50 worst songs ever

Subject: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 09:41 PM

Blender magazine has come our with their
50 worst songs of all times. There's more on the "winners" here. You have to buy the magazine for the complete list; it's not online. Some of them may be close to "folk music".

Comments?

Anyone care to compile a "50 worst folks songs ever"?

Cheers,

                      -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 09:53 PM

When Irish eyes are smiling
Danny Boy
The Unicorn
Puff the magic dragon
Country Roads
Bright Eyes (read the book, seen the film, and eat the cast!)
Me an Sue an a dog named Boo
I've got a brand new bicycle
D I V O R C E ( done that!)
Two little boys

Well thats a starter for ten....

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Amos
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:22 PM

Rocky Mountain High
The Kingston Trio version of Tom Dooly
Michael Row the Boat Ashore


....makes thirteen.


A

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:29 PM

Having My Baby
Knock Three Times
MacArthur Park
The Monkees Theme Song

Hows that for stinking up the Juke Box in Hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:36 PM

GUEST: Were those nominated in the "folk song" category?

Cheers,

                      -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:36 PM

Timothy
Bilbo Baggins
I am Woman (hear me snore!)
DOA

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:39 PM

"Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro was the worst song ever written or performed...

And as fir that stupid song about the "cake", and the rain??? Hmmmmm. ougtta rething deinstitutionalization...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 10:48 PM

Oh, for a rousing chorus of "Oh, Danny Boy" in what passes for harminy wile in a drunken stoopour on Sanit PAddy's dayy..... <*burp*>

As a side note, I used to host the "Celtic Airs" Tuesday morning folk show on WWUH a while back, so I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to Celtic music. Imagine my mordant chuckles while listening to another radio station one Saint Paddy's day, when, after they'd been playing those wonderful standbys such as mentioned above, they thought they'd treat their listeners to some more "traditional" Irish music. On came some instrumentals with that reknown Celt Mark O'Connor (IIRC) amongst others, playing "Blackberry Blossom", and "St. Anne's Reel". . . .    ;-)

I think the "Unicorn Song" is one of the best songs ever, penned by the incomparable Uncle Shelby. Of course, it's perfectly fair to put it on the "worst ever" list as well; who says it can't be both?

Surprised that no one has mentioned the "Banana Boat Song". That's one of those songs that seem pretty silly on paper, but where the genius comes out is in seeing what a master can do with what little he's got. . . .

Cheers,

                               -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Amos
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 11:05 PM

If you guys are opening the list up to Pops stuff we'll be here all night!


A

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 11:30 PM

Hey, no one sets the rules. I was asking for people's opinions on folk music, but you're free to chime in on the Blender's list as well.

I think it might be more interesting to see which folk (or alleged "folk") tunes are real steamers, but it may also be interesting to see which tunes people think are really folk. ;-)

So maybe people could indicate which category the nominations are for? . . . Don't be shy, there will not be any exam, nor any grades.

Cheers,

                                 -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: LadyJean
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 11:44 PM

Let us consider AM rock of the sixties, and such classics as; "Yummy Yummy Yummy I got love in my tummy", "Chick a Boom", "Hello I Love You", "We Gotta Get You A Woman", well that one's from the 70s, but it's still pretty horrible.
Donovan could write wonderful songs like "The Tinker and the Crab", then he'd turn up some piece of tripe like "Jennifer Juniper", that would get hours of airplay.
The Monkees were the world's first made for TV band. But "Last Train To Clarksville" and "Daydream Believer", are pretty good songs.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Johnny in OKC
Date: 21 Apr 04 - 11:55 PM

Achy Breaky Heart

Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: akenaton
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 02:36 AM

I dont think theres any such thing as a "bad song",unless it incites bigotry racism ect.
Out in the real world there are all sorts of people and the love all sorts of music.
We Folkies shouldn't be so "tight arsed"....Ake

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 03:23 AM

IC we've moved from the BS department. I wasn't quite sure I should inflict this thread on the serious folk music discussions, so I initially put it down there.

