Which songs would YOU ban?

Subject: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 04:38 PM

A whole silly debate was going on BBC radio 2 today about whether certain songs should be banned from the playlists during the current crisis. Anti-war songs were mentioned of course and ones that would it be insensitive to play at certain times. The silliest one mentioned was 'Billy don't be a hero' by Paper Lace. I would ban it outright myself, but not because of the war...

So, come on, get your thinking caps on. Can anyone come up with a dafter song to ban? And Why?

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: DougR
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 04:50 PM

Dave: I don't think ANY song should be banned.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:16 PM

I would ban all my songs so everyone whould hear them. Larry

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Beccy
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:21 PM

Which songs would I ban? None- that is ridiculous. If people don't want to hear it they can change the station.

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:46 PM

Hi Dave.

BAN? Only on the basis of taste, and certainly NOT on political content.

Feelings
You Light up my life
A current country flag waver that rhymes "Forgotten" with "Bin Lauden"
About five of mine that I wish had never got recorded.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Bill D
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 05:56 PM

"ban" a song?..Ask King Canute about related tasks...

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 06:02 PM

Hell, I thought Yuban was brand of coffee.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 06:19 PM

Lonnis Donegan's "Nobody loves like an Irishman" was banned by the BBC because of a humorous reference to the Koran, and I believe still is.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 06:33 PM

Greg, if I'd been (the late) Lonnie, I'd have BEGGED them to ban it! And quick!

He's not a song, but I'd ban Catspaw.

Oh.....and "A Daisy a Day".

Gettin' sillified...time to clean the basement, or make dinner or anything!

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Tweed
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 07:14 PM

Az a honorary Grand Duke of the Kingdom of Mississippi, I hab petitioned hiz Highness Kingkhandu to ban "Stairway to Hebben" from the Royal playlists. I hab it on good authority that this song waz the beginning ob de downfall of decent variegated radio programming. Song banning iz never a gud or pretty thing but "Stairway" iz a special case and needs to be done. If this works purdy good then mebbe we cud get Yes' "Roundabout" off the air fer a while too.

Sh*t....now it's in my head.....gahhhhhh!

"I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
And change the day your way....."

I can't stand it....
Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Sam L
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 07:27 PM

Oh, come on can't people take the spirit of this "ban"?

I'd ban any song containing a capital "N" or any reference to spoons, just so we can later plead a national insanity defense.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Gareth
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 07:40 PM

Don't ban them - laugh at them.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 08:50 PM

As a resident of the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast it is my great misfortune to have to perpetually deal with the fans of another Gulf Coast resident, Mr. Jimmy Buffett of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Don't get me wrong. I like Jimmy Buffett. I like Buffett's songs when Buffett does them. I don't like them when anybody else does them. I don't like it when people ask me to do them. And I sure don't like it when some drunk Spring-breaker at an Irish pub where an Irish session is going on keeps hollering about how much she wants to hear some Buffett.

I think that Jimmy Buffett covers should be banned from all beach bars east of the Rockies. And if it hurts the pocketbooks of some giggers for whom Buffett songs comprise half of their repertoire, so what? Let 'em learn some John Prine instead.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 08:59 PM

Fred, you just made me day... ;^)

Lets ban all songs that do not encourage mindless and immediate procreative behavior between strangers... Lets ban all songs that make any refference to injustice... But most of all, let's be sure to ban artistic expression of any kind... Bigdaddywarbucks needs your support! ttr

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Callie
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 09:29 PM

I'd ban the "music" of Kenny G

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 10:04 PM

If some one twisted my arm and threatened to hurt me if I didn't ban something, I might see my way clear to banning rap, and disco, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Sam L
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 11:25 PM

Hey there, TTR, g'day.

BWL that's not a bad idea either. Nothing against Jimmy Buffet, I LIKE Jimmy Buffet, I'm just tired of Jimmy Buffet. I was born that way. Prine ain't a bad alternative.

