# Song Lyrics That Need One Minor Change - Your Input **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [July 7, 2023, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731 "2023-07-07T14:11:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2023, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/81 "2023-07-09T23:46:09Z")
I used to teach English, and now I translate and edit academic journals. Trust me, there’s nothing wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/82 "2023-07-10T00:01:23Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > > [@terentii](#): > > > > _Four **a.m.** in the morning_ is redundant. It should be _Four **o’clock** in the morning_. > > It’s four o’clock in the morning… > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICKOVZePhc0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICKOVZePhc0) ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/83 "2023-07-10T00:58:21Z")
Maybe it’s just me, but in Elton John’s “If I Need You to Turn To,” he says, “For I need your love, your love protects my fears.” Shouldn’t it be your love “allays” my fears? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/84 "2023-07-10T01:45:40Z")
Key point: > [@](#): > > To make a negative sentence in English we normally use **Don’t** or **Doesn’t** with all verbs EXCEPT **To Be** and **Modal verbs** (Can, might, should etc.). Your English credentials have been revoked, and we’ll be tearing off your epaulets and breaking your sword at dawn. Good day, sir. [Don't vs Doesn't Negative Sentences - English Grammar Rules](https://grammar.cl/Present/Dont_Doesnt.htm#:~:text=To%20make%20a%20negative%20sentence%20in%20English%20we,add%20don%27t%20between%20the%20subject%20and%20the%20verb). ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/85 "2023-07-10T02:07:02Z")
**“Normally”**? Frankly, I don’t know WTF they’re talking about, and they don’t give an example. Maybe you can? _If you don’t be good, I will spank you!_ is a perfectly normal sentence ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/86 "2023-07-10T02:09:56Z")
Not with the verb to be. “If you aren’t good,” that’s the ticket. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/87 "2023-07-10T02:20:39Z")
You could also say _If you won’t be good._ All three are perfectly acceptable if you’re talking about the future. They just have different nuances. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/88 "2023-07-10T02:44:40Z")
But “doesn’t” and “don’t” are beyond the pale and make the baby Jesus cry. English is weird. I don’t make the rules, I just belabor them. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/89 "2023-07-10T03:32:21Z")
> **[International Phonetic Alphabet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet)** > > The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is an alphabetic system of phonetic notation based primarily on the Latin script. It was devised by the International Phonetic Association in the late 19th century as a standardized representation of speech sounds in written form. The IPA is used by lexicographers, foreign language students and teachers, linguists, speech–language pathologists, singers, actors, constructed language creators, and translators. > The IPA is designed to represent those quali... ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/90 "2023-07-10T03:48:51Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > English is weird. I don’t make the rules, I just belabor them. I might have to get a t-shirt made with these words on it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/91 "2023-07-10T07:43:43Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > [International Phonetic Alphabet - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet) Sure, but I’m not gonna learn that just to get deeper in a debate that I don’t care enough about to win (or lose, as the case may be). I’ma keep calling them “yamas” and be dissatisfied with the way the song gets done, if it’s all the same to you. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/92 "2023-07-10T09:30:06Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I used to teach English, and now I translate and edit academic journals. Trust me, there’s nothing wrong with it. You must be thinking of negative imperatives, as in the song title “Don’t Be Cruel.” It should be “Cause if he **isn’t** , I’ll be there.” ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/93 "2023-07-10T14:45:24Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > We were taking a tour of Patagonia recently and couldn’t figure out a word that our guide was saying to describe a region. The region was Magellanes – which she pronounced “Mag-a-zhan-ays” It’s a long shot, but if you were in Patagonia there could even be a Welsh influence there due to the colony of y Wladfa. In Welsh the double L is pronounced like…well, we don’t have an equivalent sound in English, but it’s basically put your tongue up against your front teeth and blow. I could see that resulting in the “zh” pronunciation you heard. ---
**Author:** ![nicky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f0a364/32.png) [@nicky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicky)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/94 "2023-07-10T15:05:29Z")
Re: Zombie, its “tanks” that is wrong. It should be “guns and bombs and bombs and guns”. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/95 "2023-07-10T15:23:15Z")
In Queen’s Radio Ga Ga > All we hear is radio ga ga > Radio goo goo > Radio ga ga The repeat of “ga ga” in the third line is repetitive and uninspired. I suggest: > All we hear is radio ga ga > Radio goo goo > Radio ca ca I’m assuming that “ca ca” is understood to be baby-talk for poo ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/96 "2023-07-10T15:31:33Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > > [@jsc1953](#): > > > > Suckin’ on a chili-dog outside the Taste-e-Freeze…" > > > > Ew. How about “Suckin’ on a chocolate malt…” or “Chewin’ on a chili-dog…” Sucking on a hot dog sounds obscene. > > I always assumed Mellencamp did that deliberately. Yeah, that line is downright subtle compared to some of the rest of the lyrics, which make it perfectly clear that Jack and Diane are constantly banging. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/97 "2023-07-10T15:38:03Z")
Hell, the very next lines: _Diane sitting on Jacky’s lap_ _Got his hands between her knees_ ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/98 "2023-07-10T15:43:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hell, the very next lines: …and the very next lines after that: _Jack he says_ _"Hey, Diane, let’s run off behind a shady tree_ _Dribble off those Bobby Brooks_ _Let me do what I please"_ Speaking of song lyrics that need a minor change, “_ **Dribble** _ off those Bobby Brooks”?!? I always thought it was “_ **Jiggle** _ off”. Maybe it’s a lyric mistranscription, but I checked a few lyrics sites and they all say “dribble”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/99 "2023-07-10T16:10:29Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > _If you don’t be good, I will spank you!_ is a perfectly normal sentence That sounds completely jarring in my dialect of US English. _If you aren’t/won’t be good, I will spank you_ and _If you don’t behave, I will spank you!_ but not \*_if you don’t be good, I will spank you!_ As an imperative, it’s fine, though: _Don’t be good!_. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/100 "2023-07-10T16:43:25Z")
I had the same thought, although the Brits did use tanks in Belfast at least once: > **[Operation Motorman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Motorman)** > > 1980s > 1990s > Operation Motorman was a large operation carried out by the British Army (HQ Northern Ireland) in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The operation took place in the early hours of 31 July 1972 with the aim of retaking the "no-go areas" (areas controlled by residents, including Irish republican paramilitaries) that had been established in Belfast and other urban centres. In Derry, Operation Carcan (or Car Can), initially proposed as a separate operation, was executed as part of... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731.md?page=6)