# I call bullshit on Mary Chapin Carptenter's new Starbucks cup quote **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 1, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975 "2005-11-01T21:22:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/121 "2005-11-03T03:22:37Z")
Look, if some song or album was popular before you were born, pretty much the only way you’re going to be familiar with it is if your parents play it. My parents are Baby Boomers and music lovers in general and I grew up in a house where the music was always on. My parents love the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, not to mention all the Motown and Phil Spector girl group stuff that was popular when they were in high school. Jimi Hendrix is my dad’s personal god (he’s been to the Experience Music doohickey in Seattle twice). So, I know all that music. But my parents never liked the Beatles, so to be honest, I wasn’t very familiar with their music until I was a freshman in college and had a MAJOR Beatles fan for a roommate. (As a weird side note, when my grandparents had their 50th wedding anniversary, my dad got put in charge of making the soundtrack to the party. He bought tons of albums of music that had been popular when my grandparents were young and as a result I also grew up listening to a lot of Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Andrews Sisters, etc…really, rather an odd combination of genres.) Because my parents are older than most of my friends my own age (I’m 27), I had different exposure to music. My best friend in high school couldn’t believe I’d never heard of Journey. (Oh, if only it had stayed that way.) Because that was the kind of music her mom played when she was growing up. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/122 "2005-11-03T03:35:12Z")
Heck, you don’t even have to go all the way to the 60s. Lots of people around my age–early 20s, late teens–watch shows like Family Guy and Robot Chicken, which are chock-full of 70s and 80s references. When most of what you remember watching in the 80s was along the lines of Sesame Street and a few half-remembered Saturday morning cartoons, an awful lot of those references are going to be lost. Hell, I could make a long list purely of pop-culture I’ve only ever heard of because of Family Guy. For that matter, even earlier seasons of the Simpsons are like that. That episode where Selma sings to her iguana–apparently that’s a Murphy Brown reference, which I only know because I listened to the commentary. Why would someone my age know that? The egg guy in the Stonecutters episode–same deal. Now it’s basically just surreal. Jimmy the Greek? Who the hell is Jimmy the Greek? And so on. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/123 "2005-11-03T03:50:03Z")
Oh, and is Paul still being needed and fed now? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/124 "2005-11-03T04:03:57Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > For the record, there is only one good singer with the name Cash and that would be the Man in Black. Though his duets weren’t that bad. Will Smith is Johnny Cash? (joking, joking) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/125 "2005-11-03T05:18:03Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I think we should sentence her to reeducation camp. That would involve tying her to a chair, propping her eyelids open, and forcing her to watch all 5 disks of The Complete Beatles. Well, to be fair, the girl is only 11, and she’s the daughter of immigrants. Cut her some slack. **Palooka** , please tell me that was a whoosh. (Even if it wasn’t, hell, didn’t you read the thread?) **Anastasaeon** , I’d be willing to bet that you have heard the Carpenters without realizing it. It’s like when I first got into the Beatles, after doing a report on the history of rock in 10th grade. I started hearing all these songs that I had HEARD before, for years on the radio, but I never realized they were the Beatles. Roseanne Cash is the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash from his first wife. Harry Chapin was a singer in the seventies. Maybe you’ve heard the song “Cat’s Cradle?” _And the cat’s in the cradle in the silver spoon Little Boy Blue and the man on the moon When you comin’ home Dad I don’t know when We’ll get together then, dad, you know we’ll have a good time then_ And for those who will inevitably ask, Johnny Cash sang “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk The Line”. That and he’s the origin of the phrase “I shot a man in Reno once, just to watch him die.”\* The new movie, _Walk the Line_ is a biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. I like to think of Cash as “Country Goth”. Oh, and I have it on good authority that Mary Chapin Carpenter choked to death on a ham sandwhich. \*[sub]Which song was that from-“Fulsom County Prison Blues?”[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/126 "2005-11-03T05:44:04Z")