I've been working on a cover of Freebird, for requests. It's just the diddle-diddle lick for a half hour, while I sing Lord help me I can't chaaaaange... over and over. It's kinda HARD. Maybe you could do a cover of Margaritaville--I'd focus on the "Elvis" spot where it stops... and then starts agin'. Maybe you could just do the part where it stops....

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 11:41 PM

Well you can take "Proud Mary", float it on down the river, until it sinks to the bottom, and a fish eats it. The fish is later caught, and eaten, in return is shit out down the pipes, comes out into some river and, well... it's rollin' down the river again! What a damn vicious cycle. Just can't seem to get rid of that song!

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: mg
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 02:42 AM

Barrett's Privateers.. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 04:48 AM

I'd ban all people from taking silly questions seriously...

But aside from that I love Freds idea as well. Kind of smacks of John Milton, or was it Milton John, censoring every vowel. 0r was it every consonant? (Do I remember my Catch 22 properly?)

I think I'd also ban Bolivian unicyclists from public parks and make sure that Captain Sensibles version of Happy Talk was played at every opportunity during football matches;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,banished
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 05:21 AM

"I'd ban all people from taking silly questions seriously..."
I understand how you feel Dave, some of these people? have terminal righteousitis. Incurable.

oh yes "polka dot bikini" by Timmy Mallett.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Catarina
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 07:12 AM

I still remember when LOTS of songs were banned from portuguese radio. It was even forbiden to buy the records. We had some banned recordings at home, and used to listen to them at night, with volume on the minimum so no neighbours might listen. My parents had great difficulty in convincing my younger brother, who was six or seven by then, the he coul NOT sing "Bandiera Rossa" during school chorus classes, even if it was his favourite song...
When I was twelve I went, with my Dad, to a concert where most singers were only allowed to sing one or two "harmless" songs- all other singing was forbiden. Of course, one of those harmless songs, that could safely be played on the radio, became the sign for the beginning of the military uprise on April 25th, 1974...
It is silly to ban songs from public playing, isn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 07:49 AM

I believe that the first record to be banned by BBC Radio was Tom Lehrer's Masochism Tango/Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.

I've also heard that Leon Rosselson's Little Tim Maguire was banned because it might encourage arsonists.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 08:48 AM

Ban Burl Ives' "Pearly Sands"

CB

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Guesty
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 08:49 AM

Isn't this really music, despite the BS prefix?

I believe in the if you don't like it, don't listen theory, but there are a number of songs that are self banned, earning a fast station change. I can't name them, because I don't listen long enough to know what they are. Most rap, sappy country, self-important singer songwriters, more not worth the trouble to name.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 09:15 AM

I think I'd ban "Tiny Bubbles." Never have liked that song...and don't care much for champagne either.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 09:34 AM

Achy breaky heart

Ruby (don't take your love to town)

Some days are diamonds

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 09:48 AM

I'm not in favour of legally banning any song, but there are numerous ones I'd be delighted never to hear again, needless to say...

Like... "Morning Train", "My Way", and "Having My Baby"!

As for "Billy, Don't Be A Hero", that song is enough to make any intelligent peace activist fall down on his knees and puke. It is probably among the ten worst written songs of all time. It's downright embarrassing.

Fortunately, I don't hear these songs too often, except in malls and retail stores, cos I don't listen to the F**king radio!!! (It's just a vehicle for bombarding people with inane advertising.)

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: outfidel
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 10:50 AM

If I were declared Maximum Programmer for life, I would immediately ban from the radio:

everything by Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, and Kenny G
"Feelings" by Morris Albert
every version of "MacArthur Park"
anyone who calls themselves "shock jocks"
everything by Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, and Phil Collins
"We Are the World" (great cause, horrible song)
everything by Journey, Survivor, Foreigner, Toto, Styx & REO Speedwagon
"Say Say Say" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
"Ebony & Ivory" by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
"Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney
everything by Barry Manilow, Lionel Richie, Bobby Goldsboro, Air Supply
the entire "adult contemporary/soft rock" genre

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 11:19 AM

Gee...this is pretty good. NONE of us, left, right, or centre, would ban songs for their political content....only cuz they make us ill. That's progress.