Akenaton: I agree completely. I won't let anyone else make up my mind for me which songs are irredeemably bad. Someone (usually the writer) usually thought them pretty good (and we have to keep in mind, us folkies, that what we think is cutting, incisive, heart-rending, or just simply a whompin' good time, is considered boring at best to most people). That doesn't mean, however, that we can't have our own opinions as to what songs are a terrible waste of petrochemicals. . . . ;-)

Any comments on "From A Distance"? I think it's a wonderful song, but it seems that it got co-opted by the pop people in at least a couple schlocky renditions, and I suspect that it did because they simply had no idea what Julie Gold was really saying (I suspect that non-folkies don't have functioning Sarcas-O-Meters).

Cheers,

                              -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 03:29 AM

The Death Of Queen Jane
The House Of Orange
'By The People' by Dick Gaughan
'Psycho Street' by Richard Thompson

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,freda
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 03:36 AM

I saw mommy kissing santa claus

Sad Movies Always make me cry..

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 03:41 AM

Who stole my playlist I want to know?!
Seriously, folks, Herself & the compulsive record collector are proud to reveal we only own one of the songs they listed: "Sounds of Silence" (one of Hers, of course!).

The worst one in MY collection has to be St Lonnie's "World Cup Willie". (No, 'Spaw, it wasn't a prize!)

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Stewie
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 04:34 AM

Chris B, I have no strong feelings about your other three choices, but 'Death of Queen Jane' is a belter of a broadside. Only last night, I was listening to a superb recording of it by Danny Spooner and Lis Johnston.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Roberto
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 06:01 AM

Stewie, I'd like to know something about these singers and the recording of The Death of Queen Jane you mentioned. Thanks. R

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 06:21 AM

I've written at least 49 of the worst songs ever.
Just working on the 50th now.
Hic!

Subject: Lyr Add: LOREENA'S LAMENT
From: freda underhill
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 06:54 AM

Here is a worst song I wrote myself (based on the true story of Loreena Bobbitt). be warned, Kendall was admitted to hospital with heart problems just half an hour after reading it!

Loreena's Lament

(sung to the tune of the Banks of the Ohio)

I told my love go take a walk
Take a walk just a little walk
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

CH
And only say that you'll be mine
And in no others arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

I took a knife unto his dick
And sliced right through that cheatin' prick
He cried Loreena don't ya mutilate me
I'm not prepared for celibacy

And only say that you'll be mine
And in no others arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

I drove my car through the lonely night
And tossed that old fella off to the right
He dialed triple 9 for emergency
They found his manhood beneath a tree

And only say…etc

The po-lice man he didn't blink
He said Loreena you need a shrink
He said Loreena that just wasn't nice
And he thrust that dick on frozen ice

And only say…etc

The doctor came and sewed him up
I wept into my empty cup
He made a million on cheap porn flix
They counseled me and I got nix

And only say that you'll be mine
And in no others arms entwine
Down beside where the waters flow
Down by the banks of the Ohio

f.u.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 08:23 AM

OUCH !

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Noddy
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 08:25 AM

Everything by the Spice girls and all their solo stuff. That must be 50. If not it just seems that many.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Sooz(at work)
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 08:35 AM

Some songs have been done to death - churned or thrashed out in the same way time after time. Then you hear one you hate, sung in a new way and you love it! Bob Fox's latest CD (Borrowed Moments) does this for me wit "Dance to your Daddy" and "Shoals of Herring" and on Sunday at Grimsby Folk Club we heard Mark Campbell and Paul Bellamy's version of "South Australia" -almost a lullaby!
Perhaps this would be a good subject for a new thread!

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: DMcG
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 09:06 AM

As perhaps one of the most laboured choruses of all time, I nominate one of the Village Carols from Dungworth. Overall, the carols are fabulous, but this one brings on a fit of giggles if I'm not careful:

Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho!
Ho! Ho!,
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!

And jingle, jingle, jing-a-jing jing,
Right merry shall you be,
And jingle, jingle, he comes this way,
He comes with the Christmas tree,
And welcome, welcome, welcome Kris,
Right welcome shall you be,
Oh here he is, yes, yes, he is,
'Tis Kris with the Christmas tree,
The Christmas tree,
The Christmas tree,
The Christmas tree, -

The Christmas tree!