> [@Guinastasia\[...](#): > > didn’t you read the thread?) Of course not. This is a long thread and I got here late so I just skimmed most (all) of it. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/127 "2005-11-03T06:13:04Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > **Anastasaeon** , I’d be willing to bet that you have heard the Carpenters without realizing it. It’s like when I first got into the Beatles, after doing a report on the history of rock in 10th grade. I started hearing all these songs that I had HEARD before, for years on the radio, but I never realized they were the Beatles. > > Roseanne Cash is the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash from his first wife. Harry Chapin was a singer in the seventies. Maybe you’ve heard the song “Cat’s Cradle?” Re: The Carpenters - You’re probably right - I’ve done that with quite a few bands. Had to bump into a fan of someone and have them point it out: “You know the song that goes 'dada dada da?” that’s \_\_\_\_\_." And then it dawns on me. Re: Roseanne Cash - AHA! I _like_ Johnny Cash, even though I’m not a fan of country music (new, old, or that weird alt-rock country stuff). I just don’t know very much about him or his life. I am interested in seeing the movie that’s coming out about his life, so I can (hopefully) learn a little bit more about him… depending, of course, on how liberally they distribute the facts. Sometimes movies are stingy with those pesky things. And re: Harry Chapin - _Aha_! See my first paragraph. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/128 "2005-11-03T06:13:19Z")
The song from Johnny Cash is [Folsom Prison Blues](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folsom_Prison_Blues) the lyric of which includes the line “I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/129 "2005-11-03T06:16:29Z")
Thanks. That is one of the coolest lines ever, as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/130 "2005-11-03T06:21:27Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Thanks. That is one of the coolest lines ever, as far as I’m concerned. You’re welcome. I’m all about that “fighting ignorance” thing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/131 "2005-11-03T15:28:14Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > Ha, same thing could be said about you old farts, except while us youngins don’t know songs from before we were born, you probably don’t know jack shit about music going on today. Shut up, you young punk, and keep working to pay into my Social Security. And wear that damn baseball cap the right way. And pull up your pants. No one wants to see your drawers. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/132 "2005-11-03T16:01:58Z")
How many kids in the '60s could have answered a question about an Al Jolsen song? AFAIK he was the biggest star around in the twenties. Forty years is a long time in popular music terms. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/133 "2005-11-03T16:06:16Z")
> [@Feydeau](#): > > You’re welcome. I’m all about that “fighting ignorance” thing. 😉 There you go again fighting ignorance. Wouldn’t it be easier to wrestle a buck and snap it’s neck in your bedroom? **Anastasaeon** , while I’m generally not huge fan of the tribute compilation CD’d, [this](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005IL6/qid=1131033845/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6423497-1151216?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) is a great way to introduce yourself to the Carpenter’s music. And then realize how much of it you’ve already heard. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/134 "2005-11-03T16:14:39Z")
> [@mr bus guy](#): > > And then realize how much of it you’ve already heard. If you’ve been to a wedding in the last 20 years, you’ve heard a Carpenters song. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/135 "2005-11-03T16:15:02Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > Look, if some song or album was popular before you were born, pretty much the only way you’re going to be familiar with it is if your parents play it. True enough, but we’re not talking about some obscure 60s band like St. John Green. We’re talking about the Beatles. Huge difference. I may not have followed politics before Nixon, but I’ve at least heard of George Washington. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/136 "2005-11-03T16:17:28Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If you’ve been to a wedding in the last 20 years, you’ve heard a Carpenters song. Oh Lord, forgive me, for I know not what I do. On the day that you were born the angels got together And decided to create a dream come true So they sprinkled olives in your hair And golden starlight in your eyes of blue Aaaaaaaaaaarrrgggghh Close to you Blaaaaaaaarrrggggghhhhhh Close to you ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/137 "2005-11-03T16:22:17Z")
We’ve only just begun… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/138 "2005-11-03T16:27:11Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > So they sprinkled olives in your hair This belongs in one of the “What lyrics do you mishear?” threads. Though I did laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/139 "2005-11-03T16:31:16Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > True enough, but we’re not talking about some obscure 60s band like St. John Green. We’re talking about the Beatles. Huge difference. I may not have followed politics before Nixon, but I’ve at least heard of George Washington. Are you saying they teach Beatles songs in school? Cuz they sure didn’t at my school. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975/140 "2005-11-03T16:32:11Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > This belongs in one of the “What lyrics do you mishear?” threads. > > Though I did laugh. OK, what the fuck? 😕 I always thought it was a stupid line. Olives? The hell? Wouldn’t they just fall out? So what’s the actual line? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-mary-chapin-carptenters-new-starbucks-cup-quote/328975.md?page=8)