Songs that make your flesh crawl...

Subject: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:21 PM

That's the effect that the song "My Way" has on me. Specially when Sinatra or Paul Anka do it.

Anybody else got one?

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:23 PM

Yeah. Wives And Lovers.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:26 PM

I can control my reaction better these days but 'Cluck, Old Hen' did it for me, both as a fiddle tune and as a song.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:27 PM

Something called "I'm A Bitch" (or something, that's how the chorus starts) by Meredith Brooks. The bar band I'm in just started doing it, over my protests. Self-involved AND slutty...the song, I mean.

W-O

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: mick p r.m s.c
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:27 PM

Me singing THE PIGEON SONG.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: pdq
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:27 PM

"People" by Barba Stidentsound

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:36 PM

Have you ever heard Michael Cooney sing"I Did It Their Way"?

Subject: Lyr Add: THEIR WAY (parody of 'My Way')
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:39 PM

I DID IT THEIR WAY

I came with all my books, lived in dorms, followed directions.
I worked, I studied hard, met lots of folks who had connections.
I crammed, they gave me grades, and may I say not in a fair way.
But more, much more than this, I did it their way.

I learned all sorts of things although I know I'll never use them.
The courses that I took were all required, I didn't choose them.
You'll find that to survive it's best to act the doctrinaire way.
And so I buckled down and did it their way.

Yes, there were times I wondered why
I had to crawl when I could fly.
I had my doubts, but after all,
I clipped my wings, and learned to crawl.
I had to bend, and in the end
I did it their way.

And so, my fine young friends, now that I'm a full professor
Where once I was oppressed, now I've become the cruel oppressor.
With me you'll learn to cope, you'll learn to climb life's golden stairway.

What can I do? What can I do?
Open your books. Read chapter two.
And if it seems a bit routine,
Don't come to me, go see the dean.
As long as they give me my pay
I'll do it their way.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: mrdux
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:41 PM

"Honey," by Bobby Goldsboro. Come to think of it, Booby G's "Watching Scotty Grow" and "Little Green Apples," also make me cringe.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charmain
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:48 PM

I hate that Meredith Brooks song aswell but its not as bad as "Black Velvet" by whoever the shouty lady was that sang that song!
I think its supposed to about Elvis or something and it gives me the Wiggins...

"Walking in Memphis" thats another one that makes me cringe - there seems to be a pattern here...don't know why - I like Elvis!

Oh and I positively HATE that Four Non-Blondes track from the early 90s - the one that went "And I said Hey - Whats going on?......"

but for real creepy shit its "My Way" all the way - especially when sung by ... well anybody really!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:57 PM

Oh, yeah! Some good nominations there.

I had forgotten about Streisand doing "People", pdq, and it affects me the same way it does you. ARRRGHHHH!!!

"Their Way" is a great parody! ;-)

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: bobad
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:03 PM

"Having My Baby" - Gag me with a spoon!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: mick p r.m s.c
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:27 PM

Anyway I am off to bed HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:31 PM

Almost everything by James Taylor (does he still perform?) and Christmas Carols performed by howling dogs.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:32 PM

"Green Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones.

In fact by anyone.

biLL

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: tarheel
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:36 PM

grandpa jones...the christmas guest...

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: tarheel
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:46 PM

george jones...she thinks i still care...


blue highway...life without you...

country gentlemen...bringing mary home...

but nothing compares to the JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA,marching song...
Stars and Stripes Forever!!!

there are many,but these always come to mind,first!
Tar...

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,mrnot
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:10 PM

Dearly love K&A McGariggle's music, but they hold top honors
for the 'fingernails on the chalkboard' award with a number of their's called 'Valentine's Day'.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Padre
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:20 PM

"One Tin Soldier"

Padre

Subject: Lyr Add: AND EVEN A FOOL LEARNS TO LOVE (D Bowie)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:20 PM

"My Way" is a pretty unpleasant song, I've always felt. It's a sort of rewrite/translation of quite a decent song in French, Comme d'habitude.