Add "You're Having My Baby" to my list....oh and I wouldn't BAN Paul Anka (my countryman) I'd definitely have him fried in Texas for writing that song.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: harvey andrews
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 01:29 PM

Anything by Elton John in that dreadful fake accent.
oh and "My boy lollipop"

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 02:05 PM

well, there are very few songs I'd consider 'banning'....but there are a few you'd better not sing near me more than once a year.

"Waltzing With Bears"
"Lovely Agnes"
and "I Wish I Had Someone to Love Me"...which I cannot hear without imagining it done on a Calliope, or by a German Brass Band

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 02:16 PM

no song should be banned...........EXCEPT......
THE UNICORN

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 02:49 PM

I drove all night, lollipop, lollipop
Trying to forget my feelings of you
Though there's something in the air tonight
It's melting in the rain
And I'm wa-wa-wa-waltzing to the bad song blues

Ruby, don't take your love to town,
Just take it on the run.
What a lovely way to say how much you love me
And you know we've only just begun

There's a madman across the water
I know you've got a friend in Ben
But you're rollin on a river of tiny bubbles
And I'm wa-wa-wa-waltzing to the bad song blues again

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Big Mick
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 03:18 PM

MEMO

TO:      MSGT. MUDELF CORLEW

FROM:    PETTY OFFICER THIRD CLASS MUDELF LANE

SUBJECT:    YOUR VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM CODE OF MUDCAT POSTING

------------------------------------------------------------------

Sarge, I know you are wise in all things and that I risk extra duty in posting this, but your continued and flagrant violation of the "warn posters to swallow all liquids and food before reading this post" rule is causing me a great deal of anguish. In addition to it causing me to have to expend a great deal of elbow grease, you know that I am a left wing labor organizer and don't like to support the capitalist tyrants that seek to enslave us all. Yet since I have begun reading your posts, the stock value of Acme Screen Cleaner has risen dramatically. If you do not cease failing to post the appropriate disclaimer, I will be forced to take this issue to Rear End Admiral and General Joe Offer for resolution. This could very well result in you being brought up on charges. And I will administer the punishment personally, with a spud, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 03:42 PM

Spanking? :-T

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 03:51 PM

I FRIGGIN' KNEW IT!!!

More SPEWING, more projectile crying, more fluids on keyboards!

Jesus Keerist Michael! Will you get a hold of yourself!! Whoops......NO....No.....I didn't really MEAN that!

Oh lord, I need a new hobby!

Jeri.....that's brilliant, although my keyboard is still completely dry.

Moi

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 04:37 PM

Neil Diamond songs. There has been much discussion of the Geneva Conventions (weren't they a 60s band?), and these records violate them. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Tinker
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 04:59 PM

Jeri, I bow before thee....

Note to self: tell investment banker husband to investigate Acme Screen Cleaner....


Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 05:31 PM

Well, Peter got a whole category with Neil Diamond!
Now, maybe we should figure out who would have made up the supergroup most suited to play the Titanic. Maybe not.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Kim C
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 05:41 PM

When I was in the first grade my big brother, whom I still adore to this day in spite of his foibles, took me down to the record shop and bought me the 45 of Billy Don't Be a Hero. I believe The Night Chicago Died was on the other side. That's been a long time ago, though. And while the song is goofy, I have fond memories of my brother taking me to the record shop.

My picks, though: Telephone Man and Brand New Key.

Subject: RE: BS: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 06:06 PM

Yeah, Paper Lace had a genius for recording unbelievably bad and unintentionally ridiculous songs about oddball subjects...

What could they have been thinking of?

Even Barry Sadler was subtle in comparison...

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Guesty
Date: 26 Mar 03 - 06:43 PM

Thanks to whoever moved this thread where it belongs. It isn't an essential thread, but a fun one. More people should see it here, once the original posters find it again. By now they should know the drill.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 04:59 AM

Doesn't Leonard Cohen deserve a jersey here?