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Stewie
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 09:48 AM

Roberto, I'll PM you tomorrow in relation to your query.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 10:08 AM

Streets of London and Wild Rover

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Peace
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 03:42 PM

I understand that Bobbitt couldn't be tried for the assault because no one thought the evidence would stand up in court.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Macha
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 04:03 PM

Beer Beer Beer
Skellig (Lorena McKennitt)
anything by britney spears
The Barney Song aka I love You
B is for barney
Green Gravel

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Benjamin
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 04:36 PM

First of all, My Heart will go on should be a lot higher than 50. Second, I don't agree with putting sound of silence on there. From reading their review, they clearly never heard the original version with just a guitar. The rock band was added later, without their consent.

I'll think of some folk tunes to put on here later.
Benjamin

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:07 PM

'The Folksinger' is a pretty embarrassing pseudo-folk song. Hearing 'Aquarius' makes me physically sick and whenever Barbara Streisand sings anything I get a headache. I'm not joking, it's true.

One of the major disappointments of getting my hands on Napster (remember that?) was downloading rareties from my youth and hearing them for the first time in 30-odd years and realizing they are shite.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Amergin
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 05:22 PM

jusat about anything jim morrison ever wrote...though there are one or two songs that i do like...but that's it...pure juvenile drivel.

but anyways...bob dylan's just like a woman...especially that line where "She makes love just like a woman." I always think...well at least she doesn't make love just like a man....but then that may make the song a little more interesting ;)

G'day G'day and Duncan get on my nerves....though I love Slim Dusty's music....

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Callie
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 06:08 PM

Macha - you must really hate Barney. What's the poor guy done to you?

"From A Distance" ARRGGGHHH! I hear they're using the song in poison wards to induce vomiting.

C

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 09:24 PM

Callie: . . . .

OK, I reeled one in, folks, what do I do with her?
So Callie, why don't you like it? (I will admit that
there are some renditions that are close to emetic)

What about Dylan's trash? Anyone care to nominate
any (or every) song of his in the last 20 years?

Some people just love Bob Franke's stuff (and count me
in there even if some of the lyrics are a bit stilted).
Anyone hate him?

I notice someone didn't like Stan Roger's "House of
Orange". Why? Did you like "Lockkeeper"?

What makes a "bad" song really bad? Are some songs
really intolarable at certain times, but just the cat's
meow at other times (come to think of it, the cat's
meow is intolerable at certain times, but just
the cat's meow at other times....)?

Is the fifth interminable minor key ballad in a row
intrinsically "bad"? The first?

* * * * *

Getting into the world of pop (elevator) schlock, I think
that my absolute top candidate for really wretched has to
be when I was riding in a shuttle bus, and the PA was
blaring inane music. Then on came Dave Brubeck's
classic "Take Four". . . .   "Take Four?", you say, "I've
never heard that one..."   Some dim bulb somewhere with
a MIDI sequencer and a drum machine and no instruction
manual seems to have fixed the song and put it into the
more pleasing 4/4 time. . . . <*bleeeeccchhhh*>

Cheers,

                        -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Scoville
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 10:57 PM

I once heard a good version of "Achy Breaky Heart". It had been converted to zydeco and, since I don't speak Cajun French, I couldn't understand a word (and the musical arrangement was vastly improved).

I've always hated "Old Joe Clark". I'm not sure why except that most of the verses are not only nonsensical but crude, and the monotonous tune makes me want to shoot myself (ditto for "Bile 'Em Cabbage" and "Mississippi Sawyer"). I refuse to learn it because I'd rather spend my memory cells on more interesting songs.

I'm not supposed to admit this, but I've also always despised the ridiculous song that we Quaker children are forced to sing about George Fox (in my old leather britches and my shaggy shaggy locks . . . ). Unfortunately, I think it might be a Sydney Carter song, may he rest in peace.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Apr 04 - 11:41 PM

Obviously, Amergin, you have not had the nasty experience of making love with a female who does NOT do it "just like a woman"... :-) After all, there are reputed to be some who do it like: a sack of flour, a block of ice, a manatee, a bulldozer, an electric toothbrush, etc...

