# Is there any SONG that we ALL would agree is good (if not great)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 7, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427 "2026-01-07T11:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/121 "2026-01-09T00:38:51Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Unless the OP intended “we” to be the participants in this thread. Who else? Those who do not participate do not count. How could they? I like Sweet Caroline. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/122 "2026-01-09T00:39:23Z")
I was never impressed by that song until I heard a live version of it. I was like, oh, this is a rock song. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/123 "2026-01-09T00:40:11Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > My contribution to this thread would be “Sweet Caroline”. What’s not to love? Can’t stand it. Maybe it’s overexposure, I don’t know, but I will change the radio station when it comes on. I really don’t think there can be an answer to this question. Of the songs mentioned skimming the thread, “Dock of the Bay” comes closest for me, though there are a number of other songs I like (Especially “Here Comes the Sun”). I’d vote Ode to Joy and “Linus and Lucy” as well if we’re counting songs without words (which are not technically “songs,” if one is being pedantic.) ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/124 "2026-01-09T00:55:24Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Who else? Those who do not participate do not count. How could they? I wasn’t really sure if OP was speculating on the opinions of just people in this thread, or everybody on earth. Everybody on earth couldn’t weigh in, of course, but people might answer differently under that assumption. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/125 "2026-01-09T01:02:16Z")
I think overall, likely something like “Hey Jude” or “Yesterday” could have the fewest amount of outright dislikes. (Even though I’m not much a fan of “Hey Jude.” “Yesterday” I can tolerate better.) ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/126 "2026-01-09T01:12:36Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > My contribution to this thread would be “Sweet Caroline”. What’s not to love? The grating, inane and tautological line “Good times never seemed so good”. That’s reason enough to dislike the song, the rest doesn’t make it much better. Shlock pop. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/127 "2026-01-09T01:42:23Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I like Sweet Caroline. Yeah, but if people start chanting the chorus, I am outa there. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2026, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/128 "2026-01-09T01:56:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > (Even though I’m not much a fan of “Hey Jude.” “Yesterday” I can tolerate better.) Yeah, they’re treacle, no thanks. I spin the dial when either comes on. Not a fan of “Sweet Caroline”, either. Out of the ones mentioned so far, “Here Comes the Sun” is probably the safest bet. It’ll probably never win, but my submission is “Chaise Longue” by Wet Leg. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Zd9jeJk2UHQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Wet Leg - Chaise Longue (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd9jeJk2UHQ) ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/129 "2026-01-09T01:59:38Z")
I was just thinking Nights in White Satin. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/130 "2026-01-09T02:02:04Z")
Blue Bayou by Linda Rondstadt ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/131 "2026-01-09T02:14:52Z")
“Teach Your Children” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, or better yet, [Kathy Mattea and Suzy Bogguss](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3p823jCoGY) “Turn, Turn, Turn” – [the Byrds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkx0SuEGMOc&list=RDXkx0SuEGMOc&start_radio=1) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/132 "2026-01-09T02:31:17Z")
> [@SCAdian](#): > > “Turn, Turn, Turn” – [the Byrds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkx0SuEGMOc&list=RDXkx0SuEGMOc&start_radio=1) One of my faves. Of course it is more than 2000 years old, so there’s that. > [@Patx2](#): > > Blue Bayou by Linda Rondstadt Lovely. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/133 "2026-01-09T02:35:30Z")
How about The Weight? The version from The Last Waltz with the Staples Singers is sublime. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/134 "2026-01-09T02:37:38Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > How about The Weight? The version with Ringo and a bevy of volunteers is also damn good. Playing for Change- [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ph1GU1qQ1zQ/maxresdefault.jpg "The Weight | Featuring Ringo Starr and Robbie Robertson | Playing For Change | Song Around The World") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/135 "2026-01-09T02:41:17Z")
Oh yeah, it’s excellent. It and When the Levee Breaks are my favorite Playing For Change songs. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/136 "2026-01-09T06:32:33Z")
I also think the answer to the OP is “No” but if it was going to happen, it would have to be something like the Beatles or Beach Boys. > [@Jasmine](#): > > I submit, “America the Beautiful” No. No. A million times No. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/137 "2026-01-09T08:01:39Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > > [@minor7flat5](#): > > > > **The Girl from Ipanema**. > > My wife _hates_ that song. Not because there’s anything wrong with it, but because to her, it’s the ultimate earworm - she can’t hear it without it being stuck in her head for a week. Sometimes I hum a bar when she annoys me. Lol! I read once that if you have an earworm that you can’t get rid of, The Girl from Ipanema is the perfect song to erase the earworm. Works for me! I don’t particularly like the song, and it hasn’t ever become a new earworm for me. I pity your poor wife. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/138 "2026-01-09T08:12:13Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > The grating, inane and tautological line “Good times never seemed so good”. That’s reason enough to dislike the song, I think the next tortured line is even worse: “I’ve been inclined To believe they never would”. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/139 "2026-01-09T08:18:39Z")
Any time I hear “The Girl from Ipanema,” I think of the scene in _The Blues Brothers_, where the Brothers are riding the elevator to the Cook County Assessors’ Office. A Muzak version of that song is playing as they ride up. And I’m sure that I’m not the only one who thinks that. That’s neither a vote for, nor is it a vote against, but even so, maybe we could look for something that doesn’t remind some of us of an action-adventure musical comedy. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/140 "2026-01-09T08:35:51Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > Oh yeah, it’s excellent. It and When the Levee Breaks are my favorite Playing For Change songs. They’re terrific, but to me, the best PfC clip by far is “[All Along the Watchtower](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UHHc7POovg)”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427.md?page=8)