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Alasdair
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 05:19 AM

I would ban the following because of their intrinsic annoyingness, nothing to do with the war:

Annie's Song
Summer of 69
Everything I do (Bryan Adams strikes again)
will Young's cover of Come on Baby Light my Fire
Britney's cover of I Love Rock'n'Roll
Sospan Fach, but only the "who beat the wallabies" verse

All this "to each his own" is well enuff but these songs make me boil

Al

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 06:21 AM

Maybe this is the answer --- the troops set up enormous sound systems outside Baghdad and play these songs till Saddam Hussein comes out begging for mercy. Of course they might be banned under the Geneva Convention as Weapons of Musical Distress!

BJ

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Alasdair
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 07:51 AM

I would also like to ban the lyrics "fol-de-rol", "derry-dum-do" and similar. Surely we can do this better than this.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:11 AM

Bullfrog - I think your plan would have the reverse effect, and break the moral of the coalition forces! Why? Because they mostly speak English, and really terrible songs are far less annoying when they're in a language foreign to the listener, so the Iraquis (many of them) would be relatively immune to the crap. Example: I can happily listen to dreadful French love songs on the radio, cos I don't know what they're saying, and the music is passable or even good!

As I am utterly opposed to the invasion of Iraq, therefore, I am in favour of putting your plan into effect at once, and driving the Americans and British out of their flippin' minds with those dreadful songs! Ha! Ha! Let's do it!

- LH

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: TIA
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:13 AM

Kenny Roger's Lady. Far worse even than Ruby. Oh, and what's that one of his with "...the Gatlin boys came callin', and there wuz three of them..." (last bit spoken in ominous tones).

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Redhorse at work
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:21 AM

Tom Lehrer "Masochism Tango" wasn't the first BBC Radio ban: Frank Crumit's "The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away" was banned in the thirties according to my mother; I also believe several of George Formby's songs for fairly obvious reasons.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 09:56 AM

The Geneva Conventions played during the 60's and 70's and then evolved into The Human Shields. The punk band WMD is made up of former members of The Scud Missles.

Sorry, there are days when silliness is the only sane mode of behaviour.

CB

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 01:52 PM

No question, "Horse with No Name." I've never been able to figure out what the heck those lyrics meant, but I'm darned sure they're related to the present conflict somehow. Who knows what secret, subversive message is being delivered, and to which side?

Besides, I loathe the thing!

Claire

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:00 PM

Like most Catters, I would not actually ban anything, not matter how bad. If people like rotten songs, they have every right to hear them. There are times though when I wish my radio would automatically change station at the first sign of rap, "progressive jazz", sickly country songs and the ghastly twaddle which makes up the hit parade for most of the time... (This must be middle age - I'm starting to sound like my Dad....)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Don Firth
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:05 PM

Here's one that goes back to the mid-Fifties:--

Thank you, dear God, for victory in Korea.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:06 PM

Claire, I think it's about drugs. But I also thought Marrakesh Express was about hashish, and Mister told me there really is a train called the Marrakesh Express.

Has no one mentioned "They're Coming to Take Me Away"?

I'd also like to add, any song in which Reba McEntire turns the word "him" into "heeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuum."

Who remembers that classic by Billy and the Beaters, "At This Moment," with the ingenious line, "How could I hurt you, when darlin, I love you/and you know I'd never hurt you."

How about, anything by Pink? Let's just ban Pink altogether. I think she qualifies as a Weapon of Musical Distress.

Didn't they try that annoying music ploy with Noriega and the Waco people? (not at the same time, obviously)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Hippie Chick
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:11 PM

Horse with no name, Annie's Song, Bob Seger, AC-DC,______-metal, punk, "Alllllllready standin'....on the ground" by the Eagles...

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Sam L
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 02:45 PM

Seger, yes, at least his collection of songs about strippers.

