# Ordinary songs that no one notices are actually creepy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 11, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639 "2004-03-11T04:44:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/41 "2004-03-11T12:53:57Z")
Some of the ones I initially thought of are mentioned, so I won’t bother repeating them - although I must admit, even though I new about the lyrics to **Run for Your Life** by the Beatles, and used to sing it, it just never really struck me. It was just a song. But the more I thought about it, it is rather yucky. My nom = **Dance Hall Days** by **Wang Chung** I don’t remember all the lyrics, but two that come to mind are: **"Take your baby by the hair - pull her closer - there, there, there"** **"Take your baby by the ears, and play upon her darkest fears"** Oh yeah - really healthy. I remember thinking it was just a cool song with a fun beat… ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/42 "2004-03-11T13:24:05Z")
I still don’t understand why they have played **YMCA** at every wedding reception I’ve gone to. I mean, it’s a song about picking up guys at the YMCA. I like the song, but… “Dear, at the wedding reception, I think we should play this song. It’s a celebration of having gay sex with strangers.” “That would be lovely, darling!” ---
**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:** [March 11, 2004, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/43 "2004-03-11T13:42:48Z")
The Boomtown Rats’ “I Don’t Like Mondays” is a cheery little ditty on a feeling we often have. But it’s about a school shooting, based on a real incident. However, it, like some of the other songs mentioned (Teen Angel, Excitable Boy) is not creepy, but satirical/sardonic. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/44 "2004-03-11T13:50:51Z")
[Knoxville Girl](http://www.metrolyrics.com/lyrics/64782/Lemonheads/Knoxville_Girl/) by the Lemonheads. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/45 "2004-03-11T14:17:08Z")
That sounds like a very old folk ballad. ---
**Author:** ![TommyTutone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/46 "2004-03-11T14:55:29Z")
The Toadies were a one hit wonder from the early 90’s with **Possum Kingdom** , named after a park in Texas where some guy drowned a woman he was crazy about so that he could ‘preserve forever’ (first lyric here only): Make up your mind Decide to walk with me Around the lake tonight Around the lake tonight By my side By my side I’m not gonna lie I’ll not be a gentleman Behind the boathouse I’ll show you my dark secret There was another song out at about the same time. Had a happy beat and told about a couple that just picked up and left one day, also based on a true story. It was not long after the song was released that the couple was located… dead, in a car’s trunk if I recall correctly. Just found it, the song is titled ‘The Way’, and according to the net, the artist was Gigi D’agostino: Anyone could see The road that they walk on is paved in gold And It’s always summer’ they’ll never get cold They’ll Never get hungry They’ll never get old and gray You can see their shadows Wandering off somewhere They won’t make it home But they really don’t care They wanted the highway They’re happy there today ’ today ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/47 "2004-03-11T15:02:30Z")
**Llamapoet** - the second song was by **Fastback** or **Fastball** - something like that. The first one - wow. Always like the song because it was so catchy and rocked. Thought the imagery was a little off, but nothing more. Also never knew the name. Now that I know the name and the subject matter, I don’t think I feel so good… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/48 "2004-03-11T15:22:07Z")
Heh. Great thread. The first thing that came to mind when I saw the subject was Kenny Rogers’ “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town”, a happy little ditty in which a legless Viet Nam vet begs his girl not to go out and bang a bunch of random strangers, apparently. Also, Zager & Evans only hit “In the year 2525” has always really creeped me out, for some reason. This kind of doom and gloom really came to full flower in the punk and post-punk eras, it seems. Here are a few creepy classics, off the top of my pointy head: Nick Lowe, “Marie Provost”: silent-film actress dies of drug overdose at home, ends up being partially eaten by her dog, set to a sunny pop beat. Chorus line: “She was a winner/who became the doggie’s dinner”. XTC: “No Thugs in Our House”: slag-off of rightist skinheads in which a cop pays a visit to a working-class household, making enquiries about a wallet found at a location “where some asians have been so badly kicked”. Features the chorus, “And little Graham slept on/dreaming of a world where he could do just what he wanted to.” Set to a beat perfect for lacing up the ol’ Doc Martens and going out for a good stomp. Elivs Costello: seems like more than half of his early output was about emotional bullying and twisted relationships. How about “Watching the Detectives” (“She’s filing her nails while they’re dragging the lake”) and “Two Little Hitlers” (“Two little Hitlers will fight it out until/one little Hitler does the other one’s will”). 'Course, with Elvis you pretty much know what you’re getting, but his sour lyrics always had a compelling hook wrapped around them. ---
