# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/101 "2004-03-12T03:18:47Z")
Hey, I have to step in and defend Run For Your Life. I love that song. Sure, it’s creepy, but I think it’s supposed to be. Just listen to John’s singing on the verses, you can just feel his sneering and spitting. Also listen to the end of the chorus, at the “that’s the end” line. You can hear Paul’s backup voice and it’s high pitched and sounds like a woman, and it gives it a creepy effect. I find something about Norwegian Wood to be unsettling though. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/102 "2004-03-12T04:01:06Z")
Actually, the creepiest song I can think of is ‘Rock-a-bye Baby.’ We’re talking about a song where the baby falls out of the top of a tree, and you sing this to infants to put them to sleep? I refused to sing it. Instead I sing cheerful songs to kids I’m trying to put to sleep: _Monster’s Lullaby_ by Meg Davis [Lyrics here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4632170#) _Little Fuzzy Animals_ by Fred Hayes (sorry, can’t find a link) _Never Set the Cat on Fire_ also by Fred Hayes ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/103 "2004-03-12T04:27:07Z")
> [@Fairblue](#): > > Wow, that brought back memories. The beginning of that song was really catchy. As I recall the lyrics: > > Josie’s on a vacation far away > Come around and talk it over > **Her old man thinks that I want her in bed** > 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. > Not sure who Josie is, but apparently she’s not his girlfriend. So he can hook up if he wants to. 🙂 Nope. Google (I’m too drunk to link correctly) says it’s “so many things I’d like to say”. I did always assume that it was his girlfriend. That maybe was because I was sleeping with a guy who’s girlfriend was out of the country and we joked about that song a lot. Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/104 "2004-03-12T05:03:17Z")
> [@Talon Karrde](#): > > Hey, I have to step in and defend Run For Your Life. I love that song. Sure, it’s creepy, but I think it’s supposed to be. Just listen to John’s singing on the verses, you can just feel his sneering and spitting. Also listen to the end of the chorus, at the “that’s the end” line. You can hear Paul’s backup voice and it’s high pitched and sounds like a woman, and it gives it a creepy effect. > > I find something about Norwegian Wood to be unsettling though. Notice that when Paul McCartney got stoned, he wrong songs like “Rocky Raccoon”, but that John Lennon, when stoned, wrote “Happiness is a Warm Gun”? ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/105 "2004-03-12T05:13:18Z")
Pink Floyd’s _Mother_ is rather creepy. Actually, you could say that about quite a number of songs from _The Wall_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/106 "2004-03-12T05:30:18Z")
“The Plan” by Richard Hell & The Voidoids: The narrator, an alienated and disturbed man, calls up his old girlfriend, who “accepted my plan and so she caught the next train.” The plan was to create a baby girl (nothing is said about what they would’ve done if the baby was male) for him to raise. Their lovemaking is loveless, perfunctory, and clinical (“our task…the schedule”), their expressions hidded behind “surgical masks”. Their true purpose was perverse; the daughter was to be raised by him in order to be his sexual substitute for the absent lover: …The schedule was followed, a daughter was born And so the mother departed – I was left with her form… …I once knew true love – she won’t know another. Life is renewed, my little girl is my lover. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Fifteen\_Iguana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Fifteen\_Iguana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fifteen_Iguana)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/107 "2004-03-12T05:44:06Z")
Randy Mewman has pretty much made a career out of creepy songs (plus Disney, of course). **Suzanne** is very definitely about a stalker, and he borrowed the name from Leonard Cohen’s very spiritual love song of the same name. **He Gives Us All His Love** is like “From A Distance,” a song about God ignoring the world. **God’s Song** is even meaner. On his most recent album he has a song called **My Country**. It has an anthemic chorus which I have heard in a truck commercial, sung by a country singer. They leave out the verses which are about how he would rather watch television than talk to his family. Oh, there’s a wonderful musician named Eddy Lawrence, and on one hof his [albums](http://snowplowrecords.com/guitars.html) he does the John Denver hit **THank God I’m A Country Boy** as it might have been performed by, say, a member of the cast of “Deliverance.” Mucho creepy. My daughter had never heard the original and had no idea why I thought it was hilarious. Fifteen Iguana ---
**Author:** ![Mole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/108 "2004-03-12T05:47:19Z")
I used to like Filter’s “Hey Man Nice Shot” until some friends claimed it was inspired by R. Budd Dwyer’s suicide. I don’t know if that’s true but I can’t help but associate the two now when I hear the song. Kind of creeps me out. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/109 "2004-03-12T05:49:00Z")
The song “Alison” by Elvis Costello. On the surface it sounds like a bittersweet memory of a past romance. Pay attention to the lyrics though, and it’s quite clear that Alison’s not leaving that meeting alive. ---
**Author:** ![Fifteen\_Iguana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Fifteen\_Iguana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fifteen_Iguana)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/110 "2004-03-12T05:49:13Z")
Aargh. That’s Randy **Newman** of course. ---
