# Gook-guk-a-choo, Mrs. Robinson------bad songs by good artists **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955 "2003-07-30T18:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tarrsk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@Tarrsk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarrsk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/21 "2003-07-31T03:13:43Z")
I’m quite fond of “Mrs. Robinson” personally… although I’ve always wondered exactly what “gook-guk-a-choo” means (is that even how it’s spelled?). Radiohead - “Creep.” Okay, so it’s not really _that_ bad, but if I hear another person say that this was their best song, I can’t be held responsible for what I’ll do. Mad Caddies - “Spare Change?” For a band that has always been so good at mournful-yet-catchy reggae, the Caddies sure screwed up with this bit of cliche dreck. Weezer - “The Green Album.” Just one big, 30-minute disappointment from one of the best alt-punk bands of the 90s. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/22 "2003-07-31T03:42:19Z")
“Angie” by the Rolling Stones. It annoys the hell out of me when I hear it. “New” Metallica. (Post-Black Album, and I’ll cut the Black Album some slack cause I like it) Post-Superunknown Soundgarden. I just don’t like it. “Walking After You” by the Foo Fighters. God, it makes me want to claw my eyes out. But I LOVE most of the rest of their songs. Everlong is pure goodness in 3ish minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/23 "2003-07-31T04:35:01Z")
Cream - Mother’s Lament (Disraeli Gears) ---
**Author:** ![Icebrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecb155/32.png) [@Icebrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icebrand)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/24 "2003-07-31T04:39:14Z")
Another vote for Black Sabbath’s dismal “Changes.” And what was Metallica thinking on the repetitive and poorly-structured “St. Anger?” Not a song on there even makes lyrical sense. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/25 "2003-07-31T04:54:49Z")
> [@](#): > > although I’ve always wondered exactly what “gook-guk-a-choo” means (is that even how it’s spelled?). I think it’s usually spelled “goo-goo-ga-joob.” That should clear EVERYTHING up. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/26 "2003-07-31T05:30:59Z")
Originally posted by JohnbckWLD > [@](#): > > THE CARS Drive This was The Cars’ highest ranking single at no. 3 and I happen to like it. I disdain Lynnard Skynnard’s “The Ballad of Curtis Lowe.” The Who’s “Magic Bus”. I don’t know what it’s about and I don’t care. I don’t want to hear “I want it” fifty times. Who cares what they want? ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/27 "2003-07-31T05:43:52Z")
Personally, I think Angie (mentioned twice) is the best song of the Stones. YMMV and all that. And although not their best by a mile, Mrs. Robinson is a decent song. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/28 "2003-07-31T06:07:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\*I think it’s usually spelled “goo-goo-ga-joob.” That should clear EVERYTHING up. \*\* No, that’s from I Am The Walrus. It’s coo coo ca-choo. [See?](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/SongUnid/3D157F463455181E48256896000F44F1) ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/29 "2003-07-31T06:20:35Z")
I like Eric Clapton’s _I Shot the Sheriff_. Bad Song By Good Artist: _My Best Friend_ - Jefferson Airplane ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/30 "2003-07-31T06:45:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dragon Phoenix \* > \*\*Personally, I think Angie (mentioned twice) is the best song of the Stones. \*\* I want to like it, but the way Mick whines the word “Angie” makes me yell “Shut the hell up, Mick!” ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/31 "2003-07-31T07:08:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird. Worst guitar solo ever, though nearly all of their other stuff is excellent. I hear this a lot, and frankly, I’m mystified by it. Honestly, what the heck’s wrong with it? It sounds good to me, and I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/32 "2003-07-31T07:22:44Z")
_Ah_. I assumed that was a reference to I Am the Walrus. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![jtull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jtull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtull)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/33 "2003-07-31T08:25:08Z")
Is it bad songs by good artists ? Or just songs that have been airplayed soooo much that you got tired of them ? I think it’s the latter. Songs have the tendency to get “thinner” as you get used to them (listen to them all the time). It’s normal. What we really ought to look for is great underrated songs which never got the attention they should. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Phoenix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dragon\_Phoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/34 "2003-07-31T09:19:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jtull \* > \*\*What we really ought to look for is great underrated songs which never got the attention they should. \*\* I have plenty of those - but that would be a separate thread. Some suggestions for the current OP, from bands I personally like: Beatles - Yellow submarine Pink Floyd - that song with the dog from Meddle Queen - Radio gaga Simon and Garfunkel - El condor pasa ---
**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:** [July 31, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/35 "2003-07-31T12:42:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ogre \* > \*\*I hear this a lot, and frankly, I’m mystified by it. Honestly, what the heck’s wrong with it? It sounds good to me, and I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years. \*\* Boy, your fingers must be tired! Ahem. So, about my day job… ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/36 "2003-07-31T12:53:10Z")
Beatles: Revolution #9, Why Don’t We Do It in the Road AC/DC: Little Lover Grateful Dead is a tough one, because most of the stuff that’s on studio CDs isn’t indicative of their live stuff. Even so, there are a few I don’t like, such as China Doll and Rosemary. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/37 "2003-07-31T13:06:10Z")
“Crocodile Rock” by Elton John has always grated on my nerves. Ever since I was little I’ve hated it. I like many of Elton John’s other classics, but “Crocodile Rock” is one I’ve taken an exception to. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/38 "2003-07-31T14:19:01Z")
Most of the second side of “More” by the Floyd. All of the Beatles’ first three albums. “Love Song” by the Cure. (Used to think “friday i’m in love” was also apt, but I think the contrast between the way he sings it and the meaning is rather droll.) I second the horrible guitar solo in “Free Bird”. Although I wouldnt classifiy Skynyrd as a “good” artist. I like some of their songs though (okay, only “gimme 3 steps”.) “Veronica” by Costello. “Brass Monkey” by the beasties. ---
**Author:** ![MMI](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/53a042/32.png) [@MMI](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MMI)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/39 "2003-07-31T14:40:24Z")
SNL’s take on the issue (or a similar one) > **[SNL Transcripts: Nathan Lane: 12/06/97: Songs That Ruined Everything - SNL...](https://snltranscripts.jt.org/97/97hsongs.phtml)** > >  Saturday Night Live Transcripts  Season 23: Episode 8 ---
**Author:** ![80sHairMetalMaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/ed655f/32.png) [@80sHairMetalMaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/80sHairMetalMaven)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955/40 "2003-07-31T14:52:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\* > If you count older Aerosmith as a good artist, then I nominate everything they’ve done since releasing “Crazy” (or “Amazing” or “Cryin’,” whichever came first). \*\* Actually, since they are both on the same album (Pump), they came out at about the same time. 🙂 I don’t agree with you, though, Marley. Although I seriously disliked _9 Lives_, I’ve liked a lot of their other stuff that’s come out since then. Esp _Just Push Play_. JPP has a lot of interesting tracks on it that kind of push the boundaries for Aerosmith and their own style/genre. 🙂 IDBB [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gook-guk-a-choo-mrs-robinson-bad-songs-by-good-artists/191955.md?page=3)