**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 11, 2004, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/49 "2004-03-11T16:49:01Z")
**Paul in Saudi** : > [@](#): > > D.O.A. by Bloodrock You mean most people who hear it are blithely humming along thinking it’s just a kitschy pop song? :eek: Creepy, yes. Way yes. But “ordinary” and/or “that no one notices are actually creepy”?? My own nomination: can’t tell you who does the damn thing, it’s one of those “pop divas” who get a lot of “lite FM” radio play, but I bet most of y’all have been subjected to it. “I’m saving all my love for you-oooooooou”. Wonder how many people listen closely enough to catch that it’s a promise of fidelity…a promise of fidelity made from a woman _to the married man she’s currently having an affair with_ ::barf smiley:: Now that’s creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/50 "2004-03-11T17:17:52Z")
For blood-curdling heartlessness, you have to go far to beat Bobby Vee’s “Come Back When You Grow Up” > [@](#): > > I want you girl but your wide-eyed innocence > Has really messed up my mind, yeah-eah-eah > I’d rather you get your very first heartbreak > Somewhere else along the line IOW, if you’re gonna make a fuss about my taking your virginity and walking away, then lose it someplace else and I’ll be back later. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/51 "2004-03-11T17:30:16Z")
**Cornflake Girl** by Tori Amos always seemed like a happy song until I found out it was about [female betrayal through the generations that was inspired by female circumcision.](http://www.hereinmyhead.com/collect/under/utp8.html#quote) :eek: ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/52 "2004-03-11T17:56:06Z")
I dunno who sings this song, or how popular it is (I’m a bit out of the loop) but every time I go to Tesco I hear a song that goes: _Save all your kisses for me Save all your kisses for me … … even though you’re only three._ I mean … EWWWWW. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/53 "2004-03-11T17:58:37Z")
This little Gary Puckett ditty always kind of makes me gag: Young Girl Young girl, get out of my mind My love for you is way out of line Better run, girl, you’re much too young, girl With all the charms of a woman You’ve kept the secret of your youth You led me to believe you’re old enough to give me love And now it hurts to know the truth, oh Young girl, get out of my mind … Beneath your perfume and make-up You’re just a baby in disguise And though you know that it is wrong to be alone with me That come on look is in your eyes, oh Young girl, get out of my mind … So hurry home to your mama I’m sure she wonders where you are Get out of here before I have the time to change my mind 'Cause I’m afraid we’ll go too far, oh Young girl, get out of my mind … Yucky! Oh, and I second the emotion on the Clay Aiken “Invisible” song. The first thing I thought was, okay, if he were invisible, he’d be able to watch you get undressed without the cops catching him? Okay then. **AHunter3** , are you talking about the Whitney Houston song? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/54 "2004-03-11T18:10:46Z")
> [@Krokodil](#): > > “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” was mentioned earlier. Yeah, it’s creepy, but I always took it as the Beatles’ nod to their Music Hall roots, where gory lyrics pleasantly delivered are pretty commonplace. I don’t know how you could think Maxwell’s Silver Hammer is about anything else. Ditto “Run for Your Life.” In geting better, John sings “I was cruel to my woman, I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loves.” “Band of Gold” is about a man not getting it up on his wedding night, disappointing his virgin bride. That was creepy when I could actually hear the lyrics on CD. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/55 "2004-03-11T18:16:56Z")
The Outfield’s Your Love. (may not be exact) Josie’s on a vacation far away So come around and talk it over. So many things that I wanna say You know I like my girls a little bit older I just wanna use your love tonight I don’t wanna lose your love tonight. Hey! My girlfriend is on vacation, so why don’t you come over and have sex with me because I’m oh so lonely. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/56 "2004-03-11T18:17:25Z")
> [@LlamaPoet](#): > > The Toadies were a one hit wonder from the early 90’s with **Possum Kingdom** , named after a park in Texas where some guy drowned a woman he was crazy about so that he could ‘preserve forever’ (first lyric here only): > > Make up your mind > Decide to walk with me > Around the lake tonight > Around the lake tonight > By my side > By my side > I’m not gonna lie > I’ll not be a gentleman > Behind the boathouse > I’ll show you my dark secret I’m surprised that anyone can listen to that song and not get what it’s about – the end is all guitars crunching and the singer screaming, “DOOOO YOU WANNA DIE?!” What _is_ creepy is that I find that song sexy in the extreme. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/57 "2004-03-11T18:27:38Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > Nuts, hit reply too soon. I meant to add: > > If you want a really creepy Beatles song, try She’s Leaving Home (spoilt rich girl runs away with a used car salesman because her home life is so unloving) or Eleanor Rigby (no explanation necessary, I trust). Eleanor Rigby is a sad song, but I wouldn’t call it creepy. It’s also one of my favorites, along with She’s Leaving Home. I see that song completely differently. To me it was about a young woman who had finally decided to leave home, but didn’t yet have enough courage to confront her parents about it. She ran off with her boyfriend but only left a note. The mother, finding the note, doesn’t understand and takes it intensely personally “how could she treat us so thoughtlessly, how could she do this to _me_?” The parents have given their daughter everything they think she could want and from their perspective that should be enough, but to her it isn’t. To me the song is about the inevitable break between parents and child, which is painful on both sides. Eleanor Rigby is about those people whose lives are lonely and never seem to find happiness. But I’ll give you “Run for your Life.” That’s kind of creepy. I still like the song, though. One of the creepiest songs I ever heard was “Johnny Get Angry.” ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/58 "2004-03-11T18:44:53Z")
**yellowval,** I completely agree with “Young Girl.” Always upset me to hear it when I was growing up, and it was damn popular on the oldies stations. I’m not surprised no one’s mentioned **Jewel** , but I think she has some very shocking lyrics, and every time I hear some middle-class conservative talking about what a nice girl she is, or I hear a 9-11 tribute covering one of her anti-American songs, I don’t know whether to laugh or shoot myself. _Pieces of You_ You say he’s a faggot, does it make you want to hurt him? You say he’s a faggot, do you want to bash in his brain? You say he’s a faggot, does he make you sick to your stomach? You say he’s a faggot, are you afraid you’re just the same? Faggot, Faggot, do you hate him? _Little Sister_ Hey little sister I heard you went to Mr. So and So, knocking on his door again last night, said you needed it bad - you know that ain’t right Cause you’ve come to me crying trying to stop, you said it hurts so bad But please don’t let you go back for more My little sister is a Zombie in a body with no soul \*\* _Innocence Maintained_ Hitler loved little blue eyed boys And it drove him to hate … We all will be Christed when we hear ourselves say We are that which we pray ---
**Author:** ![zeldarae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/f14d63/32.png) [@zeldarae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeldarae)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/59 "2004-03-11T18:47:21Z")
> [@Gundy](#): > > I’m surprised that anyone can listen to that song and not get what it’s about – the end is all guitars crunching and the singer screaming, “DOOOO YOU WANNA DIE?!” > > What _is_ creepy is that I find that song sexy in the extreme. Don’t feel so alone. I find it sexy, too. What’s even more creepy is hearing in a strip club and realizing someone is dancing to it (no, not me. I go to keep my husband company 😉 ) **Possum Kingdom** was the first song I thought of when I saw this thread. By the way, thanks to whomever for the explanation of the title. Never could figure out what possums had to do with a quick walk around the lake. And thanks for the reminder of **Angie Baby** by Helen Ready. I remember being really creeped out as a child by the visuals of that song. When Sonny & Cher had their variety show in the early to mid '70s, Cher would sing a top ten hit each week and they would show a cartoon depicting the actions of the song. I remember this one vividly, with the guy shrinking down and being sucked into the radio. I couldn’t have been more than 9 or 10 then, but now that someone has mentioned it I’m sure I’ll have pleasant dreams tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/60 "2004-03-11T18:54:12Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > My own nomination: can’t tell you who does the damn thing, it’s one of those “pop divas” who get a lot of “lite FM” radio play, but I bet most of y’all have been subjected to it. “I’m saving all my love for you-oooooooou”. Wonder how many people listen closely enough to catch that it’s a promise of fidelity…a promise of fidelity made from a woman _to the married man she’s currently having an affair with_ Yep, that would be Whitney Houston’s [Saving All My Love for You](http://www.romantic-lyrics.com/ls1.shtml). _A few stolen moments is all that we share You’ve got your family and they need you there Though I’ve tried to resist being last on your list But no other man’s gonna do So I’ve saving all my love for you_ My nomination? Janis Ian’s [At Seventeen](http://www.janisian.com/lyric-at_seventeen.html). I remeber hearing this song a kid (my parents were big lite rock fans), but I had no clue it was an unpopular high schooler’s devastatingly sad tale of woe. Great song. _To those of us who know the pain Of valentines that never came, And those whose names were never called When choosing sides for basketball. It was long ago and far away The world was younger than today And dreams were all they gave for free To ugly duckling girls like me._ Pash [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=4)