David Bowie made a translation of it too, but it never got released, because Paul Anka, who had bought the rights to the song liked his own version better,

Here are Bowie's words from this site They look a bit better than "My Way" at any rate:

There was a time, the laughing time
I took my heart to every party
They'd point my way
"How are you today?"
"Will you make us laugh? Chase our blues away?"
Their funny man won't let them down
No, he'd dance and prance and be their clown
That time, the laughing time
When even a fool learns to love

The clown turned around
And saw her smile, Oh how she loved me
She'd clap her hands and beg me stay
To make her laugh, to make her life gay
Who wants the love of all the world
When here was love in the eyes of just one girl
That day, that precious day
When even a fool learns to love

But Oh, how I dreamed, a marvelous dream
Where all of the heavens or so it had seemed
With thunderous applause looked down from above
On a clown and an angel so much in love
I'll stay with my dream, it takes such a dream
And even a fool learns to love

That day, that hateful day
The joke turned stale, the game was over
Those spiteful words "Oh, go away. Who wants to play?"
"It's getting late now."
My world, my funny world
Had lost its mask and shown a broken heart
A time, a sour time
When even a fool learns to love

But Oh, how I dreamed, a marvelous dream
Where all of the heavens or so it had seemed
With thunderous applause looked down from above
On a clown and an angel so much in love
I'll stay with my dream, it takes such a dream
And even a fool learns to love

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:38 PM

I assume you wouldn't like the Syd Vicious version either McGrath.

biLL

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:42 PM

Perhaps Syd Vicious's is the only rendering of My Way that treats it with the appropriate level of self disgust to match the words.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Mike K
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:46 PM

"My Heart Will Go On" by "La Banshee du Quebec" aka Celine Dion. She does go on, and on, and on...

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:48 PM

Hey Charmion, I LIKE "Black Velvet" (Alannah Myles) and "Walking in Memphis" (Bruce Hornsby I believe, about the only living ex-keyboard player with the Grateful Dead--he beat the curse by never officially joining the band, that's my theory).

No accounting for tastes...people just like what they like.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Beer
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:55 PM

I find just about any song once it has been played over and over it then becomes a pain. like Green Green Grass..., Lucille, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, Black Velvet Band, I Got a Tiger By the Tail, and so on. But maybe it's just me.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Joe_F
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 08:56 PM

I believe that the "their way" parody was written by Bob Blue.

The '50s, before mechanized tantrums took over, offered a great smorgasbord of ickiness. There was that one about miles & miles & miles of fart. And the one that rhymed "deserted" with "heard it". But let them remain nameless & rest in peace.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: pdq
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 09:04 PM

As to the Willie-O post, Avant-garde composer Tom Constanten was a major part of the Grateful Dead's 'space music' of the late 60s. Howard Wales, former Ronnie Hawkins keyboard man, was on American Beauty and Workingman's Dead. Both are fine, last anyone has heard. And Hornsby was an official member of the Grateful Dead. Sorry 'bout that.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: frogprince
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 09:15 PM

I always felt that "My Way" was the perfect Frank Sinatra song, virtually part and parcel of his persona. I do not mean that as a compliment.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 09:37 PM

You're right about that! ;-) My feelings exactly. That song fit him like no other. Frank Sinatra gives me the creeps. I don't find it "cool" to hang out with gangsters.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 10:00 PM

I would cast a vote for "Sexual Healing". Ick.

"My Way" haters can receive corrective therapy by listening to the Gipsy Kings "A Mi Manera". Forget the cheesy words and enjoy the music.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Puker
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 10:34 PM

God Save the Queen makes me want to vomit and scream at the same time, so maybe it'll kill me someday. Asphyxiation. I imagine my skin will be crawling when that happens.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 11:55 PM

Try singing it to the tune of "O Canada". ;-) Then try it to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner".

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:42 AM

"Chelsea morning" by Joni Mitchell....what on earth was she taking when she wrote it????

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Muttley
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:13 AM

Though I'm aware that this thread is entitled "Songs that make your flesh crawl..." . . . . . . but I'm not sure if that's supposed to be read in a good or bad way. If the fact that "Honey" is up there somewhere - - - I'd take it that it means the BAD way !!!

