# Songs that should end before they do **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814 "2019-01-15T19:11:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/1 "2019-01-15T19:11:31Z")
Go ahead and cite _Hey Jude_ if you must, but I kind of enjoy the seemingly endless repetition of the chorus. It’s fun to sing along to. 🙂 I’m going to start with Pink Floyd’s _Time_. _The time is gone, the song is over, Thought I’d something more to say._ What a great way to end a song called “Time,” right? Except the song _isn’t_ over, and he _does_ have something more to say. There’s a whole other verse, that has little or nothing to do with the rest of the song. It would have been a much better song without it. Bugs me every time. What other songs keep going past an obvious stopping point? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/2 "2019-01-15T19:16:27Z")
Rock lobster needs to end before everyone start chattering like dolphins and what all else. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/3 "2019-01-15T19:27:15Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I’m going to start with Pink Floyd’s _Time_. > > _The time is gone, the song is over, > Thought I’d something more to say._ > > What a great way to end a song called “Time,” right? Except the song _isn’t_ over, and he _does_ have something more to say. There’s a whole other verse, that has little or nothing to do with the rest of the song. It would have been a much better song without it. Bugs me every time. That’s exactly where “Time” ends. It then segues into “Breathe (Repirse).” _Dark Side of the Moon_ is a concept album, meant to be listened to as a single piece of music. In that context, it works. But unfortunately, the two are lumped together into a single track as far as indexing goes on the album. And on the radio, they just play the whole thing - even if it was properly split up, they probably would still play it all, as it would be jarring to cut it off right at the end of “Time.” ---
**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:** [January 15, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/4 "2019-01-15T19:39:33Z")
In the spirit of Hey Jude, I offer GFR’s I’m Your Captain. I swear the “I’m getting closer to my home” section is longer than the rest of the song. Yes it’s supposed to be evocative of endlessly sailing in a lifeboat, but I don’t need to actually experience it in real time to get the point. Similarly, Zep’s Kashmir, which sounds like the aural equivalent of crossing the Sahara on a camel. No thanks, I’ll fly. And I’ll skip the song, thanks. Is there a category for songs that won’t start? The intro portion Johnny Cougar’s I need a Lover just goes on far too long. Like, “is the song going to start now?” Nope. “How about now?” Not yet! “NOW??” Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/5 "2019-01-15T19:50:57Z")
MacArthur Park. What do I win? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/6 "2019-01-15T20:00:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > MacArthur Park. What do I win? A soggy cake. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/7 "2019-01-15T20:06:29Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > In the spirit of Hey Jude, I offer GFR’s I’m Your Captain. I swear the “I’m getting closer to my home” section is longer than the rest of the song. Yes it’s supposed to be evocative of endlessly sailing in a lifeboat, but I don’t need to actually experience it in real time to get the point. When I was a young lad, I was very sick and trying to sleep in the top bunk of my bunk bed. My room had the record player in the house, and someone had recently bought this record. Everyone liked the song, so they came in and played it over and over. I was too sick to tell them to leave and they didn’t notice that I was in the top bunk, so I heard that song about 25 times in one day. Not a good day, and not just because I was sick. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/8 "2019-01-15T20:12:06Z")
_Riders on the Storm_ could stand to have some cropping. And _Layla_ really should be two separate songs. ---
**Author:** ![ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chockfullofheadygoodness/32/511_2.png) [@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/9 "2019-01-15T20:19:40Z")
_Goin’ Home_ by The Rolling Stones. If it had faded out around the 4 minute mark, it would have worked. Bu they kept the tape rolling as it drags on for over 11 minutes of a not-particularly inspired jam session. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/10 "2019-01-15T20:32:09Z")
“Strawberry Fields Forever,” fades out like a good little song, then fades back in with sonic nonsense. Bad song, no biscuit. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/11 "2019-01-15T20:49:08Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > “Strawberry Fields Forever,” fades out like a good little song, then fades back in with sonic nonsense. Bad song, no biscuit. Oh yeah - _In Every Dreamhome A Heartache_ by Roxy does that as well. And it isn’t a good song to begin with. Where’s that thread about good and bad fillers? j ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/12 "2019-01-15T20:50:50Z")
Sending out an S.O.S., sending out an S.O.S., sending out an S.O.S., sending out an S.O.S… ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/13 "2019-01-15T21:13:47Z")
Blood, Sweat & Tears’ \*Spinning Wheel \*is a fine three-minute song, but then there’s a fourth minute of some nonsense with what sounds like a children’s recorder that devolves into discordant garbage by the end. Even one of the band members can be heard saying, “That wasn’t too good.” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/14 "2019-01-16T00:28:16Z")
“Free Bird.” The first part is is pretty good song, but the guitar solo in the second half is junk. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/15 "2019-01-16T02:19:46Z")
Uh oh! Here comes a flock of wah-wahs! ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/16 "2019-01-16T02:20:13Z")
I always thought Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream” goes on unnecessarily. There’s just a bunch of "ooh-oohs"at the end. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/17 "2019-01-16T03:32:03Z")
I’ve always said that when I’m the Emporer of Everything, rock ‘n’ roll is in for some changes (I’m deciding if the rules are retroactive to _Hey Jude_…). \*\*Rule the First: Thou shalt not cover a song unless the new version is \*\*a)\*\*_different_ and \*\*b)\*\*_better_ than the original. \*\* Weezer will be serving free dinners to the homeless for the dearth of imagination that is their _Africa._ **Rule the Second: A chorus may be repeated twice; thrice shall it be permitted in special cases.** Four or more? See the guys from Weezer for your spatula. Grand Funk will be scrubbing the pots and pans. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/18 "2019-01-16T14:26:46Z")
Pink Floyd’s “Absolutely Curtains” from _Obscured by Clouds_ would be a whole lot more listenable if they had faded it out [right here](https://youtu.be/o876axae4VE?t=192). Instead, it surpasses “Seamus” in consistency of skip-this-track intervention. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/19 "2019-01-16T14:35:25Z")
Eric Clapton managed to tack on a few seconds of twaddle to several otherwise great songs. Like “Motherless Children” – the drum crap at at the end: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLDDxfFKd9Y) And, “Let It Rain”: [Let it rain- Eric Clapton. - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi3WxjnjJ80) And, “Let it Grow” should have faded out before the awful early-synth “wash”: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXDf9UwHGF4) (It didn’t work for the Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” either.) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814/20 "2019-01-16T14:52:58Z")
> [@digs](#): > > **Rule the Second: A chorus may be repeated twice; thrice shall it be permitted in special cases.** Passenger is good for writing two and a half minutes of song and then two more minutes of repeating the last two lines (or chorus) over and over and over and over. Even allowing for a couple repeats, you could probably shave 90sec off every one of their songs and not lose anything. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-should-end-before-they-do/827814.md?page=2)