Man, you just don't know a good line when you hear it. Heh! What he is saying is really quite obvious. She's "like a woman" in all the usual ways one could possibly mention (and that's a compliment...or could it be a complaint?), except...this one way...she "breaks" just like a little girl. And what does that mean? It may mean she breaks down (cries) like a little girl...or it may not...but it implies great tenderness on the part of the singer toward his ex-lover, and it's fine poetry, cos it's full of loss, regret, and mystery. It's the PERFECT line, Amergin, my friend.

My nomination for the "worst songs" list is: Jingle Bell Rock

I want to shoot someone when I hear that song.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,poopstain
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 12:20 AM

I have a couple to add to this list. Remember some of the most putrid drivel to stink up the airwaves in the early '70's? Just after the bubble-gum craze. How about "Billy Don't Be A Hero," or "The Night Chicago Died?" I guess we could add "Run Joey Run" to that list also. Oh yeah, the Bay City Rollers were awful too. Sorry I reminded you.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 12:58 AM

LH, I do like alot of Dylan's stuff...he has written some fabulous songs...but some just do not float...they remind me of a boat with several big leaks and the bilge pumps not working.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Benjamin
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 05:12 AM

Amergin, I thought that remark was funny!

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Wombat at work
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 07:23 AM

The fields of Athenry............aghhhhhhhh

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: 42
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 07:31 AM

Feelings! No question, no hesitation, no competition.

   In the Folk category... The Centurion - the only song I know that takes a century to sing, everyone dies and they'd do it all again.

j

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 08:07 AM

Anything by the Chipmunks. Nothing else comes close.

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 08:38 AM

'The Lady' by Sandy Denny

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 09:29 AM

I think the concept is flawed from the beginning.    Jerry Della Famina (marketing guru) once asked "what is the worst tv commercial" He than stated "wrong, the worst commercial is the one you don't remember"    I think the same is true of bad songs.   The truly bad songs are the ones you don't remember.

That being said, here are some truly awful songs I wish I didn't remember.

Kung Fu Fighting (did people actually buy that record?)
Seasons int he Sun
Billy don't be a hero
Yummy yummy yummy
Sugar Sugar
The legend of Billy Jack (one tin soldier)
My ding a ling
Knock 3 Times
Honey
Your having my baby

I have to stop- this is just to painful

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 09:40 AM

I once had a ten-hour ride in a Winnebago. They had one tape. It was "Feelings". YEEEEEOOOOOQQWWWW

Likewise I spent two or three days driving across the northern States in December in a car full of rednecks. "Lyin' Eyes" was on the radio every 10 minutes that year. No more, no more, no more, no more. I was so sick of that song I got off in Fargo North Dakota. It was -20 Fahrenheit and I didn't care.

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 10:14 AM

About a year ago, I was driving to my local bar listening to a very cool radio station which has a Reggae program on Sunday evening. An interesting instrumental tune came on, and I thought wow that sounds cool and I know the tune from somewhere. After stripping out all the percussion and the Ska piano and shuffle organ and concentrating on the melody I discovered it was "Danny Boy". So it's not always the song that's bad sometimes it's just how you play it.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: radriano
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:09 AM

More mental masturbation - another friggin' useless thread.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Brían
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM

I remember one that made me puke even in the polyester daze of the 70's that had the memorable lines:

How he makes me quiver
How he makes me smile
With all this love I have to give him
I guess I'm gonna stay with him awhile

Stay awhile"
(Written by Ken Tobias, 1971)

Now I'll spend the rest of the day trying to get it out of my head.

Brían

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Brían
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:13 AM

Oh, I almost forgot. When my wife wants to drive me crazy, she just clicks on her file of BANAPPLE GAS which she has saved to her favorites.

Brían

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:34 AM

Willie-O: So revved up wood-chippers started looking attractive? I've gotta admit, that's bad. . . . .   ;-)

Cheers,

                                 -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:47 AM

Brain:

Someone's already investigated this phenomenon.
Full cartoon is here.

