# Do you have words or phrases that trigger songs in your head? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867 "2016-08-05T19:23:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [August 9, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/41 "2016-08-09T23:25:01Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > I’m 43 and I don’t get the reference. Lemme guess: the Skip James song _I’m So Glad_, as made famous by Cream on [their first album](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yi7AJvzRUA). I know because I’m just as weirdly wired as **E-DUB** and I have the same kind of earworms ;). ---
**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:** [August 11, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/42 "2016-08-11T00:30:34Z")
Many recycle bins remind me of Beck. Bottles and cans And just clap your hands And just clap your hands. Where it’s at! ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/43 "2016-08-11T05:59:24Z")
Before I retired I was a legal secretary. Every single flippin’ time I typed “Dear Sir or Madam” my brain had to fill it in with “will you read my book it took me years to write, will you take a look”. Paaaaaperbaaaaaack Wriiiiiiter… ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/44 "2016-08-11T06:01:37Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Lemme guess: the Skip James song _I’m So Glad_, as made famous by Cream on [their first album](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yi7AJvzRUA). I know because I’m just as weirdly wired as **E-DUB** and I have the same kind of earworms ;). Cool, thanks. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/45 "2016-08-11T11:22:38Z")
With the Olympics going on this week, I’m surprised nobody has mentioned “Copacabana” yet. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/46 "2016-08-11T14:59:52Z")
I’m warning you in advance: this ain’t pretty– I actually use a certain phrase quite often in speaking, and then the obvious happens. “Well, the first thing you know…” ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/47 "2016-08-11T16:49:00Z")
I always end up singing the Weird Al version of songs. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/48 "2016-08-11T17:06:01Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I’m warning you in advance: this ain’t pretty– > > I actually use a certain phrase quite often in speaking, and then the obvious happens. > > “Well, the first thing you know…” I’m kinda stumped on that one. If I hear any of the following words… babble bicker brouhaha balderdash ballyhoo chit-chat duologue …King Crimson’s “Elephant Talk” comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![epolo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@epolo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epolo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/49 "2016-08-11T17:07:09Z")
I must think the Horn of Africa is quite earthquake prone because whenever I hear the name of one particular country there I can’t help but sing “shake shake shake, shake shake shake, shake -----”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/50 "2016-08-11T18:21:44Z")
Whenever I start a sentence with “Should I stay”, I always want to continue with “…or should I go”, instead of “at the Marriott” or whatever else I intended. Whenever I say “Jump!” to one of the dogs, I usually hear Van Halen start up in my head. Sometimes the Pointer Sisters. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/51 "2016-08-11T19:09:22Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I tend to go with the “almost, but not quite” thing. Once a co-worker remarked on it being a crappy day. I said: “Oh, Crappy Day”. > > Another time a different co-worker said: “I’m so mad.” Pause. “I’m so mad.” > Another office joker and I both chimed in with “I’m mad, I’m mad, I’m mad.” > > She was too young to get the reference but a few others within earshot started laughing. “Oh, Crappy Day,” by the Edwin Hawkins Singers? Available on every K-Tel, Ronco, etc. record from the '70s? > [@Nobody](#): > > Whenever Rachel Maddow says, “Watch this space,” then “Six Underground” starts playing in my head. > > Watch this space > I’m open…to falling from grace > > Also, when I think of the order of the seasons I just think of the part of “You’ve Got a Friend” sung by James Taylor where he names them in order. “…in Pennsylvania.” State slogan/song some years back. > [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > I’m kinda stumped on that one. \ “…old Jed’s a millionaire. The kinfolk said, ‘Jed, change yer underwear.’” 😃 Any time after 6:45 (AM or PM), if someone asks what time it is: Almost seven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge mountains… . ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/52 "2016-08-11T19:22:27Z")
> [@Periwinkle](#): > > Whenever I start a sentence with “Should I stay”, I always want to continue with “…or should I go”, instead of “at the Marriott” or whatever else I intended. > > Whenever I say “Jump!” to one of the dogs, I usually hear Van Halen start up in my head. Sometimes the Pointer Sisters. yes to both. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > \ “…old Jed’s a millionaire. The kinfolk said, ‘Jed, change yer underwear.’” 😃 ah I see un-pretty indeed (and I’m more or less _from_ that time, too, and still didn’t get it) ---
**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:** [August 11, 2016, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/53 "2016-08-11T20:05:36Z")
Ok, I got one more. Right now, I’m watching a program about super novae, and an astronomer said ‘We are stardust’. Instantly I added (and I do it every time I merely hear the word ‘stardust’): (billion year old carbon) We are golden (caught in the devil’s bargain) And we got to get ourselves Back to the ga-a-a-a-rden. (doo-doop, doo-doo-doo-doo-doo doo-dop…) ---
**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:** [August 11, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/54 "2016-08-11T20:18:44Z")
O my, I have a run. This time, someone on the astronomy program mentioned gamma rays, and Bam!: [“If I Were A Gamma Ray, A Gamma Gamma, Gamma Ray Made Of Pure Existence”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7tDhS3Hlao) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/55 "2016-08-11T21:45:05Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > O my, I have a run. This time, someone on the astronomy program mentioned gamma rays, and Bam!: [“If I Were A Gamma Ray, A Gamma Gamma, Gamma Ray Made Of Pure Existence”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7tDhS3Hlao) ha, when I hear gamma, I think: @ 6:22… [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qK\_gO965xU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qK_gO965xU) Also, I think of our good friend Carol if I hear the phrase “it’s too late…” If I hear “I’ll be there”, I’ll either think of Greg Lake going “I’ll be there, l’ll be there, I will be there”, or I’ll try to get all falsetto and attempt the 3 y.o. (j/k) Micheal Jackson version. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/56 "2016-08-11T21:48:59Z")
When I’m given a phone number that starts with an “8” or I’m called my (forbidden) diminutive . . . Any guesses? **Jenny** , I got your number I need to make you mine **Jenny** , don’t change your number **8** 67-5309 "8675309 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/57 "2016-08-12T02:52:49Z")
The “In My Humble Opinion” forum name triggers “In My Simple Humble Neighborhood” from Carole King’s Really Rosie. Also, when I have to pee I sing “I gotta pee, I gotta go” to the tune of John Denver’s “I want to live / I want to grow I want to see / I want to know I want to share what I can give I want to be / I want to live” And since I hate the heat, “It’s too hot (too hot) oh so hot, lady!” Just the tip of the iceberg, I’m afraid. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/58 "2016-08-12T03:14:50Z")
If I hear fresh I’ll start singing “She’s fresh, fresh…exciting!..Fresh as a sum-mers breeze!” I can’t hear the phrase “in the long run” without thinking of the Eagles. and for a non-musical one, do I really need to say who I’m referencing if I mention the word “pilgrim”? or some old fogey extra who mentions “plastics”? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/59 "2016-08-12T22:58:57Z")
To give my 537th favourite band some love - three offerings from Heart… barricuda - you know what song that’ll bring up. even it up never ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2016, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867/60 "2016-08-16T11:58:32Z")
Every time I hear “The politics of…”, I mentally complete it with [DANCING](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eabefjsJsAQ). So, I’ve been building a hatred of that phrase for decades. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-words-or-phrases-that-trigger-songs-in-your-head/761867.md?page=4)