# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/101 "2023-07-10T17:07:48Z")
From The Who’s _Helpless Dancer_ (Quadrophenia): Original lyric: > And people die from being old > Or left alone because they’re cold Second line never made sense to me. This makes more sense: > And people die from being cold > Or left alone because they’re old ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/102 "2023-07-10T17:21:21Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > 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!_. However, “behave” could have slightly different connotations, for instance, you can be behaving and still not be good, for instance, I wouldn’t call forgetting to do one’s homework as “misbehaving” per se. And “if you aren’t good” is ambiguous as to whether it only includes the future or also includes the present. “If you aren’t good in the future starting now, I will spank you!” would carry the same connotation and denotation, but it seems more natural to say “if you don’t be good”. ---
**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, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/103 "2023-07-10T17:36:36Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > “If you aren’t good in the future starting now, I will spank you!” would carry the same connotation and denotation, but it seems more natural to say “if you don’t be good”. Other than that whole violating the sacred rules of the King’s English thing, that is. ---
**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, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/104 "2023-07-10T17:44:43Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > …it seems more natural to say “if you don’t be good”. Can’t argue with “seems more natural” (whatever that means), but it’s incorrect English, nonetheless. These language threads always get fouled up by quarrelsome nitpickers with absurdly wrong ideas. I’m **not** saying you’re one of them, Ludovic, and there’s nothing wrong with your message (other than the construction you’re proposing). ---
**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:** [July 10, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/105 "2023-07-10T17:49:59Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Suckin’ on a chili-dog outside the Taste-e-Freeze…" > [@mbh](#): > > I always assumed Mellencamp did that deliberately. > [@solost](#): > > 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 We just made our own lyrics: Suckin’ on Jackie’s dog, outside the tastee-Freeze Diane sitting’ on Jackie’s face, got his head between her knees (Mind you these aren’t simultaneous but sequential.) We knew what he was talking about. We just went even cruder. Also, we hated the song. Suck on _this_ Johnny “Cougar”. ---
**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, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/106 "2023-07-10T21:34:07Z")
So you admit you mispronounce it. Didn’t realize you’d be so quick to show your ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/107 "2023-07-10T21:46:24Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > ETA: Actually, Texas-“facts is” is possibly the worst rhyme in rock and roll. Sorry. That rhyme has always bugged me too, but it’s not even close to being the worst in rock and roll. ---
**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, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/108 "2023-07-10T22:33:04Z")
Naw, I’m with @RitterSport on this one. I don’t see a worse one yet. ---
**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, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/109 "2023-07-10T23:04:48Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > So you admit you mispronounce it. Didn’t realize you’d be so quick to show your ignorance. I admit nothing of the sort. I’m simply not that invested in prevailing here. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/110 "2023-07-10T23:58:59Z")
> [@solost](#): > > 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. Considering his other big hit off the same album was “Hurt So Good” was NOT subtle at all it was about sex, I am pretty sure you analysis of “Jack and Diane” is right. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/111 "2023-07-11T00:11:51Z")
I’ma? ---
**Author:** ![Moonrise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonrise/32/14764_2.png) [@Moonrise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonrise)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/112 "2023-07-11T10:48:57Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > The repetition of “bombs” doesn’t bother me. Bombs were central to the troubles. Knives are more used in ordinary street crime, though I’m sure there were some troubles related stabbings. Repeating the word bombs evokes the sheer frustration people in Northern Ireland must have been feeling. Bombs and bombs, every damn day. > [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s kind of how I read those two lines as well…emphasizing the bombs and their continuous nature. I’ve also always kind of liked the repetition, especially since the word _bomb_ comes at the end of the first line, but is repeated at the beginning of the second one. It embues the song with a nice little lilt. > [@nicky](#): > > Re: Zombie, its “tanks” that is wrong. It should be “guns and bombs and bombs and guns”. Perfection ! ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/113 "2023-07-13T00:38:55Z")
Really, the whole song can die and wither, as far as I’m concerned, but that awful thing making the rounds some time ago-- think is was a bit after 9/11, like, around the time my son was born, but really not sure. Anyway, it’s either called “God Bless the USA,” or “Proud to be an American.” I’ve heard both. I once heard two guys almost come to blows over it. It contains this mess: “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.” Sorry, but “an American” is not a place. Suggestions; “I’m proud to _live in America_, where at least I know I’m free.” “I’m proud to be an American, _because_ at least I know I’m free.” I tend to favor the first, as it scans better, and honors my immigrant, fairly recent, ancestors, who worked hard to get here. The second, while it makes grammatic sense, just doesn’t make as much practical sense. ---
**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 13, 2023, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/114 "2023-07-13T00:53:05Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.” > > Sorry, but “an American” is not a place. True enough, but I think it’s fine for the verse. Not something that ever leapt out to me. What bugs me about that line is the whole notion of “well, at least I know I’m free,” which to me suggests things can be shitty, healthcare can bankrupt me, I could be beat up or shot for the color of my skin, etc., but, hey, at least I’m I know I’m “free,” amirite? And the official name of the song is “God Bless the USA.” Did you know Lee Greenwood recorded a version called “God Bless You Canada”? He sure did. And you’ll be happy to note that he did change those lines that irked you: “And I’m proud to be in Canada/where at least I know I’m free/And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/115 "2023-07-13T04:37:52Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Maybe it’s a lyric mistranscription, but I checked a few lyrics sites and they all say “dribble”. You might still be right. Lyrics sites are notoriously often wrong. They just repeat transcription errors from other websites. ---
**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:** [July 13, 2023, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731/116 "2023-07-13T14:51:49Z")
I still think Cole Porter should have gone with > Bees do it > Birds do it > Even educated nerds do it [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-need-one-minor-change-your-input/986731.md?page=5)