# "We Didn't Start the Fire" type songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 15, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880 "2009-06-15T21:54:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/21 "2009-06-16T02:31:25Z")
INXS - Mediate Huey Lewis and the News - Heart of Rock and Roll; lists a bunch of cities in a patter format Not on the wiki list. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/22 "2009-06-16T02:31:57Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Neither are quite what you are asking, but.. “My Favorite Things” (from _Sound of Music_) That _does_ fit the not quick but still a list one in my mind. > [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > “One Week” wasn’t a list of things? Not really. > [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > No one’s mentioned “Give Peace a Chance” yet? Heh, I always only remember the chorus and forget the other bits. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > It looks like what you’re looking for are [patter songs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patter_song). [Wikipedia has an incomplete list of them here.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_patter_songs) That’s awesome! great list! I guess we are still missing #4 tho. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/23 "2009-06-16T02:34:25Z")
John Entwistle (of The Who) did a song called Talk Dirty. Here are some of the lyrics and a YouTube link. You talk about politics White House - whore house Revolution - prostitution President - Mickey Mouse. You talk about music Chopin - too square Heavy metal - too loud Top twenty - who cares? Why can’t you talk dirty? I like it, when you talk dirty. Playboy, Mayfair, Penthouse - White House Filthy naked poses - Moses Masochism, sadism, lesbianism - communism Suntan, striptease, can-can - Chopin. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/szVptOhUQLo/hqdefault.jpg "John Entwistle Band- Talk Dirty") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szVptOhUQLo) From the Musical Hair; “I’m Black/Ain’t Got No” Ain’t got no home So Ain’t got no shoes Poor Ain’t got no money Honey Ain’t got no class Common Ain’t got no scarf Hot Ain’t got no gloves Cold [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EaeD-QfuTfE/hqdefault.jpg "I'm Black / Ain't Got No") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaeD-QfuTfE) “Sodomy” Sodomy Fellatio Cunnilingus Pederasty [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TzwGfP98vGM/hqdefault.jpg "Hair-Sodomy") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzwGfP98vGM) “I Got Life” I got my hair I got my head I got my brains I got my ears I got my eyes I got my nose I got my mouth I got my teeth I got my tongue I got my chin I got my neck I got my tits I got my heart I got my soul I got my back I got my ass I got my arms I got my hands I got my fingers Got my legs I got my feet I got my toes I got my liver Got my blood [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-1LRD3DtFAo/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGHIgWSg-MA8=&rs=AOn4CLCOXuJGPDMTqb_vcigGAnASRJ5fVQ "Hair - I Got Life") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1LRD3DtFAo) “Hashish” Hashish Cocaine Marijuana Opium LSD DMT STP, BLT A&P, IRT [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp12yRMlpNQ) “Colored Spade” [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsvnBv0uVjo) ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/24 "2009-06-16T02:44:36Z")
Nobody’s mentioned REM’s _**It’s The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)**_ yet? I’m stunned. Oops. Just noticed Thudlow Boink’s post. Sorry. And I just noticed the OP. Double sorry. ---
**Author:** ![mj\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@mj\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mj_2)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/25 "2009-06-16T02:54:35Z")
Todd Snider has a song for this list called Vinyl Records. The first time I heard Matchbox 20’s song “How far we’ve come” all I could think was they completely missed the boat on that one. Had they just picked up where Billy Joel left off I think it would have been a much better song and would have probably gotten a lot more play. But maybe that is just me. Anyway, check out Todd Snider’s song. He is one of the great story song writers out there. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/26 "2009-06-16T02:56:37Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I guess we are still missing #4 tho. > [@](#): > > 1. Actual covers, expansions, or parodies of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. [We Love Barney Fife](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myVl_sHC8Jw) ---
**Author:** ![Simmerdown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simmerdown/32/14859_2.png) [@Simmerdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simmerdown)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/27 "2009-06-16T02:57:45Z")
> [@Simmerdown](#): > > “I Do The Rock” – Tim Curry > “Life is a Rock” – Reunion I would do well to read the entire OP as well. :smack:\*\*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/28 "2009-06-16T02:59:25Z")
Not really what the OP is looking for, in that they aren’t really lists, but System of a Down has songs with that type of feel to them - the one that comes to mind is “Vicinity of Obscenity” with the tricky-listy 'Banana banana banana terracotta banana terracotta terracotta pie! Banana banana banana terracotta banana terracotta terracotta pie!" A lot of their songs repeat and play with words in a patter-like way, though they don’t really meet the wiki definition. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/29 "2009-06-16T02:59:45Z")
> [@jackdavinci](#): > > I guess we are still missing #4 tho. [We Didn’t Start the Flame War](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QyYaPWasos) (pretty funny too. Thank goodness our message board isn’t like that) ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/30 "2009-06-16T03:01:19Z")
OK, I just re-read the entire threat and I don’t think anyone’s mentioned this one yet: U2’s _ **Numb** _ I believe this is the one with The Edge just mumbling a list of random stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/31 "2009-06-16T03:02:58Z")