Just another insightful page from the talented and insightful Tom Tomorrow.

Cheers,

                         -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 11:57 AM

Marvelous! And so true. Hooray for Tom Tomorrow!

Go suck an anchovie, Radriano.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 09:50 PM

Actually, the full list is posted here:
http://www.badmouth.net/forums/?showtopic=8

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Desdemona
Date: 23 Apr 04 - 10:09 PM

I can't bear to give myself the inevitable migraine that would result from the compiling thereof, but would venture my immortal soul that at least 75% of them would come from the 1970s ("Billy Don't Be A Hero", "Seasons in the Sun", "Muskrat Love"...need I go on????)!

D.

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 02:17 AM

Thanks, GUEST, for the full list. Breakers didn't have it on their web page; they want you to buy the magazine.

IC that "From A Distance" did make their list. As I stated above, I think that some people are way too literal, and just didn't catch on to what the song was about. . . . But then again, lots of people come at it from a different perspective than an atheist such as I, and are predisposed to the literal take and not inclined to think too much about exactly what "distance" we've gotta be talking about here. . . .

Or maybe they just thought that Midler's rendition was way too schlocky. . . .

Cheers,

                      -- Arne

Subject: RE: BS: 50 worst songs ever
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 04:04 PM

Not only are most atheists too literal in their thinking, so are most religious people. Thus a song such as "short people" will be attacked by fools who think it is blatantly insulting to the short, and the phrase "she makes love just like a woman" will be rejected as a statement that is so obvious that it need not be said in the first place. (sigh) I even heard someone object to the phrase "I've seen fire and I've seen rain" on this basis..."Well, who hasn't???" Like, duh!

Context, people! Context! How can poets entertain people who are completely incapable of relating to poetic images?

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Willie-O
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 05:36 PM

>Willie-O: So revved up wood-chippers started looking attractive? I've gotta admit, that's bad. . . . .   ;-)

It's pretty bad to get nonstop "Lyin' Eyes for three days with company you come to detest. Since you asked, though, I actually had a friend in Fargo, one considerably more attractive than a wood chipper, although it was a platonic thing. OK, I used my poetic licence to edit that out, it made my point better.

I've spent a fair amount of time feeding a chipper though, and it's one of my least favourite things to do...

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:09 PM

Ummm, Little Hawk:

I don't think I said that "most atheists [are] too literal
in their thinking". What I was trying to say is that a person
coming from a religious background might have a predisposition
to think that it's just a nice song about a (real but rather
myopic) God watching us "from a distance", and seeing all that
beauty but ignoring all those nit-picky sanguinary details, as
long as the "big picture" is all "blue and green" and pretty.
As an atheist, I tended more towards the view that the "distance"
that Julie Gold was talking about might be some twenty seven
universes over, give or take a few, seeing as Gawd certainly
isn't doing a whole lot about the carnage, suffering, and
injustice she describes, and doesn't seem to be particularly
interested ... or even on the ball. That is, "not from some
nice detached, mellow distance, but really, really,
REALLY distant ... like billyuns and billyuns of light years
away."

Hope that clears up my impressions of the song. Of course I
could be wrong. . . .   ;-)

Cheers,

                         -- Arne

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:20 PM

Willie-O:

The folks in Fargo seem to relish feeding the wood-chippers
(my mind's wandering ... "how much ___ could a wood chipper
chip if a wood chipper could chip....").

Don't get me wrong; good people in Fargo. I was raised in
Minneapolis, and know that Paul Bunyan statue, those
folks in Brainard, and all those fence posts on that road
to Fargo pretty well (been that way more than once).

Actually, we had a famous real case in Connectucut when I was
living there involving a pilot, his ex-stewardess (or more
politically correct nowadays, flight attendant) wife, and
a wood chipper. They did convict him. Biggest piece of
her they ever found was a quarter inch of thumbtip.

Sure you didn't get the urge after the thirty fourth
repetition of "Your Lying' Eyes"?   ;-)

Cheers,

                            -- Arne

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: s6k
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 08:44 PM

im sorry, but We built this City is not the worst song ever by a long shot.

does this mean to tell me that it is worse song than the cheeky girls?? come on !

