# Favorite Meaningless Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607 "2005-03-21T18:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/21 "2005-03-23T13:04:02Z")
The Beatles-_Revolution #9_ Moving this from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![snorlax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@snorlax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snorlax)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/22 "2005-03-23T13:34:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The Beatles-_Revolution #9_ Is this really one of your favorites? I mean, I recognize its importance in popular music history, and appreciate its experimental nature, but - blecch. The beauty of iTunes is that this can be so easily purged from the White Album. I’ll concur with **RealityChuck** on [Mairzy Doats](http://www.rienzihills.com/SING/mairzydoats.htm), which I only learned a few weeks ago and have since been unable to get out of my head. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/23 "2005-03-23T13:41:42Z")
I love the man, but Stevie Wonder has been throwing nonsense lyrics at us for years. **As** : “Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea” and “Until the earth just for the sun denies itself”. Great song, silly lyrics. **Ribbon in the Sky** : “Oh so long for this night I prayed That a star would guide you my way To share with me this special day Where a ribbon’s in the sky for our love” ---
**Author:** ![AndyPolley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@AndyPolley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyPolley)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/24 "2005-03-23T13:58:31Z")
I rather enjoy Phish’s “Dinner and a Movie” when it comes to nonsense songs. Although the message is quite clear. _Let’s go out to dinner and see a movie Let’s go out to dinner and see a movie Let’s go out to dinner and see a movie Let’s go out to dinner and see a movie_ [slight hijack] I’m just getting into Wilco, **colour wolf** , are many of their songs ‘meaningless’? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/25 "2005-03-23T13:59:02Z")
_**Love And Nuts And Noodles (Bring 'Em Back Alive)**_ lyric: Yip Harburg - music: Lew Gensler from the revue “Ballyhoo of 1932” [sub](This song is built around the phrase “Bring 'em back alive,” trademark of Frank Buck, who used to show exotic animals in Barnum & Bailey’s Circus. Sing to half-assed “Rumba Foxtrot” rhythm.)[/sub] Love…and nuts and noodles, Lotsa monkey doodles, Bring 'em back alive. Those moons…and jungle mamas, Cellophane pajamas, Bring 'em back alive, [REMAINDER OF LYRICS DELETED] ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/26 "2005-03-23T14:13:25Z")
_Kerosene Hat_ by Cracker. A few verses: How can I fly with these old doggy wings While the magpie sings some shiny song? Old corn face row of teeth, she says sweetly to me In the elevator Here come old Kerosene Hat With his ear flaps waxed, a courting’ his girl Come clattering in here on your old cloven skates With that devilish spoon So don’t you bother me death with your leathery ways and your old chaise lounge (old chaise lounge) Wickerman’s fence of leathery tires And the cook’s gone bad, started several fires CHORUS: Everything seems like a dream And life’s a scream When you’re submarine ---
**Author:** ![Rufus\_Xavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/27 "2005-03-23T16:21:27Z")
**Janitor** by _Suburban Lawns_ Sample lyrics Who’s your mother Who’s your father I guess everything’s relative I’m a janitor Oh my genitals ---
**Author:** ![Ithaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Ithaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ithaka)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/28 "2005-03-23T17:10:47Z")
> [@colour wolf](#): > > **Billy Bragg and Wilco: Hoodoo Voodoo** But written by Woody Guthrie of course. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/29 "2005-03-23T19:36:53Z")
Heywood Banks’s “Hickey Hockey Holey” is kind of fun. ---
**Author:** ![ookpik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@ookpik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ookpik)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2005, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/30 "2005-03-23T19:51:08Z")
How about the Chicken Song from Spitting Image? Skin yourself alive, learn to speak araphahoe Climb inside a dog, and behead an Eskimo Eat a Renault 4, wear salami in your ears Cassarole your gran, dis-embowel yourself with spears ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/31 "2005-03-24T00:28:07Z")
How about **Meaningless** by _The Magnetic Fields_? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/32 "2005-03-24T00:55:55Z")
I’m rather fond of Bruce McCulloch’s rendering of “These Are the Daves I Know.” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/33 "2005-03-24T01:00:15Z")
“Judy in Disguise (with glasses)” - John Fred and His Playboy Band “The Guitar (the lion sleeps tonight)” - They Might Be Giants ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/34 "2005-03-24T01:44:19Z")
> [@AndyPolley](#): > > I rather enjoy Phish […] …and their completely nonsensical lyrics. A short sampling: _And we’re glad glad glad that you’re alive and we’re glad glad glad that you’ll arrive and we’re glad glad glad glad, glad glad glad… and we’re glad glad glad that you’re a **glide**._ Not enough? Okay, try this one: _Mask a pretty hopper’s foot with squeeze cheese Dangle some grape apple pies Tranquil and serene until he runs out of supplies…_ And for sheer minimalism, their song “David Bowie,” whose lyrics, in their entirety, can be posted under Fair Use, if only because they’re trademarks owned by other people: _David Bowie (x4) UB40 (x4) (repeat)_ In their entire recording history, I don’t think Phish ever let a lack of sensible lyrics prevent them from recording an otherwise catchy tune. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2005, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/35 "2005-03-24T02:15:22Z")
**Roundabout** by Yes. Of course, all of their lyrics are meaningless, but this is especially meaningless to me! 😃 > [@](#): > > In and around the lake > Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there > One mile over we’ll be there and we’ll see you > Ten true summers we’ll be there and laughing too > Twenty four before my love you’ll see I’ll be there with you > > I will remember you > Your silhouette will charge the view > Of distance atmosphere > Call it morning driving thru the sound and even in the valley ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/36 "2005-03-24T02:28:36Z")
**Snoopy vs The Red Baron** 10…20…30…40…50 or more. You don’t get mor meaningless than a dog with a big black nose shooting down Von Richtoffen. ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/37 "2005-03-24T03:38:20Z")
Duran Duran’s _(I’m Looking for) Cracks in the Pavement_: Somebody shaking my tree Maybe that somebody is me I’m standing in the light but I’m making a break for The shadows on the cinema wall. They should be mine but I’m not that tall Now I’m saying this in private If I had a car I’d drive it insane That’s always made me smile. Also, The Beatles’ _All Together Now_ would have to qualify, IMO: A, B, C, D Can I bring my friend to tea? E, F, G H I J I love you. Sail the ship, Jump the tree Skip the rope, Look at me The drugs were goooood in the 60s. And the 80s. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/38 "2005-03-24T05:07:57Z")
One of my favorites is _Return of the Post Moderns_ by Better Than Ezra: Sample lyrics: shelby and sheila onomatopoeia catch hang nail on banlon shiver martin sheen preschool mothers in technicolor are fire bombing dresden stanton, harry dean ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/39 "2005-03-24T05:14:02Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > **Roundabout** by Yes. Of course, all of their lyrics are meaningless, but this is especially meaningless to me! 😃 But _Roundabout_ is one of the few of Yes’s that I understand! Haven’t you ever been out driving, came around a curve on the edge of a lake and the mountains jump up in front of you? Think of it in terms of driving through the most beautiful landscape imaginable for the first time… Of course, it probably helps if you can add an acid flash-back 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607/40 "2005-03-24T05:24:29Z")
Guided By Voices have many short, sharp, and catchy pop songs that have virtually no meaning, but the king of this is Cigarette Tricks. “Shoot up on the fast lane She falls like a concrete robot She’s a boy Billy-I Billy-L Billy-L Billy-Y” That’s almost the entire song. It’s about 18 seconds long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-meaningless-songs/295607.md?page=3)