# Songs that just wouldn't fly today **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283 "2003-02-11T04:12:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/81 "2003-02-13T03:00:52Z")
Dammit, all you people keep making me look bad in my thread. Go get your own thread to pick on me. 😛 I hate it when I’m wrong and I get caught… ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/82 "2003-02-13T03:40:04Z")
How about “Frankie and Johnny” (first recorded by Lomax around 1910-1912)? Among the many, MANY off-color verses are these gems: > [@](#): > > Frankie workied in a crib-joint > Behind a grocery store > She gave all her money to Johnny > He spent it on high-tone whores. > God damn his soul > He done her wrong > > Frankie was a fucky hussy, > That’s what all the pimps said, > And they kept her so damn busy, > She never got out of bed > But he done her wrong > God damn his soul > > Frankie, she knowed her business > She hung out a sign on the door > “Fresh fish cost you a dollar here > Fancy fucking cost ten cent more.” > He was her man > He done her wrong Or how about “Shave 'Em Dry,” by Lucille Bogan (1934 or so)? Widely hailed as the dirtiest song ever recorded. > [@](#): > > I got nipples on my titties, big as the end of my thumb, > > I got somethin’ between my legs’ll make a dead man come, > > Oh daddy, baby won’t you shave 'em dry? and > [@](#): > > Now your nuts hang down like a damn bell sapper, > > And your dick stands up like a steeple, > > Your goddam ass-hole stands open like a church door, > > And the crabs walks in like people. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/83 "2003-02-13T03:52:42Z")
Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose had a hit with “Treat Her Like a Lady” featuring the line: “You know a woman is sentimental And so easy to upset…” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/84 "2003-02-13T04:16:13Z")
Damn, **Ogre**! Them was a couple of sweet little numbers. I’ve gotta’ agree with **Jackelpoe** about the Elvis’s “Baby Let’s Play House” lyrics. My CD and lyrics at this [site](http://www.absolutelyric.com) both are “Rather see you dead than to be with another man”. If Elvis had been a doper, he’d have known how to phrase properly. "Throw another log on the fire Boil me up some bacon and some beans Go out to the car and change the tire Wash my sox and sew my old blue jeans Fill my pipe and then go fetch my slippers Boil me up another pot of tea Then throw another log on the fire, Babe And come sit and tell me why you’re leavin’ me Ain’t I gonna’ let you wash the car next Sunday? Don’t I warn you when you’re gettin’ fat? Ain’t I gonna’ take you fishin’ with me someday? A man can’t love a woman more than that Ain’t I always nice to your kid sister? Don’t I take her ridin’ every night? So come sit here at my feet 'cause I like you when you’re sweet And you know that it ain’t feminine to fight" By David Allen Coe and others. ---
**Author:** ![Improvisor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@Improvisor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improvisor)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/85 "2003-02-13T06:17:25Z")
Good Lord… I think **Ogre** wins. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/86 "2003-02-13T06:25:19Z")
Johnny Cash’s “Delia”, in which he sets up a bar with one more round after killing Delia. “I went up to Memphis And I met Delia there Found her in her parlor And I tied to her chair Delia’s gone, one more round Delia’s gone” Of course, she was “low down and trifling”, so she had it coming. ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/87 "2003-02-13T14:04:51Z")
Given Rick James’ well known…err…encounters with the legal system, I doubt that his song **17** would be released today. “She was young, and fine, and oh so tender…” ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/88 "2003-02-13T15:30:05Z")
This song would probably go over real well with rednecks now but would really enrage black people. [Strange Fruit](http://www.billieholidaycircle.freeserve.co.uk/PAGEI.htm) Southern trees bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood on the roots. Black bodies swingin’ in the southern breeze Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees… ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/89 "2003-02-13T16:04:45Z")
[nitpick]The songs **Ogre** and **dorkusmalorkusmafia** never got any popular airplay - you’d only hear them now (or ever) in the context of historical interest. And I think _Strange Fruit_\* has only been recorded by black artists. It’s a sickening condemnation of lynching. [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/90 "2003-02-13T16:06:46Z")
The songs **Ogre** and **dorkusmalorkusmafia** _mentioned_ never… …_Strange Fruit_… I will preview x 100 ---