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Apr 04 - 10:58 PM

Okay, Arne, sure thing. But what good is free will if people aren't allowed to use it? Traditionally religious people seem to agree that:

1. God has given humans free will...but...

2. "He" takes it away when they go too far! (meaning when they do something the "believer" really doesn't like)

If this is so, then it's actually not free will.

And that explains why, in a World where people have free will, bad things are allowed to happen and do happen. It simply has to be that way for free will to exist. Without free will the whole learning process of life would be utterly pointless and empty.

It's either free or it ain't.

Atheists have their own views on it. God doesn't enter into the picture for them, but many believe in free will anyway. Some do not, in a sense...rather, they believe that all behaviour is automatically triggered by various quantifiable factors (simple cause and effect). They also seem to feel that things in natural history (like the origins of life) just "happened" by chance, without any intrinsic meaning or purpose, other than what people arbitrarily give it afterward. I think that's a recipe for nihilism, ammorality, and despair, but some people would rather be "right" than be happy... :-)

They would also rather be right than be generous or kind, and they would rather win than be compassionate, loving or wise. The song was addressing those kinds of issues.

As was said a long time ago, "the unexamined life is not worth living".

- LH

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Macha
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 07:27 PM

Mercedes Lackey wrote a few bad songs such as:
My Lady's Eyes
Thinking Out Loud
My Lady
Dark Love

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,guest mick
Date: 27 Apr 04 - 12:24 PM

The worst three songs of all time were , strangely enough ,all written about the same city. I refer of course to Amsterdam . I don't think it's neccessary for me to name them.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: radriano
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 11:04 AM

I love anchovies, Little Hawk! The singular form of the word would be anchovy, by the way.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 05:08 PM

Only a few of the songs that people mentioned so far are traditional folk songs. And those traditional folk songs that made it to these lists did so because they are done too often, and not because they are inherently bad songs.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 09:55 PM

I love Bing Crosby, but honestly, I hate White Christmas. I love John Lennon, but Imagine is the dreariest tune since White Christmas.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 06:06 AM

Janice,

Good point - maybe if traditional songs were inherently bad they wouldn't still be around. I do think, however, that 'The Death Of Queen Jane' is utter drivel. I heard Micheal O Domhnaill (who is probably the greatest guitarist in Irish music' sing it a few years ago with my wife (also called Jane, as it happens)who was four months pregnant and we both giggled like a couple of teenagers while all the very serious people around us sat there being 'moved'. 'Coot oopen moy soid and foind moy bay-bee...' Bee-have!

Have you ever heard Dylan's version, 'The Death Of Queen Jane Approximately'? Now, there's a good song...

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Apr 04 - 03:34 PM

most songs by kenny rogers...like the gambler...or lucille.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Macha
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 09:13 AM

Death Of Queen Jane is a good song if sung right I have heard it sung by Loreena McKennitt and it was good I also have heard it sung by a drunken Englishman and it was bad.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: ossonflags
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 11:40 AM

" I'm a pink toothbrush your a blue toothbrush " by Max Bygraves has got to be up among the top ten don'cha think?

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 01:16 PM

Max Bygraves wrote one of the most heartening songs that I have ever had the dubious pleasure of hearing. Shortly after the fall of Margeret Thatcher (Kevin McGrath can name it to the day)Max Bygraves wrote and performed a "tribute" song which was so bad, that it simulutaneously torpedoed any chance whatsoever for a comeback for either of them. Well done that man!

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: sixtieschick
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 01:57 PM

I'm with Bobert on "MacArthur's Park." I feel like I ought to be insitutionalized every time I hear it. Supposedly Bobby Goldsboro wrote "My Baby Does the Hanky Panky" on the spot in the recording studio as a B-side tune for some other song. Then he and the session musicians knocked it off in one take. Sounds like it.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Micca
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 02:03 PM

For me This has GOT to be right up there in the top group, along with all songs that consist of a few dozen reiterations of the same boring anst-laden line. In Folk Music, songwriters who "sing their Diaries" that make very little sense (and very little songs) to every one else, and seem to go ON and ON. Songs should be for the wider and more Universal experience and not just for the initiated.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 02:11 PM

That is one reason why I do not attempt blues songs. It is a real stinker for sure, Micca. It is a good example of the sort of disaster waiting to happen which overtakes would be blues lyricists who have not yet quite attained that mastery.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 02:51 PM

As someone who loves the blues, I would never have considered a stinker like "Who Let the Dogs Out" to be a "blues song."

