Songs that no one likes but you

Subject: Songs that no one likes but you
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 01:20 PM

I have been playing music for and with others, either informally or for actual compensation, for a long time--though I have gained little fame, and had none of what one might call success, I have played a lot of songs, often to good effect. But there have been songs that no one seemed to ever like but me.

I have always, for instance, been fond of "The Jam on Gerry's Rocks", which never seems to get much response from anyone. "The Unquiet Grave", unaccountably, never draws much response, and among more contemporary things, "Mad About the Boy" is generally ignored, as are "There's a Small Hotel" and "I Cover the Waterfront"

As a general rule, of course, when songs don't get much response, I leave them off my set lists(even songs that I have written myself, such as "Stick it in your Ear, Uncle Fud", and "I'm OK, You're OK, and he's not to Bad") but they are songs that I like, and would like to perform--

With that in mind, I am curious about songs that the rest of you like, but have not had much luck with.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Justa Picker
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 01:32 PM

I am the only one in my family that LOVES bluegrass music. I can only listen to it and enjoy when alone in my car. If I have it playing, in proximity of anyone in my family it "Dad, please turn that crap off."

The rest of the time I am forced to endure Britanny Spears, Destiny's Child, Baha Men, N-Sync, Backstreet Boys, and other most forgetable music...which is why I made the office in my home sound proof, for those sanity saving escapes from time to time. :-)

...Out of all the stuff my 11 year old daughter listens to, the only artist I will confess to liking is Christina Aguilera (but only certain songs), who I happen to think is exceptionally talented. (I mean that....but don't spread it around!)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:02 PM

Oh I can't tell you THAT. It might turn our someone lese here likes them too, then it wouldn't be true anymore.

*G*

Worse, enough of you might like them that I'd tell my IRL pals they are all wrong, and then there'd be a mess!

~S~

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:03 PM

I love classical and opera, but I've been ridiculed all my life from everyone around me. One of my absolute favorites is the Wedding Sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor. It's hard for me to understand why others aren't moved by it. Same with the last movement of Beethoven's 6th Symphony.

Then there's Bonnie Doon (Ye Banks and Braes).

I'm tempted to say to others, "You just don't get it!" But I just try to keep an open mind and listen to their music too. I came to appreciate opera, Bach, jazz and even Mozart late in life.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: mooman
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:16 PM

Mary...Well I like "Ye Banks and Braes of Bonny Doon" so there's at least two of us!

A lot of people here don't like Ani DiFranco but I think she's a great songwriter, singer and guitarist. Saw her live a couple of weeks ago, what a great performer!

Although I was brought up with mainly traditional music I think I'm reasonably eclectic in my taste so we have a huge selection of different stuff!

mooman

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Mr Red
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 02:37 PM

I usually sing the "Unquiet Grave" when in doubt and the audience are a little serious. Having said that I am often on the verge of humour but never quite there, and plenty of pathos.
I am known as a joker so maybe they wait for the punchline that doesn't come and applaud out of relief.
I can't say it never fails but almost never. Maybe I read the audience.
A few times I sang it with one of those voice operated wagging flowers, and it got more laughs still in the verse about dying flower.

having said that there are plenty of times with some songs when the silence was so oppressive I wished I had chosen "safe".

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Chicken Charlie
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:21 PM

I have the weird experience of trying to play folk music with three people who until lately did not have any background in it. I get plenty of moans & groans about anything long, and now await the occasional solo gig where I can do Barbree Ellen. Have also had to at least momemtarily shelve Red River Valley and Maggie and Lorena, the last-named of which really hacked me off because of the work I put into the banjo solo. They say it's in the wrong key; I don't know whether I buy that or not. They also vetoed "Wreck of the Royal Palm," but I won't fight that; I can't decide myself whether that's a good song or not. (a) It has every cliche in the world in the lyrics and (b) it's too "happy" a melody for a song about a tragedy. Hey diddle-diddle, everybody's dead. Problem is, I like it, but I can live without performing it. Not so Lorena and Maggie. As Fu Manchu once said, "The world will hear from me again." Unfortunately I am so fond of my colleagues that they know when I say I'm just going to go hire union musicians, I don't mean it. Mainly I couldn't afford it.

Ah well.

