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lastlib

(22,981 posts)
Wed May 9, 2012, 09:59 AM May 2012

The Worst Song Of All Time--Absolutely, Positively THE WORST....

...song ever recorded. The George Bush of recorded music.

For me, it's "Danny's Song" by whoever records it, or Billy Joel "For The Longest Time" (GAWD, I HATE that one!!), or the disco version of "Stairway to Heaven"--hated it so bad, I broke it over my knee right in the record store!

What's yours?

193 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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The Worst Song Of All Time--Absolutely, Positively THE WORST.... (Original Post) lastlib May 2012 OP
Anything by Bobby Goldsboro TrogL May 2012 #1
+1 "Honey" is the most awful song ever recorded, with hifiguy May 2012 #4
"Watching Scotty Grow" comes a close second TrogL May 2012 #10
I think I mentioned before... LeftishBrit May 2012 #56
But, come on -- Arugula Latte May 2012 #39
good choices! lastlib May 2012 #45
Honey. Ha, even Billy Graham hated it. Sequoia May 2012 #154
+10000000000 snagglepuss May 2012 #112
God, I saw him at a club in Brazil, Indiana in 1980......... mrmpa May 2012 #179
The worst of all times?...are you kidding me? zeemike May 2012 #2
My mother would sing those TrogL May 2012 #9
My grandma used to make fun of me for some of Led Zeppelin's lyrics OriginalGeek May 2012 #17
When my folks criticized rock and roll lyrics rocktivity May 2012 #160
lol! OriginalGeek May 2012 #162
I know....I heard them as a child too. zeemike May 2012 #18
Pink Floyd saved my life TrogL May 2012 #23
Interesting story of your salvation. zeemike May 2012 #36
Springsteen covered Summertime Blues on his Darkness on the Edge of Town tour in '78. bluedigger May 2012 #81
Mine too as well asDown in the Water in the the Itty Bitty Boo snagglepuss May 2012 #115
Big Rock Candy Mountain? Have you seen all the lyrics? Great Song. Kind of socialist. HERVEPA May 2012 #44
Never seen that before zeemike May 2012 #48
Thanks HERVEPA May 2012 #118
Oh, I love those! LeftishBrit May 2012 #55
I believe it's "Mairzy Doats" Bake May 2012 #59
It's "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy." rug May 2012 #67
A kid'll eat ivy, too. Wouldn't you? bluedigger May 2012 #83
I have teenagers. They will too. rug May 2012 #84
a star to rug SCantiGOP May 2012 #86
That is a song from my childhood. I love it. n/t RebelOne May 2012 #136
And to think "Big Rock Candy Mountain" is all about anal rape Taverner May 2012 #66
The Big Rock Candy Mountain was a song sung by the hobo's as they WCGreen May 2012 #171
Well I have gained a new appreciation for that song. zeemike May 2012 #175
Big Rock Candy Mountain is a great song--social commentary....... panader0 May 2012 #177
I had never really seen the lyrics zeemike May 2012 #180
"Havin' my baby" -- Paul Anka hlthe2b May 2012 #3
Yuck!! I hated that song since the first time I heard it. n/t RebelOne May 2012 #51
Yes. GoCubsGo May 2012 #95
It's even worse when sung by the Hallelujah Tabernacle Choir csziggy May 2012 #119
Copa Cabana or however the fuck it is spelled. HopeHoops May 2012 #5
YES BillStein May 2012 #54
Manilow has like four songs. He just changes the dumb lyrics around to make new ones. HopeHoops May 2012 #96
"If" - David Gates and Bread bluedigger May 2012 #6
Haven't heard that one in a while. Obnoxiously mellow Populist_Prole May 2012 #87
I submit this: ret5hd May 2012 #7
They've got youtube blocked at work TrogL May 2012 #11
Diamanda Galas singing "Plague Mass" live. ret5hd May 2012 #13
Something by Diamanda Galas, whose music hifiguy May 2012 #14