I agree with alanabit, though ~ writing lyrics that are simple enough to pass as "real" blues without being unbearably trite is extremely difficult.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 03:33 PM

I don't exactly consider it a "blues" song either. It is a bit like the mess which emerged when I once attempted to combine cereal, yeast and water, without really knowing what I was doing. Nobody anywhere would have called the resulting substance "bread".

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 04:28 PM

Every bloody awful Christmas song that came out of the USA.
Pardon me, i`m sick Andy Williams came to mind.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 04:44 PM

"My Baby Does the Hanky-Panky" has got to be on that list. Also, "Bird is the Word" and "Little Red Riding Hood".

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: PoppaGator
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 05:09 PM

Hmmm ~ I *like* Sam the Sham; "Little Red Riding Hood" may not quite measure up to "Wooly Bully," but it has its own appeal. I remember reading in some memoir or novel about Vietnam (Tim O'Brien? maybe...) how much the narrator and his buddies enjoyed that particular song.

I find that, in my old age, some of those stupid "bubblegum" pop tunes that I really hated back in the 60s/70s now have a certain appeal (probably nothing more than nostalgia, just a reminder of younger days). One example: "Build Me Up Buttercup," which was revived a couple of years ago as part of the soundtrack to a popular comedy film.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: DonMeixner
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 05:51 PM

"The Old Man" and "The Voyage" are tops on my list of Musica Vomitus.

And while I think the Captain and Tenille's version of "Muscrat Love" is dreadful I have heard the author, Willis Allan Ramsey do it and it is a different song in his hands.

Don

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Nancy King
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 07:19 PM

My least favorite country song is "He Stopped Loving Her Today." Made me turn the radio off every time.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Bert
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:29 PM

I think that Rap has given a whole new meaning to the worst songs ever. Every one I hear seems worse than the last. I just can't help wondering where it will end.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: emjay
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 08:35 PM

Oh come on everybody

Think about this one with a beautiful melody, but the words are terrible:

Alas my love you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
For I have loved you oh so long
Delighting in your company.

Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my ....

Greensleeves, of course, is one of the very worst
right after macarthur park, but Greensleeves is more or less traditional.

mj

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:09 AM

You may be onto something there emjay. In the sixties, when I was a choirboy, I used to think even then that many of the hymns we sang had ghastly, trite words. It seemed they were made to make you feel that God was a bully with an oversized ego who wanted his creations to fawn in front of him. Being old does not necessarily make something good.

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: Teresa
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 03:58 AM

I never can think of any particular song as "bad" in itself. Some performances I really don't care for.

Well, ok. "The Rose" is one song I can't stand. And to be honest, I don't like bette Middler singing ballads; she just doesn't sound right for them. I hated her version of "From a Distance" but loved Kathy Mattea's with the bagpipe accompaniment.

There were songs I got sick of and therefore hated for awhile, but after taking a break from them and coming back later, they didn't seem half bad.

Teresa

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: skipy
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:32 AM

Starting from the moment that I press "submit message":- the next 50 piles of crap that radio one pumps out! Ready? Pressing now!

Subject: RE: 50 worst songs ever
From: GUEST,Snuffy
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:01 AM

Emjay

Not only are the words of Greensleeves crap, the original versions also go on for ever. I've had to come in the backdoor, and can't use the search facility, but I recall the late Bruce Olson mentioning how awful the full version was.

At least modern crap is over in two or three minutes

In "Sir Patrick Spens" I clean forgot the forty-second verse
So I sang the twenty-seventh, twice as loud and in reverse
And no one noticed

WassaiL! V