# Nonsense Songs You Love **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 17, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130 "2021-03-17T21:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [March 17, 2021, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/1 "2021-03-17T21:54:22Z")
What songs with incomprehensible lyrics do you love? I heard Beck’s _Loser_ the other day and it reminded me of one of my favorite nonsense lyrics _And my time is a piece of wax falling on a termite It’s choking on the splinters_ * * * Then we’ve got REM’s _What’s the frequency, Kenneth?_ I know it’s about the 1986 assault on Dan Rather, but man, what a weird song _Richard said, “Withdrawal in disgust is not the same as apathy”_ _A smile like the cartoon, tooth for a tooth_ _You said that irony was the shackles of youth_ _You wore a shirt of violent green, uh-huh_ Although you could list REM’s entire catalog here. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/2 "2021-03-17T21:57:29Z")
_I am the Walrus_. And almost every song by **They Might Be Giants**. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/3 "2021-03-17T22:06:51Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Although you could list REM’s entire catalog here. _Voice of Harold_ would be at the top of that list. A Must! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/4 "2021-03-17T22:20:01Z")
Yes is one of my favorite groups. One could argue that their entire catalog is nonsense songs. Examples: - “In and around the lake, mountains come out of the sky and they stand there.” (Roundabout) - “Battleships confide in me and tell me where you are; shining, flying, purple wolfhound, show me where you are” (Yours Is No Disgrace) - “'Cause it’s time, it’s time in time with your time and its news is captured for the queen to use” (I’ve Seen All Good People) - “Toledo was just another pit stop along the good king’s highway; my fortification took me by surprise and hit me, sending me sideways” (Our Song) ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/5 "2021-03-17T22:23:50Z")
Ding dang a dong bong bing bong Ticky ticky thought of a gun Every time I try to do it all now baby Am I on the run Thanks Ministry, Jesus build my hot rod ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/6 "2021-03-17T22:40:55Z")
The Goons - The ying tong song, CW I’m walking backwards for Christmas [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-fVsL5Kdc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33-fVsL5Kdc) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e61uC-5s9VU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e61uC-5s9VU) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/7 "2021-03-17T22:45:51Z")
Some people call me Maurice. Cause I speak of the pomputus of love. ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/8 "2021-03-17T22:47:43Z")
She said, ‘I’m home on shore leave,’ Though in truth we were at sea So I took her by the looking glass And forced her to agree Saying, ‘You must be the mermaid Who took Neptune for a ride.’ But she smiled at me so sadly That my anger straightway died. _Whiter Shade of Pale_ by Procol Harum ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/9 "2021-03-17T23:03:11Z")
Chrimson and clover, over and over. Chrimson and clover, over and over. CHRIMSON AND CLOVER, OVER AND OVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yah! Ba da da da da da! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/10 "2021-03-17T23:15:52Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q-mPX8aVcyA/hqdefault.jpg "Hut-Sut Song (A Swedish Serenade) ♪ Freddy Martin and His Orchestra") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-mPX8aVcyA) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/11 "2021-03-17T23:29:48Z")
About half of David Bowie’s collection, and all of the Cars. Have been the un-American? Just you and your idol sing falsetto 'Bout Leather, leather everywhere, and Not a myth left from the ghetto Well, well, well, would you carry a razor In case, just in case of depression? Sit on your hands on a bus of survivors Blushing at all the Afro-Sheeners It almost makes sense. You want it to make sense. You feel a fool because it just makes no sense, but you won’t admit it. The Cars If the illusion is real Let them give you a ride If they got thunder appeal Let them be on your side or Edge of night, distract yourself Obstacles don’t work Homogenize Decentralize It’s just a quirk They have entire albums of that. And I love it all. Or Whiter Shade of Pale She said, ‘There is no reason’ And the truth is plain to see But I wandered through my playing cards And would not let her be One of sixteen vestal virgins Who were leaving for the coast And although my eyes were open They might have just as well’ve been closed It’s just random sentences strung together. Thye don’t even make them rhyme. Bonus: Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress It’s not the lyrics are obscure when you look them up, but the way they sing it makes it unintelligible at any speed. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/12 "2021-03-17T23:30:33Z")
One of Edith Bunkers favorites! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/13 "2021-03-17T23:36:39Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Or Whiter Shade of Pale > > She said, ‘There is no reason’ > And the truth is plain to see > But I wandered through my playing cards > And would not let her be > One of sixteen vestal virgins > Who were leaving for the coast > And although my eyes were open > They might have just as well’ve been closed > > It’s just random sentences strung together. Thye don’t even make them rhyme. And this, despite the fact that Procol Harum had a band member (Keith Reid) whose sole role in the band was writing lyrics. I blame it on the fact that it was 1967, and a combination of (a) drugs and (b) attempts to be profound and metaphorical. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/14 "2021-03-17T23:53:15Z")
**It’s a World, World, World, World Mad** [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Sb7WTU5Xc0s/maxresdefault.jpg "Overture: Opening Number") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb7WTU5Xc0s) ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/15 "2021-03-18T01:00:48Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > And this, despite the fact that Procol Harum had a band member (Keith Reid) whose sole role in the band was writing lyrics. Oh, it was all the rage in those days. Also Robert Hunter and whoever the guy was with Elton John, I forget his name. “It’s just a box of rain” … “There ain’t no shoe strings on Louise”… etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/16 "2021-03-18T01:01:44Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > whoever the guy was with Elton John, I forget his name. Bernie Taupin. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/17 "2021-03-18T01:02:26Z")
That’s the guy. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/18 "2021-03-18T11:27:35Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “'Cause it’s time, it’s time in time with your time and its news is captured for the queen to use” (I’ve Seen All Good People) The song’s title is actually _Your Move_ and is (loosely) referring to a chess game. Most of the lyrics for \*A Change Would Do You Good" supposedly come from individual random lines written on slips of paper that were the drawn from a hat: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ikjmz_SlGhg/hqdefault.jpg "Sheryl Crow - "A Change Would Do You Good" b/w music video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikjmz_SlGhg) ---
**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:** [March 18, 2021, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/19 "2021-03-18T11:29:47Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > And almost every song by **They Might Be Giants**. What I came in to say. I love lyrics like “_Speak softly, drive a Sherman tank / Laugh hard - it’s a long way to the bank_”. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130/20 "2021-03-18T11:50:18Z")
Good one! My mom used to sing that to me, along with that other famous nonsense song, _Mairzy Doats_ “Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey A kiddley divey too, wouldn’t you?” The first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title is _De Do Do Do , De Da Da Da_ by The Police, though it’s mostly the title / chorus that’s nonsense. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonsense-songs-you-love/938130.md?page=2)