Aww c'mon - she had Jonesy for an album! OriginalGeek May 2012 #21
I totally adore Diamanda Galas. Codeine May 2012 #106
Actually, I am intrigued by her. Quite a voice when she uses it in a more traditional style. ret5hd May 2012 #123
Someone's knocking at the door - whatever that song is by Paul McCartney and Wings LynneSin May 2012 #8
NOOOOOO!!! rppper May 2012 #149
"Macarthur Park" or "I've never been to me." They absolutely tie. nt raccoon May 2012 #12
This ^ geardaddy May 2012 #16
I love McArthur Park (but my sanity does not bear close scrutiny) TrogL May 2012 #25
I've heard the Richard Harris original. geardaddy May 2012 #28
LOL I love it too and have never understood the hate. Gee maybe I too have gone over the edge. snagglepuss May 2012 #117
It is the lyrics that are insane. The melody is actually quite nice. hlthe2b May 2012 #33
Another vote for "I've Never Been to Me" Arugula Latte May 2012 #40
That was my first choice when I saw the thread caraher May 2012 #113
Look what you made me do. pa28 May 2012 #78
old hippies all over DU are giggling. . n/t annabanana May 2012 #102
I was talking to a younger person at work one day about how horrible that song was... PassingFair May 2012 #159
Well it's not really a laughing matter is it? pa28 May 2012 #109
Wrong - Macarthur Park is worse Patiod May 2012 #85
"I Write the Songs" Barry Manilow yellowcanine May 2012 #15
How about "Total Eclipse of the Heart" Nuclear Unicorn May 2012 #22
the literal version is better Enrique May 2012 #24
That is the BEST literal video of all time Lydia Leftcoast May 2012 #31
I think I peed a little I laughed so hard.... Maine-ah May 2012 #104
The existence of the literal video is the only thing excusing the existence of the song <nt> caraher May 2012 #114
Manilow was the bane of 6th grade for me caraher May 2012 #116
funny thing is...Manilow didn't write it. n/t MrsBrady May 2012 #161
Imagine by John Lennon Nuclear Unicorn May 2012 #19
No...nt CherokeeDem May 2012 #20
No - here is Herman Cain's cover of it! Initech May 2012 #27
I have everything in this thread beat by two words: Hot Problems Initech May 2012 #26
Best of the worst... pipi_k May 2012 #29
OMG...you win! zeemike May 2012 #38
Of pipi_k May 2012 #46
I tried them all zeemike May 2012 #50
The last one is Lonnie Donegan SwissTony May 2012 #151
"Fish Heads" and "They're Coming to Take Me Away" were begin_within May 2012 #174
muskrat love Whisp May 2012 #30
Afternoon Delight by The Starland Vocal Band annonymous May 2012 #32
Best use of "Afternoon Delight" in a movie - PCU LynneSin May 2012 #34
That song was used to great effect in an episode of Arrested Development. dawg May 2012 #191
"Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite" Arugula Latte May 2012 #41
Re: posts 30 and 32 hifiguy May 2012 #35
Can Your Monkey Do The Dog - Rufus Thomas : also : It's a Gas! - Alfred E. Neuman Kablooie May 2012 #37
"You Light Up My Life" by Debbie Boone is certifiable wrist slashing music Submariner May 2012 #42
+1 Lil Missy May 2012 #88
+2 Sequoia May 2012 #155
Feliz Navidad WilliamPitt May 2012 #43
And "The Little Drummer Boy"--another royal turd! lastlib May 2012 #141
Worst ever: Guaranteed. Populist_Prole May 2012 #47
That's it, pal. I've turned you in to the FBI. SwissTony May 2012 #132
Another awful one but funny Populist_Prole May 2012 #49
Is that the state song of North Carolina? zanana1 May 2012 #70
Those are all fine and good. ceile May 2012 #52
LOL. I guess that's one of my guilty pleasures. bluesbassman May 2012 #77
Will do! ceile May 2012 #92
The theme song of 'Neighbours' LeftishBrit May 2012 #53
