# Older songs with outdated references **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959 "2015-10-28T13:07:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/61 "2015-10-29T02:18:42Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > They would allow him to smoke a cigarette on a Greyhound bus? In those days, yes; though it would be unthinkable now. Not sure but I bet you can’t still smoke on the top level of a double-decker bus, ala **A Day In The Life** : “Made the bus seconds flat. Found my way upstairs and had a smoke” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/62 "2015-10-29T02:26:36Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > Not sure but I bet you can’t still smoke on the top level of a double-decker bus, ala **A Day In The Life** : > > “Made the bus seconds flat. Found my way upstairs and had a smoke” As an aside, although I completely knew about double-decker buses (who doesn’t?), it never occurred to me at all that making his way upstairs took place on the bus. I figured he got to work and went upstairs. I think it was only about 5 years or so ago that I clued into the fact that he was on the damned bus still! ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/63 "2015-10-29T02:35:57Z")
[“Paint the White House Black”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxl4lQ8tmdM) was inspired by the election of Bill Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/64 "2015-10-29T02:43:00Z")
> [@txtumbleweed](#): > > Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” has a line: > Kids, the line is not “pop tart”. Pop Tarts are little pastries and not particularly dangerous. They are highly unlikely to cut your heel open. They will catch on fire in the microwave if you try to heat them while still in their metal lined wrapper. > > A pop top, also known as a pull tab, was a little metal ring attached to a sharp piece of metal that sealed canned drinks up until, oh, 1980 or so. > > Once you pulled the tab to open the can, you had to dispose of the pop top. Polite people didn’t leave them on the beach where they could be stepped on, but would follow dad’s lead and drop the pop top back in the can. Then mom would yell about how you were learning a bad habit, were going to to swallow the pop top and choke to death on it. > > If you were a romantic, you could make a necklace out of them for your girlfriend. [hijack]I found one of these lying on the ground about two years ago. Imagine how long it had to have been sitting there in the dirt![/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/65 "2015-10-29T02:47:04Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Please Mr. Please, don’t play B17? (Olivia Newton-John) > > Kids would be thinking the song was called B17. Funny, the song I quoted was by a girl group called “The Flirts,” (had to be the 80s when it came out) but I can’t find a version with the second line as quoted. Anyone else know this song? It’s called “Jukebox (Don’t Put Another Dime).” ---
**Author:** ![Eo\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Eo\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eo_Echo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/66 "2015-10-29T02:49:07Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Please Mr. Please, don’t play B17? (Olivia Newton-John) > > Kids would be thinking the song was called B17. Whoa…B17? They’re like…industrial, right? ---
**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:** [October 29, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/67 "2015-10-29T02:58:20Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > As an aside, although I completely knew about double-decker buses (who doesn’t?), it never occurred to me at all that making his way upstairs took place on the bus. I figured he got to work and went upstairs. I think it was only about 5 years or so ago that I clued into the fact that he was on the damned bus still! The wonderful\* movie _Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band_ had the sequence filmed that the character does go up to his office and had a smoke. And it weren’t no regular cigarette. One of them funny ones. \*Not. but admit it - you watched it. ---
**Author:** ![txtumbleweed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@txtumbleweed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txtumbleweed)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/68 "2015-10-29T03:14:59Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Sounds like a story there. Did you find that out from experience? Yes. I haven’t had a Pop Tart in a while, but in the mid-80’s their wrappers were lined with aluminum to help keep them fresh. Being in high school and hungry for a snack I decided waiting for the toaster to do it’s thing was going to take too long. I opened the package, put 20 seconds on the microwave and whoosh, Pop Tart flambeau! Traumatized me so bad I only eat Pop Tarts straight from the package when I do indulge. There was a margarine that came in sticks around that time (Parkay, maybe) with silver wrappers. My mom would freeze it (she would by a ton when it was on sale and she had coupons) so to thaw it I threw a stick in the microwave. Same result, flaming butter! I guess it too had aluminum or something in the wrapper. **@Just Asking Questions** My mother must have seen that episode of _Emergency_. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/69 "2015-10-29T03:18:59Z")
Dan Fogelberg, “Same Old Auld Lang Syne” _Went to have ourselves a drink or two But couldn’t find an open bar We bought a six-pack at the liquor store And we drank it in her car_ Try doing that these days… ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/70 "2015-10-29T03:20:09Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The first line of that song is “Oh, flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.” BOAC was British Overseas Airways Corporation and is now British Airways. As opaque is the song’s spoof of the Beach Boys. Who? ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/71 "2015-10-29T03:29:14Z")
