# What are the most irritating songs from the 60s? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2000, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227 "2000-12-18T21:28:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/21 "2000-12-19T02:34:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*Sugar, Sugar is a great pop tune! > > And it was sung by cartoon characters, that’s gotta be worth something. \*\* I’m sorry to admit that I have brain cells that are being wasted by containing this information, but The Archies were Ron Dante(?) who went on to…well…remarkably similar things with a group called The Cufflinks, who had a modest hit with a song called “Tracy”. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![caircair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@caircair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caircair)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/22 "2000-12-19T02:39:29Z")
Has anyone read Dave Barry’s “Bad Songs”? (I think that’s the title of the book). His all-time worst was MacArthur Park, which has already been nominated. (But which version? Personally, Richard Harris’ mutilation of this was the epitome of bad.) My own personal gag-me-with-a-chainsaw? Muskrat Love. (Again, probably from the 70’s, but still a NASTY piece of song.) ---
**Author:** ![City\_Gent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a87d85/32.png) [@City\_Gent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/City_Gent)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/23 "2000-12-19T02:52:58Z")
“I think it’s so groovy now…” and “Signs” bad? Oh man, you’re treading on sacred ground. I nominate “Build Me Up Buttercup” (1969) for worst song…ever…because it has stupid lyrics, no message, and no beat: Why do you build me up (Build me up) Buttercup baby just to let me down – hey, at least she builds him up (Let me down) And mess me around – mess me around?! What?! And then worst of all (Worst of all) You never call baby When you say you will – that’s the worst thing he can say about his baby? (Say you will) But I love you still I need you (I need you) More than anyone darlin’ You know that I have from the start – then stop complaining So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup Don’t break my heart I think the lyricist must have been bonking a hippie chick named “Buttercup” and decided to write a song with her name in it, and the only rhyme he could come up with was “up” and “Buttercup”. God, it’s just freaking idiotic. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/24 "2000-12-19T02:54:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by caircair \* > \*\*Has anyone read Dave Barry’s “Bad Songs”? (I think that’s the title of the book). > > His all-time worst was MacArthur Park, which has already been nominated. (But which version? Personally, Richard Harris’ mutilation of this was the epitome of bad.) > > My own personal gag-me-with-a-chainsaw? Muskrat Love. (Again, probably from the 70’s, but still a NASTY piece of song.) \*\* Yup. That’s where I got the idea for this thread. But he’s focusing on bad songs, I wanted irritating. And so far, we’ve got quite the bunch of irritating songs. (btw; thanks just loads, Kunilou: Now I’ve got “Reach out in the darkness” stuck in my head. Aargh.) 😉 Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/25 "2000-12-19T03:00:01Z")
I’m Henry the eighth I am Henry the eighth I am, I am I got married to the widow next door She’s been married seven times before And every one was an Henry _(Henry)_ She wouldn’t have a Willy or a Sam _(no Sam)_\* I’m her eighth old man, I’m Henry Henry the eighth I am Second verse same as the first (repeat ad nauseum) _ **NEVER** _ allow a small child within earshot of this song if you value your sanity. cheers, **Hodge** ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/26 "2000-12-19T04:26:25Z")
Even as a Boston liberal, I always thought _Southern Man_ was an annoying piece of tripe, both for the music and the message. Simplistically self-righteous lyrics, repetiive music and Neil Young’s whiny screeching. Yech. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/27 "2000-12-19T04:27:18Z")
[loop] [set field n: 1] [exit loop if: n=1,000,000,000] [sing text: “I’m get-ting clo-ser to my worrrrrrrrld…”] [set field n: n+1] [end loop] ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/28 "2000-12-19T05:35:47Z")
“A-B-C-1-2-3” by the Jackson 5. Granted, I liked the song for a long time–until I taught it to a 4 year old. This is what I got to hear for hours on end… “ABC! 123! ABC! 123! ABC! 123!” (ad infinitum!) (All sung in a very high-pitched, off-key voice!) ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/29 "2000-12-19T05:57:41Z")