However, the other side of the coin can be pretty creepy too:

Don't know if you've ever heard John Williamson do "Wrinkles" or "The Breaker" - but they make your skin crawl in a REALLY good way.

Wrinkles is about the life-long love between an old man and his wife of MANY years and how after she "Leaves to fly with the Angels" he just quickly fades away himself.

The Breaker is about Harry 'Breaker' Morant: An Australian trooper who served in the Boer War. He was executed for killing a prisoner (according to standing orders to do so which were then denied at his trial) - the really eerie part is the very ending where the actor Bud Tingwell - who recites the 'spoken narrative lines as the trial judge, spreaks thus: "Harry Harboard Morant. This court finds you guilty as charged. You will be shot: at dawn. Thesounds dies out and in the quiet which follows, the 'Ready! Aim! of the firing squad commander can be heard followed by a moment of silence and then "FIRE!" followed by a volley of .303 rifles. Then the chorus begins REALLY quietly and slowly rises in volume.

Truly - the "hairs on the neckio......" stuff.

Another great skin-ceawler - in a good way is "Mary Did You Know" - especially the Kenny Rodgers versions (we won't go into Coward of the County here).

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:16 AM

Muttley, I'm glad you started the "crawl in a really nice way" bit because the song that came to my mind when I read the thread title was "Vimy" by Canadian band Tanglefoot. It's about the Canadian soldiers who fought and died at Vimy Ridge in WW1. The tight accapella vocals and the lyrics just make the hairs on the back of your neck crawl and I've seen grown men silently wipe away a tear or two. It's brilliant.

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:16 AM

'My Way', suitably improved by Monty Parkin:

She said she knew it all, 'cos she'd just read the Perfumed Garden,
As we bounced off the wall, she whispered, 'Whoops! I beg your pardon!
Let's try page 25, it looks a quite peculiar way'
I took a look, closed up the book, and did it her way.

My friends, I've had 'em all, no matter what their deviation,
I've kept a civil tongue, however weird its location.
When paired with Cherie Blair, I showed no sign of fear or dismay,
To compromise, I closed my eyes and did it her way.

For what is a man? What has he got?
Don't answer that, you'll get me shot!
He's got himself when things get bad,
And nothing else is to be had,
The record shows on all my clothes,
I did it my way.

And now the end is near, and now I face the final curtain,
I've run out of ideas, my passion's all gone for a burton,
We've done it in the wheelie bin, and on the fridge and up the stairway,
Now it's a bore, let's go next door and do it their way.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Alec
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:25 AM

"In a Broken Dream" makes my flesh crawl,but in a good day.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charmain
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:22 AM

"Suzanne" as sung by Judy Collins - brrrrrrr wierdie wierdie......never been able to figure out if I like it or if it makes me want to hide in a cupboard.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Grab
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:42 AM

I like Black Velvet, Walking in Memphis and What's Going On too - nothing wrong with them!

Flesh-crawling... Anything by Barry White. Any kind of castrated 50s and 60s American pop (that's castrated both in terms of singing and content). Any "cash-in" songs (Ghost Riders in the Sky, Camouflage, Achy Breaky Heart, etc.)

Graham.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 07:25 AM

Kilkelly Ireland, not only makes my flesh crawl it make me sick, and the total puke inducing, fleshcrawling ' Lightnin Express.'

eric, I think I'm gonna be sick

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Bee
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 07:55 AM

'Lay Lady Lay' by Bob Dylan - especially made my skin crawl in the early seventies, as a good many long-haired young men thought it was a perfect seduction song. Still can't listen to it without a shudder.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:22 AM

Walking In Memphis - wasn't that Marc Cohn song? By Marc it's fine, by The Plastic Lady (Cher) it's bloody awful! "Memphus"! Hmmmmmm!!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Teribus
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:36 AM

Without any shadow of a doubt "Sonny's Dream". Anytime I hear it start up I can close my eyes and imagine that guy Ryan, in Hungerford, humming it as he loaded up his shotgun.