**Author:** ![MonsterOnAStick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@MonsterOnAStick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonsterOnAStick)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/111 "2004-03-12T05:55:55Z")
Elvis Costello’s “Veronica” has always creeped me out, particularly since I’ve been at my current job (nursing home). Some [lyrics](http://www.lyricsdepot.com/elvis-costello/veronica.html) : Well she used to have a carefree mind of her own and a delicate look in her eye These days I’m afraid she’s not even sure if her name is Veronica Veronica sits in her favourite chair and she sits very quiet and still And they call her a name that they never get right and if they don’t then nobody else will But she used to have a carefree mind of her own, with devilish look in her eye Saying "You can call me anything you like, but my name is Veronica And the part that clinches it for me, Well it was all of sixty-five years ago When the world was the street where she lived And a young man sailed on a ship in the sea With a picture of Veronica To me that verse just says how much energy, carefree joy and potential her life had once, and look how different it is now… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/112 "2004-03-12T06:14:25Z")
My nomination is Poe’s [“Angry Johnny”.](http://www.elyrics.net/go/p/Poe/Angry_Johnny) This song isn’t exactly creepy, but it’s disturbing. [Kittie’s “Raven”](http://www.lyred.com/lyrics/Kittie/Spit/Raven/) ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/113 "2004-03-12T06:56:38Z")
(sigh) I always end up defending Gary Puckett. Sheesh, I oughta get a retainer or sumpin’. “Young girl get OUT…” See, she was passing herself off as older. Teenage girls do that. Trust me. He was NOT impressed. In fact, he was pretty upset. He’s telling her to LEAVE! Because he does NOT want to mess around with an underage girl. He’s already about half in love with her, but he REALIZES its WRONG! :rolleyes: Now, on to the really creepy songs. How about "She’s a Lady"by Tom Jones. Condesending much? “Well she always knows her place…” Gag! How about “One Way or Another” by Blondie. Serious stalker song. “Having my Baby”?! What drivel! Now, anyone that knows me knows my main guilty pleasure is (gasp) Alice Cooper. :eek: Ever listen to “Cold Ethel”? How about “I love the Dead”?! Ah, that old necrophylia feelin’ ! “Seasons in the Sun” Bouncy little tune, but the guy’s dying for crying out loud! This is not a happy song! And finally, for your listening pleasure, the ultimate creepy boyfriend, Mick Jagger! “Under my thumb…” :mad: ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/114 "2004-03-12T07:41:38Z")
Apparently, I was incorrect. :bows out: ---
**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 12, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/115 "2004-03-12T18:46:18Z")
[QUOTE=Annie] OK Ike- Alison Krauss’s [Baby, Now That I’ve Found You](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/heartbreakers/babynowthativefoundyou.htm) ; should have been called \* Alex’s Theme\* from Fatal Attraction: [QUOTE] Foundations, “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” Number 1, UK charts, 1967 Number 11, US charts, 1968 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/116 "2004-03-12T18:50:28Z")
Aqualung’s Strange and Beautiful is the epitome of a stalker song. You may recognise it from a VW Beetle add. Girl doesn’t notice him, so he’s going to put a Midsummer Night’s Dream like love spell on her. " To me you’re strange and you’re beautiful, You’d be so perfect with me, but you just can’t see. I’ll put a spell on you and when I wake you I’ll be the first thing you see, and you’ll realise that you love me." ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/117 "2004-03-12T18:58:32Z")
\ I didn’t read all the way through the thread, so hopefully I’m not repeating something. \ I cannot stand Rod Stewart’s song “Tonight’s The Night” “_Stay away from my window Stay away from my back door, too Disconnect the telephone line Relax baby and draw that blind_” OK so, don’t try and run for help… And don’t bother trying to call someone… "\* Kick off your shoes and sit right down Loosen off that pretty French gown Let me pour you a good long drink Ooh baby don’t you hesitate, cause… \* And once I’ve gotten you good and drunk… _C’mon angel my hearts on fire **Don’t deny your man’s desire** You’d be a fool to stop this tide Spread your wings and let me come inside_ OK does that SOUND voluntary? \ ***Don’t say a word my virgin child** Just let your inhibitions run wild The secret is about to unfold Upstairs before the night’s too old \* And uh… how old is this girl anyway?? Sorry, the song serious skeeves me out everytime I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/118 "2004-03-12T20:26:37Z")
Madonna’s _Beautiful Stranger_: _If I’m smart, then I’ll run away But I’m not, so I guess I’ll stay Heaven forbid I take my chance on a beautiful stranger_ It sounds like a happy little Austin Powers ditty, but it’s treally about a woman who keeps falling for men who will break her heart. Strange that the much darker-sounding movie theme _Die Another Day_ actually has a more positive message: _I guess I’ll die another day, there’s so much more to know I think I’ll find another way, it’s not my time to go_ Prolly more later. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/119 "2004-03-13T03:04:40Z")
> [@Kizarvexius](#): > > Notice that when Paul McCartney got stoned, he wrong songs like “Rocky Raccoon”, but that John Lennon, when stoned, wrote “Happiness is a Warm Gun”? Sorry, but could you tell me what your point is? I don’t quite understand what you mean. > [@HPL](#): > > ``` > Pink Floyd's Mother is rather creepy. Actually, you could say that about quite a number of songs from The Wall. > > ``` YES. That is very much the creepiest song on the album. Partly because I heard the album after I saw the movie, and the corpse in his mother’s bed really disturbed me in that sequence. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/120 "2004-03-13T03:16:32Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] [QUOTE=Annie] OK Ike- Alison Krauss’s [Baby, Now That I’ve Found You](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/heartbreakers/babynowthativefoundyou.htm) ; should have been called \* Alex’s Theme\* from Fatal Attraction: > [@](#): > > Foundations, “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” > Number 1, UK charts, 1967 > Number 11, US charts, 1968 Yup, spank me :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=7)