# songs that were popular, but today the singer would be arrested **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464 "2007-03-18T18:19:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2007, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/61 "2007-03-26T15:28:01Z")
There’s another one that’s pretty much the same - “Johnny Get Angry”. She wants him to go all caveman so she’ll know he cares. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/62 "2007-03-27T03:23:15Z")
[QUOTE=Beware of Doug] A sweet young thing of 16 thought that she’d step out one night. . . (several stanzas of what would amount to date rape today, excised here for copyright reasons) [/QUOTE] I’m familiar with this song. I have it on a 78 by Georgia White and once had an mp3 of it up on my web site. I disagree that the song is about date rape. It’s about a girl who sets out to lose her virginity and succeeds. The guy she meets is insistent and she’s unsure at first, but she decides to go ahead. The lyrics are pretty clever - they convey a sense of ambivalence, as the girl isn’t quite sure how she feels about what she just did. For example: > [@](#): > > Was he hot, and was I, and would he stand for maybe? > He would not? Did I lie? Does he still think I’m a baby? This sounds to me like they both wanted sex, but she was being coy so he insisted on an answer. She may have lied to him about something - perhaps her virginity. Anyway, regardless of the meaning, I believe this song is tame compared to a lot of rap. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/63 "2007-03-27T03:44:44Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] [Does your mother know](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/abba/doesyourmotherknow.html) by Abba: [/QUOTE] I think that this song is the opposite of creepy. It’s by the guys in Abba, who must have had underage girls throwing themselves at them. The song shows that the guy is being slightly flirtacious I guess, but the premise of the whole song is that he is telling the girl she shouldn’t be doing what she’s doing, and turning her down despite the fact he can tell she’s panting for it. Given the context, I would have thought the song was pretty much a model of probity. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/64 "2007-03-27T12:08:41Z")
Nobody has yet mentioned the show-stopping dance number in _The Fantasticks_ called _Rape,_ although the word is used more as substitute for “abduction”: Raaaaaape! Such a pretty Raaaaaaape!.. We can get the rape emphatic, We can get the rape polite, We can get the rape with indians: A truly charming sight. We can get the rape on horseback; They all say it’s new and gay. So you see the sort of rape depends on what you pay, It depends on what you pay. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2007, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/65 "2007-03-27T12:35:58Z")
[QUOTE=Quint] Serge Gainsbourg sang a song called “Lemon Incest” with his _daughter_. Lyrics include: “The love that we will never make together, Is the most sweet, the most violent.” Doesn’t get much more f\*cked-up than that. That’s a geographic rather than temporal distance tho. I guess you can get away with a bit more in France. [/QUOTE] Update: this happened to be in today’s Scoop on [MSNBC.com](http://MSNBC.com) > [@](#): > > Parisian “It” girl and Balencia muse Charlotte Gainsbourg is defending her controversial ode to incest, “Lemon Incest,” that she recorded with her father, Serge Gainsbourg, when she was younger. “What was inappropriate about it?” Gainsbourg tells the upcoming issue of Spin. “I was very innocent, but I knew what I was singing about. It wasn’t a trap. I wasn’t a prude. Of course [her father] wanted to shock people, but I knew that. I knew him. So I played the game.” She’s planning to release her own album soon. . . ---
**Author:** ![RevJeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@RevJeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RevJeff)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/66 "2010-07-24T23:05:59Z")
My dear sir, > [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > A sweet young thing of 16 thought that she’d step out one night > > Alone to get the thrills in life she’d missed > > She met a youth, a bit uncouth, although he seemed all right > > She’d known him but a moment when they kissed > > When she came home next day with swollen head > > And her girlfriend asked “did you have fun?” she said: > > (several stanzas of what would amount to date rape today, excised here for copyright reasons) > > Am I glad? Holy gee > > Have I had? You’re tellin’ me > > Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell? After more than 2 decades of searching for the song, “Was I” I have FINALLY happened across your posting HERE! PLEASE sir, will you kindly contact me and tell me where I may obtain a copy of the ORIGINAL recording of this song IN IT’S ENTIRETY… I have been in search of it literally for more than 2 decades. Just not “in the know” as to how to find it. :smack: Most sincerely, RevJeff Contact info: [deepcleanz@hotmail.com](mailto:deepcleanz@hotmail.com) ---
**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:** [July 24, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/67 "2010-07-24T23:46:28Z")
> [@buns3000](#): > > “Rollerskating Child” by The Beach Boys: > > “And we’ll make sweet love when the sun goes down > We’ll even do more when your momma’s not around” > > Making sweet love to a “child”? And what the hell is “more” after they’ve made love? Presumably the reference is to the older meaning of “make love” as simply “to be amorous with” rather than “to have sexual intercourse with” ([cite](http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=96044)), though that was already old-fashioned when the song was recorded. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/68 "2010-07-25T00:48:56Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > Anyway, regardless of the meaning, I believe this song is tame compared to a lot of rap. Yeah, how about NWA’s “She Swallowed It?” _I wanted to see the face, I felt the order Peep over the seat - OH SHIT! it’s the preacher’s Daughter! And she’s only 14 and a ho’ But the bitch sucks dick like a specialized pro She looked at me, I was surprised But was it passin’ up the chance of my dick gettin’ Baptised I told the bitch to do it quick : “You little ho’ hurry up and suck my dick!”_ I doubt that one ever got much airplay. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/69 "2010-07-25T01:00:13Z")
Welcome to the SDMB, **RevJeff**. In general we prefer that people not revive very old threads, like this one, which we call "zombies. " [We are no longer automatically locking zombie threads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/announcement.php?f=13), but please be aware that this thread is three years old and so the person you’re responding to may no longer be around. Thanks, **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/70 "2010-07-25T01:52:20Z")