Nice story from Muttley re Harry "Breaker" Morant:

"the really eerie part is the very ending where the actor Bud Tingwell - who recites the 'spoken narrative lines as the trial judge, spreaks thus: "Harry Harboard Morant. This court finds you guilty as charged. You will be shot: at dawn. Thesounds dies out and in the quiet which follows, the 'Ready! Aim! of the firing squad commander can be heard followed by a moment of silence and then "FIRE!" followed by a volley of .303 rifles."

But what is missing are what were Breaker Morant's immortal last words, "Shoot straight you bastards" shouted to the firing squad between the orders "Ready! Aim!" and "Fire".

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: bobad
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:47 AM

Bee, I recall reading somewhere that "Lay Lady Lay" was written for the movie "Midnight Cowboy" but "Everybody's Talking" was selected in it's stead. Does putting it into that context make it more palatable to you?

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 08:58 AM

And the one that rhymed "deserted" with "heard it". What's wrong with that as a rhyme? In fact in many accents it'd be perfect rhyme. In other accents, where people differentiate more between d and t, it's less close, but still a reasonable enough para-rhyme.

I'm not commenting in the song involved, because I haven't a notion what that'd be.
............................

I never really understand how familiarity with a sung can evoke strong dislike for it in people who had liked it before. I tend to feel, possibly unfairly, that who people get all scornful about songs that have become perhaps over-exposed for their own good, there's an element of the fashionista.

How I see it is, if a song is good, it's good for ever, but maybe it's not a bad idea to rest it from time to time, so it can come across fresh, or maybe it doesn't fit a particular singer any more. Like clothes, really.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charmain
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:12 AM

Awwww - Sonny's Dream - I like that one - it always reminded me of my Grandad... didn't know about the Hungerford connection...

My "Walking in Memphis" choice seems to be a talking point - think the reason it makes me wince is the line "blue as a boy could be" when the fella is evidently a man... I dunno, its all very subjective - there's no accounting for taste eh?

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Bee
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:18 AM

Bobad, that would be 'no'. I haven't seen the movie in years, but the only scene I can remember which might have had anything to do with the lyrics was pretty unpleasant. There's no accounting for taste, of course. 'Lucinda', by Randy Newman, is a rather horrifying narrative, but makes my skin crawl in a good way (but maybe I'm really odd).

Lucinda

We met one summer evening
As the sun was going down
She was lying on the beach
In her graduation gown
She was wrapped up in a blanket
(I could tell she knew her way around)
And as I lay down beside her
You know she never made a sound
On down the beach came the beach-cleaning man
Scoopin' up the papers and flattening down the sand
Lucinda, Lucinda, Lucinda - we've got to run away
That big white truck is closin' in
And we'll get wounded if we stay
Now Lucinda lies buried 'neath the California sand
Put under by the beach-cleaning man
Lucinda, Lucinda, Lucinda - why'd you have to go?
They sent her to high school
They sent her to low school
She just wouldn't go further

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: jimlad9
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:22 AM

In a Good way my flesh breaks out in Goosepimples at 'Flower of Scotland' 'Cwm Rhonddha'.
The froggie national anthem 'La Marsellaise' as well tho' I hate to admit it. It is way better than our German dirge 'God save the Queen'.



Now for skin crawling,puke inducing,cat kicking music.........

ANYTHING by Cliff Richards, but especially 'Living Doll'. It was sprung on the British public unannounced one evening and my gorgeous wife could not get a bucket in front of me quick
enough!.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charmain
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:31 AM

Good God - I'd forgotten about Cliff - think I'm going to vomit...

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:32 AM

Hey, Muttley and Terribus. Just to deviate a little. The film "Breaker Morant" with Edward Woodward and the book "Shoot Straight, You Bastards" are both excellent.
Cliff's "Lord's Prayer" makes me bilious BTW.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charley Noble
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:36 AM

Terribus-

Here's support for your nomination of the sentimental claptrap song titled "Sonny's Dream." It's such a claustrophobic song.