They do respect her butt
they love to watch her strut.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:28 PM

Don - Actually, I believe Korea was a draw...maybe that song was written from the point of view of the arms manufacturers? :-)

- LH

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Ely
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:39 PM

Ditto--only on the basis of taste, although I'm afraid I'd have to ban the one that's currently on the C&W stations about "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?". Not because I'm not sorry for the people who died in the WTC, but because I think if you want to memorialize somebody, at least do it with a song that doesn't rely on melodramatic heartstring-pulling in place of any real meaning.

Other than that, I'd have to give the boot to "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" and the entire repertoires of Raffi, Metallica, and Rammstein (ha! I bet that's the first time Raffi and Rammstein ever got mentioned in the same list of musicians).

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 08:50 PM

Redhorse,
   Do you recall why "The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away " was banned.
Was it because of the temperance movement?
                     Sandy

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: kendall
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 09:09 PM

Where I come from, a spud is a chisel like tool used to peel bark off trees.
Rick, what's wrong with Daisy a day?
I love a rainy night, and Achey Brakey heart. Eve the compoers of this drivel should be banned.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Mar 03 - 09:53 PM

...test... test... *thump* *thump* *thump* ...test one, two... hello, is this thing on?... oh okay...

*Ahem*

Yes, I would like to suggest we ban the banning of songs.

Thank you and don't forget to buy your war bonds and drink your Ovaltine.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: denise:^)
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 12:49 AM

Well, this is referring to a posting 'way back from March 26, but--
Lovely Agnes? Good heavens, some folks are easily offended...

Now, as for the Reba McIntyre-dipthong-thing, I couldn't agree more! (It was what I was thinking of when I opened this thread--how she manages to go through a-e-i-o-u--and sometimes y--in any song that has a syllable held longer than one beat of music--but, reading this thread, I saw that Kim C w/no cookie beat me to it...)

...but Lovely Agnes? I'm still stumped...
(now, Waltzing with Bears I can understand...)

Denise:^)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Ralphie
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 01:02 AM

I do remember Paul Burnett (BBC Radio DJ) after a news bulletin concerning a particularly nasty aircraft accident, starting the next section of his show with Nic Lowes "Crawling from the Wreckage" !
And, after the death of a well known American singer songwriter (with glasses)...His big hit, "Leaving on a Jet plane" was conspicuous by its absence on the airwaves for a very long time (In fact I don't think I've heard it since!)
Regards Ralphie

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 10:43 AM

Actually, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was recently covered in a new version by some girl singer, and has been polluting the airwaves in Canada on a regular basis...AAAAARRRGGGHHH!!! It's even more insipid than the original PPM version was. Being a recent recording, they do the obligatory thing and repeat certain key phrases many, many times...just so they do not escape the listener's attention.

As for "Waltzing With Bears", there are at least two, maybe three people who insist on singing that one now and then at the Orillia Song Circle (sigh!). They think it's cute and whimsical. I usually counter this by singing a Dylan song that's 7 or more minutes long when my turn comes...one that's loaded with mysterious symbolism and allegory. Drives 'em nuts. :-)

- LH

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 01:44 PM

Marie's Wedding.Candle in The Wind, anything by Celine Dion,Bobby Magee,Annie's Song,Amazing Grace(done to death) Little Arrows and I hope no one ever has to listen to "A White Sport's Coat" again.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 03:56 PM

"A white...sports coat...and a pi-i-i-i-i-nk Car-na-tion..."

:-)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: CraigS
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 04:33 PM

Little Things by Willie Nelson is so stomach-churning that it even upsets Terry Wogan, and I only keep the copy I've got for fear of it getting into the wrong hands - I'm sure it could be developed into a weapon of mass distression (I just tried to acronymonise that and came up with WOMAD). Hell, ban the course of SonOfABush lessons I was confoundlerised into purchasising - leave the songs to their own devices.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 05:58 PM

And speaking of Terry Wogan... Hows about banning the Floral Dance? No No No - not the dance itself! Just his version:-)

Now, what about the song that my brain blots out altogether. The one that goes ermm... errrrmmmm...


Oh Bugger. Lets just ban everything just in case it's that one!