There are still jukeboxes. They play cds and cost more than a dime or a quarter to play a song. “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band. Ok, so that one might still be understood but a decade from now? “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes. Unless they are film buffs… “Bye, Bye Miss American Pie” “Helter skelter” and “fallout shelter”. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/72 "2015-10-29T03:58:02Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > The first line of that song is “Oh, flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.” BOAC was British Overseas Airways Corporation and is now British Airways. I always wondered what that was. The Turtles’ “Happy Together” also talks about investing a dime to call you up. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/73 "2015-10-29T04:05:21Z")
Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You - Sugarloaf _Long distance directory assistance area code 212…Could you relate to our quarter track tape…_ Most people under 25 probably never had to dial directory assistance, and grew up with 10 digit phone numbers. And 1/4 inch tape? I think that was even before my time. Operator Operator - Eddie Raven - Operator, operator could you be so kind As to reconnect this number I just spent my last dime\* When was the last time you talked to a real operator? Or saw a payphone? And George Harrison’s album _33 1/3_ Is a reference everyone understood in 1976, but the majority of people today will not get. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/74 "2015-10-29T04:11:30Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > The wonderful\* movie _Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band_ had the sequence filmed that the character does go up to his office and had a smoke. And it weren’t no regular cigarette. One of them funny ones. > > \*Not. but admit it - you watched it. Fuck no. I never watched that. And never will! ---
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/75 "2015-10-29T04:11:32Z")
> [@mistymage](#): > > There are still jukeboxes. They play cds and cost more than a dime or a quarter to play a song. CD jukeboxes are likely a dated reference to many. Digital touchscreen jukeboxes that are internet-enabled have been around for at least a decade. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/76 "2015-10-29T04:38:56Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > CD jukeboxes are likely a dated reference to many. Digital touchscreen jukeboxes that are internet-enabled have been around for at least a decade. Not out here in Fly-Over Land 😃 (Ok, so I don’t get out much… I don’t like crowds.) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/77 "2015-10-29T04:48:11Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > The wonderful\* movie _Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band_ had the sequence filmed that the character does go up to his office and had a smoke. And it weren’t no regular cigarette. One of them funny ones. > > \*Not. but admit it - you watched it. I happen to love that movie and just watched it last night and tonite. My oldest son looks a lot like Peter Frampton (but not as blond) and the music is awesome. Even the song about Mean Mister Mustard that always get stuck in my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/78 "2015-10-29T05:38:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I once heard Billy Joel claim that [We Didn’t Start the Fire](https://www.google.com/search?as_q=&as_epq=We+Didn%27t+Start+the+Fire&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=) is used to teach 20th century history. Last year my son’s class listened to the song and talked about all the events. Then they were tasked with writing an updated version that started after the end of Billy Joel’s song and took them up to current times. His group did such a good job, I got chills reading. The last verse: Call of Duty, Snapchat, constant stir in Iraq, Hillary cheering on, gas attacks in Syria, Cuba Normalization, Mike Pence’s position, Ebola in Africa, Russians in Crimea, Malaysian flights go down, ISIS terror inbound, Nepalese earthquake, Republican Senate, Drone strike fatality, police brutality, Ferguson and Baltimore, I can’t take it any more! They changed the chorus to: We didn’t start the fire, but we kept it burning, while the world was turning. We didn’t start the fire, (yeah) we didn’t light it, we’re too scared to fight it. (My son gave permission for me to quote these lyrics they wrote.) ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/79 "2015-10-29T06:34:49Z")
This is more… beyond its time vs obsolete but from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Band: “Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman But she was another man All the girls around her say she’s got it coming But she gets it while she can” _Mind Blown after almost 30 years_ ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2015, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959/80 "2015-10-29T12:55:21Z")
Fountains of Wayne’s “Little Red Light” is a great rock song, but the refrain is starting to sound dated… _And the little red light’s not blinking No, no the little red light’s not blinking No, no the little red light’s not blinking On my big black Radio Shack digital portable phone Oh no_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-songs-with-outdated-references/735959.md?page=5)