# otherwise good songs ruined by one small artistic misstep **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292 "2002-07-10T19:53:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![p\_cific\_812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@p\_cific\_812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/p_cific_812)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2002, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/41 "2002-07-16T05:01:20Z")
**Van Halen** - “Why Can’t This Be Love?” _…I tell myself, "Hey, only fools rush in. **Only time will tell if we stand the test of time.** _ Feh. Worst lyrics ever. (I know Sammy Hagar is a wuss, so theres no need to post about it.) **Red Hot Chili Peppers** - “By the Way” This new single is not as funky as I would like but overall, a good song. Can somebody please tell me what that damn vocoder is doing in there? Awful. Just plain awful. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2002, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/42 "2002-07-16T05:25:32Z")
“Hit” by the Sugarcubes, whenever they let that guy talk. ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2002, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/43 "2002-07-16T06:44:41Z")
The Beatles’ “She’s a Woman:” “My love don’t give me presents / I know that she’s no peasant!” Why, Paul, why? ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/44 "2002-08-23T17:23:01Z")
As long as we’re pointing out unfortunate McCartney lyrics, how about “Live and Let Die”: “In this ever-changing world in which we live in.” Yikes. ---
**Author:** ![Phoebestar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Phoebestar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phoebestar)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/45 "2002-08-23T17:34:37Z")
While it doesn’t ruin the song for me, my friend Beth begs to differ. They Might Be Giants’ song “Cyclops Rock”, off of their latest album, Mink Car. At the end, there’s a cameo by Cerys Matthews of Catatonia, which is basically her screaming. Beth says (paraphrased), “It’s like someone’s giving you this wonderful sundae, with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and nuts, but… right before they give it to you, they pee on it.” That amused me. Another one, this time my own: Alanis Morissette, “That I Would Be Good”, from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. A good song, up until the part where she sees fit to play herself a little flute solo. She’s a horrible flutist. I don’t know why she didn’t get someone with some talent to play it. I taught _myself_ to play, and I’m better than that! ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/46 "2002-08-23T18:12:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Glory \* > \*\*That weird cry thing at the end of Counting Crow’s Rain King. Nearly ruins the song for me! \*\* Yep, and not only that, he does at the end of “Long December” repeatedly. yeah yeah yeah yuch. ---
**Author:** ![AtomicDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@AtomicDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AtomicDog)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/47 "2002-08-23T19:10:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by h.sapiens \* > \*\*As long as we’re pointing out unfortunate McCartney lyrics, how about “Live and Let Die”: “In this ever-changing world in which we live in.” > > Yikes. \*\* Actually it’s “In which we’re livin’” You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/48 "2002-08-23T19:51:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NDP \* > \*\*My pick:_L.A. Woman_ by the Doors. > > Great intro, great segue into Morrison’s vocals, and then…there’s THAT lyric: > > _If they say I never loved you, > You know they are a liar._ > > Usually bad grammar in songs doesn’t irritate me that much but this one I just gag on. \*\* I was always under the impression that he said: _If they say I never loved you, You know they are **a lyin’**._ It makes more sense that way, at least, even though it doesn’t rhyme with the preceding line. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/49 "2002-08-23T20:11:27Z")
_Changes_ by **Yes** It starts off with this cool odd-time beginning as if to say “See, we’re still a cool prog-rock band doing interesting stuff with meter and melodic patterns”, and then breaks into a cheezy 80’s pop-rock song. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/50 "2002-08-23T21:23:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sublight \* > \*\*Personally, I liked the keyboard ending of **ELP** ’s _Lucky Man_. What ruined so many of their songs for me were the godawful lyrics. > > "You can tape(?) some blues > and photograph your soul. > You can even dig some diamonds > out of rock n’ roll. > > You can change the world, > but if you lose control… > > [so far, so good…] > > They will take away your T-shirt." **huh?** 😕 > > Someday I’d like to find the karaoke version of their work and just listen to that. \*\* The song is “Nobody Loves You Like I Do,” and while it’s never been one of my favorite ELP songs, I think it features some of Pete Sinfield’s cleverest lyrics. Like Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good,” this song is a cynical look at life from a rich rock star’s point of view. If you’re a huge rock star (as Greg Lake was, back in 1977), your name and face appear on thousands of T-shirts all over the world. But you’re in a perilous business, where people can tire of you or turn on you at any moment, and suddenly… POOF! There goes your career, nobody’s listening to you any more, nobody’s wearing your T-shirt any more. The song is a humorous take on the relationship between a rock star and his fans. The star is saying, “I know you love me, and I love you too… but I also know that my stardom could evaporate in the blink of an eye. You could get bored with me any second, and I’ll be just another forgotten has-been in the discount rack. Oh, don’t feel sorry for me- I knew the way show business works, and I made the choice to go into it anyway. All I can do is laugh at my situation.” - Now, as for good song’s with one annoying feature… Look, Queen’s “We Will Rock You” has a great beat and a greta guitar riff. But when Freddy Mercury is supposed to be making an angry rant, and the worst insult he can think of is, “You’re a big disgrace,” well… As macho trash-talk goes, that’s pretty weak! ---
