# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![raygirvan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@raygirvan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raygirvan)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/101 "2003-05-19T13:35:14Z")
**MineFujiko** _Butterfly Kisses_ I’ve never been able to decide whether that song is intentionally creepy and ironic (i.e. about a child abuser in denial), or whether the songwriter was just too crass to see that interpretation. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/102 "2003-05-19T20:25:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eno801 \* > \*\*I always wondered that myself til I read recently that he was referring to that abomination of cheap liquor (if it can be called that) called wild irish rose here is a link to the an article on it. > > [http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/publications/iprc/factline/high\_potency.html](http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/publications/iprc/factline/high_potency.html) \*\* Drinking all that cheap wine might explain why he expects chairs to listen to him talk. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/103 "2003-05-20T09:43:23Z")
**eno801** , you’re my new hero. Now that horrid song almost makes sense. Almost. Back to lyrics that make me cringe, there’s an oldie I hear on the radio every now and then - I have no idea who the artist is, sorry - but the chorus goes: _It’s another Saturday night and I ain’t got nobody I got some money 'cause I just got paid Oh how I wish I had **some chick** to talk to I’m in an awful way_ (bolding mine) Just some chick. He’s not picky. The pig. ---
**Author:** ![Somnambulist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Somnambulist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Somnambulist)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/104 "2003-05-20T09:47:21Z")
…Fourth day, five day marathon, We’re moving like a parallelogram, From the song Motorhead by Motorhead. I remember listening to this as a kid and laughing when I read the lyrics. Presumably the ‘marathon’ was a drink/drugs binge and I can imagine that by day four of a session with the notorious road crew things may have been a little blurry, but I still to this day do not know what Lemmy meant by ‘moving like a parallelogram.’ I do remember being scolded in English class for quoting this line when required to provide an example of a simile. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/105 "2003-05-20T10:53:17Z")
**Marlitharn** , it’s"Another Saturday Night" written by the late great Sam Cooke, and covered by every one from Cat Stevens to Jimmy Buffet to Gene Vincent to Lou Rawls to the Drifters. ---
**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 20, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/106 "2003-05-20T18:19:36Z")
I’m almost afraid to ask this, but what the hell does this mean (from [Round Round](http://www.lyricsdomain.com/lyrics/27641/) by the Sugababes): > [@](#): > > If you hate me > I will show you > How to brain me > Into something new > If you want me > Run away now > If you stop me > Then I’ll hit the ground WTF? 😕 I rather like “Another Saturday Night”, but the versions which use “some **one** ” instead of “some chick” are less jarring. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/107 "2003-05-20T18:49:27Z")
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein: La, a note to follow So. Were they rushing to meet a deadline? That line always seemed like a cop-out. ---
**Author:** ![shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/108 "2003-05-20T18:52:39Z")
From _Another Long One_ by the great Shawn Colvin: It’s gonna be another long one tonight It’s just me and my well-intentioned spite. I said, someone did this to me but no one did, there’s no injustices **I can’t afford to be right no more.** Oh Shawn. I was with you 'til the NO MORE. ARGH. Thank God, on the Live album, she says _any more_ at least once. It makes me soooooo happy. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/109 "2003-05-20T19:19:41Z")
From a song on Live’s Secret Samhadi disc (can’t be bothered to look it up) _this puke stinks like beer_ Not only is puke a really unmusical word but who smells puke anyway? Stops that song dead. Then again Live has a habit of doing this. Even Lightning Crashes has that “her placenta falls to the floor” line to try to get through. And from the opener of one of Russell Crowe’s band’s songs: - I’m the one who saved you with my lips\* Bad high school poetry right there. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee59a6/32.png) [@CrazyMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyMonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/110 "2003-05-20T20:18:04Z")
I can’t believe nobody’s mentioned the amazing one-hit wonders Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, who proved that the lyrics of a song had no need whatsoever to relate to the chorus. Heck, just for one line to relate to the next wasn’t necessary: I wanna rock right now I’m Rob Base and I came to get down I’m not internation’ly known But I’m known to rock a microphone Because I get stupid, I mean outrageous **Stay away from me, if you’re contagious** ‘Cause I’m a winner, no not a lose-uh To be an MC, is what I **choose-uh** Ladies love me, girls adore me I mean even the ones who never saw me Like the way that I rhyme at a show The reason why? Man I don’t know so let’s go, cuz’ It takes two to make-a things go right! It takes two to make it outta sight! It takes two to make-a things go right! It takes two to make it outta sight! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/111 "2003-05-20T20:22:36Z")
