# Songs you like that are widely reviled by others **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 10, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825 "2022-03-10T14:16:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/81 "2022-03-11T13:44:16Z")
> [@solost](#): > > I’ve always considered “Rocky Racoon” along with the Stones’ “Dead Flowers” and “Far Away Eyes” to be fun Country music parodies, filtering Country music through Brit eyes and coming out as distorted and grotesque as a view in a funhouse mirror. Add Hot Dog by Led Zeppelin to the list. Among my least favorite Zeppelin tracks for sure, but it’s all good fun. The Stones must have at least a couple more such tracks, because Jagger did that country-twang thing a lot. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/82 "2022-03-11T14:01:26Z")
> [@alovem](#): > > The Stones must have at least a couple more such tracks, because Jagger did that country-twang thing a lot. Here’s a list I found of (all?) the Stones’ Country songs, along with an article beginning with a supposed second-hand quote from Mick: > Mick Jagger has always said that, as much as he loves it, he could never quite perform country music seriously. I think the closest the Stones came to a straight-up, non-parody Country song was “Wild Horses”. “Sweet Virginia” and “Torn and Frayed” from Exile on Main Street are also fairly non-ironic. “Dear Doctor”, on the other hand, wow, look up the lyrics. It’s complete farce. I have no idea of the timing between DD and Rocky Raccoon, but it almost seems like the Stones heard ‘Rocky Raccoon’, and Mick and Keith said “so the Beatles think they’re clever at making fun of yokels? Hold my beer.” [https://holler.country/lists/guide/a-guide-to-the-rolling-stones-country-songs](https://holler.country/lists/guide/a-guide-to-the-rolling-stones-country-songs) ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/83 "2022-03-11T14:16:32Z")
I’d like to offer up this one … devoid of any comment: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Q8P_xTBpAcY/maxresdefault.jpg "Wichita Lineman (Remastered 2001)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8P_xTBpAcY) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/84 "2022-03-11T14:20:24Z")
I see your Glen Campbell version, and raise you this version, with a bonus bit of MacArthur Park goodness at the end. La la la la la la lalalalala la la la la la la lalalalala LIIIIIIIINE! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rhXrqfCpigM/hqdefault.jpg "Homer on hold, singing "Wichita Lineman"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhXrqfCpigM) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/85 "2022-03-11T14:27:07Z")
My reason for hating “Afternoon Delight” is the lyrics. As noted, skyrockets are cliche, etc. Years ago I was sort of studying the classic song “Danny Boy” and I learned that it wasn’t uncommon in the old days to have a tune with multiple sets of lyrics set to it. > **[Londonderry Air | Lyrical settings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Londonderry_Air#Lyrical_settings)** > > The most popular lyrics for the tune are "Danny Boy" ("Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling"), written by English lawyer Frederic Edward Weatherly in 1910, and set to the tune in 1913. Would I like “Afternoon Delight,” say, if it were instrumental? I’m sure I would loathe it less. Take an instrumental I really like, such as Edgar Winter’s [Frankenstein](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65XSHM3jlAY). Could hokey lyrics ruin it completely? I doubt it. I’ll present my list in poll form. _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/85))_ ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/86 "2022-03-11T14:28:17Z")
That’s one of my favorite songs of all time. Does it really get dissed? ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/87 "2022-03-11T14:39:03Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “Midnight At The Oasis.” I like that song, too. The guitar player is terrific. Probably Amos Garrett. > [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Day in the Life/Beatles Do you mean “A Day in the Life”? If so, who reviles that song? It usually tops the list of greatest Beatles songs. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/88 "2022-03-11T14:40:02Z")
_Kokomo_, The Beach Boys. It isn’t deep, the lyrics are sappy, but it’s a really fine example of the harmony that they were capable of. I don’t get the hate, other than it makes people think of Tom Cruise. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WXB4LspLQE0/hqdefault.jpg "The Beach Boys - Kokomo [Official Music Video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXB4LspLQE0) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/89 "2022-03-11T14:41:37Z")
> [@gnarator](#): > > Do you mean “A Day in the Life”? If so, who reviles that song? It usually tops the list of greatest Beatles songs. Yes, I love that song as well. I’d read it in magazines and books in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps its true greatness is finally shining for all to see? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/90 "2022-03-11T14:45:13Z")
Oh Mandy We Didn’t Start the Fire ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/91 "2022-03-11T14:47:14Z")
