# The cheesiest song ever and yet it was a hit twice. What does it mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 29, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664 "2008-02-29T18:55:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/41 "2008-03-01T03:27:22Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] OK. I refrained, but the bad lyrics haven’t met their king. Here are some actual lyrics from Rosecrans Boulevard (by Jim Webb): “Then there was the time you drove the little car down Sunset Boulevard at 90 miles an hour in a thirty mile zone and blamed me when you got that ticket.” [/QUOTE] That’s not bad. That’s just banal. It’s “Tom’s Diner” level, not “Honey” level. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/42 "2008-03-01T03:43:44Z")
Wu Tang did a take on this song on Wu Tang Forever, that is absolutely beautiful and heartwrenching. They did change the words, of course, but god is it a beautiful song. The strong, simple voice of the woman they have singing is great. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/43 "2008-03-01T03:54:14Z")
Dammit, I just realized my post was clear as mud. I mean they did a take on the MacArthur Park song. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/44 "2008-03-01T05:00:43Z")
Dave Barry (and his readers) once voted _MacArthur Park_ the worst song of all time. Although the lyrics are deplorable and the music is nothing to write home about, it’s not what I’d call “cheesy.” There are cheesier songs that have become hits- for example, _Rubber Duckie_ made it to #16 in 1970. The difference, however, is that despite the fact it’s a song about a toy duck being sung by a puppet, _Rubber Duckie_ is actually a good song both music and lyrics-wise. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/45 "2008-03-01T05:19:34Z")
I grew up in the age of cheesy music (okay, there was some good stuff, too). I remember at a fifth grade dance all of us boyz getting down to: _Everybody was Kung Fu fighting…_ At least that one doesn’t get a lot of airtime anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/46 "2008-03-01T06:15:24Z")
Honoral mention for _Midnight at the Oasis_? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/47 "2008-03-01T06:17:00Z")
[QUOTE=ShibbOleth] _Everybody was Kung Fu fighting…_ At least that one doesn’t get a lot of airtime anymore. [/QUOTE] Sez you. Just last weekend, while I was working out at the Y. (… it’s oddly good workout music, by the way.) it’s like I’m living in cheezy muzak land, here ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/48 "2008-03-01T11:32:42Z")
Stepping in to defend the songwriting skills of Jimmy Webb. Galviston Witchita Lineman His book ‘Tunesmith - the art of songwriting’ is exceptional and inspirational; and was recommended to me on this very board. I’d vote for ‘Never been to me’ as it’s the only song mentioned above that i dislike. (Dont think I know ‘Muskrat Love’) MiM ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/49 "2008-03-01T13:13:14Z")
I, for one, do not dislike cheesy music. In fact I love it. Like I said earlier, they’re fun to sing in the shower. Except for Patches. That song is the worst, stupidest— Gah! To demonstrate how sappy this song is: I like Neil Diamond and Bob Denver, think Afternoon Delight is the most fun song to come out of the '70s and think the Archie’s Sugar, Sugar should have won a Grammy. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/50 "2008-03-01T14:21:45Z")
Honey is definitely up there. What a bizarre song. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/51 "2008-03-01T14:31:54Z")
“Lovin’ yo-oo is easy 'cause you’re byooti-fulll” “Do you like Pina Colada?” “It’s the last game of the seeea-son! On a Friday night at hooo-me! And no-one knows the reeea-son, why the blind man didn’t cooo-oome!” Why no, I have no idea why punk rock became popular a couple of years later? No idea at all! Although not really cheesy, I would put ‘One Tin Soldier’ up there as ‘Most pretentious fucking peacenick hippie song’. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/52 "2008-03-01T14:35:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] Although not really cheesy, I would put ‘One Tin Soldier’ up there as ‘Most pretentious fucking peacenick hippie song’. [/QUOTE] I’d like to nominate Signs for this award. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/53 "2008-03-01T15:31:28Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] … I like Neil Diamond and Bob Denver,… [/QUOTE] Bob Denver sings? “Oh Ginger, you’re so fine, You’re so fine you blow my mind, Oh Ginger”? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/54 "2008-03-01T15:47:26Z")
[Mel’s Rock Pile!](http://youtube.com/watch?v=qv2UcxJwS3A) ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/55 "2008-03-01T15:56:31Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] “Lovin’ yo-oo is easy 'cause you’re byooti-fulll” “Do you like Pina Colada?” “It’s the last game of the seeea-son! On a Friday night at hooo-me! And no-one knows the reeea-son, why the blind man didn’t cooo-oome!” Why no, I have no idea why punk rock became popular a couple of years later? No idea at all! Although not really cheesy, I would put ‘One Tin Soldier’ up there as ‘Most pretentious fucking peacenick hippie song’. [/QUOTE] Thank you. Now I have One Tin Soldier stuck in my head. Damnit, I knew better than to read this thread. My vote is for blindman in the bleachers, though. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/56 "2008-03-01T16:13:02Z")
The song “Afternoon Delight” deserves a boost on the cheesiest list because the afternoon delight which inspired the song, was a sandwich. Tris ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/57 "2008-03-01T16:33:44Z")
Well, if we’re taking nominations, what about “Run, Joey, Run”? _…Daddy please don’t, it wasn’t his fault…_ ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/58 "2008-03-01T17:01:15Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] …“Do you like Pina Colada?”… [/QUOTE] You should be struck dead for reanimating this song from the tar pits of my memory. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/59 "2008-03-01T17:09:13Z")
[QUOTE=Dr. Rieux] According to composer Jimmy Webb, it’s about a wedding in the park that didn’t happen because the bride didn’t show up. [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t show up for a wedding in MacArthur Park, either, not even my own. Well, maybe if wanted to buy some drugs. ---
**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 1, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664/60 "2008-03-01T18:20:04Z")
[QUOTE=Triskadecamus] The song “Afternoon Delight” deserves a boost on the cheesiest list because the afternoon delight which inspired the song, was a sandwich. Tris [/QUOTE] Appropriately named if the sandwich is made of hurl and served by a toothless hillbilly tattooed woman. “Thinkin’ of you’s workin’ up a appetite…” We have yet to flame (pun intended) all the Gay Supply songs, e.g. “Even the nights are better” or most of the Little River Band’s steaming pile of offerings. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cheesiest-song-ever-and-yet-it-was-a-hit-twice-what-does-it-mean/439664.md?page=4)