# lyrics that don't sound right/make you cringe **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831 "2003-05-17T03:48:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/21 "2003-05-17T19:00:45Z")
“Here I am, rock me like a hurricane.” It would rhyme if she rocked him like a “hurriCAM”. If that was a word. And who says you can’t make up words? I wouldn’t be pompetus enough to say never. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/22 "2003-05-17T19:09:33Z")
Oh yeah. Paul McCartney, et al., with **Live and Let Die**. _But in this ever-changing world in which we live in…_ Whew! Paul, buddy, you didn’t even need the extra “in” or two to make the meter work. How about: _But in this ever-changing world in which we live_ …or… _But in this ever-changing world which we live in_. Cracks me right up every time I hear it… ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/23 "2003-05-17T19:19:04Z")
If I hear the “chance…romance” pairing one more time I’ll…I’ll…I’ll open a Pit thread! That’s what I’ll do. Also, for sheer cringworthiness, it’s hard to beat some of Fleetwood Mac’s lyrics - the poor words are tortured, battered and beaten just to get a rhyme. I love their music to death, but oh! those lyrics. For example, from _Caroline_ > [@](#): > > SHE’S SO CRAZY > SHE’S SO LAZY > KEEPS ON COMING > KEEPS YOU RUNNING \ And later, in the same song > [@](#): > > SHE’S SO CAGEY > SHE’S SO STAGEY > SO ATTRACTIVE > SO REACTIVE WTF?! ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/24 "2003-05-17T19:25:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \* > \*\*Oh yeah. Paul McCartney, et al., with **Live and Let Die**. > > _But in this ever-changing world in which we live in…_ > > Whew! Paul, buddy, you didn’t even need the extra “in” or two to make the meter work. How about: > > _But in this ever-changing world in which we live_ > > …or… > > _But in this ever-changing world which we live in_\*\* Or “in this ever-changing world in which we’re living” ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/25 "2003-05-17T19:52:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Life’s a birthday cake, so let’s have a slice, but not too much. > -The Beatles, _It’s All Too Much_ \*\* Aw, at least get the line you’re criticizing correct! “All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” And for the record, I actually _like_ that line. One of my favorite Beatles lyrics, in fact. 🆒 **Yookeroo** (I hope I spelt your name correctly), that is the funniest thing ever! I’m still giggling over the mental image generated by your comment. (I guess those sunglasses on the smiley above are rather appropriate.) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/26 "2003-05-17T20:13:43Z")
The Doors. LA Woman. “If they say I never loved you You know they are a liar.” I’m surprised nobody’s pointed that one out yet. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/27 "2003-05-17T20:38:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \* > \*\*Oh yeah. Paul McCartney, et al., with **Live and Let Die**. > > _But in this ever-changing world in which we live in…_ > > Whew! Paul, buddy, you didn’t even need the extra “in” or two to make the meter work. How about: > > _But in this ever-changing world in which we live_ > > …or… > > _But in this ever-changing world which we live in_. > > Cracks me right up every time I hear it… \*\* The line is actually: “But, \*\* IF\*\* this ever changing world in which we live in…” ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/28 "2003-05-17T20:51:58Z")
Mellencamp. Small Town. “I cannot forget from where it is that I come from.” Apparently the rural Indiana public education system leaves a bit to be desired. ---
**Author:** ![rmbnxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9e5f3/32.png) [@rmbnxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rmbnxs)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/29 "2003-05-17T20:52:30Z")
Anything by Rush. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/30 "2003-05-17T20:54:28Z")
I mentioned it before in the thread about songs that are awful, but here we go again: “And everything I can remember is in the past, it all may seem.” - “It’s Been Awhile” (isn’t the band Staind?) They take the most redundant idea ever (you remember the past? Holy Shiznit!), and then add “it all may seem” just to make it more awkward than it already was! The Pope in Rome on the phone is nothing compared to this. ---
