# Poll: The Beatles' Worst Song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 20, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176 "2010-03-20T22:10:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/81 "2010-03-21T16:08:00Z")
I think “You Know My Name”, should have been covered under the “Revolution 9” codicle. I voted for “Don’t Pass Me By”. Sorry Ringo, but that sounds like it was written by whiney teenaged girl with a tin ear. If it weren’t for the rest of the lads carrying that one along, it would never have heard the light of day. However, I really wanted to go with “And Your Bird Can Sing”, but I felt the need to not go the “Other” route. ---
**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:** [March 21, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/82 "2010-03-21T16:15:33Z")
“Bungalow Bill” was a major exercise in suckitude. The first bad Beatles song that came to mind, however was “Mr. Moonlight”. The Beatles’ version is best known, so they’re responsible for it (Johnny Horton recorded an apparently different song with the same title, which is even worse). Music history fans will appreciate that the first known recording of “Mr. Moonlight” was by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, which is a wonderful band name. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/83 "2010-03-21T16:28:53Z")
> [@](#): > > I voted for “Don’t Pass Me By”. Sorry Ringo… If it was released when it was actually written, it might have been better. McCartney makes reference to it as early as a 1964 interview, yet it didn’t actually get recorded until _The White Album_. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/84 "2010-03-21T17:38:04Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Hysterical. You obviously have no idea what kind of taxes these guys were paying, nor do you realize what effect those taxes had on the band. Nor do I care about the marginal rate on the millions of pounds they were making. It’s just George whinging, really. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/85 "2010-03-21T17:40:58Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Music history fans will appreciate that the first known recording of “Mr. Moonlight” was by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, which is a wonderful band name. I had no [idea](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1CXyJntsZg). ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/86 "2010-03-21T17:47:16Z")
I’d have to go with “Octopus’s Garden”, as it’s just a bit too precious and twee, even for this confirmed Beatles fanatic. But really, how in the _hell_ could you include “Long Long Long” in a list of the worst songs by the Beatles? It’s probably in my top twenty. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/87 "2010-03-21T17:49:10Z")
And shit! I just realized you included “Rain” as well! Why not just go all the way and include “A Day In the Life” and “For No One”, too? ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/88 "2010-03-21T17:53:25Z")
> [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](#): > > Other: _A Day in the Life_ - Meaningless stoner babble with a hideously pretentious arrangement and some of the worst vocals in the history of pop. Not for nothing, but I’ll take everything you say in future regarding music with a monumental grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/89 "2010-03-21T18:08:39Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > But really, how in the _hell_ could you include “Long Long Long” in a list of the worst songs by the Beatles? It’s probably in my top twenty. As previously noted, Cicero, the twenty choices were not intended to be “a list of the worst songs by the Beatles”. Not in my opinion, anyway. Some made their way onto the ballot due to derisive statements I’ve read/heard elsewhere. I’d think you could agree, though, that opinions can differ.\* FWIW, I like both Long Long Long and Rain. \*ETA: After reading your last post, apparently not. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/90 "2010-03-21T18:13:30Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > BTW I predict that nobody will pick Here Comes The Sun. Doesn’t everybody like that song? You predict wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/91 "2010-03-21T19:14:41Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > But why is ‘Why Don’t We Do It In The Road’ on the list? It’s a perfect tribute to the Blues. I’ve always thought ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic was referencing that song in his movie “UHF”, with the song “Let Me Be Your Hog”: Let me be your hog Let me be your hog now I said, baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby baby … > [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > The verse melody is OK, but that chorus … SCREECH (sad drone - we gave her most of our lives)… (SCREECH) is leaving…HOME. I’m a Beatles fan and own many of their albums, but the lyrics on this song are just maudlin. I’m prepared to hear about why I’m wrong on this one, though. > [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > I think you’ve confused maudlin with melancholy. I’d argue that “SLH” is unrivaled in pop music in exploring the rift in generations, showing insight and empathy for parents who aren’t demonized and have nothing but love for their daughter, but who also don’t understand the need and impulse for freedom and independence. Rebellion doesn’t have to be loud and abrasive; sometimes its articulated in the silence of absence. The song perfectly emulates the echo of an empty room and the inner echo of the parents’ insulated shock and confusion. In fact, it’s only the last line that gives her reason for going, but when it does (“something inside that was always denied”), the answer is a universal one in its understanding What I took away from that song was that the girl’s reason for leaving was that everything her parents did “for her” was really about _them_, not her. “Why would she treat _us_ so thoughtlessly? How could she do this _to me_?” “She’s leaving home after living alone For so many years. Bye, bye” > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Hysterical. You obviously have no idea what kind of taxes these guys were paying, nor do you realize what effect those taxes had on the band. > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Nor do I care about the marginal rate on the millions of pounds they were making. It’s just George whinging, really. There’s a good reason so many successful British artists pack up and move to another country. I read that, at the time George wrote that song, the tax rates were as high as 95% on the highest incomes, which George references with the line “There’s one for you, nineteen for me”. ---
**Author:** ![Rrose\_Selavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@Rrose\_Selavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rrose_Selavy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/92 "2010-03-21T20:24:01Z")
I think it’s a bit unfair to compare the very short semi humorous fillers like “Her Majesty” to the fuller compositions. They’re virtually over before they’ve begin. “She Leaving Home” is very much in the vein of “Eleanor Rigby” - another melancholy narrative orchesteral type song. Surprised no one mentioned the latter (apart from in the poll) though I quite like it. - ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/93 "2010-03-21T21:37:49Z")
Maxwell Silver Hammer is it for me. Maybe Paul was trying to make another Mack the Knife? 😕 If so, he failed, utterly. It’s got a cheesy melody (that burns into your brain like a jingle) and awful lyrics. They’re not existentialist, or angsty or satiric-they’re just plain bad. Second choice is Wild Honey Pie. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to it again. Some of their songs suffer from overexposure–I Wanna Hold Your Hand and She Loves You are two good examples of that. But they are still solid rockers, it’s just that we’ve listened to them too often. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/94 "2010-03-21T21:41:20Z")
Other: _Mr. Moonlight._ ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/95 "2010-03-21T22:26:41Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Other: _Mr. Moonlight._ This is a joke. Right? ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/96 "2010-03-21T22:52:05Z")
_Piggies._ Smug ugly. _The Inner Light_ is pretty annoying too, but it’s got an uptempo part that could pass as interesting if you heard it from across the room. Sorry George. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/97 "2010-03-21T23:25:08Z")
> [@Anamorphic](#): > > Other: Maxwell’s Silver Hammer. Agreed. Didn’t John say it was the song that broke up The Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/98 "2010-03-21T23:44:51Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Nor do I care about the marginal rate on the millions of pounds they were making. It’s just George whinging, really. Oh, an opinion based on willful ignorance. Carry on, then. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/99 "2010-03-22T00:39:57Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Oh, an opinion based on willful ignorance. > > Carry on, then. If you’re too dumb to understand the difference between don’t know and don’t care, well then…I guess you don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176/100 "2010-03-22T01:12:08Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > If you’re too dumb to understand the difference between don’t know and don’t care, well then…I guess you don’t care. You used the phrase “nor do I care”, implying that you didn’t, in fact, know. Nothing dumb about my response at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-the-beatles-worst-song/533176.md?page=6)