I know it’s a classic and all, but I _hate_ “Under My Thumb”. It makes me cringe every time I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/30 "2000-12-19T06:06:35Z")
_Come on, everybody sing!_ “If you’re going to San Francisco, Wear some flour in your hair…” Flowers, whatever. Excuse me, I have to puke… ---
**Author:** ![zen101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@zen101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen101)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/31 "2000-12-19T06:07:53Z")
“Denise” by Randy and the Rainbows ---
**Author:** ![sheerah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@sheerah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sheerah)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/32 "2000-12-19T06:16:11Z")
'Nuff Said. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/33 "2000-12-19T06:57:04Z")
'Nuff said. Marc ---
**Author:** ![jaimest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@jaimest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaimest)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/34 "2000-12-19T08:11:19Z")
1. “The Name Game”, I have no idea who made it but yeesh… 2. Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow”, irritating even if Paul McCartney did backing vocals. What is an “electrical banana” anyway? 3. “Come and Get It” by Badfinger. Paul McCartney stikes again. Actually his own demo on the Beatles Anth. was a lot better. 4. Sonny and Cher “The Beat Goes On”. 5. Any song on the “Mash Potato” theme. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/35 "2000-12-19T09:01:59Z")
I’d like to start by agreeing with everyone who posted before me. 'Cept for the guy who said “everything by the Who”. I would say only most things. “I Can’t Explain” for example is an excellent song. Anyway: “I Started a Joke” by the Bee Gees. What about this song is not irritating? ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/36 "2000-12-19T09:17:24Z")
You’d think that the bad memories were bad enough the first time around. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by betenoir \* > \*\*“I Started a Joke” by the Bee Gees. > > What about this song is not irritating? > \*\* Good point! You win. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/37 "2000-12-19T13:58:10Z")
“Doo Wah Diddy,” by Manfred Mann. It’s a little-known fact, but there is actually, for each person, a specific number of times that they are able to listen to this song. I don’t know **precisely** what mine is, but I can tell you it’s one less than the number of times I had heard it before it came on the radio this morning. Other candidates: Anything by the Grass Roots, but particularly “Let’s Live For Today.” “Get Together,” by the Youngbloods. It wasn’t really any good then, and it isn’t good now. (Ever notice how much puerility was mistaken for profundity then?) **drpepper** : You need to hear Aimee Mann’s version of “One,” from the _Magnolia_ soundtrack. **tracer** : The _Yardbirds_? Are you _nuts_? Before they went pop with “For Your Love,” they were some of the best English blues stylists around! Every rock fan should own _Five Live Yardbirds_. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/38 "2000-12-19T15:09:54Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow”, irritating even if Paul McCartney did backing vocals. What is an “electrical banana” > anyway? An “electrical banana” is a vibrator. 😉 I pretty much like all the songs nominated, except “Doo Wah Diddy”. I’ve gottent to the point I want to give myself a lobotomy when I hear it. _Shudders_ I hate all of the Supremes songs. The message drives me crazy. “You treat me like shit, and cheat on me, but come back to me baby, cuz I need you.” :rolleyes: How can you hate “Build me Up Buttercup?” It’s not a great song, but it’s got a good beat you can dance too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/39 "2000-12-19T15:22:37Z")
> [@](#): > > " In the year 2525, if man is still alive…" GAH! That is definately the worst song ever. I like almost all of the others that have been mentioned, and have mp3s of a lot of them. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227/40 "2000-12-19T15:39:57Z")
Damn! **jaimest** beat me to Donovan! I’ll have to echo **pepperlandgirl** …I kinda LIKE some of those dippy pseudo-psychedelic kissable-hippie-chick pop songs like “Buttercup” and “Windy” and “Incense and Peppermints” and “Along Comes Mary” and the Stones’ “Dandelion.” I get a big ol’ dopey grin on my face when they come on the radio. It’s the ponderous and pretentious ones that get my gorge up…so my pick is not Dononvan’s “Mellow Yellow” but the truly horrific “Atlantis.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-irritating-songs-from-the-60s/46227.md?page=3)