CC

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:28 PM

I once sang Lonesome Robin, and, a guy asked "Why the hell would anyone write such a song?" It's useless to play the violin in front of an ox.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:32 PM

Mary, I'm surprised at you listing "Ye Banks and Braes O'Bonnie Doon" - I love it.

As for opera, it is something I have been forced to endure on many occasions as my father loves it. There is little of it I like and I'm afraid that sceaching soprano's go through me - sort of like the effect of running fingers down a blackboard - mind you Bob Dylan has had that effect on me too...

Jon

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Chicken Charlie
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:33 PM

Kendall--My favorite variant on that is "Never try to teach a pig to whistle; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig." Had a roomie once who said of Shakespeare, "If somebody wrote like that today, they'd say he was crazy." He must have been related to your guy.

CC

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Gary T
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:37 PM

Heck, half of my repertoire probably fits this category. I always figured everbody else ain't got no taste.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,SharonA
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:51 PM

MacArthur Park. Okay, I'm not crazy about the line about the cake in the rain, but I love the tune!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 03:57 PM

I should have clarified that Bonnie Doon statement. Most folks don't seem to like it as much as I do. (It hit me hard when I was very young.) Many people really do like it though, especially people that like traditional music. And as far as opera, I guess I've been blessed with hearing fine singers. Too often we associate opera with cartoon stereotypes that are quite silly and exagerated. I feel the same way about madrigal singing; so much so that I'm better off just hearing it without seeing the performers.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Matt_R
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:00 PM

Well, that would be about 99% of what I play and sing.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Jon W.
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:08 PM

I play mostly for my own enjoyment and my song circle. They've always been kind. As I practice, my wife will occasionally say either "that's good" or "Why do you like that song?" which I take to mean "that's bad." She says that about Greensleeves and Danny Boy, which I'm the first to admit have both been done to death but I still think are two of the greatest tunes in the world.

Incidently I just learned "Lorena" and sang it at the last song circle, but to ease the 21st century listeners, I left out the last half of one verse ("But then, 'tis past, the years are gone...") and the first half of the next one ("The story of the past, Lorena..."). It doesn't make much difference to the narrative. I play it in "G" which is a little high for my voice but still a fairly normal key. I'd like to hear your banjo solo, Charlie.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: MMario
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:09 PM

Matt - sometimes I wanna reach out and shake you, my friend. I've heard an awful lot of songs sung by you - and while I wouldn't have chosen some of them to sing myself (or could have sung if I wanted to - you have an incredible amount of talent fella!) - I can only think of a couple I didn't enjoy. And given the number of years between us - that is understandable.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: RangerSteve
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 04:29 PM

While my first love is old-time country music, I have a fondness for Hit Parade tunes from the 40's and 50's, especially Swinging on a Star, Lavender Blue, and Mona Lisa, the last of which strikes me as a totally obsurd song, but I love it. When I'm alone at work, I find myself putting on my best crooning voice and singing these, along with a lot of show tunes. I'd never perform those in public, mostly because they don't go well with a clawhammer banjo, and because I'd probably drive my audience away. Hit Parade tunes just don't have the audience they deserve.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 05:53 PM

"I ain't
gwine down
to dat
Red Cross Sto no mo

--Mississippi Fred McDowel (sp?)

Of course, I don't have his splendid voice...

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 05:59 PM

It's useless to play the violin in front of an ox.

Reminds me of a quote from St. Clive:

Even people who hate music will flock to see a man play the harp, if he plays with his toes.

Pearls before swine and all that.

Alex

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: sophocleese
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:03 PM

I love singing long ballads with death and other grim things in them. I cannot sing too many to an audience though. I'm having fun learning some version of the Well Below the Valley, but will have to wait at song circle till I'm sitting next to someone who sings humourous songs. One awful evening at song circle three people in a row sang long sad songs. They may or may not have been done well but by the end of the third one everbody was getting really, really down. Also one of the first open stages we had a few years ago we had several performers in a row sing us murder ballads, personal songs about child abuse, or political songs about gross injustice. The audince just kept filtering away.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: gnu
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:08 PM

Just about all the songs that I TRUUUULY LOOOVVVE. I call them Irish dirges. Jug Of This, Wind That Shakes The Barley, Eileen Aroon, and so on.... "And what's it to any man whether I'm sloooooow, Whether I'm easy or whether I'm truuuue, As I lifted her pettycoat.... These are real party killers, but I absolutely love em. May Morning Dew is another one of my all time favourites, but the ultimate is The Parting Glass. Of course, everyone likes ( admires ?) that one, so, maybe, it doesn't count.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Chicken Charlie
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:12 PM

Jon W: "My" version is the best I can do with John Hartford's version, which was on his two-tape banjo instruction vid., with tabs. I do the same three verses he does, although cheating back toward the original wording in #1. Problem with the key is, he tabbed it as if for standard, but played it on a banjo strung down to E-flat. Not having the luxury of a second decent banjo yet, I declined to play that game. I am now re-learning it in an open D, & we'll see how that goes over.