Cheers

Me

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 05:24 AM

I've had dark thoughts about national anthems and other patriotic songs at times, not the songs themselves but the uses they can be put to.

However, Dr. Shrink says I'm much better now. But can I trust him?

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Gurney
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 05:26 AM

Second thoughts. Don't ban them. If they offend you, write a parody. Democracy rules OK.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: nickp
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 08:22 AM

"Happy Birthday" says he, rapidly approaching his 50th!

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Li'l Aussie Bleeder
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 09:17 AM

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! Bing bloody Crosby dronning on and bloody on every year without fail, besides it is hot enough to fry eggs on the car bonnett here, thank you very much..

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Beardy
Date: 01 Apr 03 - 10:44 AM

The fields of Athenry,Danny Boy & everything by Cyril Tawney (now theres over-rated).

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Jenny Islander
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 01:50 AM

Daft songs to ban from radio? Anything played in the home country that might demoralize our boys and girls over there. How could they hear it? The jet stream?

Now, I am in favor of banning the over-emoted, over-produced "hey, listen, I've got pipes!" versions of great movie tunes--the ones that play over the credits and get all the airplay instead of the versions that were IN the movies. Angela Lansbury's "Beauty and the Beast" made me laugh and tear up at the same time, but the credits version, which was everywhere for months, was just annoying.

Yes, "Leaving On a Jet Plane." It's a sweet song and a SHORT song and she still managed to mess it up. Or was she told to dumb it down? Scary thought.

The most egregious remake, the one that should be burned, is what Madonna did to "Fever." Peggy Lee put on a long dress and stood behind a mic and sang it and the men in the room gulped and sat funny and the women leaned forward. Madonna bought the rights to the song. For the video, she dressed some guy--who had either a lot of, er, padding or very happy thoughts--in a head-to-toe mouthless pewter lame' catsuit with a starfish-shaped half mask and put him in a blank white room. She filmed him alternately writhing like a mime interpreting seaweed and squat-emoting like Edie Brickell while the usual thumpa-thumpa track galumphed along. Faintly beneath it, like a mouse expiring in the mouth of a cat, was "Fever." I was held transfixed by that video; it was like witnessing a multi-car pileup. And every time the real "Fever" comes on the radio, I see that creepy, faceless dancer. I must share the pain.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: alison
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 03:03 AM

TIA - in answer to your question it was "Coward of the County"..... AARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (we did have a thread on it a long time ago.....)

Rick I heard that "forgotten / Bin Laden" thing today for the first time........ I was strongly torn between keeping listening to see if it could get more offensive and turning over stations....... I kept listening..... won't be doing that again!!

Fields of Athenry.... no question!!... and "when you were sweet sixteen" and any of those other terrible songs done in fake Oirish accents...... "Oi love yew as Oi've neverrrrr loved beforrrrrrrre"


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: JulieF
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 05:46 AM

Almost any song using the name Julie.   What do you have to do to get a decent song with your name in it?

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Li Maree
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 06:58 AM

"Push The Little Daisies & Make Them Come Up" - so bad it was scary!!! Anything by Celine Dion, Kylie Minogue, her sister, Bloody Britney, and I can't think of anymore 'cause I keep thinking about Reba and heeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooouuuuuuum.....

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 07:57 AM

All opera.Total waste of space. Screeching and wailing to overloud music and all wearing stupid clothes. Ban the lot.

Spot

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:32 AM

I'd ban the hunting song 'There was Dido, Bendigo..' and some other bloody stupid dogs names. Not because I'm particularly anti-hunting - I just can't stand the song! If I'm at a club where someone gets up and sings it, I have to leave the room to stop myself wrecking the chorus. It was one of the first folk songs I heard in a club and nearly put me off going to folk clubs altogether. Fortunately I've carried on attending folk clubs but still hate that song!!! Great idea for a thread by the way Dave..

