# Creepiest rock song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943 "2008-12-12T22:12:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/41 "2008-12-13T02:56:03Z")
Actually for me: “Mad World” is the go to creepy song. I love it so much though. But man… \* The Dreams in which I’m dying… are the best dreams I ever had…\* ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/42 "2008-12-13T03:20:07Z")
For us oldies fans: “ **Transfusion** ”, by Nervous Norvus. Also “ **I Put A Spell On You** ” , by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Satellite\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Satellite\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satellite_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/43 "2008-12-13T03:21:04Z")
How 'bout Oingo Boingo’s [Little Girls](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jItz-uNjoZA)? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/44 "2008-12-13T03:22:48Z")
Also “ **18 With A Bullet** ”, by Pete Wingfield. Q ---
**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:** [December 13, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/45 "2008-12-13T03:29:22Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > He was the first to leap into my head. > > Billion Dollar Babies > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLlz5twIFYs](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLlz5twIFYs) > > _If I’m too rough, tell me; I’m so scared your little head will come off in my hands._ The creepiest Alice song for me is **Dead Babies**. Not merely shock-schlock like most of their weird stuff, but a genuinely grim song about a parents’ rationalizing their guilt away after their negligence caused the death of their infant. “Little Betty ate a pound of aspirin She got them from the shelf upon the wall Betty’s mommy wasn’t there to save her She didn’t even hear her baby call” ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/46 "2008-12-13T03:32:04Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > Yes, I’d think it was creepy if it were a woman telling a man he was now her pet, and would only speak when spoke to. The way he talks about her sounds cruel and degrading, and he sounds as if he’s enjoying grinding her down. Why would my interpretation be different if the genders were reversed? I don’t get it. I think it’s pretty natural to exult in the feeling, when someone who “once put you down” does a turnaround, and now you’re the one calling the shots. I wouldn’t mind throwing that around a bit. > [@](#): > > It’s not about turning a scornful lover into a devoted one. It’s taking a woman who had a mind of her own and turning her into a completely subjugated person. That’s not love. I always heard it as turning the tables on someone he used to admire, who put him down. I’m not saying this is admirable, but I never found it creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Dosipede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dosipede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dosipede)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/47 "2008-12-13T03:36:36Z")
Gnarls Barkley’s debut effort had some lyrics on the creepy side. Take this selection from _Necromancing_: > [@](#): > > Have no fear, everything’s fine, my girl parties all the time > Did you hear what I said? With this ring I thee wed > A body in my bed, she was cool when I met her > But I think I like her better dead Or this stanza from _Storm Coming_ > [@](#): > > Run towards the hills to avoid the high flood > I can do a dance that’ll make the sky cry blood > Skills provoking, and seals to be broken open > All that’s left to do is try my love ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/48 "2008-12-13T03:53:27Z")
Of course there’s the **The Crystals’** “He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)” > [@](#): > > He couldn’t stand to hear me say > That I’d been with someone new > And when I told him I had been untrue > He hit me and it felt like a kiss > He hit me and I knew he loved me > Cause if he didn’t care for me > I could have never made him mad > He hit me and I was glad I see by searching for the lyrics online that it was also recorded by Hole. A lesser degree of the anger-proves-your-love concept was delivered by **Joanie Sommers** > [@](#): > > Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad > Give me the biggest lecture I ever had > I want a brave man, I want a cave man > Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me The song was also released by ultra-wholesome Shelley Fabares, who played the daughter on the Donna Reed Show ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/49 "2008-12-13T04:00:07Z")
> [@5\_time\_champ](#): > > **Bloodrock’s** _D.O.A._ is so creepy I don’t even listen to it anymore. > > **Donovan’s** \* Mellow Yellow\* has some skeevy lyrics > _I’m just mad about Fourteen. > Fourteen’s mad about me. > I’m-a just mad about-a Fourteen. > She’s just mad about me._ Particularly a live version I used to have where he said, “I’m just mad about fourteen-year-old girls, they’re mad about me.” I was a 14-year-old girl at the time, and it was true. We were mad about him. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/50 "2008-12-13T04:02:21Z")
> [@Satchmo](#): > > Perfect ‘B’ side for **Timothy** would have been **D.O.A.