# Popular songs that give terrible advice **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 5, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343 "2023-02-05T16:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/101 "2023-02-06T06:34:52Z")
If given the chance, I’d tug on Superman’s cape in a second. How else do I get his attention? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/102 "2023-02-06T06:37:24Z")
“Mashed potatoes can be your friends.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/103 "2023-02-06T06:39:04Z")
Back in the olden days, many people believed that a bad-tasting medicine worked better, and it was mixed with sugar so (in particular) children would take it. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/104 "2023-02-06T07:28:48Z")
Unless you know you have her enthusiastic consent, you should not just kiss the girl, no matter what the singing crab says. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/105 "2023-02-06T07:29:44Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > If given the chance, I’d tug on Superman’s cape in a second. How else do I get his attention? On the tv show, throw an empty gun at him. That always gets his attention because he always ducks. Never ducks the actual billets, tho. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/106 "2023-02-06T09:54:52Z")
Melissa Manchester whiffs: Don’t cry out loud Just keep it inside Learn how to hide your feelings ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/107 "2023-02-06T13:49:17Z")
I don’t think the song is actually suggesting you do those things. Maybe go back and have another listen. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/108 "2023-02-06T14:11:54Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > _The Gambler_ > > “The best you can do is die in your sleep” The Gambler gives you absolutely terrible advice for poker in saying not to count your chips when sitting at the table. In fact, you DO count your chips. You should always know precisely how much you have, it directly affects your tactics. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/109 "2023-02-06T14:42:22Z")
In _The Club is Jumpin_ Destiny’s Child urges listeners to abandon their romanitc partners and come to the club: All you ladies, leave your man at home The club is full of ballers and their pockets full grown And all you fellas, leave your girl with her friends 'Cause it’s 11:30 and the club is jumping, jumping ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/110 "2023-02-06T14:55:42Z")
I’m sure mothers “across the nation” were aghast when Martha and the Vandellas tried to lure their children out to go “dancing in the street.” That’s just not safe. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/111 "2023-02-06T15:02:35Z")
I can think of a few professions in which it’s a bad idea to whistle while you work… ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/112 "2023-02-06T15:11:10Z")
I don’t care how proud Mary is, she should definitely drop and roll to put out that fire. ---
**Author:** ![SlipperyPete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@SlipperyPete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlipperyPete)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/113 "2023-02-06T16:33:13Z")
Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” is great advice, if you want to go to jail for property destruction. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/114 "2023-02-06T16:47:04Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > > > I don’t think it’s terrible advice, but eating “a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down” would suggest there’s something wrong with the medicine. > > I find a spoonful of sugar is a good cure for hiccups. You have to be careful if you have certain types of diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/115 "2023-02-06T16:47:30Z")
I don’t want to squash the enthusiasm here but there is a difference between a song that’s giving terrible advice and one where the singer does or describes doing something terrible. The Gambler-- terrible advice Highway to Hell and Before He Cheats-- doing terrible things. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum45/32/8690_2.png) [@eburacum45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum45)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/116 "2023-02-06T16:49:17Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > I can think of a few professions in which it’s a bad idea to whistle while you work… Scuba divers? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/117 "2023-02-06T16:58:39Z")
Many of Paul Simon’s fifty suggested ways to leave your lover basically amount to ghosting, which is immature. Don’t just slip out the back, Jack. Tell her what he problem is and explain you’re ending it. Then, Gus, feel free to get on the bus. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/118 "2023-02-06T17:02:52Z")
Not to mention that “you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em” is poker advice in the same way that “throw the ball into the basket” is basketball advice. ---
**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:** [February 6, 2023, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/119 "2023-02-06T17:10:07Z")
We had 50 Ways to kill your lover You slip out the blackjack Don’t need a decoy, Roy Just hit her in the head, Fred And you will be free Pick up the gun, son Shoot for the heart, Bart Wipe off the prints, Fritz make a clean getaway For purposes of this thread, I’m assuming this is still bad advice. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343/120 "2023-02-06T17:34:42Z")
The gambler want talking about nice, polite tables where chips are used. He’s talking about smoky saloons and shady back rooms where it’s always cash and you can assume everyone is armed and inebriated. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-songs-that-give-terrible-advice/979343.md?page=7)