# Literal complaints at lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 7, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371 "2019-01-07T21:01:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/1 "2019-01-07T21:01:26Z")
“I got a girl, she lives up the hill. She won’t do it, but her sister will.” Oh, nice - screwing around on your woman? “You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm You gotta stay together” Oh fuck _so off_ with the checklist horseshit. “Take my hand and pull me down, But I’ll put up with it, Cause I’m easy” (Kieth Carridine’s one-hit wonder) Right - you do wimpy you, then. “I hear the to-tal mass re-_tain_!” Oh what abstruse horse-hockey are you going on about _now_, Jon Anderson? “It’s a clean machine!” Aren’t you just the quaintest sod. Should come up with a few more after some more lawnchair contemplations… ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/2 "2019-01-07T21:28:19Z")
I got nothin’ right now, but I’m subscribing anyway, because this has entertaining potential. And I’m sure to come up with something myself, eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/3 "2019-01-07T21:59:32Z")
Kiss: “I got a '35 Chevy on a '55 frame Can’t even spell my name” This guy must have had someone forge his signature for any contractual documents? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/4 "2019-01-07T22:24:21Z")
“_I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant But nothing I said nothing can take away these blues 'Cause nothing compares Nothing compares to you_” Oh, right, I mean more to you than a meal, then? Thanks for not much. j ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/5 "2019-01-07T22:38:11Z")
Aaah… it was going to be a silly comment… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/6 "2019-01-07T22:41:08Z")
Being from the Carolinas, I’ve always wondered why a friend of James Taylor would hit him from behind. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/7 "2019-01-07T22:52:20Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > “It’s a clean machine!” > > Aren’t you just the quaintest sod. 15 or so years ago I sang it that way and my mom said that she thought it was “gleam machine” and I was like “that’s probably right, after all they wouldn’t use the exact same adjective to describe something twice, right? Cause that would be silly.” … maybe not 😕 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/8 "2019-01-07T22:59:37Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I got nothin’ right now, but I’m subscribing anyway, because this has entertaining potential. And I’m sure to come up with something myself, eventually. Thanks! Indeed - _let your inner cynic guide you._🙂 > [@Covfefe](#): > > Kiss: “I got a '35 Chevy on a '55 frame > Can’t even spell my name” > > This guy must have had someone forge his signature for any contractual documents? I have to say those lyrics are great. While we’re dealing with those gibronies: “In just a few more hours, and I’ll be right home to you.” :rolleyes: “I think I hear them callin’ - oh Beth, what can I do?” Yeah, conflicted, huh? That…push/pull, you’re despairing over? (Yup - looks like the boys got the ol’ Parisienne convertible out tonight - later, Beth!) “I kissed a few and once did sit On Ivor the Engine Driver’s lap And later with him, had a nap” (_A Quick One_ - The Who) Um EXCUSE ME _what_ were you up to, young man? ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/9 "2019-01-07T23:03:58Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > “_I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant > But nothing > I said nothing can take away these blues > 'Cause nothing compares > Nothing compares to you_” > > Oh, right, I mean more to you than a meal, then? Thanks for not much. > > j more importantly, everything compares to everything. May not be favorable or meaningful but still compares. I can compare the Marianas Trench to a Buick but why would I? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/10 "2019-01-07T23:24:40Z")
“I bought a 30 Ford wagon and we call it a woodie.” That’s because you’re a dick, friend. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/11 "2019-01-08T00:14:09Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > “I hear the to-tal mass re-_tain_!” > > Oh what abstruse horse-hockey are you going on about _now_, Jon Anderson? > … I am a Yes fan from way back, but the older I get, the more ridiculous his lyrics seem. And they started off pretty silly. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/12 "2019-01-08T00:23:57Z")
“Please allow me to introduce myself” And then he never does. He just hints at who he is and says “Hope you guess my name”. Okay, he does say “Just call me Lucifer” but while you can call him that, it apparently isn’t his actual name. Because after he says it, he’s still asking “what’s my name” and “can you guess my name”. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/13 "2019-01-08T00:30:05Z")
Sheryl Crow, _All I Wanna Do_… Then he lights every match in an oversized pack Lettin’ each one burn down to his Thick fingers before blowin’ and cursin’ them out If you can curse at a match and it goes out, you got some ‘splainin’ to do. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/14 "2019-01-08T00:30:30Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > I am a Yes fan from way back, but the older I get, the more ridiculous his lyrics seem. And they started off pretty silly. Chris Squire had many WTF spats with Jon over his lyrics. (heh - understandable - the amazing bassist sang a _lot_ of back-up) “Don’t want to close my eyes I don’t want to fall asleep 'Cause I’d miss you, baby And I don’t wanna miss a thing.” Ok - _sooooo…_ Your narcolepsy is _that_ bad that you’re afraid you’ll nod off while admiring her? ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/15 "2019-01-08T01:32:57Z")
More YES: “In and around the lake Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there” Well, what the hell else are mountains going to do?? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/16 "2019-01-08T01:40:20Z")
or - “it makes the chill…dren, really ring.” Like, what - they all form a ring so that there’s one big halo over them? Or rampantly play knocky-knocky-nine door? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/17 "2019-01-08T01:46:33Z")
I just hope this doesn’t become an eventual Jon Anderson pit thread. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/18 "2019-01-08T01:48:59Z")
_Louie Louie, oh no no no, me gotta go, oh no Louie Louie, oh baby, me gotta go_ Ok, so just go already! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/19 "2019-01-08T01:54:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > “Please allow me to introduce myself” > > And then he never does. He just hints at who he is and says “Hope you guess my name”. > > Okay, he does say “Just call me Lucifer” but while you can call him that, it apparently isn’t his actual name. Because after he says it, he’s still asking “what’s my name” and “can you guess my name”. He’s introducing himself as a man of wealth and taste. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371/20 "2019-01-08T02:11:39Z")
_I’m just a girl in the world That’s all that you’ll let me be…_ Gwen, who’s the jerk preventing you from joining NASA’s Astronaut Training Program?! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literal-complaints-at-lyrics/827371.md?page=2)