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/51 "2002-08-23T21:31:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by h.sapiens \* > \*\*“Live and Let Die”: “In this ever-changing world in which we live in.” Yikes. \*\* Let’s try this again: “IF this ever-changing world in which we’re livin’…” ---
**Author:** ![TheeGrumpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheeGrumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheeGrumpy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/52 "2002-08-23T21:37:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by h.sapiens \* > \*\*“Live and Let Die”: “In this ever-changing world in which we live in.” Yikes. \*\* Let’s try this again: “If this ever-changing world in which we’re livin’…” [This site](http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/l/live_and_let_die_paul_mccartney_and_wings.html) uses “if” but keeps the “in which we live in.” My way sounds better, frankly. (“You got to give the other fellow hell”? Has he been saying that all along?) ---
**Author:** ![Syzygy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Syzygy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syzygy)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/53 "2002-08-23T22:39:05Z")
Metallica’s “The Memory Remains.” Halfway decent song, then Marianne Faithful comes in “singing.” I didn’t even know it was a woman until I read the liner notes. She croaks on well after the guys stop playing. So annoying. ---
**Author:** ![DirkGntly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/54 "2002-08-24T01:51:57Z")
Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” Really, a very pretty song…until the last TWO NOTES! “To _crack_ Meee_crack_eee _snap_eee _gargle_eeee” AAAAAARGGHHHHH!! ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/55 "2002-08-24T05:23:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\ ***Free Bird** starts as a pretty good song, until it devolves into the worst guitar solo in the history of music. I switch channels as soon as I hear it. \*\* **INFIDEL!** The _Free Bird_ guitar solo is aural genius that gets my head going like a bobbing-doll in the back of an old pickup racing down a paved road marked by heavy freezes. It creates the anthem that is the essence of shit-kicking rock-n-roll and makes me want to turn my house into one huge amp that goes up to _eleven_. Freeeeee bird! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/56 "2002-08-24T06:08:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DirkGntly \* > \*\*Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful” > Really, a very pretty song…until the last TWO NOTES! > > “To _crack_ Meee_crack_eee _snap_eee _gargle_eeee” > > AAAAAARGGHHHHH!! \*\* Ah, but it makes the song infinitely more parody-able… most effectively on The Simpsons in the episode where he gets hair. ---
**Author:** ![nicwolff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/74df32/32.png) [@nicwolff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicwolff)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/57 "2002-08-24T06:13:26Z")
The Rolling Stones’ “Monkey Man”. Utterly beautiful piano and guitar intro, great drum kick, funny self-effacing not-quite-nonsense lyric over propulsive funky rhythm, long wonderful solo – then from 3:10 Mick screams a strangled “I’m a monkey!” 15 times before giving up and just grunting “muh! muh! muh! muh!” over the diminuendo. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/58 "2002-08-24T16:33:06Z")
**Pink Floyd** : _Obscured by Clouds_ ends with this transcendental eerie piece “Absolutely Curtains”. Unfortunately at the end it devolves into this hideously unmusical and annoyingly long recording of a bunch of people trying to sing or chant, either in a language I don’t recognize or played backwards (this is possible–words start in a “mushy” kind of way reminiscent of speech played backwards). Most of them are badly off-key. For a little while, the last instrumental chord hovers superimposed, but then it fades, leaving just the bleating “singers”, who keep going and going until I can’t stand it any more and kill the track. There aren’t many places where I fast-forward or skip-track when listening to Pink Floyd. I do sometimes skip past “San Tropez” and “Seamus” on _Meddle_ and there are some entirely disposable tracks on _More_ as well, but these don’t constitute “otherwise good songs” in the first place, and furthermore I can let them play through. They may not be Floyd at Floyd’s finest, they don’t set my teeth on edge. But oh man, those awful bleary-drunk weepy-creepy singers screwing up the end of “Absolutely Curtains” and therefore the end of the album–aaggh! ---
**Author:** ![\_LX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/67e7ee/32.png) [@\_LX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_LX)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/59 "2002-08-24T23:41:04Z")
Not really a _small_ artistic misstep, but BT’s _Orbitus Teranium_. Beautiful fade-in, wonderful ending… but the part in between it sucks. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292/60 "2002-08-25T01:40:02Z")
“Don’t Fear The Reaper” - It would have been much better if it had just had more cowbell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/otherwise-good-songs-ruined-by-one-small-artistic-misstep/118292.md?page=4)