This message was self-deleted by its author FSogol May 2012 #61
Hang on Sloopy would be on my list. Plus, that Rush song about trees. jobycom May 2012 #57
Tom Sawyer was the answer that came to mind before I opened the thread. Chan790 May 2012 #165
. TZ May 2012 #176
Nothing jobycom May 2012 #178
I've never heard a song I've hated more than "Hey Paula." Silver Swan May 2012 #58
Anyone call out Muskrat Love yet? sarge43 May 2012 #60
a song about muskrats screwing dana_b May 2012 #63
That must be the explanation -- baked to a golden brown. n/t sarge43 May 2012 #75
I did like the Big Daddy parody from Dr. Demento OriginalGeek May 2012 #90
The Captain is Carmen Dragon's son!! Manifestor_of_Light May 2012 #98
That is pretty great OriginalGeek May 2012 #100
I LOVE that song! zanana1 May 2012 #71
Worst song of all time? "Put the Bone in" by Terry Jacks, 1972 FSogol May 2012 #62
I do not want to even speculate hifiguy May 2012 #65
I posted the lyrics. If you dare! FSogol May 2012 #69
I read them. hifiguy May 2012 #73
My sister bought the 45 in 1972 and used to torture me with that song. FSogol May 2012 #76
Oy. I just googled that. progressoid May 2012 #124
"Feelings" dana_b May 2012 #64
You might enjoy The Offsping's cover of 'Feelings' Vanje May 2012 #128
that's better dana_b May 2012 #131
OMG TuxedoKat May 2012 #156
Joy to the World TuxedoKat May 2012 #157
"Are you a boy or are you a girl" zanana1 May 2012 #68
IIRC, that was The Barbarians. hifiguy May 2012 #72
We Built This City - Starship bluesbassman May 2012 #74
To be fair, they didn't write it. cemaphonic May 2012 #99
IMHO it's not the songwriting that's the problem with this one. dawg May 2012 #192
Oh Puhleeze, you gotta go with Terry Jacks Burma Jones May 2012 #79
Seasons in the Sun....worst ode to self pity ever BlancheSplanchnik May 2012 #147
Metallica Demonaut May 2012 #80
We didn't start the Fire, Billy Joel treestar May 2012 #82
For me, it has to be Faith Hill singing "Piece of My Heart". Horrible, horrible, horrible. Arkansas Granny May 2012 #89
Holy cow - I love her doing that song. n/t tabasco May 2012 #101
Noooooo! No one but Melissa Etheridge should EVER be allowed to cover that KamaAina May 2012 #103
Madonna's version of "American Pie" RFKHumphreyObama May 2012 #91
Leonard Pinth-Garnell approves these submissions. Doc_Technical May 2012 #93
I present : the dulcet tones of John Ashcroft - baldguy May 2012 #94
Seasons in the Sun WolverineDG May 2012 #97
Definitively. "You Take My Breath Away" by Rex Smith... SidDithers May 2012 #105
OK here's two contenders for the worst song ever that easily eclipse everything mentioned so far: Initech May 2012 #107
Okay, Okay. How about "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" by Tiny Tim? HopeHoops May 2012 #108
Convoy Kingofalldems May 2012 #110
Some great bad stuff here, as Leonard Pinth-Garnell might say deutsey May 2012 #111
That wasn't very good, now, was it? BlancheSplanchnik May 2012 #146
Is That All There Is? Peggy Lee Grammy23 May 2012 #120
"It's a Small World" Rhiannon12866 May 2012 #121
The Pedophiles' Anthem chemenger May 2012 #122
Yeah, pedophiles are SO into fully grown women... DutchLiberal May 2012 #139
Oh, so many ... Let The Eagle Soar!! Myrina May 2012 #125
"California Sun" always makes me want to put my head in a meat grinder. Gidney N Cloyd May 2012 #126
same song, better version.... rppper May 2012 #168
Right Said Fred "I'm Too Sexy" RiffRandell May 2012 #127
"The Horse With No Name" and ANYTHING by Neil Young. bif May 2012 #129
to each his/her own dana_b May 2012 #130
Wait. Wut? Codeine May 2012 #134
