# Most nauseatingly cloying pop songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 12, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184 "2006-10-12T13:44:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/41 "2006-10-13T01:55:38Z")
Erratic, even. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/42 "2006-10-13T12:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] **Yewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Light up My Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife…** [/QUOTE] I’ll see you that and raise it to: **And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII will always love Yewwwwwwwwwwwww** ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/43 "2006-10-13T12:53:12Z")
[QUOTE=Lucky 13] As for Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey”, I have a theory that Honey was suffering from a malignant brain tumor, which would explain the mood swings and erraic behavior. [/QUOTE] The song is much better if you imagine Honey as being sort of psycho and out of control, and the singer reminiscing about her after having killed her and buried her in the garden…near that tree. ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/44 "2006-10-13T13:39:36Z")
“Those Were the Days, My Friend,” Mary Hopkins. Awful stuff. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/45 "2006-10-13T13:55:35Z")
“Save Your Kisses for Me” I forget and I don’t wanna know who recorded it. That song made me want to strangle baby ducks. What was the other one that made me scream and trample hedgehogs? oh yes…“The Day we went to Bangor” Again I forget and ditto ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/46 "2006-10-13T13:56:21Z")
Anything by the Jackson 5 makes my head explode. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/47 "2006-10-13T13:59:02Z")
[QUOTE=The New and Improved Superman] IMO, The new millenium is turning out to be great for this kind of drivel as well…as witnessed by the unfathomable popularity of James Blunt. “You’re annoying Mr. Blunt, iiiiit’s true!” [/QUOTE] _shudder_ _I saw your face… in a crowded place… and I don’t know what to do… 'cause I’ll never be with you…_ DIEDIEDIE!!! ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/48 "2006-10-13T13:59:55Z")
How could I forget “Ben” by Michael Jackson. Jeezus a song about a sodding rat ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/49 "2006-10-13T14:06:18Z")
[QUOTE=DeVena] “Muskrat Love.” _Niblin’ on bacon, chewin’ on cheez…_ \ Nauseous just thinking about it. [/QUOTE] Seconded and thirded. The Captain & Tenille performed this at a state dinner for Queen Elizabeth during the Bicentennial, I kid you not. It’s a wonder she didn’t order her troops to burn down the White House again. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/50 "2006-10-13T14:09:53Z")
The original version of Muskrat Love, by America, is much better- it is played straight- for example it doesn’t have the muskrat/farting keyboard effects- it’s actually pretty cute, but still boggles the mind as to why, or how, one could even conceive of such a song, let alone actually write and record it. Gotta love the 70’s for making it possible though. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/51 "2006-10-13T14:16:35Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” makes my ears bleed. [/QUOTE] Maybe, but the song is much like “Sylvia’s Mother” – a parody of the genre. “I’m Not in Love” is also very cleverly constructed and one of the most ironic songs out there. It’s not cloying simply because it doesn’t take itself seriously for one moment. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/52 "2006-10-13T15:02:39Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] Maybe, but the song is much like “Sylvia’s Mother” – a parody of the genre. “I’m Not in Love” is also very cleverly constructed and one of the most ironic songs out there. It’s not cloying simply because it doesn’t take itself seriously for one moment. [/QUOTE] Also, one of most technically advanced productions of the decade. In a nutshell, the members sang every note over several octaves, and the segments of tape with their voices were played like an instrument. Pretty easy to do nowadays, but incredibly difficult back then… ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/53 "2006-10-13T15:14:39Z")
Yeah, I remember thinking even as a kid knowing nothing about production values that “I’m Not in Love” along with most Steely Dan singles, just _sounded_ better than the average song on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/54 "2006-10-13T15:53:46Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] The original version of Muskrat Love, by America, is much better- it is played straight- for example it doesn’t have the muskrat/farting keyboard effects- it’s actually pretty cute, but still boggles the mind as to why, or how, one could even conceive of such a song, let alone actually write and record it. Gotta love the 70’s for making it possible though. [/QUOTE] The original version of the tune appeared on _Willis Alan Ramsey_–the songwriter’s eponymous debut album. Part of the “Texas singer-songwriter” scene (although he was born in Alabama), he released his one & only album in 1972. “Muskrat Love” is an amusing, throw-away tune on that album. The others are quite excellent & have been covered by many artists. But WAR’s versions are mighty fine. Troubles with his record company stalled his recording career. He moved to the British Isles for a long time but is back in the USA, writing songs–a couple with Lyle Lovett–& performing again. Word is that another album is forthcoming. Massive royalties–mostly from Captain & Tenille’s version of his tune–no doubt underwrote his long “vacation” from the music scene. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/55 "2006-10-13T16:29:15Z")
[Running Bear](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/johnny_preston/running_bear.html) by Johnny Preston. > [@](#): > > He couldn’t swim the raging river > 'Cause the river was too wide > He couldn’t reach the Little White Dove > Waiting on the other side Hey, Running Bear! Grab a canoe, you moron! ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/56 "2006-10-13T16:34:35Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] [Running Bear](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/johnny_preston/running_bear.html) by Johnny Preston. Hey, Running Bear! Grab a canoe, you moron! [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > Alas for her I was no swimmer > So I lost my Clementine Apropos of nothing. Just a stream of consciousness remark. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/57 "2006-10-13T16:45:41Z")
[QUOTE=Lucky 13] As for Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey”, I have a theory that Honey was suffering from a malignant brain tumor, which would explain the mood swings and erraic behavior. [/QUOTE] I’ve always said that there’s nothing in that song about Honey _dying_. “One day…the Angels came” simply means that she was traded to Anaheim. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/58 "2006-10-13T18:26:48Z")
[QUOTE=NDP] Yes. What type of controlled substance would cause you to develope an appetite for goopy maudlin pop songs? [/QUOTE] Alcohol has been known to bring out the maudlin. I’ll nominate the whole Up With People catalog. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/59 "2006-10-13T18:29:29Z")
So play, play for me a sad melody So sad that it makes everybody cry-y-y-y-y. And real hurting song about luv that’s gone wrong. So I don’t have to cry all alone. Hey, won’t you play another somebody done somebody wrong song? ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2006, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184/60 "2006-10-13T18:36:44Z")
Don’t Cry Out Loud is pretty lousy, too, but I do find the circus metaphor and imagery of the verses to be well done. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-nauseatingly-cloying-pop-songs/376184.md?page=4)