**Author:** ![rmbnxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b9e5f3/32.png) [@rmbnxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rmbnxs)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/31 "2003-05-17T20:57:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Smapti \* > \*\*The Doors. LA Woman. > > “If they say I never loved you > You know they are a liar.” > > I’m surprised nobody’s pointed that one out yet. \*\* Jim Morrison: one of the all-time great frauds. How it is that anyone can think this clown was a _litteratus_ is beyond me. His only claim to fame is having invented psychedelic lounge-music. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/32 "2003-05-17T21:05:25Z")
Generals gathered in their masses, Just like witches at black masses. -Black Sabbath, “Warpigs” Great rhyme there, Ozzy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/33 "2003-05-17T21:14:47Z")
How about “There’s a killer on the road His brain is squirming like a toad.” More Jim Morrison. Sheesh. That’s a good call about War Pigs, Miller - lame line in what I think is a really good song. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/34 "2003-05-17T21:17:37Z")
The lyrics to “Institutionalized” by Suicidal Tendencies made me cringe the other day. I mean it was OK in 1984 when I was 19, but now that I’m pushing forty, the only think I can think about when listening to it is how fucking whiney Mike Muir is, and how he should get up off his ass and get his own goddamn pepsi. I wonder if he still performs that song, and if he feels stupid doing it. I’m sure he has to, cause you gotta play what the kids wanna hear, but, I’d at least change the lyrics. Jon ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/35 "2003-05-17T21:42:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > **How about > “There’s a killer on the road > His brain is squirming like a toad.” > More Jim Morrison. Sheesh.** Hey, that’s the best line in the song! My nominee is by Space (from _Female of the Species_): **The female of the species is more deadlier than the male.** Goddamn it, it’s either “more deadly” or “deadlier” _BUT NOT BOTH_! All made worse by the fact that the line would scan much better if he sang “more deadly” anyhow. It just annoys me no end. Oh, and Mike couldn’t get a Pepsi because he was on drugs, doncha know… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/36 "2003-05-17T21:49:31Z")
I’m all about the pop music, so that’s where I notice most of these sorts of gaffes. One of the ones that has me shaking my head after more than a dozen years is from Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” – and yes, there are intelligible (if not intelligent) lyrics in the song! > [@](#): > > Red light, yellow light, green light go > Crazy little woman in a one man show A one man show with a woman (let alone the crazy and little parts) in it? It just Does.Not.Compute. Argh! From > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zsofia \* > \*\*Brang? I _love_ this song, and you had to screw it up by _brang_?! Brought! Songs she brought to you! Grr! \*\* The oft-vaunted lyricist George Michael (shut up!) had one of these, on Wham!'s magnum opus _Make it Big_ cd, in the song “Heartbeat” > [@](#): > > You **hurted** me, deserted me, in my darkest hour. There’s just no excuse for a native speaker of English to ever go there. None. That may well negate the entire heartfelt lyric of “Careless Whisper.” ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/37 "2003-05-17T21:52:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > **Goddamn it, it’s either “more deadly” or “deadlier” _BUT NOT BOTH_! All made worse by the fact that the line would scan much better if he sang “more deadly” anyhow.** Well, it always sounded like “more deadly” to me, and the lyrics on Space’s [official site](http://spacetheband.com/discography/lyrics.php?l=spiders_femaleofthespecies&t=Female%20of%20the%20Species) confirm it. Maybe it’s just that Scouse accent throwing you. ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/38 "2003-05-17T21:56:56Z")
Or how about _The Eagles_: **I’ve been running down the road, trying to loosen my load…** All together now: _EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!_ ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/39 "2003-05-17T22:05:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ruadh \* > \*\*Well, it always sounded like “more deadly” to me, and the lyrics on Space’s [official site](http://spacetheband.com/discography/lyrics.php?l=spiders_femaleofthespecies&t=Female%20of%20the%20Species) confirm it. > > Maybe it’s just that Scouse accent throwing you. \*\* No, I’m listening to it now and there’s definitely the extra syllable in there – it’s very clear. He practically makes an even quintuplet on “deadlier than the”. Maybe it’s just a strange emphasis (“deadly-YUH”) but whatever it is, he says it every time. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/40 "2003-05-17T22:16:37Z")
Well, I haven’t got the CD now but that was a song I played to death upon its release and I never noticed it … and usually things like that jump out at me. Guess I’d have to hear it again though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831.md?page=3)