Now I likes some nostalgic songs. Lord knows, C. Fox Smith composed enough nautical poems like that which have been adapted for singing. But they usually have some kind of hard edge to them. I'm thinking of "Mariquita," "Sailortown," and "Port o' Dreams" for starters. I'm also fond of two such songs that Bob Zentz adapted from poems: "The Old Grey Squirrel" and "Sea Dog." But maybe if I heard them too many times, they'd drive me up the wall as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Alec
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:36 AM

For me the ultimate expression of Self-satisfied & unjustified self-righteousness is "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:40 AM

Now you surely have to like this version - Living Doll with the Cliff Richard being assisted by The Young Ones.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Skin Condition
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:41 AM

Yes, I thought it was E Woodward as well. Doesn't he recite some verse that sounds a bit like the R Kipling, R Service kind of idiom?
Agree with the opinion of songs that I know mentioned here, and would add the overlong "Wille McBride"/"Green Fields of France", and a hell of a lot of Bob Dylan. Anything by Cliff Richard. Anything by that moaning bastard from Dundee, is it Micheal Marra? Wonder what he'd sound like if they took him off the Mogadon.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Grab
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:52 AM

Oh yeah, Sonny's Dream is very odd - very Psycho. And Charmain, if your objection was to the Cher version of WiM, I entirely sympathise. My memory had thankfully erased memories of that. And the Madonna version of Fever - another travesty.

Still, "boy" when he's a young man ain't that bad. From the other side, think of My Girl, Girls just wanna have fun, Girl on a motorcycle...

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:00 AM

Woodward is a pretty decent singer in his own right. I seem to recall a recording he did some 15 years or so back of folk and parlour songs which was very listenable.
Agreed about Breaker Morant - one of my Desert Island flicks.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Charmain
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:03 AM

Like I said its a very subjective thing - You're right about the "girl" thing too.

I've never fully understood it myself as virtually everyone I know likes the song - for some reason it makes me shudder...

I'm quite happy for it to be just me that feels this way!

What about the Madonna version of American Pie - not a flesh creeper just crap!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Alec
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:08 AM

Edward Woodward's interpretation of "The Way You Look Tonight" has long been a particular favourite.
Very few songs are strong enough to fully withstand the hideous indignity of being covered by Bryan Ferry.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Captain Ginger
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:11 AM

At the risk of thread creep, the poem at the end of Breaker Morant was one of Morant's own. You'll find some of it here. His stuff is on a par with Lawson and Patterson in my view.
I don't know if anyone's set any of his stuff to music - Bob Bolton would probably know.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:51 AM

That Spice Girls thing that goes Tell-you-what-I-want-what-I-really-really-want

My brain always expired at that point so I never knew what it was called, and (I can't believe I did this) I actually Googled it to get the title. Wannabe. So there.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:23 AM

Funny how Teribus and I can't agree on politics, but we click so well when it comes to songlists! ;-) I've noticed that with pdq as well.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Chris G
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:42 AM

Babes in the Wood

The Barley Mow

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Scrump
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:54 AM

I never really understand how familiarity with a sung can evoke strong dislike for it in people who had liked it before. I tend to feel, possibly unfairly, that who people get all scornful about songs that have become perhaps over-exposed for their own good, there's an element of the fashionista.

How I see it is, if a song is good, it's good for ever, but maybe it's not a bad idea to rest it from time to time, so it can come across fresh, or maybe it doesn't fit a particular singer any more. Like clothes, really.

The above is a very interesting point made by McGrath of Harlow - probably worthy of its own thread.

Yes, maybe a song can go out of fashion because of over-exposure. But as a performer you would probably be sensitive to this and realise your audience would feel that way, and it would perhaps be daft to sing it in the face of this.

But you could be right, that a song might not suit a singer after a while, as things move on.

I guess things like Political Correctness might also influence a singer's decision to include a song or not, for fear of encountering opposition from the audience. Maybe it's a question of bravery or foolhardiness.

As there are plenty of good songs, I don't agonise too much if I have to leave the odd one out for reasons of over-familiarity or changing views.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Bee
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:59 AM

Little Hawk, on another forum where I post very sparingly (like once a month), there is a fellow who likes most of the same music I do. He is, however, a Christian fundamentalist who is sure I'm going to hell, and posts 'at me' with enormous contempt and even anger because of my socialist leanings. But he's the first one to help me find a song I'm looking for, and so music is the only reason I ever post in his internet vicinity. You usually can't tell a person's idealogy from their musical tastes.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 12:03 PM

You usually can't tell a person's ideology from their musical tastes.