Arnie (who has now become a 'guest' and can't seem to change it1)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Troll
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 10:22 AM

I'm not in favor -as a general rule- of banning songs but I could do without" McArthur Park."

troll

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 10:44 AM

Not again! MacArthur Park is one of the great allegorical and dramatic songs of all time, and I never get tired of defending it! I have argued with that dumbass, Spaw, many times over this. Besides, it's fun disagreeing with you, troll. It keeps the pot boiling, so to speak. (grin)

- LH

Subject: In support of song bans
From: An Pluiméir Ceolmhar
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:34 PM

If the good old bad old East German police hadn't banned anti-régime songs, Andreas Rogge wouldn't have been imprisoned by them, then ransomed by the West German government, and the world would have been deprived of a fine uilleann pipe maker. So who says bans are a bad thing?

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Kim C
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:45 PM

So what kind of cake was it that got left out in the rain? And why would you leave a cake out in the rain in the first place?

Sounds like another psychedelic drug song to me!

Say, I was at the grocery, and there's a brand of rice in a box called Marrakesh Express...

Here in Nashville on Saturday mornings, WSM radio has a classic country show. The great Eddie Stubbs (who is also an accomplished fiddler) plays popular and rare tunes from the 30s through the 60s. There are two that Mister and I always turn off, and they're both by Little Jimmie Dickens: Death in the Family and Raggedy Ann.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:55 PM

tie me kangaroo down, sport....

any song with vegemite in it....

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 04:04 AM

I didn't see a lot of point in simply saying that I wouldn't ban any song, but then the guest at the club last night ended with "Amazing Grace".....

Keep it as a pipe tune, sure.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Banjoman
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:58 AM

I'd ban any song that can't be performed live without a mass of electronics amps et al.
Also ban anysong that someone trys to make sound more "Traditional" by singing it to a mournful dirge like tune - "Wild Rover" is a classic example.
Apart from that, I agree that if you don't like a song then the best censorship is the on/off button on your radio (except mine where its broken and you have to remove the batteries to switch it off - a 10 minute operation)

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: InOBU
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 06:18 AM

I posted a new one to ban, under France and Germany warn the USA, in fact, they sould be coming for me any time now!
Cheers and be seeing ya
Larry

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Giac
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:23 AM

The entire "Bubble Gum" genre from the late '60s, but MOST ESPECIALLY the song which more or less started the whole thing, Ohio Express's Yummy, Yummy, Yummy (I got love in my tummy ...).

Good gosh, just typing it make me gag.

~;o) Mary

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:36 AM

Kim - I believe the cake is symbolic of a romance. Being "left out in the rain" indicates that the romance was, shall we say, mishandled or neglected...this causing the relationship to ultimately break down. Pretty deep stuff, eh? :-) I find it amazing that people do not clue in to the brilliance of "MacArthur Park"...

- LH

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: alanabit
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:52 AM

Now stop this LH, or I shall subject you to my treatise on metaphor and confectionary allegory in Sugar Sugar!

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Padre
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 09:07 AM

That 'theme' song from "Billy Jack" -- One Tin Soldier

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Kim C
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 09:50 AM

Maybe it's just me, but I never thought of romance as being like a cake...

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,lardingo
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 07:53 PM

I teach 5th grade; therefore, I have the power and the authority to ban songs. Here are the songs that I always ban on any bus ride that I have to take with my class: "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall," and "The Song That Never Ends." If you have ever taken a trip with a bus load of 10-year-olds, you will understand the reason why I ban those songs.

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:15 PM

Well, I don't think of romance as a cake either, Kim, but that's still what the allegory suggests. And dontcha love that tremendous "Ohhhhh...Noooo!!!" crescendo at the end? Man, whatta song!

I agree about "One Tin Soldier", Padre. What a dreadful song. It's almost as bad as the movie, though it tries earnestly to say something of real value...just doesn't say it very well. I submit, however, that it is still superior to "Billy, Don't Be A Hero".

- LH

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: GUEST,Li Maree
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:23 PM

I would also like to ban any song written in the "Stock Aicken(?) and Waterman" era - total pukesville!!!

Subject: RE: Which songs would YOU ban?
From: alanabit
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 03:45 AM

Quite right too Li Maree!