[I feel like a parent whose child is asking if they were adopted] Good question. My take is that it’s a polarizing song – love it or hate it. It’s pretty saccharine in its own way but it’s also rather artfully done. Some good thoughts here: > **[Behind The Song: Glen Campbell, "Wichita Lineman"](https://americansongwriter.com/glen-campbell-wichita-lineman-behind-the-song/)** > > Imagine pitching this song idea in 1968: There’s this guy who works on telephone poles in the middle of Kansas. He’s really devoted to his job. Rain or shine, he’s committed to preventing system overloads. It’s really lonely work, and he misses his... ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/92 "2022-03-11T14:55:39Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Gun to my head … ‘MMMBop’ comes closest Dos this mean I win the thread? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/93 "2022-03-11T15:02:01Z")
> [@gnarator](#): > > > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > > > “Midnight At The Oasis.” > > I like that song, too. The guitar player is terrific. Probably Amos Garrett. Absolutely Amos Garrett. One of the best guitar solos ever recorded. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2022, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/94 "2022-03-11T15:02:40Z")
“Every time Kokomo is played, an angel loses it wings!” Put me in the group that didn’t know Witicha Lineman was reviled. I always thought it was fine. But hey, I like Macarthur Park. Maybe Jimmie Webb speaks to me, ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/95 "2022-03-11T15:04:44Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > I’ll present my list in poll form. Sorry - what are we voting on: songs we like or songs we revile? ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/96 "2022-03-11T15:08:45Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Good question. My take is that it’s a polarizing song – love it or hate it. It’s pretty saccharine in its own way but it’s also rather artfully done. I love the strings and the complicated relationship. I would suspect some don’t know why he doesn’t just go home. The answer: reasons. Maybe you’ll understand when you’re a little older. Let’s consider Jimmy Webb, who wrote it. And he wrote Galveston (love that one) and Up, Up and Away, which was a monster hit. Plus “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” He also wrote MacArthur Park, which is mentioned in this thread. Well, they can’t all be gems. Hey, remember this one of his? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lSA486XX2b4/hqdefault.jpg "Art Garfunkel - Crying in My Sleep") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSA486XX2b4) Here are a few other tasty tracks from that album, in case you’re jonesing for some Jimmy. [Marionette](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBPqRcBGWMM) [Paper Chase](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQaOboo7ZE4) > [@Gyrate](#): > > Sorry - what are we voting on: songs we like or songs we revile? We’re confessing to liking songs that most people revile. I like all that are in my poll but many diss them. If you vote for one, you’re joining me, taking up your position at the barricade, etc. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “Midnight At The Oasis.” I didn’t appreciate that song nearly as much till I started playing guitar. Remember when the done thing to do was to buy sheet music, books, etc.? I had a book, that was in it, and whoa! Really hard fingerings! But it made me slow down and listen to the chord transitions. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/97 "2022-03-11T15:11:43Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > We’re confessing to liking songs that most people revile. I like all that are in my poll but many diss them. If you vote for one, you’re joining me, taking up your position at the barricade, etc. In that case I like most of them (some quite a lot) and don’t mind the rest with the exception of “My Heart Will Go On” which I could happily do without. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/98 "2022-03-11T15:15:07Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > Absolutely Amos Garrett. One of the best guitar solos ever recorded. Thanks, good to know. I know he has worked with her, but I wasn’t sure if that was him on that record and I was too lazy to look it up. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/99 "2022-03-11T15:22:12Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Up, Up and Away Oh hell, there’s one! I love that song. Bet that’s not a common opinion. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825/100 "2022-03-11T15:24:34Z")
A problem I have with songs from a certain era, say beginning to mid 70s, is in distinguishing between a pleasant sense of nostalgia and whether I actually like the songs now on their own merit. This includes songs like “Horse With No Name” and “Midnight at the Oasis”, to name a couple. They bring me back to when I was a kid. My parents had the radio on a lot while driving or doing stuff around the house, and I’d listen to those songs and others on the local AM radio station they had on. CKLW I think? WXYZ as well, I believe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-like-that-are-widely-reviled-by-others/960825.md?page=6)