I think a number of the songs listed above don't deserve the criticism they've received here. We've listed a lot of pretty-good songs, and even a few wonderful ones. I think it's just a matter of familiarity breeding contempt. Either that, or we make the mistake of calling a song "profound" when it doesn't deserve the title.
"A Place in the Choir (All God's Critters" is a cute song, but people perform it in church and draw all sorts of deep meaning out of it - and that sort of treatment simply destroys a song. Same with "Waltzing With Bears" - call it cute, fun, whimsical - but PLEASE don't call it inspiring.
Once upon a time, I made a request at a John McCutcheon concert - that he NOT perform "Christmas in the Trenches." He didn't honor my request. I really enjoy his concerts, but I've certainly grown tired of that song. It's a nice song, all right, but enough is enough.
McCutcheon redeemed himself recently by writing "Johnny Don't Lick That Pipe," a song that explains why we Midwesterners are so attracted to pump handles in the winter. I had to move to California so that nothing dreadful could happen to me.
-Joe Offer-