# Songs you used to like until you really listened to the lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 6, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470 "2011-06-06T02:52:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/101 "2017-02-05T19:52:43Z")
> [@Edwardina](#): > > As for “Possum Kingdom,” I thought that song was about a vampire. Not that different from a serial killer, I suppose, they’re both gonna kill ya. But at least with the vampire you (may) have eternal “life” to look forward to afterward. The vampire explanation makes more sense. Thanks. Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/102 "2017-02-05T19:55:19Z")
> [@Made\_in\_Macau](#): > > Don’t know this song, but river, stream…seaweed? > > MiM He also says he watched from the sea and did nothing to stop it. (Sorry for the multipost - using tapatalk and can’t figure out multiquoting on this version.) ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/103 "2017-02-05T21:31:34Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > Yah, the Stones really enjoy their misogyny - fine singers, but I suspect they go there for the shock value. “Time Is On My Side” is pretty bad, too. Only they didn’t write that one. Irma Thomas recorded it before the Stones did, and for years she wouldn’t perform it, as she was upset that they had stolen ‘her song.’ Child of the Moon is a great tune! ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/104 "2017-02-05T23:05:11Z")
Can’t think of any examples of disliking a song because the lyrics turn out to be disturbing and/or offensive, as seems to be the theme of this thread. However, there have been many songs which I had to re-evaluate because the lyrics just plain _sucked,_ once I listened to them. **Yes** is a common offender. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/105 "2017-02-05T23:24:45Z")
Silver Threads and Golden Needles Catchy country tune. Very happy and energetic. Love the fiddles. Then I read the lyrics and thought about them. It’s actually a early feminist statement lecturing a wealthy 1950’s guy. (It was recorded in the mid 1950’s and then Ronstadt did it early 70’s) That’s OK. He probably needed chewing out 😃 But the strong message really clashes with the cheerful melody. I’ve never enjoyed the song again. > **[Linda Ronstadt - Silver Threads And Golden Needles Lyrics | AZLyrics.com](https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/lindaronstadt/silverthreadsandgoldenneedles.html)** > > Linda Ronstadt "Silver Threads And Golden Needles": I don't want your lonely mansion with a tear in every room All I want's the love you promised beneat... ---
**Author:** ![Graymalkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@Graymalkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Graymalkin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/106 "2017-02-06T02:26:20Z")
> [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](#): > > _Brown Sugar_. Ugh. And ditto on _Under my Thumb_. Lyrics are indeed troublesome for the 2010s, but those two songs are about as good as rock’n roll gets. Lotsa thin skins in this club. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/107 "2017-02-06T18:54:44Z")
Yeah. Not wanting to sing about rape makes us “thin-skinned”. I Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![OsageOrange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6a8cbe/32.png) [@OsageOrange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OsageOrange)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/108 "2017-02-09T00:27:45Z")
I once read a comic strip that pointed that out, in the voice of a man telling his son about the song playing at the end of “The Killing Fields.” The boy replied that still, it was a better choice than “Happiness Is A Warm Gun.” ---
**Author:** ![OsageOrange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6a8cbe/32.png) [@OsageOrange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OsageOrange)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/109 "2017-02-09T00:32:51Z")
I once read a comic strip that made that claim, in the voice of a man talking to his son about how that song was played at the end of “The Killing Fields.” The boy replied that still, it was a better choice than “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.” ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/110 "2017-02-09T04:42:14Z")
“Always” by Atlantic Starr. Love that arrangement, but really – “Let’s go make a family”? Come on. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/111 "2017-02-09T11:50:42Z")
I think it is funny how many right-wingers play _Born in the USA_ as a patriotic song. ---
**Author:** ![BaldDudePeekskill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5e925/32.png) [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/112 "2017-02-09T22:48:45Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I don’t dislike the song, but I stopped wanting to sing it for church when I looked up the lyrics for _Hallelujah_ by Cohen. As a music director for an Episcopal church, I’ve had to draw the line at this song, despite my love of it. We’re pretty liberal, but not that liberal ---
**Author:** ![Dingbang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac8455/32.png) [@Dingbang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dingbang)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/113 "2017-02-10T16:05:10Z")
“What’s the Matter Here?” by 10,000 maniacs. It’s a pretty bright, catchy song but after a few listenings I thought about the lyrics and it was ruined for me. It’s about hearing a child being abused by his mother and not doing anything to stop it. \*We live on Morgan Street; just ten feet between and his mother, I never see her, but her screams and cussing, I hear them every day. Threats like: “If you don’t mind I will beat on your behind,” “Slap you, slap you silly.” made me say, “O, what’s the matter here?” I’m tired of the excuses everybody uses, he’s your kid, do as you see fit, but get this through that I don’t approve of what you did to you own flesh and blood. “If you don’t sit on this chair straight I’ll take this belt from around my waist and don’t think that I won’t use it!” \* That last line is sung with a sudden surge of enthusiasm, the kind that makes you nod your head vigorously and get lost in the song. Except… that’s terrible. I know they meant it as a plea to pay attention to child abuse, but I couldn’t enjoy the beauty of the song once I realized what had me happily bopping around the house. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/114 "2017-02-10T16:52:00Z")
> [@BaldDudePeekskill](#): > > As a music director for an Episcopal church, I’ve had to draw the line at this song, despite my love of it. We’re pretty liberal, but not that liberal Oh, [you could do worse](http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/12/26/a-church-in-sri-lanka-accidentally-gave-people-the-lyrics-to-tupacs-version-of-hail-mary/). ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/115 "2017-02-10T17:44:53Z")
Do you think John Lennon ever imagined no copyright protections? ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2017, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470/116 "2017-02-10T19:58:58Z")
“More than Words” by Extreme Lovely song, gorgeous harmonies. But the lyrics are saying that “I love you” isn’t enough and you have to show it. Seems to me that you got a guy telling a girl “if you loved me you would prove it by sleeping with me.” Blechh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-used-to-like-until-you-really-listened-to-the-lyrics/584470.md?page=5)