** , Ah the 70’s. They really don’t make songs like that anymore. > > “Life … is flowing out my body … Pain is flowing out … with my blood …” The 70’s is THE era for the creepy song. You got your Timothy, your D.O.A., your Angie Baby, your assorted Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult, Jethro Tull… And a few others: \*\*The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia \*\* > [@](#): > > Well, they hung my brother before I could say > The tracks he saw while on his way > To Andy’s house and back that night were mine > And his cheatin’ wife had never left town > And that’s one body that’ll never be found > See, little sister don’t miss when she aims her gun **Indiana Wants Me** > [@](#): > > If a man ever needed dyin’, he did > No one had the right to say what he said about you > And it’s so cold and lonely here without you > Out there the law’s a-comin’ > I’m scared and so tired of runnin’ \*\*Delta Dawn \*\* > [@](#): > > She’s forty-one and her daddy still calls her “baby” > All the folks around Brownsville say she’s crazy > 'Cause she walks around town with a suitcase in her hand > Looking for a mysterious dark-haired man \*\*Vehicle \*\* > [@](#): > > Well I’m the friendly stranger > In the black sedan > Oh won’t you hop inside my car? > I got pictures, got candy, I am a lovable man > I’d like to take you to the nearest star And, of course, \*\*Alone Again (Naturally) \*\* > [@](#): > > In a little while from now, > If I’m not feeling any less sour, > I promised myself, to treat myself, > And visit a nearby tower … > And climbing to the top, > will throw myself off, > In an effort to, make clear to whoever, > What it’s like when you’re shattered … > Left standing in the lurch, > At a church where people saying … > My God, that’s tough, she stood him up, > No point in us remaining … > May as well go home, > As I did on my own, > Alone again, naturally. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/51 "2008-12-13T04:22:49Z")
To go old school, I’ve always thought Teresa Brewer’s _Don’t Say You Don’t Remember_ was pretty creepy, even though it was probably supposed to be a plaintive love song. I can’t find the lyrics, but they’re something like: _Don’t say you don’t remember, I’ll never love anyone else._ I picture some poor schmo having a one night stand during summer vacation, then being confronted by his erstwhile Fatal Attraction paramour at high school. As she sings something like “Together we can find some reason to go on living,” he’s slowly backing away, wondering what the hell he’s gotten himself into. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/52 "2008-12-13T05:12:05Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Does it have to be _sexually_ creepy? I mean the first thing that jumped into my head was Metallica’s _Enter Sandman_. The music is wicked, and it’s about nightmares and stuff. As someone who has vivid nightmares, it’s pretty damn creepy. And seeing the video for the first time RIGHT BEFORE GOING TO BED doesn’t help either :eek: ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/53 "2008-12-13T05:14:30Z")
Nick Cave’s version of the blues classic “Stagger Lee” always creeps me out: > [@](#): > > She saw the barkeep, said, “O God, he can’t be dead!” > Stag said, “Well just count the holes in the motherfucker’s head” > She said, “You look like you ain’t scored in quite a time. > Why not come to my pad? It won’t cost you a dime, > Mr. Stagger Lee” There’s also some '70s song about a dying baby, the title and artist of which escapes me, that is infinitely creepy. Anyone know what I’m talking about? All I remember was that the song was pretty short - less than two minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/54 "2008-12-13T05:24:58Z")
How about the Kink’s _Come Dancing_? An old fart reminiscing about the days of his youth when he would fantasize about making out with his sister? ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/55 "2008-12-13T05:35:05Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > It’s not supposed to be love. It’s a revenge song. He used to love her in the “do anything for her” sort of way and she treated him like shit. He’s managed to turn the tables to where she’s chasing him and he can treat _her_ like shit. I didn’t say it was supposed to be love. I agreed with you-- it’s not. It’s about power and turning the tables. His response to her put-down does seem a bit… excessive to me. And I wonder what he had to do to get the upper hand like that. > [@](#): > > He doesn’t love her (he says he gets to check out other girls). He’s just giving back what she used to give him. No argument that it’s petty but it doesn’t really creep me out. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion. I do find it creepy. De gustibus. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Armageddon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mister\_Armageddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Armageddon)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/56 "2008-12-13T05:36:06Z")
It’s So Easy by Guns N’ Roses: > [@](#): > > Ya get nothin’ for nothin’ > If that’s what ya do > Turn around bitch I got a use for you > Besides you ain’t got nothin’ better to do > And I’m bored And from an otherwise cheerful song, I’ve Underestimated My Charm (Again) by Black Kids: > [@](#): > > And you, you’re not doing too well. > All the blogs are about you, girl. > They caught you in the park after dark > giving head to a statue, girl. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/57 "2008-12-13T05:38:43Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > How about the Kink’s _Come Dancing_? An old fart reminiscing about the days of his youth when he would fantasize about making out with his sister? !!! How did you get that? Boy I am sure hearing these lyrics differently than some of you people. That sounded like an innocent nostalgic piece to me. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/58 "2008-12-13T05:47:15Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > How about the Kink’s _Come Dancing_? An old fart reminiscing about the days of his youth when he would fantasize about making out with his sister? He’s not fantasizing about making out with his sister. He’s remember how his sister used to go dancing with her boyfriends and stay out late and get in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/59 "2008-12-13T05:48:40Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > !!! How did you get that? Boy I am sure hearing these lyrics differently than some of you people. That sounded like an innocent nostalgic piece to me. It’s the spoken part, when he’s reminiscing about watching her kiss some guy by ‘the garden gate’… and then he notes how he wishes he could ‘go dancing’ with her. Am I reading to much into it? Maybe. But it _is_ a Kinks song… ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2008, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creepiest-rock-song/476943/60 "2008-12-13T05:57:44Z")
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