# Once-popular songs that are no longer socially acceptable **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 20, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956 "2024-08-20T20:18:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/221 "2024-08-23T14:45:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It’s not surprising that this paean to the mental health industry doesn’t get much play today. Hey, I still listen to it occasionally. It’s a classic. (The A side, I mean. Not the B side.) > [@CalMeacham](#): > > I’m surprised that the cliche-fest that is Maria Muldaur’s _Midnight at the Oasis_ was recorded even in 1973. It’s a song that made me go “WTF?” when it came out. I’m doubly surprised that it was covered multiple times, up through at least 2021. The lyrics are completely ridiculous but the music and Muldaur’s voice are great. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/222 "2024-08-23T14:49:58Z")
Came here to defend Randy Newman’s Rednecks but I see I was beat to the punch. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/223 "2024-08-23T14:58:33Z")
“Short People” was popular but controversial in its day. Now I suspect it would just be considered to be in generally poor taste. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/224 "2024-08-23T15:04:01Z")
I read, I think in Greil Marcus’ “Mystery Train”, that when “Short People” was a hit, many people who first met Randy Newman were surprised that he is 6 ft tall because they had assumed that it was a self-ironical/deprecating song. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/225 "2024-08-23T15:27:18Z")
I mean, if ever there was a population on whom any attacks would be “punching down”… See? Poor taste. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/226 "2024-08-23T15:31:19Z")
I like the line “sharks in their souls do it” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/227 "2024-08-23T15:41:32Z")
I LOVE Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire.” But as my understanding of consent and pressure became more evolved, a few verses got more and more alarming. > I’m pulling you close > You just say no > You say you don’t like it > But girl, I know you’re a liar > 'Cause when we kiss > Oh, fire > > Well late at night > I’m takin’ you home > I say I wanna stay > You say you wanna be alone > You say you don’t love me > But you can’t hide your desire > When we kiss > Oh, fire ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/228 "2024-08-23T16:06:02Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The lyrics are completely ridiculous Why? It’s just another song about sex. I think they’re more clever than some. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/229 "2024-08-23T16:18:37Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Its come up previously on the dope but Under My Thumb by the Stones is extremely dodgy. Its basically boasting about controlling emotional abuse. Nick Lowe’s “I Trained her to Love Me” takes that to the extreme. He said (and most people understand) that he doesn’t approve of the guy’s attitude, but he said he’s found fans that actually applaud it. > **[Nick Lowe - "I Trained Her To Love Me" (Official Audio)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDgSveQRI9A%2F)** > > Listen to "I Trained Her To Love Me" from the compilation Quiet Please: The New Best of Nick Lowe, available from Yep Roc Records. Shop now: https://yeproc.1... ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/230 "2024-08-23T16:19:24Z")
I notice you’re letting The Pointer Sisters off the hook. I kid i kid. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/231 "2024-08-23T16:20:55Z")
Maria’s greatest crime was not being Melissa Manchester, whom I thought sung Midnight at the Oasis. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/232 "2024-08-23T17:07:36Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > “Short People” was popular but controversial in its day. Now I suspect it would just be considered to be in generally poor taste. Randy Newman is too subtle for the general populace but I don’t think of any of his songs as offensive except to the stupidly literal. Try “Sail Away”. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/233 "2024-08-23T17:28:30Z")
Moths in your rugs do it; what’s the use of moth balls?? (Can’t believe that line slipped past the record company censors) ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/234 "2024-08-23T17:33:15Z")
She’s the sister-in-law of _L.A. Law_’s Diana Muldaur. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/235 "2024-08-23T17:34:46Z")
They also missed Bianca’s line in _Kiss Me, Kate_: > I’m a maid who would marry > And will take with no qualm > Any Tom, Dick, or Harry > Any **Harry, Dick** , or Tom ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/236 "2024-08-23T17:35:45Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > had a classics professor in college (many years ago) make a surprisingly compelling and coherent argument that the song was actually about [Antigone and Creon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigone_(Sophocles_play)) If that’s not overestimating how much greek mythology was taught in 1950s English grammar schools, it it’s definitely over estimating how much Jagger or Richards paid attention during classics classes 😉 ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/237 "2024-08-23T17:38:11Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > But Achmed the Dead Terrorist is still a popular character There is also Killing an Arab by The Cure. Which is AFAIK an allusion to Laurence of Arabia but still isn’t getting played anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/238 "2024-08-23T17:44:57Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Which is AFAIK an allusion to Laurence of Arabia but still isn’t getting played anywhere. No, it’s an allusion to Albert Camus’ novel “L’Étranger” (The Stranger). ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/239 "2024-08-23T18:27:30Z")
The original lyrics to “I’ve Got a Little List” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado” contain this line: “and the n\*\*\*\*r serenader and the others of his race” I doubt anyone sings it like that now. It’s traditional to update the lyrics to include current-day annoyances. Then again, I’m sure there are people today who think “The Mikado” shouldn’t be performed at all. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956/240 "2024-08-23T18:50:58Z")
That was the one I was thinking of. Not the Queen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/once-popular-songs-that-are-no-longer-socially-acceptable/1005956.md?page=13)