# Songs that make you say, "WTF?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005 "2007-03-29T17:32:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Redfrost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@Redfrost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redfrost)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/41 "2007-03-30T00:51:58Z")
Led Zepplin: the line “And he saw a lion standin with a tadpole in a jar” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Headrush042](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Headrush042](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Headrush042)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/42 "2007-03-30T01:45:54Z")
[QUOTE=MadTheSwine] Isn’t this ironic. [/QUOTE] Don’tcha think? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/43 "2007-03-30T01:47:09Z")
[QUOTE=Leaffan] It’s gibberish. It’s gibberish that’s supposed to sound like real Italian. Some say in response to The Beatle’s Sun King in which Lennon wrote gibberish Spanish. [/QUOTE] Yep. Speaking of which, it’s hard to top Lennon when it comes to a certain kind of WTF lyric (see, e.g., “I Am the Walrus,” “Come Together,” “Happiness Is a Warm Gun”). ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/44 "2007-03-30T02:06:25Z")
I admit to having a soft spot for Kelly Clarkson (her songs are catchy, okay?) but “Since You’ve Been Gone” left me downright frigid–you broke up with me, so I’m going to smash up your stuff and act like a spoiled brat because ‘I get what I want’? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/45 "2007-03-30T02:19:29Z")
[QUOTE=Kythereia] I admit to having a soft spot for Kelly Clarkson (her songs are catchy, okay?) but “Since You’ve Been Gone” left me downright frigid–you broke up with me, so I’m going to smash up your stuff and act like a spoiled brat because ‘I get what I want’? :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Well, if that’s the price I pay for getting to bang Kelly Clarkson…yeah, I’d let her get what she wants. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/46 "2007-03-30T02:31:20Z")
I that happened to me, I would get to brag that I had **literally** banged Kelly Clarkson’s brains out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/47 "2007-03-30T14:45:14Z")
[QUOTE=CaerieD] I’ve never been able to figure that one out even remotely, and the things the band has said aren’t helpful, either. “It’s about rumors ruining things.” But…huh? What are the rumors? I don’t get it! My WAG is that the narrator is a very stupid man who can’t grasp lesbianism. [/QUOTE] Well, that makes a hell of a lot more sense than my honest first theory, which is that somebody had a operation. The thing is, I really love that song. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/48 "2007-03-30T15:08:27Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] It’s really an innocent song, but somehow the way he says “Give daddy a kiss girl” is a little disturbing. And the way she responds “Oh dad”, again a little disturbing. [/QUOTE] Are you sure it’s innocent? ---
**Author:** ![Nature\_s\_Call](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nature_s_call/32/19006_2.png) [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/49 "2007-03-30T16:03:06Z")
Speaking of Kelly Clarkson, what about “Because of You”? I get the theme: you’ve hurt me so now I find it hard to trust and thus play it safe, not only with relationships but with life in general. Okay, but the best example of this is not straying too far from the sidewalk? That means you’re still on the street, right - just not _too_ far from the sidewalk. The sentiment would be just as well expressed by “Because of you I don’t run with scissors half as much as I used to” ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/50 "2007-03-30T16:23:32Z")
In terms of just flat-out not making sense, I’d have to nominate _Swan Swan Hummingbird_ by REM. Partial lyrics: \*Swan, swan, hummingbird Hurrah, we are all free now What noisy cats are we Girl and dog he bore his cross Swan, swan, hummingbird Hurrah, we are all free now A long, low time ago, people talk to me Johnny Reb, what’s the price of fans Forty a piece or three for one dollar? Hey captain, don’t you want to buy Some bone chains and toothpicks?\* Huh? ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/51 "2007-03-30T16:26:09Z")
My all-time WTF song is [Blinded By The Light](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/manfred+mann%27s+earth+band/blinded+by+the+light_10172966.html), the better-known version being Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, though it was originally done by Bruce Springsteen. I’m not just talking about the “revved up like a deuce” part that everyone thinks is about feminine hygiene products. The entire song is full of phrases that make absolutely no sense at all. Anyone who wishes to dissect and deconstruct the song, have at it! I haven’t a clue. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/52 "2007-03-30T17:26:48Z")
[QUOTE=dwc1970] My all-time WTF song is [Blinded By The Light](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/manfred+mann%27s+earth+band/blinded+by+the+light_10172966.html), the better-known version being Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, though it was originally done by Bruce Springsteen. I’m not just talking about the “revved up like a deuce” part that everyone thinks is about feminine hygiene products. The entire song is full of phrases that make absolutely no sense at all. Anyone who wishes to dissect and deconstruct the song, have at it! I haven’t a clue. [/QUOTE] [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinded_by_the_Light) makes a pretty good attempt. ---
**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:** [March 30, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/53 "2007-03-30T19:16:24Z")
I was listening to Merril Bainbridge today. The second song on _The Garden_ album includes the following chorus: I could be your lover Chained under the water Under the water I could be standing on a ladder To make it easier To make it easier 😕 …kinky ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/54 "2007-03-30T19:43:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Are you sure it’s innocent? Errr no, but I don’t see anything in those lyrics that really explicitly says something nasty is going on there. I don’t care. I love this song. ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/55 "2007-03-30T20:05:27Z")
[Danger danger! High voltage!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD5tnb2RBYg) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/56 "2007-03-30T20:12:40Z")
Leaving aside songs that are just strings of non-sequiters, I’m nominating [The Weight](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/easyrider/theweight.htm) by the Band as one of the most incomprehensible songs in pop hisotry. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/57 "2007-03-30T20:19:36Z")
[QUOTE=Nature’s Call] Speaking of Kelly Clarkson, what about “Because of You”? [/QUOTE] This song doesn’t make me say “WTF”, it makes me say “Pull up your socks and quit whinging, you pathetic puddle of perpetual victimhood.” ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/58 "2007-03-30T20:36:26Z")
[QUOTE=dwc1970] My all-time WTF song is [Blinded By The Light](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/manfred+mann%27s+earth+band/blinded+by+the+light_10172966.html), the better-known version being Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, though it was originally done by Bruce Springsteen. I’m not just talking about the “revved up like a deuce” part that everyone thinks is about feminine hygiene products. The entire song is full of phrases that make absolutely no sense at all. Anyone who wishes to dissect and deconstruct the song, have at it! I haven’t a clue. [/QUOTE] Without checking Wiki, I’ll say I thought it was about masturbation; that kind of thing can make you blather incoherently. Checked Wiki. I guess it was more high-minded than I thought. [The Master](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_148.html) commented on the “deuce” debate but not the overall meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Ferd\_Burfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@Ferd\_Burfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferd_Burfel)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/59 "2007-03-30T21:43:23Z")
“_Daddy was a cop On the **East Side** of Chicago_” …which on my map is Lake Michigan. ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005/60 "2007-03-30T22:14:54Z")
[QUOTE=Ferd Burfel] “_Daddy was a cop On the **East Side** of Chicago_” …which on my map is Lake Michigan. [/QUOTE] That whole song is essentially BS. When they attempted to share their song with the current mayor of Chicago, he told them they were [nuts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Chicago_Died). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-make-you-say-wtf/398005.md?page=4)