In my day (hundreds of years ago) we had to learn and recite many, many poems. We enjoyed it and of course they've stayed in our heads all this time. Meg Merilees, Charge of the Light Brigade, The Lady of Shalott, not to mention long quotes from most of Shakespeare's plays, particularly Othello. I'd like to put forward 'Ode to Billy Joe' as an example of superb music and haunting words. And The Toothbrush Song (Max Bygraves) Surreal!