# Songs that contain words not commonly found in song lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 19, 2007, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846 "2007-02-19T19:38:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/141 "2007-02-25T20:02:43Z")
_Who’s the one to decide that it would be alright To put the music behind the news tonight Well mama said “You can’t believe everything you hear,” The [diegetic](http://filmsound.org/terminology/diegetic.htm) world is so unclear._ -Jack Johnson, _The News_ ---
**Author:** ![Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Boulter\_s\_Canary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boulter_s_Canary)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/142 "2007-02-27T15:47:38Z")
There is no strength in numbers Have no such **misconception** ‘Lady in Black’ - Uriah Heep ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/143 "2007-03-01T03:28:42Z")
Ah-ha! I knew I had a really good example, but it eluded me the last couple of days. \*Cry me a river I cried a river over you You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head While you never shed a tear Remember, I remember, all that you said You told me love was too **plebeian** Told me you were through with me and\* ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/144 "2007-03-01T14:03:06Z")
I’ll add the Stones “Sympathy for the Devil” contains the word **politesse**. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/145 "2007-03-03T00:03:50Z")
Army of Lovers is good for this, too. All just from the album _Massive Luxury Overdose_: “Storm the gates of Stalingrad!” - _Candyman Messiah_ “You’re locked up in your **oubliette** , you’re doomed to live in pain…” - _Judgment Day_ “Atoms sing along to Einstein On The Beach…” - _The Particle Song_ “I’m walking with a zombie through radioactive air…” - _Walking With A Zombie_ “I’m crucified, crucified like my savior, saint-like behavior, lifetime I pray. I’m crucified for the holy dimension, godlike ascension, heaven’s away…” - _Crucified_ "How lethal is the grand infusion We tamper with a chemical bath Like metal greased in oil solution Walk this dire path Like heroes of the fort masada Apocalypse the end of the earth the transgalactic reich Chromada A chosen rebirth" - _Dynasty of Planet Chromada_ ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/146 "2007-03-03T03:31:09Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I have never heard the words “tourniquet”\* and “auto-da-fe” in any recorded song other than Tent, by the Bonzo Dog Band. The musical _Candide_ has [a song with the word “auto-da-fe”](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A398784) not just mentioned in passing in its lyrics, but forming its subject and title! > [@](#): > > "CHORUS: What a Day! What a day > for an Auto-da-Fe! > What a lovely day > for drinking and > for watching people die! > > ```auto > JUDGE: Shall we let the sinners go or try them? > CHORUS: Try them. > JUDGE: Are the culprits innocent or guilty? > CHORUS: Guilty. > JUDGE: Shall we pardon them or hang them? > CHORUS: Hang them! > ... > JUDGE: Are our methods legal or illegal? > CHORUS: Legal! > JUDGE: Are we judges of the law or laymen? > CHORUS: AMEN. > JUDGE: Shall we burn this vile transgressor? > CHORUS: YES SIR!" > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/147 "2007-03-03T04:11:23Z")
My favorite has got to be the \*Asia \*three-fer: “As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti” …not only in the same song, but all in the same line ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/148 "2007-03-03T13:33:53Z")
[QUOTE=Suburban Plankton] My favorite has got to be the \*Asia \*three-fer: “As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti” …not only in the same song, but all in the same line [/QUOTE] Psst: _Toto_, not _Asia_. Always loved that line. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/149 "2007-03-03T18:30:05Z")
[QUOTE=Suburban Plankton] My favorite has got to be the \*Asia \*three-fer: “As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti” …not only in the same song, but all in the same line [/QUOTE] Thanks for clearing that up. I always thought they were saying “rises like a leper.” 😃 Spoon uses some unusual words; I noted some in their recent CD **Gimme Fiction** : _pirouette, neckshirt, neckrug, St. Vitus dance_ , to name a few. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/150 "2007-03-03T18:40:23Z")
[QUOTE=vivalostwages] Thanks for clearing that up. I always thought they were saying “rises like a leper.” 😃 [/QUOTE] That song is FULL of potential mondegreens. When I was a kid, I used to think the line “There’s nothing that a thousand men or more could ever do” was “There’s nothing that a thousand men on Mars could ever do”. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/151 "2007-03-03T18:51:11Z")
[QUOTE=Kimstu] The musical _Candide_ has [a song with the word “auto-da-fe”](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A398784) not just mentioned in passing in its lyrics, but forming its subject and title! [/QUOTE] [Psssssssst!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8276333&postcount=45) ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/152 "2007-03-04T00:36:57Z")
I’m remembering a song with the haunting lyrics \* Aluminum, aluminum It’s an element! It comes from bauxite!\* Sadly, I do not remember the band. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/153 "2007-03-04T00:38:31Z")
[QUOTE=Shoshana] I’m remembering a song with the haunting lyrics \* Aluminum, aluminum It’s an element! It comes from bauxite!\* Sadly, I do not remember the band. [/QUOTE] In that same vein you have Tom Lehrer’s [_The Elements_](http://www.privatehand.com/flash/elements.html)… ---
**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:** [March 4, 2007, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/154 "2007-03-04T01:42:27Z")
“I Can’t Quit Her” by **Blood Sweat & Tears** : _She had a woman’s touch and a young girl’s eyes In seconds flat I was **proselytized** _ “Cooksferry Queen” by **Richard Thompson** : _She’s got dresses that seem to float in the wind **Pre-Raphaelite** curls in her hair_ ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2007, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/155 "2007-03-04T20:04:08Z")
Seven Mary Three has a song called “Cumbersome.” That’s not too common. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/156 "2007-03-05T13:28:02Z")
From Avenue Q’s lovely ditty “The Holi-Daze” When you feel you can’t Kiss your hairy aunt. Take a sip of hooch And you’ll smooch Like a pro. The ham’s not the only thing that’s getting glazed We’re drinking our way through the holi-daze. There’s also a good Barney belch in the middle of it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/157 "2007-03-05T15:01:37Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] From Avenue Q’s lovely ditty “The Holi-Daze” When you feel you can’t Kiss your hairy aunt. Take a sip of hooch And you’ll smooch Like a pro. The ham’s not the only thing that’s getting glazed We’re drinking our way through the holi-daze. There’s also a good Barney belch in the middle of it. [/QUOTE] I do not remember seeing (or hearing) that song on the cast recording… ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/158 "2007-03-05T15:39:40Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I do not remember seeing (or hearing) that song on the cast recording… [/QUOTE] It’s not on the cast recording. It’s on the Carols for a Cure Vol. 8 (2006). Get thee over to [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06348/745945-325.stm](http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06348/745945-325.stm) and take a listen! These are the best holiday CDS! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/159 "2007-03-05T16:00:17Z")
I thought I had one when I heard “He’s So Fine” the other day: He’s a \*\*soft-spoken \*\* guy Also seems kinda shy but then I remembered Stan Rogers: “Proud of word, now soft-spoken All-seeing, now I’m blind as can be.” ---
**Author:** ![Boggette](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@Boggette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boggette)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846/160 "2007-03-05T17:25:59Z")
[QUOTE=pinkfreud] I totally fell in love with Queen the first time I heard the line “Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the fandango?” When, soon thereafter, the exclamation “Bismillah” was used, I was ecstatic. Lyrics with semi-obscure words tickle me, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” has a bunch of oddities in it. [/QUOTE] I remember having to explain to friends what that word (Scaramouche) was and what it meant! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-contain-words-not-commonly-found-in-song-lyrics/392846.md?page=9)