Now that'd make an interesting thread, as it got argued back and forth. I think it'd all come down to how "usually" was defined.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: mrdux
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:16 PM

today's Portland Oregonian published the results of a reader's survey of the worst love songs of all time. the countdown:

5. "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy": 1910 Fruitgum Company.
4. "You Light Up My Life" (Debbie Boone's version was highlighted)
3. "You're Having My Baby": Paul Anka
2. "Afternoon Delight": The Starland Vocal Band
1. "Muskrat Love": Captain & Tennille

also mentioned were the entire oeuvres of Michael Bolton, Bread and Air Supply.

I can't say that I have any substantial disagreement.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: jimlad9
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:19 PM

Thanks McGrath I had forgotten about Cliffs version of Living Doll infinitely improved by
'The Young Ones'.


I understand that before Cliffs backing group 'The Shadows' joined him it was proposed to employ a girl group called 'The Climax Sisters' but then it was found that they could not come every night.

Also the Righteous Brothers took a lot of persuading not to use their real names
'Norfolk and Goode'

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: fat B****rd
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:53 PM

Edward Woodward sings "The Soldiers Of The King" over the credits for "Breaker Morant" and a sloppy love song in a flashback scene. I've heard him sing "The Way You Look Tonight" and it's rather lovely.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: bobbijo
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:30 PM

Really, really bad songs like 'Honey', 'Yummy,Yummy', and that Neil Diamond classic, 'I Am I Said' have their place in the camp pantheon. 'One Tin Soldier' is a good one too. Of that one I have fond memories. My daughter's misguided chorus teacher decided the 4th and 5th graders should sing it. The enterprising kiddies-- this being the year of OJ-- responded accordingly, coming up with a parody-- 'One White Bronco'. Out of the mouth of babes.

My skin crawls when I hear most contemporary childrens' songs. Deliver me from Raffi.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Muttley
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:34 PM

Fair Go, Ginger.

Morant's poetry was good but to put him in the league with Lawson and Patterson is stretching it a bit - sorta like putting James Herbert in the same league as Shakespeare or Chaucer.

Given that Harry Morant was (from memory) English-born; I'd put his interpretation of Australian life as expressed in poetry and prose in a league with that of Eric Bogle - the Scots-born lyricist who seems to have a far better understanding of the Aussie psyche than most Aussies (and I'd put him on a par just below that of John Williamson who is, in turn the step below Lawson and Patterson.

Mind you - Morant and Bogle would STILL be above Ted Egan and MILES above the likes of James Blundell & Lee Kernaghan.

If you recall the end of the movie that part where the men go to their seats in front of the firing squad and are walking towards them, they reach out and hold hands - that incredibly poignant depiction was a piece of inspired improv on Woodwards part - when they did that there wasn't a dry eye in the house: male OR female.

It was also the Breaker Morant incident that led to the decision to take control of Australian soldiers in France and Turkey - both tactical and disciplinary - away from the British High Command and place them under Australian commanders. This way no Australian soldiers would ever be executed 'as an example' as so many British soldiers were. The Captains Letter is a great example of the latter.

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:36 PM

Any song that uses kids to sing the chorus. Yuk!

Sal

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Muttley
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 05:36 PM

"Sing!" Sing a Song! Make it simple - - to last your whole life long.

That what you were referring to there Sal?

Know what you mean: a couple are OK - John Williamson's version of Home Among the Gum Trees on his Family Album isn't TOO bad - though allt the voices in the chorus ARE his family including adults and kids.

Besides - have you ever heard the Australian Children's Choir doing "I Still Call Australia Home" for the QANTAS ad? REAL goose-pimple stuff. An absolute flersh-crawler in the best way possible: especially when they start singing:
"Someday we'll all be together once more
When all of our ships will come back to the shore..."

I just can NOT keep a dry eye when i hear that

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Richard in Manchester
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:57 PM

What's the difference between chicken-pox sores under the foreskin and "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners? One's the most excruciating irritant imaginable, the other will be gone in a few days.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 07:33 PM

The disco version of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony called "A Fifth of Beethoven".

