# I dare you to find one pop song where a backup children's choir is not annoying. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 3, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571 "2008-06-03T02:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/41 "2008-06-03T15:37:54Z")
and he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs… ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/42 "2008-06-03T16:38:25Z")
Frank Sinatra High Hopes ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/43 "2008-06-03T16:44:28Z")
I was going to suggest [Tranquilize](http://youtube.com/watch?v=12bgWhzgJSQ) by the Killers, featuring Lou Reed, but I’m not sure it would count, since the children only sing one small part. It’s not nearly as good when it’s performed without Lou and the kids, though. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/44 "2008-06-03T16:48:15Z")
[QUOTE=pepperlandgirl] I didn’t think the kids were annoying in **Happy Xmas (War is Over)**. [/QUOTE] Nor do I. Came into this thread to mention that song. In fact, I find the children singing along with John, “War is over if you want it” rather charming. Puts a lump in my throat. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/45 "2008-06-03T17:42:00Z")
[QUOTE=Laughing Lagomorph] Thinking about it I think the fact the one song is all in Hawaiian, and the second song is about 50-50 Hawaiian and English makes the kids more tolerable than they might otherwise be. [/QUOTE] Yes, the Hawaiian is what makes it charming to me as well, although the second one is probably 50% Hawaiian, 25% English, and 25% Hawaiian pidgin. Its also fun to sing along to – “Lalala i kala hanahana, Me ke kai hoene i ka pu’e one!”. “Little Grass Shack” is similarly fun for the same reason. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/46 "2008-06-03T17:52:06Z")
“Youth of a Nation” by P.O.D. has a good-sounding children’s choir in it. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/47 "2008-06-03T18:08:53Z")
The Chili Pepper’s “Aeroplane” features Flea’s daughter Clara and her school mates singing the chorus at the end. Love that song. ---
**Author:** ![nevermore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a587f6/32.png) [@nevermore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevermore)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/48 "2008-06-03T18:09:16Z")
Gorillaz - “Dirty Harry” (is that pop? I’ve heard it in a restaurant…) ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/49 "2008-06-03T21:47:22Z")
“Would You Love Me” by Chuck Prophet. [Linky – song starts at 1:37](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wKH0FyR91M). ---
**Author:** ![Sparklo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Sparklo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparklo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/50 "2008-06-03T21:56:08Z")
I like the creepiness of the kids singing in Oingo Boingo’s [Insanity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlESM2r-Ql4) . I never saw the video before I looked up that link but it’s about as weird as I would have expected. ---
**Author:** ![Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kilvert\_s\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilvert_s_Pagan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/51 "2008-06-03T22:40:25Z")
[QUOTE=Sparklo] I like the creepiness of the kids singing in Oingo Boingo’s [Insanity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlESM2r-Ql4) . [/QUOTE] Same for the “we will rock you, rock you little snakes…” bit from Genesis’ **Supper’s Ready**. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/52 "2008-06-03T22:45:39Z")
Aw shit. ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/53 "2008-06-04T01:09:51Z")
> [@CaerieD](#): > > I was going to suggest Tranquilize by the Killers, featuring Lou Reed, but I’m not sure it would count, since the children only sing one small part. It’s not nearly as good when it’s performed without Lou and the kids, though. Wow, that song’s really good! Surprised I’d never heard it before. ---
**Author:** ![Monkey\_Chews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Monkey\_Chews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey_Chews)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/54 "2008-06-04T01:16:23Z")
[QUOTE=Larry Borgia] _From Little Things Big Things Grow_ by Paul Kelly. Not sure of the age of the choir but they sound like kids. [/QUOTE] The harmonies at the end are sung by three adult sisters, Maread, Shelagh & Deirdre Hannan. Have you heard the [new version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWYi1xDvsec) that was released a few weeks ago? New lyrics in the verses to commemorate the Apology to the Stolen Generations earlier this year, with vocals from the original writers and singers (Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody), plus quite a few other Australian artists. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/55 "2008-06-04T01:46:41Z")
[QUOTE=from\_a\_to\_z] “Mill Valley”, by Miss [Rita] Abrams and the Strawberry Point 4th Grade Class. [/QUOTE] Thank you SO much for bringing this LONG FORGOTTEN nightmare back to my consciousness ! I was living in the bay area when this song came out, and it was inescapable ! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/56 "2008-06-04T02:05:35Z")
[QUOTE=Monkey Chews] The harmonies at the end are sung by three adult sisters, Maread, Shelagh & Deirdre Hannan. Have you heard the [new version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWYi1xDvsec) that was released a few weeks ago? New lyrics in the verses to commemorate the Apology to the Stolen Generations earlier this year, with vocals from the original writers and singers (Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody), plus quite a few other Australian artists. [/QUOTE] Thanks, **Monkey Chews**. Ignorance fought, as they say. Thanks for the link too, though I have to say I prefer the original version. Paul Kelly has such a small following here that I actually hung out with him after a show and had a few beers. Really cool guy. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/57 "2008-06-06T19:52:48Z")
Sorry for the bump but this just came up on my iPod and made me think of this thread. **CAKE** - “Sheep Go To Heaven” ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/58 "2008-06-06T20:17:50Z")
[QUOTE=freekalette] Roger Waters: _The Tide is Turning_, from Radio K.A.O.S. [/QUOTE] I believe that is a Welsh male voice choir, not a children’s choir. (The main “character” from that album, Billy, is from Wales). ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/59 "2008-06-06T20:19:26Z")
[QUOTE=Tengu] Another Brick in the Wall Part II - extra bonus points for being the only Pink Floyd song that ISN’T annoying. [/QUOTE] Pistols at dawn, you scalawag! ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571/60 "2008-06-06T21:00:20Z")
[QUOTE=Bosstone] The end of Red Hot Chili Pepper’s [Aeroplane](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuHkoc4FBHQ) has a bunch of kids repeating the refrain. I suppose it’s debatable how annoying it is, but it doesn’t grate on me. [/QUOTE] I was scanning this thread for a post about this song, cuz that’s just what I came in here to post for. One of the few RHCP songs I really like too, especially the children’s choir…IT’S MY AEROPLANE! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dare-you-to-find-one-pop-song-where-a-backup-childrens-choir-is-not-annoying/451571.md?page=4)