CC

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:26 PM

Sophocleese,I love those long, grim songs with death and such things in them, and wish that people would just relax and enjoy them. I have to agree with the audienc on the personal songs about child abuse though, as I think that is going to far for a little applause--Mr. Red, thank you for the tip on playing "The Unquiet Grave"--I have a dancing Christmas tree, but I don't think it will have the same effect.

RangerSteve, I think that Mona Lisa on clawhammer banjo would be just about right, and I encourage you to take it out for company. Ray Stevens had a banjo version of "Misty", and I think that I liked it even more that "Guitarzan". Charlie, I would be a bit dubious about how anybody that didn't know anything about folk music would know what the right or wrong key for anything was--I put it off to "banjo-envy".

I must confess that it has been a good longtime since some scalawag carried off my banjo, but all these stories related to banjo-ostracizement make me hanker to find another one--

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Finny
Date: 19 Jun 01 - 06:26 PM

My two are 'I spent my last ten dollars on birth control and beer' don't remember who it's by, but I love the song and 'I have tears in my ears from lying on my back while I cry over you'

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From:
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:10 AM

the Wedding Song and Marching to Praetoria...mg

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:16 AM

Finny... I got that one off Napster... the "last $10..." one... it's either by "Women Like Us" or "2 Nice Girls"

Funny stuff!

I like all kinds of music that only people with good taste would like!

;-)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 05:57 AM

I will admit to a secret penchant for Stand By Your Man (Tamy Whynette). Its such a lovely song - when I'm good enough I'll sing it.
Long songs don't always go down well at singarounds (people being anxious for their turn to come around). I long to do 'Blow the Winds High-O' and 'King Henry'. I have no idea of the real tune to King Henry, so I made one up & I really like it - but it bored Mark nearly to tears, so I haven't yet dared......
I've also written a child-abuse song, which came out of discovering that a product I was asked to work on would be in effect providing a tool for anyone who wished to locate and lure children (mobile phone text based flirting application). The song is about where you draw the line of responsibility. I refused to work on the product, as did my colleagues & the business eventually went elsewhere. Which still doesn't stop it though.... Anyway, the point I was going to make was that the song was great thought-therapy for me, but I doubt if I would ever impose it on anyone else as a performance. It would feel like aggressively trying to force a reaction & might even cheapen the song.
Perhaps there are some songs that should remain private.

Kris

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:04 AM

One of my favourite songs is Neil Diamond's "Cracklin' Rose". Absolutely brilliant. I know of no one else with similar tastes in music to me that actually likes it.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:11 AM

I have quite a broad taste in music - folk music is my first love.
I even like Oasis!
But the thing that annoys my family more than anything is my great enjoyment of Gilbert & Sullivan operettas. I can sing Iolanthe all the way through - both male and female chorus and all the other parts - even the instrumental bits
Patrish

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:28 AM

Cracklin' Rose is great! Who are these people that don't like it? Have they no ears?

Kris

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Lyndi-loo
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:34 AM

I'm afraid I lost my street cred by buying a Dolly Parton greatest hits (careful how you say that!) CD in a momement of weakness after seeing her on a chat show. I play it when I'm alone in the car otherwise it's greeted with howls of derision

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:48 AM

Hurrah! I am not alone!!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 07:01 AM

I have Barry Manilow's greatest hits
Patrish

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: forty two
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 08:10 AM

Now, a song that I love singing is McCrimmon's Lament. It's taken from the piping tune writen by the man himself when he forsaw his own death in a dream. The McCrimmons were the pipers for the McLeods of Skye. So, he was killed in a skirmish and his sister put the words to the air.