One classic of this kind is [I’ve Been Everywhere](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_Everywhere) > [@](#): > > I’ve been everywhere man > I’ve been everywhere man > Across the deserts bare man > I’ve breathed the mountain air man > Of travel I’ve had my share man > I’ve been everywhere > > I’ve been to Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota, > Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota, > Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma, > Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma, > Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo, > Tocopilla, Barranquilla and Padilla I’m a killer … ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AIWrmYyFEBM/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/AIWrmYyFEBM?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/32 "2009-06-16T03:10:21Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > One classic of this kind is [I’ve Been Everywhere](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_Everywhere) And the original Australian version: Tullamore, Seymour, Lismore, Mooloolaba, Nambour, Maroochydore, Kilmore, Murwillumbah, Birdsville, Emmaville, Wallaville, Cunnamulla, Condamine, Strathpine, Proserpine, Ulladulla, Darwin, Gin Gin, Deniliquin, Muckadilla, Wallumbilla, Boggabilla, Kumbarilla The beer one: Scaeffer, Shiner, Horlacher, Heffenreffer, Coopers, Kruegers, Kingfisher, Knickerbocker, Fosters, Fullers, Lucky Lager, Silver Thunder, Miller, Paulener, Boulder, Old Peculiar, Rheingold, Michelob, Strohs, Grolsch, Guinness Gold, Yuengling, Carling, Youngs, and Little Kings… and others here… > **[I've Been Everywhere](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27ve_Been_Everywhere)** > > "I've Been Everywhere" is a novelty song written by Australian country singer Geoff Mack in 1959, and popularised by Lucky Starr. A version of the song with different lyrics was popularised by Hank Snow in 1962. > The song's lyrics as originally written comprise mainly the place names (toponyms) of various Australian towns visited by the singer. It was later adapted by Australian singer Rolf Harris with British place names (1963), and by John Hore (later known as John Grenell) with New Zealand ... ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/33 "2009-06-16T03:25:25Z")
Missed the edit window but I forgot about “I’ve seen Pubic Hair” I’ve seen bit ones, lit ones, around your sphincter lip ones, Dear ones, queer ones, find’em in your beer ones, Proud ones, loud ones, drop’em in the crowd ones, Quiet ones, diet ones, burger, shake and fry ones, Pop ones, quaff ones, floatin in the top ones, Triple ones, frozen ones, shardin in the hoser ones. I have a recording of this somewhere in my cassette collection. [http://www.lyricallysquared.com/viewsong/Maclean-And-Maclean/I`ve-Seen-Pubic-Hair/177691](http://www.lyricallysquared.com/viewsong/Maclean-And-Maclean/I%60ve-Seen-Pubic-Hair/177691) ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/34 "2009-06-16T03:34:28Z")
The Museum Song from the musical Barnum. This is the first verse: Quite a lotta Roman terra cotta Livin’ lava from the flanks of Etna Statuary Ride a dromedary See the Temple tumble and the Red Sea part. McNamara’s band The fattest lady in the land A pickled prehistoric hand A strand of Pocahontas’ hair Crow and Sioux Who’re going to Be showing you Some rowing through A model of the rapids on the Delaware. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/35 "2009-06-16T03:47:02Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > No one’s mentioned “Give Peace a Chance” yet? I’d say “I am the Walrus” sort of fits as well. ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/36 "2009-06-16T05:38:02Z")
Supertramp’s “The Logical Song” : When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful, A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical. And all the birds in the trees, well theyd be singing so happily, Joyfully, playfully watching me. But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible, Logical, responsible, practical. And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable, Clinical, intellectual, cynical (first stanza) ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/37 "2009-06-16T06:12:54Z")
Saul Williams - [Coded Language](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzY2-GRDiPM) The three _Candyland_ mini-tracks on Soul Position’s [8 Million Stories](http://www.amazon.com/8-Million-Stories-Soul-Position/dp/B0000C66A5/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1245132290&sr=8-1) are lists; the first is of 80’s cartoons, the second 80’s youth trends, and the third is of actual candies. ---
**Author:** ![rinni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f6c823/32.png) [@rinni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rinni)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/38 "2009-06-16T07:36:05Z")
Animaniacs is good for these. Not sure of the actual song names so I’ll go by the video titles. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XthZ7rFPKh8](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XthZ7rFPKh8) - Be Careful What You Eat [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAII411eqPg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAII411eqPg) - Wakko’s America Song [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ip4voSfrj4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ip4voSfrj4) - Nations of the World There are probably more but I can’t think of them now. Animaniacs loved their songs about lists of things! ---
**Author:** ![Promethea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Promethea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Promethea)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/39 "2009-06-16T07:50:38Z")
Carol Bayer Sager’s “You’re Moving Out Today” fits the parameters, I think being quick, tricky and a list of things. \*So pack your toys away, Your pretty boys away, Your 45’s away, Your alibis away, Your Spanish flies away, Your old tye-dyes away, Your one more tries away You’re moving out today \* ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880/40 "2009-06-16T08:40:22Z")
Buffy Sainte-Marie’s Universal Soldier possibly fits 3: \*He’s five feet two and he’s six feet four He fights with missiles and with spears He’s all of 31 and he’s only 17 He’s been a soldier for a thousand years He’s a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jain, a Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew and he knows he shouldn’t kill and he knows he always will kill you for me my friend and me for you\* For 2, how about Swinging the Alphabet by the Three Stooges: \*B-A-bay, B-E-bee, B-I-bicky-bi, B-O bo, bicky-bi bo, B-U bu, bicky bi bo bu. C-A-cay, C-E-cee, C-I-cicky-ci, C-O co, cicky-ci co, C-U cu, cicky ci co cu. D-A-day, D-E-dee, D-I-dicky-di, D-O do, dicky-di do, D-U du, dicky di do du\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-didnt-start-the-fire-type-songs/499880.md?page=3)