> [@RevJeff](#): > > PLEASE sir, will you kindly contact me and tell me where I may obtain a copy of the ORIGINAL recording of this song IN IT’S ENTIRETY… The _original_ original was sung by Dorothy Dell in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931; I don’t know if she ever recorded it. But [here’s](http://www.amazon.com/Was-I-Drunk/dp/B000V904JW) a version from the '30s, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/71 "2010-07-25T06:52:06Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > [QUOTE=wolf\_meister] > Maybe these wouldn’t get the singer arrested, but some songs have been shelved because they are politically incorrect. > > “Please Mr. Custer” - Larry Verne > References to redskins, injuns, etc. > > “Ahab the Arab” - Ray Stevens > The title itself shows the incorrect (some would say offensive) pronunciation of “Arab”. Along the same lines, The Cure’s [Killing an Arab](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Killing-an-Arab-lyrics-The-Cure/A5D795BA89619B5248256BC10023E4A5) will probibly never get airplay again. Sgt Schwartz [/QUOTE] Not sure about that. It was based on the novel “The Stranger,” by Camus. But I could be wrong. Also, “Daytripper,” by the Beatles. Just really listened to the lyrics the other day. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/72 "2010-07-25T07:32:51Z")
I just googled Virgin Killer. I expect the FBI to arrive shortly. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/73 "2010-07-25T07:51:50Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Ted Nugent, “Jailbait” > … > Strangely enough, I can’t find the lyrics to this song on the Internet. Every lyric site I visited had the song listed, but instead of the lyrics they all said something like “We’re sorry, but the artist has decided not to disclose the lyrics of this song.”. Uh, yeah. I was going to say something snarky like “[We must be using different Internets](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Cvb&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=jailbait+lyrics+nugent&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=),” but then I realized how old this thread was, so I guess things have changed. ETA: So why exactly did I post this? Good question. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/74 "2010-07-25T12:48:04Z")
Man this thread is three years old and nobody thought of the song “I shot the sheriff…but I did not shoot the deputy”? 🙂 Sounds like an arrestable confession to me. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/75 "2010-07-25T13:32:39Z")
_Silhouettes_ by the Diamonds and the Rays, later by Herman’s Hermits: Guy walks past his girl’s house and sees a couple embracing in silhouette on the windowshade. Has a meltdown. > [@](#): > > Originally Posted by **Bob Crewe** and \*\*Frank Slay \*\* > Lost control and rang your bell > I was sore > Let me in or else I’ll beat > Down your door > When two strangers who had been > Two silhouettes on the shade > Said to my shock > You’re on the wrong blo-ock Oops. Stalking, intimidation, trespassing, possible attempted burglary. No charges filed for bad sense of direction. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/76 "2010-07-25T13:56:14Z")
In many cases the singer is just a narrator, they don’t necessarily condone what they are singing about. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/77 "2010-07-25T14:04:38Z")
How about this from the Beatles, Well I’d rather see you dead, little girl Than to be with another man You better keep your head, little girl Or I won’t know where I am You better run for your life if you can, little girl Hide your head in the sand little girl Catch you with another man That’s the end’a little girl. I think personally that this was something of a play between the darker lyrics and the uptempo jolly tune, any rate I do think its a challenge to the average listener which is what they probably intended. ‘The night has a thousand eyes’ if that isn’t a song about a stalker, then I don’t know what is. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/78 "2010-07-25T16:39:53Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Man this thread is three years old and nobody thought of the song “I shot the sheriff…but I did not shoot the deputy”? 🙂 > > Sounds like an arrestable confession to me. I swear, it was in self-defense. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/79 "2010-07-25T16:55:30Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > In his Book of Bad Songs, Dave Barry wrote about a sing with the line or title “He Hit Me , and it Felt Like a Kiss”. I suspect the group would feel like it was being kissed a lot, these days. ‘He Hit Me (and it Felt Like a Kiss)’ was Carole King’s 1962 follow up to ‘Will You Still Love Me’ – what’s even sadder is that she based the song lyrics around a story her young teen baby-sitter told her one day, quite earnestly, about her boyfriend. King was shocked that the young girl really did see this as a sign of true love, and she hoped actually to raise awareness of such an awful attitude among young girls, but the record company pulled the song pretty quickly afterwards. Jacqueline Warwick has a good analysis of the song and its background, as well as other similar songs from the period in her _Girl Groups, Girl Culture_ (p. 66 onwards). Another similiar toe-tapper is Joanie Somer’s ‘Johnny Get Angry’ (which I think Dave Barry also mentions in that same essay **CalMeacham** refers to.) Oops – sorry **zoogirl**! I see you mentioned Johnny Get Angry. 🙂 To satisfy the curious: The Crystals and ‘He Hit Me’ (which has been covered by Hole and Grizzly Bear) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f20Oz9Yr_So/hqdefault.jpg "The Crystals - He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f20Oz9Yr_So) ---
**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:** [July 25, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/80 "2010-07-25T19:15:35Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > Stray Cat Blues, I think a Stones original but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it wasnt. > > a song you can still hear on the radio ocasionally about getting a 15 year old girl in bed, then trying for a threesome with her friend… It’s worse than you think… In the live version of the song (from the album _Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out_), she’s only 13. Which reminds me…has anyone mentioned Frank Zappa’s ode to Suzy Creamcheese…“only 13 but she knows how to nasty…”? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464.md?page=5)