It's short as far as ballads go about death and all that - only four verses. But the phrase that describes it well, I have taken, I think, came from Stephen Stills - "It starts off real slow and then sort of fizzles out altogether" I love that phrase, it suits all kinds of situations. And no matter what anybody else says I love McCrimmons Lament and will keep on singing it!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: RangerSteve
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 09:45 AM

MTed, you may be right about "Mona Lisa" on clawhammer banjo, I forgot how well "Misty" by Ray Stevens worked out. Another song that I worked out on banjo is "To Each His Own", an old Ink Spots tune. It was made to be clawhammered. I guess anything is possible. lindy-loo - You need new friends. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Dolly Parton. Keep playing that tape. Patrish - I suppose it's too much to recommend that you get a new family. In my daydreams I cast myself as Koko in the Mikado. I practically know it by heart. I'm going to memorize The Gondoliers next.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 09:54 AM

I always think the men get the best songs in G&S. I can also do "Ruddigore" and "Pirates"
I once sang "three little maids" when at school. I have seen then all about 3 or 4 times and been in amateur productions - loads of happy memories
Patrish

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Matt_R
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 10:21 AM

Personally, I love G&S! Does anyone know "The Flowers That Grow In The Spring"? I LOVE that song!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: RangerSteve
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 10:28 AM

It's "the Flowers that Bloom in the Spring". One of the best tunes in an operetta that has no bad songs. We're getting off the subject of the thread here, but while the men may have the best songs in G&S, the women have the most beautiful parts. The Moon and I, and Katisha's lament about lost love are perfect examples.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 10:39 AM

Justa Picker,

I too have an eleven year old daughter as well as a nine year old son. I have been subjected to Destiny's Child, N'Sync, The Bathroom Boys etc. I can't stand it. However they like some of the stuff I listen to.

I was at a 40th birthday party on Saturday. I was asked to bring in some music. I brought in about 100 CD's and it became very obvious to me that I have almost nothing that the majority of people like.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 11:30 AM

Kris/KingBrilliant: What the heck is a "mobile phone text based flirting application"? I find it hard to visualize how such a thing might work.

My wife is a fan of "Stand By Your Man." She would gladly sing it at parties, complete with overwrought sobbing, whining, drawling, whatever - if I would let her. If she ever tries that again, I will get revenge by singing, "Put Another Log on the Fire," or maybe "It's Hard To Be Humble."

By the way, I do appreciate some songs that fall into the "It's so bad it's good" category, but when performing them, I think they should be done as "straight" as possible. In other words, if you telegraph to the audience that you intend to be ironic, you spoil the joke. So don't exaggerate accent, mannerisms, emotion, etc. And do enunciate!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 11:39 AM

I wallow in all the "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us" (Everly Bros, 1950s). Devastated at Linn's party when a man with a banjo (you know how I feel about men with banjos) played "The Lightening Express" and then smirked about what crap the whole album is. SIGH.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Matt_R
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 11:42 AM

Backdoor Boys
N'Stynk
69 Degrees

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:07 PM

I can honestly say there are no such songs. "Nobody" is a pretty exclusive word. There's always somebody who likes any given song...although, I once sang an almost endless version of "The Cat Came Back" at the Orillia song circle, and almost everybody started objecting vociferously after about the 15th verse. I wonder why?

- LH

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:12 PM

Jim Dixon - text-based flirting is basically like a chat-room thing. You get matched up with people according to your registered personal details. You then send messages back & forth. In my opinion it would be SO easy to identify vulnerable parties and then reel them in. Of course not many people have evil intentions, but it only takes one.... and you know how kids love texting? To my mind it was like giving children a loaded gun. If you have a quick trawl around the internet you'll find plenty of ads for this sort of service. I can't do anything to stop it existing, but I can refuse to build one. I had a lot of problems coming to terms with the fact that some of the management didn't feel the same way. Hence it all spilled out into a song.

As to Stand by Your Man - I actually mean that I love the song. I don't think its so bad its good - I actually think its a wonderful song in its own right. When I get good enough to carry it through I want to sing it completely straight & try to help rehabilitate it. Its an ambition of mine - peculiar though I know that to be.
Mind you I'd probably love your wife's overwrought version too!

Kris

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 12:18 PM

I play with the Long Island Traditional Music Contra Dance Orchestra. One of my personal favorites, that gets boos when ever I start is "Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road" .

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Mudlark
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 01:24 PM

I have put a lot of folks to sleep with The Twa Sisters and all 463 verses of Matty Groves, especially a drinking crowd....unless it's in that last boozy stage of everyone needing a good cry....