**Author:** ![Erik\_the\_Viking](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Erik\_the\_Viking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erik_the_Viking)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/91 "2003-02-13T16:43:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Anyway, one more song for the list: “Open Up the Doghouse,” a duet between Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby in which they get all chummy and agree that the only way to make sure a woman knows her place is to “knock her around a little bit.” Can’t find a lyrics link, but it’s in there." Dean: Let’s hear it, Nat Nat: You know what, you know what, though Dean: What? Nat: There’s just one way to handle a woman, Dean, we just got to treat 'em rough Dean: Got to slap 'em Nat: That’s right! Dean: We got to show 'em who wears the pants. Cut out that sissy, sissy stuff Nat: Now it ain’t no use to take abuse whenever they are cranky or cross Both: Let’s put the women in their place and we’ll show them who’s the boss! ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/92 "2003-02-13T17:17:02Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by Jackelop_ > Anyway, one more song for the list: “Open Up the Doghouse,” a duet between Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby in which they get all chummy and agree that the only way to make sure a woman knows her place is to “knock her around a little bit.” Can’t find a lyrics link, but it’s in there. Do you remember that Prodigy song out a few years ago? The chorus went _Smack my bitch up/ Start my pitch up_. Big hit, caused a lot of controversy (over nothing in my opinion - like a lot of Prodigy songs its just meaningless words put over the beats), but it stll most certainly flew. Hmm… how about this one released in 1971\*, by **Machine Gun Fellatio** , titled _Let Me Be Your Dirty Fucking Whore_ > [@](#): > > I want to be your butt-hot greasy slut > Greasy slut > Begging for more for I can’t get enough > Can’t get enough > > When I leave your tool used-up, worn and soggy > I won’t stop then, oh no no no > I’ll become your little leg-humping doggy [http://www.letssingit.com/machine-gun-fellatio-leo-me-be-your-dirty-f-cking-whore-pgb83zc.html](http://www.letssingit.com/?%5Burl)]lyrics here \*OK, I got the date wrong. It was actually released in 2002. The band gets regular play on Australian radio. I think that pretty much anything can fly if this does. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/93 "2003-02-13T17:20:50Z")
**LifeOnWry** : The lyrics to “You Better Run For Your Life” are especially ironic considering that the song appears on _Rubber Soul_ right alongside “Norweigan Wood,” where Our Hero is basically telling us he had a one-night stand. The rumor is, John had a one-nighter while he was still married to Cynthia and this was his way of “telling” her. Gee, double-standard much, John? And, **dwmacg** , the Stones have _never_ been PC. They have consciously styled themselves as the standard-bearers of the War Between The Sexes. (Now, that said, “Brown Sugar,” as much as I love that song, makes my Inner Guilt-Ridden White Man cringe a bit). ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/94 "2003-02-13T17:43:19Z")
bup, it would make sense that it was only recorded by black artists since it is an old jazz _standard_. I was asked to accompany some jazz friends playing it several years ago. I don’t remember what record the people originally heard it from but I remember a woman singing it and it was simply haunting. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/95 "2003-02-13T18:19:48Z")
**dorkus** - The earliest version of _Strange Fruit_ I know of is Billie Holiday - it’s a song that’s kind of famous for never doing well. So I guess it’s a standard, but it’s never been a hit for anybody. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/96 "2003-02-13T18:42:26Z")
Correct: “Strange Fruit” is on Billie Holiday’s _Lady Sings the Blues_ album, and I believe that’s the first recorded version. I’m no music historian though, so I’m usually wrong. ---
**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/97 "2003-02-13T19:38:11Z")
It sure seems like a hit for Billie Holiday since it was one of her signature songs. [SOURCE](http://www.coolidge.org/s_features.html) Also, it was in **The Ultimate Fake Book** which tends to only have popular songs or songs that tend to get covered by a lot of people. I played it (as a white man with a non-european looking female singer…she had a lot of different ethnicities and was rather exotic looking) in a little combo. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/98 "2003-02-13T20:09:41Z")
Also, in its day, “Frankie and Johnny” was enormously popular and was covered as a folk/blues standard. There are numerous versions of it out there, including one entitled “Frankie” as done by Mississippi John Hurt, popularized on the “American Anthology of Folk Music”…the Harry smith collection that launched the Folk Revival in the late 50’s. As for "Shave “Em Dry,” you might be familiar with some of the lyrics from a tried and true hit rock and roll song…“Start Me Up,” by the Rolling Stones. Bogan’s raunchy blues song was the inspiration for the Stones’ song, and if you listen to the fade-out where Jagger is singing “You make a grown man cry,” you can hear near the end where he lifts a line straight from “Shave 'Em Dry” and sings “You make a dead man come.” I hear it on the radio quite often and it cracks me up every time. Pfffft…historical interest only. Ha. As Faulkner said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/99 "2003-02-13T20:15:35Z")
At least one white artist has recently recorded Billie Holiday’s signature song, as Sting released a jazz album in 1997 called _Strange Fruit_, containing his cover of the eponymous song. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283/100 "2003-02-13T20:58:23Z")
Fine, I’m outvoted. Look, I like all those songs - don’t try to trump me on blues appreciation - but you’re not going to hear them on the radio, nor would you ever have. Except certain NPR stations Saturday midnight to Sunday 6 am. And I think that fits my ‘historical interest’ qualifier. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-just-wouldnt-fly-today/154283.md?page=6)