> [@](#): > > La, a note to follow So. I saw Lewis Black (or I think that’s who it was) do a great riff on this once. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/112 "2003-05-20T22:11:58Z")
Are cartoon theme songs fair game? I know they aren’t meant to be lyrical masterpieces or anything, but even through the dewy eyes (ears?) of my youth I knew something was awry. Exhibit A: The theme from **DuckTales** : _[cue musical intro] Bomp-BAH-Bomp-BAH-Bomp-BAH-DUMP-pah-da Life is like a hurrica-a-ane Here… in… Duck-burg. Race-cars, la-sers, ae-ro-pla-a-anes, It’s… a… Duck! Blur!_ Exhibit B: The theme from **Heathcliff** : _Heathcliff, Heathcliff, no one should Terrify their neighborhood. But Heathcliff just won’t be undone playing pranks on everyone…_ _[more yadda in the same vein, culminating in the deathless climax]_ _Heathcliff, Heathcliff, no one should Terrify their neighborhood. But Heathcliff just won’t be undone. You should realize he can win it with you!_ It sounds like the lyricists just **did not care**. I also find the **Jem** theme kind of cringeworthy, but the part where the Misfits cut in with their robot voices and bleat “We are the Misfits! Our songs are better! We are the Misfits, the Misfits! _And we’re gonna get her!_” really appeals to bitter little me. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/113 "2003-05-20T22:36:49Z")
I’m pretty sure antichrist doesn’t rhyme with anarchist. Not even in the UK. Also, how can you _be_ anarchy? “I want to be democracy…” No. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart. It goes: _You cry out in your sleep - all my failings exposed There’s a taste in my mouth, as desperation takes hold **Just that something so good just can’t function no more** _ I love the song–love the line in principle; it makes me tear up every time–but it sounds so clunky. What’s wrong with “Just that something so good can’t function anymore”? Or “That something so good just can’t function anymore,” for that matter. Heck, you can even keep the other “just.” ---
**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 20, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/114 "2003-05-20T23:10:26Z")
I thought the line was “Yet, that something’s so good, [it] just can’t function no more.” ---
**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 20, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/115 "2003-05-20T23:14:51Z")
Or, rather, “Yet that something so good just can’t function no more.” I don’t know where my brain went when I was typing that. Anyway, I thought the first “just” was actually a “yet.” ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/116 "2003-05-21T00:10:32Z")
I’m pretty sure it’s “just.” I don’t have any official sanction on hand, but the New Order site says “just” and they should know. I also have a few covers and it’s pretty clear they say “just,” though it’s hard to tell on the original. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/117 "2003-05-21T02:24:47Z")
Creed. I don’t know which song. The lyric goes something like this. “…where the blind man sees…a place with golden streams.” Sure, it’s a swell rhyme and all, but it makes me think of golden showers which is not my idea of heaven. Come to think of it, nearly every Creed or Limp Bizkit song I have heard has a lyric that makes me cringe ---
**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 21, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/118 "2003-05-21T03:27:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by malkavia \* > \*\*The lyric is actually \ > > “But everything I can’t remember as f\_cked up as it all may seem” > \*\* Oh, well, that’s… it’s not as redundant, then, anyway. Is it? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Comfortably Numb_ > \*\*Beatles song. I think its, “Girl,” off Rubber Soul, but don’t quote me on that, 'cause I forget exactly. > > If you listen to the back-up vocals at one point, the rest of the guys are singing, “TIT TIT TIT TIT TIT TIT TIT!” … > > Lennon talked about it in an interview later on, he was laughing wildly about it. \*\* Don’t forget the deep inhales right before he sings “Girl.” They were having some fun with that song. ---
**Author:** ![Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@Sat\_on\_Cookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sat_on_Cookie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/119 "2003-05-21T11:57:55Z")
I have always wondered about Your Song by Elton John: “So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do, you see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue” Shouldn’t there a “for” invited to that party? Does he think that the “f-o-r” in forgetting does double duty? ---
**Author:** ![todd33rpm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@todd33rpm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/todd33rpm)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831/120 "2003-05-21T12:41:24Z")
I’ll vote for Train’s “Drops Of Jupiter” too. That deep-fried chicken line irks the _shit_ out of me, always has. I’m a huge fan of Steely Dan, but can’t handle the bridge on “King Of The World” from _Countdown To Ecstasy_: “I’m reading last year’s papers Although I don’t know why Assassains contact _rapers_ Might as well die” Not just “rapers,” but also the horrid metric shifts in that verse annoy me IMMENSELY. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-that-dont-sound-right-make-you-cringe/175831.md?page=7)