I persist because I love these old songs, they make me feel connected, all umpteen verses, to a time when information was passed on verbally rather than electronically.

As far as listening....definitely Tom Waits. I know I am not the only person in the world to love this guy's style and material...I'm just the only person in MY world who does...

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 01:50 PM

Hey Guest, Mark!

Louden Wainwright III is fantastic!

;-)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Grab
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 02:02 PM

I can see the shuffling of bottoms when I start "Chicken on a Raft" or "Charlie's Pigeon". I've never yet dared to do "Famous blue raincoat" - I've only sung it once in public, and that was at 2am when the entire pub was blind drunk.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 02:09 PM

"Charlie's Pigeon"?? You mean the song called "KING OF ROME"? By David Sudbury, and recored, for one, by Garnet Rogers on his CD "Small Victories"?

starts off
"In the west end of Darby lives a working man
He say's I can't fly but my pigeons can."

That one?

If so... 2 points...

One, if you're gonna perform contemporary peoples music, please make the extra effort to get the author, song title and lyrics right! Give credit where it's due... we would not presume to rewrite Shakespeare... And you'd be pretty ticked if someone out there butchered a song you wrote...

And 2! You can sing that song any time for me! I LOVE IT!

;-)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 02:16 PM

I really like American Pie. And Edmund Fitzgerald.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:06 PM

Those of my friends who listen to folk keep shaking their heads in disbelief when I listen to Missy Elliot. And the others shake their heads when I come up with "obscure stuff" like The Watersons. Both parties shake their heads when I listen to Mahler's 10th Symphony.

I guess I am an eclectic ;-)

(Oh, and nobody at all likes Yma Sumac...)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:08 PM

Depends what dipping sauce that comes with Jane...

;-)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Benjamin
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 05:11 PM

For the most part, I don't think it's that people don't like what I like, they just don't know about what I like. Seems like if I discover a new artist, they will never get big around here.
I've been getting into an Indonisian singer named Anggun. I can't figure out why I'm the only one I know who listens to her and one of two people who've even heard her. She's huge in other countries.
I'm also still having trouble getting people to spend 6 of 7 dollars on Ana Vidovic's (the hottest prodigy of all time) CD. World domination will have to be put on hold for a while.
Mary, there's a lot of students in my school who love oprea and have tried to discuss it with me. I don't have any problems with them talking until they start insulting guitar music.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Dorrie
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 06:40 PM

with me its a whole group Coope boyes and Simpson and i think they ROCK but people always say they dont like them-the lots of u are wrong u'll realise -mwahahahaahaha(evil laugh) love dorrie xxx

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Bugsy
Date: 20 Jun 01 - 10:24 PM

Just about everything I sing in a serious vein. I am reasonably well known in my region as a humerous entertainer. Thus everyone expects all my music to be either of a humerous or uptempo blues nature. It's a bit of a pisser one way or another.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Pelrad
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 12:12 AM

I sing the ballad of Tam Lin that I learned from a Watersons album. I sing it only for myself, as I have learned that nobody, not even my doting husband, wants to listen to a song that goes on for 25 minutes. Whenever I'm in the car for a nice long ride I sing it to myself. There's a great pleasure in remembering so many verses and telling a story.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 09:35 AM

I suppose anything I sing would qualify! My entire record collection is a mystery to most of my acquaintances but Herself and a few close friends DO appreciate it and , what the hell, it's MY house, I'll play (and sing!) what the hell I like, and not criticise whth they play when I go to them! I do try to tailor it to my jazz/blues/. folk/R&R friends though.
RtS ("Ah one for the money...")

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Kim C
Date: 21 Jun 01 - 05:30 PM

I'd listen to Tam Lin. It's a great story. (I have that Watersons CD by the way)

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Morticia
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 08:01 AM

I think Coope,Boyes and Simpson Rock!! Think they're at Towersey this year.....deep joy!I know a lot of people don't care for parodies but I love 'em.The ones that take the pee out of the most venerated songs can have my friends with not a tooth left ungnashed....whilst I am clutching my stomach and falling about in helpless gales of laughter.Each to his own, I say.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 08:21 AM

Clinton - what's this about not presuming to rewrite Shakespeare? I would if I so fancied.
Pelrad - I can relate to that Tam Lin in the car thing. Cars are marvellous for pleasuring yourself with a favourite indulgent song. Tam Lin could keep me going all the way to Maidenhead (tee hee - just realised that's a pun) (about 10 miles).
Parodies I'm never too sure of. Some are hilarious & some are just irritating and smug. I expect I'm just jealous because I can't write them.