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Muttley
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 07:38 PM

Stephen; you are CRUEL man - I've been trying to forget that one for years - - - - - successfully until now!!!

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Joe_F
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:29 PM

McGrath: I agree that rhyming "deserted" & "heard it" is not, in itself, an offense. But after I heard it the tenth time in the local greasy spoon in the summer of 1957, it took on a patina of grease.
http://www.bestlyrics.org/K/0/katie-melua/learning-the-blues/
if you really want to know.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: kendall
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:32 PM

Breaker Morant is one of the best films I have ever seen.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Alec
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 02:50 AM

And,of course, absolutely anything by Melanie but particularly her take on "Ruby Tuesday" is guaranteed to make me wince.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Nelie Clatt
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 04:24 AM

Anything by the Spice Girls, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want, is kick your collective heads in.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:41 AM

When the brass band plays the Good Comrade, with the muffled drum sounding the Dead Roll on Memorial Day.
Can't stop my tears

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Connie Sewer
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 11:15 AM

Thanks to Capt Ginger for those examples of Morant's verse.

I've seldom heard a more unpleasant, indeed ugly, voice than whichever of the Spice Chicks it was that sung "It's raining men".

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 03:14 PM

You've got a set of lyrics which rhymes "love her" with "another", and "constantly" with "memory", Joe - and you pick out derted/heard it as the one to complain about!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 03:24 PM

That daft bloody thing by Prefab Sprout, with the meaningless line "Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerqe". Twee and complete horseshit.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 03:39 PM

How Do You Like Me Now? - Toby Keith

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Muttley
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 05:39 PM

Two Words: PAPER LACE !!!

Muttley

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Brakn
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 05:56 PM

Sandi Thom - I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker and

most things by Oasis and similar.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 06:50 PM

TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE was a low point for Willie Nelson, whom I usually like. What made him want to sing with Julio Iglesias anyway?

Anybody remember Barbra Streisand's MY COLORING BOOK?

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 11:54 AM

I'll have to second Jim Dixon's TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE.

I also wonder what made Willie want to sing with Toby Keith.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Old Grizzly
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:38 PM

I'll sing you one o .....


I'm outa there as fast as my legs will carry me !

D

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Ref
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:39 PM

Love Marc Cohn's "Walkin' In Memphis." Looking for lyrics to "Vimy." Almost any melodic anthem, national or otherwise, sung before a good crowd where the crowd JOINS IN! Our (USA) national anthem WHEN sung by some twit as though auditioning for American Idol and listened to by crowd in stunned silence, unable to figure in what direction the soloist is going!

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: jimlad9
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:16 PM

I understand that British Airways are planning to print the words to all Cliff Richards songs inside their 'sicky-bags'.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:30 PM

Okay, folks, here is the final word on flesh-crawling recordings.

Listen in stunned disbelief to the ultimate and crowning melodramatic horror...as Paul Anka sings and mugs his way through "My Way" in a duet with Frank Sinatra's ghostly voice while a gigantic orchestra plays along. It must have been done as a tribute to Sinatra, judging by the format. Strictly black tie at this event. I bet the tickets were $600 apiece.

Anka and Sinatra do "My Way" together!

If you're still able to function after that, go and look up Sid Vicious doing the same song on YouTube. It's a good antidote to the usual version.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Joe_F
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 09:31 PM

McGrath: Absolutely. It's not the worst rhyme in the world, or even in that song, but it haunts my memory as the epitome of sleaze.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: Amergin
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 12:02 AM

Muttley, I agree with you on the two John Williamson songs you you mentioned....Wrinkles is a beautiful song....

My neck hairs rise though when he is singing Raining on the Rock...especially the part "Uluru is/has power"

I lso love his Little Girl From the Dryland....and Galleries of Pink Galahs.

Anyways when I saw the title of the thread I instantly thought of that creepy Sting song....Every Breath You Take....

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 12:13 AM

That stupiad ass "Have You Forgotten" song about 9-11.

Subject: RE: Songs that make your flesh crawl...
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 12:13 AM

and it's "stupid ass" too.