# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/81 "2016-08-16T01:27:34Z")
> [@Scarecrow\_s\_Brain](#): > > You missed my “favorite”: > > _You consider me the young apprentice > Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes_ > > sb Oh. Ouch. Had forgotten that one. So frustrating, because he can do more than fine - “I guess you’d call it suicide; but I’m too full to swallow my pride” is a great lyric. He’s just so damn full of himself. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/82 "2016-08-16T02:37:17Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > It’s really frustrating to work hard to not do that on your own song and then be listening to an old great song and it happens, and it never mattered at all to you then. I’m too self conscious. Same with film scripts. I would never let them be the way they are. I probably would never finish one if I tried. Another famous one from Lou: “but she never lost her head/even when she was giving head.” Beatles, too: Hey Jude, don’t make it bad Take a sad song and make it better Remember to let her into your heart Then you can start to make it better In other verses, the rhyme is “get her/better” and “colder/shoulder.” ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/83 "2016-08-16T04:11:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Another famous one from Lou: > > “but she never lost her head/even when she was giving head.” > > Beatles, too: > > Hey Jude, don’t make it bad > Take a sad song and make it better > Remember to let her into your heart > Then you can start to make it better > > In other verses, the rhyme is “get her/better” and “colder/shoulder.” Also in Hey Jude he uses the word “Shoulder” twice in different ways. Maybe it works, but I would drive myself crazy trying not to do that, especially considering he never intended to keep it in the second instance. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/84 "2016-08-16T04:58:27Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Also in Hey Jude he uses the word “Shoulder” twice in different ways. Maybe it works, but I would drive myself crazy trying not to do that, especially considering he never intended to keep it in the second instance. You see identity rhymes a bit more in hip-hop, but I find they can be quite effective as point of emphasizing a word or as part of wordplay (like Black Sabbath’s and Lou Reed’s use of it.) I’m pretty sure Bob Dylan has some examples of this, too, but I’m blanking. In some languages (like French), identities are fairly commonplace and unremarkable. English prosody, for whatever reason, considers them somewhat “unsatisfactory” for lack of a better description. I’m not sure why–I like identities when used well. Repetition can be powerful. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2016, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/85 "2016-08-16T05:06:04Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > How about just plain lazy ‘rhymes’? > > Black Sabbath’s **War Pigs** : > > _Generals gathered in their masses, > just like witches at black masses._ > Does a word rhyme with itself? How about Kid Rock’s inimitable _We were trying different things We were smoking different things_ ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/86 "2016-08-16T05:12:50Z")
Ok, that one does suck. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/87 "2016-08-16T07:54:35Z")
_tea, girls, warm and so sweet, some’re set up in the Somerset Maugham suite_ One Night In Bangkok Pretty cool, a rhyme within a rhyme: sweet - some’er set/Somerset- suite. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/88 "2016-08-16T07:56:30Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > How about Kid Rock’s inimitable > > _We were trying different things > We were smoking different things_ [nitpick] we were smoking _funny_ things [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/89 "2016-08-16T11:29:29Z")
Well we got no class And we got no principals And we got no intelligence We can’t even think of a word that rhymes ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/90 "2016-08-16T16:29:05Z")
But what’s the diff, when you’re stiff, what riff they’re playin’ When your ears have spent five thousand years decayin’ What does it matter, what possessions you may boast When you’re just a ghost, it’s only jive, Clive, Your sarcophagus is glowin’ but your esophagus is showin’ Who cares how rich you are, love, when you look like Boris Karloff. From [“Dead Egyptian Blues” by Michael Smith](http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Dead_Egyptian_Blues.htm). ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/91 "2016-08-16T16:51:32Z")
Well, Cezanne’s father wanted him to be an avocat But Paul just looked at him and said, “Pfft, mais non, pa I want to be a painter, I know I can” Now his oeuvre’s in the Louvre, he’s Paul Cezanne, Cezanne Cezanne, Cezanne, the father of cubism. [“Paul Cezanne” by 5 Chinese Brothers](http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/5_Chinese_Brothers:Paul_Cezanne). ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/92 "2016-08-16T16:57:52Z")
The river was deep but I swam it, Janet The future is ours so let’s plan it, Janet So please don’t tell me to can it, Janet I’ve one thing to say and that’s Dammit, Janet, I love you… … Oh it’s nicer than Betty Munroe had, oh Brad Now we’re engaged and I’m so glad, oh Brad That you’ve met Mum and you know Dad, oh Brad I’ve one thing to say and that’s Brad I’m mad for you too… ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/93 "2016-08-16T17:06:24Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > How about Kid Rock’s inimitable > > _We were trying different things > We were smoking different things_ As someone pointed out _smoking funny things_. I would put this in the clever category,seems to work. ---