Kris

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Grab
Date: 22 Jun 01 - 11:08 AM

Yes, Clinton, the official title is "King of Rome". But I learned it as "Charlie's Pigeon", so I will tend to refer to it as that, regardless of if it's wrong. Sorry! :-)

I may hold you to that promise, if I see you over in Detroit over the next month or so. I'll contact ddw when I get over there and see what he's up to, and I think he's got your number. Otherwise, there's a couple of open-mics in Ypsilanti which are close at hand.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 01:38 AM

KingBrilliant: Pardon the thread creep, but I want to say how much I admire you for refusing to work on a project that is morally questionable. I have encountered some questionable projects myself -- nothing as serious as child abuse -- more like helping a company to market shoddy merchandise -- and so far I have just held my nose and gone along with it. You give me food for thought.

Now I feel guilty about bad-mouthing "Stand By Your Man." I'm sure when you do it, it will be good. There's nothing like sincerety: when you can fake that, you've got it made.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Mrrzy
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 08:42 PM

I like bluegrass, I like disco, and I love The Unquiet Grave. But it's the disco that gets me in trouble, I think, more than the bluegrass... even here...

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: 53
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 09:28 PM

I came into this thread to see if anyone put "Dead Skunk In the Middle of the Road" ! And I see it is here. A few months ago when my husband first downloaded it from Napster, I couldn't stand it. But now it has been added to my practice list -I am just learning rhythm guitar - and the more I play it the more I like it because it is fun to play and so so funny!!

Glenda

Subject: Lyr Add: THE PIG GOT UP AND SLOWLY WALKED AWAY
From: 53
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 09:51 PM

Oh, Bob likes another besides that 'Dead Skunk' song too. Pig's Song (don't know origin, author, etc) just tune and chords:

It was early last September,
As near as I can remember,
I strolled down a lane in tipsy pride,
Not a word did I utter,
as I lay down in the gutter,
and this pig came and lay down by my side.

Not a soul was I disturbing
as I lay there by the curbing
This high-time lady came, and I heard her say,
You can tell a man who boozes
by the company he chooses
and the pig got up and slowly walked away.

Email us for chords if you want this.

Glenda and Bob

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 11:44 PM

I didn't know the Watersons were obscure> I love Red Cross Store and one of my favourites, which no one seems to like but me, is Gemtle Annie.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:41 AM

53/Glenda and Bob: There are 3 songs in DigiTrad called "Pig and the Inebriate," "Pig and the Inebriate 2 (long version)," and "Pig and the Inebriate 3." The first corresponds to what you call "Pig's Song." The other 2 are longer and more elaborate.

Another thread says Ed McCurdy recorded "The Pig and the Inebriate" in 1956.

Other sources say "The Pig Got Up and Slowly Walked Away" was written by Benjamin Hapgood Burt in 1933, and recorded by Frank Crumit in 1934. This seems to be the same song as "The Pig and the Inebriate."

The latter song is currently available on a CD called Laugh Laugh Laugh: Anthology of American Comedy .

In several places on the Internet you can find a list called "The Worst Country Song Titles" and one of the items is "You Can Tell the Man Who Boozes (By the Company He Chooses)." However, AMG - The All Music Guide lists no such song.

Research is fun!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Orac
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 08:59 AM

Clinton Hammond...(re: King of Rome) Its not Darby its Derby. Its a true story too. Personally I don't like the song much, but many do.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: pattyClink
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 12:39 PM

Gipsy Kings "A mi manera", My Way, is one of the coolest things ever recorded. Nobody else gets it.

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: M.Ted
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:41 PM

I love their version of "Volare: as well--another song that no one likes as much as I do--

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: Matt_R
Date: 25 Jun 01 - 06:57 PM

Ha MTed! I love to sing it MORE! Lol!

Subject: RE: Songs that no one likes but you
From: pattyClink
Date: 26 Jun 01 - 12:10 PM

cOOL, mTed! We are not crazy! Anybody who Wants to Get It, get a copy of The Heist (the one with Pierce Brosnan) and watch it til the end. A fine moment in cinema as well.