Because the sun is much too sultry And one must avoid its ultra violet ray. And, of course: “But Englishmen detest a Siesta.” ---
**Author:** ![epolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@epolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epolo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/16 "2016-08-12T21:28:46Z")
I always liked Fountains of Wayne rhyming “apartment”, “department”, “compartment”, and “heart went”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**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:** [August 12, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/17 "2016-08-12T21:47:06Z")
File this under not-so-clever rhymes: “You keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’ You keep losing when you oughta not bet You keep samin’ when you oughta be a’changin’ What’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet These boots are made for walkin’ And that’s just what they’ll do, And one of these day, these boots my friend Are gonna walk all over you.” –Nancy Sinatra ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/18 "2016-08-12T21:48:27Z")
The first two that come to mind (there will be more): “I woke up alarmed” ``` -Liz Phair ``` “She said that she was working for the ABC News it was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use” ``` -Elvis Costello ``` mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/19 "2016-08-12T22:06:42Z")
Lorenz Hart, the indispensable: While you love your lover, let blues skies be your coverlet. –from “Mountain Greenery” We’ll go to Greenwich, Where modern men itch To be free; And Bowling Green you’ll see With me. We’ll bathe at Brighton The fish you’ll frighten When you’re in. Your bathing suit so thin Will make the shellfish grin Fin to fin. –from “Manhattan” Thine arms are martial; Thou hast grace; My cheek is partial to thy face; And if they lips grow weary, Mine are resting place. –from “Thou Swell” ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/20 "2016-08-12T22:10:14Z")
If using your accent to rhyme counts, then **Cibo Mato’s** _Sci-Fi Wasabi_ is up there: “Obi Wan Kenobi Told me In the lobby” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588.md?page=2)