**Author:** ![jerseymule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jerseymule/32/3155_2.png) [@jerseymule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerseymule)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/94 "2016-08-16T17:18:16Z")
I used to visit all the very gay places those come what may places where one relaxes on the axis of the wheel of life to get the feel of life from jazz and cocktails the girls I knew had sad and sullen gray faces with distingué traces that used to be there you could see where they’d been washed away by too many through the day twelve o’clocktails The first lines of ["Lush Life by Billy Strayhorn](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/billy+strayhorn/lush+life_20235526.html) with lots of internal rhymes, and the clever “twelve o’clocktails.” ---
**Author:** ![JSexton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@JSexton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JSexton)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/95 "2016-08-16T18:55:32Z")
-Hamilton has creative rhymes: We will fight up close, seize the moment and stay in it It’s either that or meet the business end of a bayonet -and how about 9 internal in 4 lines? Thomas Jefferson, always hesitant with the President Reticent—there isn’t a plan he doesn’t jettison Madison, you’re mad as a hatter, son, take your medicine Damn, you’re in worse shape than the national debt is in -How many ways can we find to rhyme “Burr, Sir”? Pardon me. Are you Aaron Burr, sir? That depends, who’s asking? Oh, well, sure, sir I’m Alexander Hamilton, I’m at your service, sir I have been looking for you I’m getting nervous Sir… I heard your name at Princeton. I was seeking an accelerated course of study when I got sort of out of sorts with a buddy of yours. I may have punched him. It’s a blur, sir. He handles the financials? You punched the bursar? -(later) Mister Burr, sir Didja hear the news about good old General Mercer? -(much later) Well, if it isn’t Aaron Burr. Sir! Alexander! You’ve created quite a stir, sir! I’m going door to door, sure! -and many more that I’ve missed. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/96 "2016-08-16T19:53:16Z")
There’ll be gala opening nights again You’ll see my name in lights again I’ll go from dark to brights again My spirits high as kites again I’ll never suffer slights again I’ll taste those sweet delights again No plethora of plights again No blossoming of blights again No frantic fits or frights again Fame is in my sights again I’ll take those fancy flights again I’m gonna scare the heights again Bialystock will never drop Bialystock will never stop… Bialystock will be on top again I get no kick in a plane Flying too high with some guy in the sky Is my idea of nothing to do But I get a kick out of you ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/97 "2016-08-16T20:31:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > You see identity rhymes a bit more in hip-hop, but I find they can be quite effective as point of emphasizing a word or as part of wordplay (like Black Sabbath’s and Lou Reed’s use of it.) I’m pretty sure Bob Dylan has some examples of this, too, but I’m blanking. In some languages (like French), identities are fairly commonplace and unremarkable. English prosody, for whatever reason, considers them somewhat “unsatisfactory” for lack of a better description. I’m not sure why–I like identities when used well. Repetition can be powerful. Here’s another one: My grand-ma and your grand-ma were sit-tin’ by the fire. My grand-ma told your grand-ma: “I’m gon-na set your flag on fire.” Talk-in’ 'bout, Hey now ! Hey now ! I-ko, I-ko, un-day Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, jock-a-mo fee na-né Look at my king all dressed in red I-ko, I-ko, un-day. I bet-cha five dol-lars he’ll kill you dead, jock-a-mo fee na-né ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/98 "2016-08-16T21:22:23Z")
Limp Bizkit _I did it all for the nookie The nookie So you can take that cookie And stick it up your YEAH! Stick it up your YEAH! Stick it up your YEAH!_ Lil Wayne _Swagger tighter than a yeast infection Fly go hard like geese erection_ As for clever, I sought this out after hearing it on a country station on a road trip. I thought it was pretty great, especially for a country song: Blake Shelton _She put the her in hurt She put the why in try She put the S.O.B. in sober She put the hang in hangover She put the ex in sex She put the low in blow She put a big F.U. in my future Yeah she’s got a way with words_ ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/99 "2016-08-16T21:36:24Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > It’s hard to beat Dylan rhyming skull and capital in “Idiot Wind.” Not a rhyme, but it’s also hard to beat the way he pronounces “idiot” (and “wind” for that matter). He really chews on it! ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588/100 "2016-08-16T22:00:04Z")
Surprised we’ve made it this far (and through several Tom Lehrer references) without the top masterwork of W.S. Gilbert: ``` About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news, With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse. ``` (and, you know, the whole song, so I’ll just go with the capper verse). ``` In fact, when I know what is meant by "mamelon" and "ravelin", When I can tell at sight a Mauser rifle from a javelin, When such affairs as sorties and surprises I'm more wary at, And when I know precisely what is meant by "commissariat", When I have learnt what progress has been made in modern gunnery, When I know more of tactics than a novice in a nunnery – In short, when I've a smattering of elemental strategy – You'll say a better Major-General has never sat a gee. ``` [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clever-and-not-so-clever-rhymes-in-songs/762588.md?page=6)