"Ohio"? "After The Gold Rush"? "Alabama"?.... lastlib May 2012 #142
Well I get the voice bit, but man he put out some good music. bluesbassman May 2012 #135
I just had to dig the CD out thanks to this thread. Codeine May 2012 #140
I'm in a minority.... MountainMama May 2012 #182
Agreed. His voice is amazing. nt Codeine May 2012 #188
Horse With No Name was by America, not Neil Young... GReedDiamond May 2012 #150
This has got to be one of the worst to ever become a hit. HughBeaumont May 2012 #133
It might not be the worst song Art_from_Ark May 2012 #137
Ugh! That song seriously turned me vegetarian at aged 16! pink-o May 2012 #163
I wanted to kill Quentin Tarantino for a while... dogknob May 2012 #138
Y'all don't want to know what I've heard in my life. kentauros May 2012 #143
All you lightweights are out of your league WhoIsNumberNone May 2012 #144
My My MY Sharona or some shit like that. God..who thinks of that MichiganVote May 2012 #145
I can't imagine how I forgot Bloodrock's "DOA" hifiguy May 2012 #148
Not the worst, but possibly the *weirdest* FloridaJudy May 2012 #152
That's hilarious begin_within May 2012 #173
Seasons in the Sun or Daddy Don't You Walk so Fast abbeyco May 2012 #153
the FREAKIN' "Christmas Shoes" JCMach1 May 2012 #158
I hate it. So sad! Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #185
This thread is not complete without "My Humps" XemaSab May 2012 #164
Danke Shon qwertyMike May 2012 #166
Click on all the videos in this thread and let them roil simultaneously jpak May 2012 #167
We are the champions, by Queen Lemmy May 2012 #169
The one that Kim Kardashian sang. I think Paris Hilton sang one too. Dash87 May 2012 #170
Free Bird... WCGreen May 2012 #172
Shocking, No Air Supply? Texasgal May 2012 #181
You're all wrong.... MountainMama May 2012 #183
yeah, "Muskrate Love" is horrible. Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #186
Why so much hate for "Roboto"? dawg May 2012 #190
I saw Styx get booed off the stage... rppper May 2012 #193
"Midnight at the oasis", "Disco Duck", "Don't worry, be happy" Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #184
"She's having my baby", sung live as "She's having OUR baby" after outcry from women Liberal_in_LA May 2012 #187
I really, really, Really hate "Don't Worry be Happy" uriel1972 May 2012 #189
 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
4. +1 "Honey" is the most awful song ever recorded, with
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:09 AM
May 2012

the possible exception of Paul Anka's "You're Having My Baby."

LeftishBrit

(41,192 posts)
56. I think I mentioned before...
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:54 PM
May 2012

that I heard this as a small child, and until I read the words as an adult - possibly on DU, in fact!- I thought that the line 'BRLFQ spells Mom and Dad' was 'FLQ, that's Mum and Dad!' We had Canadian connections, and had been on a trip there at about the time when the FLQ (Front for the Liberation of Quebec) had kidnapped and murdered a Cabinet minister, and this was a big matter of conversation. I didn't at that age understand the political aspects of this, and thought that the group was simply a band of 'kidnappers'. I thought that the song meant that Scotty's parents were members of this 'kidnapping' organization; it didn't chime in with the rest of the song, but songs often didn't make much sense!

Less sensationally, I also misheard the line 'Micky Mouse says it's thirteen o'clock' as 'Micky Mouse says it's thirteen above' - again the Canadian influence, as much conversation during a Canadian winter is about how many degrees it is 'below' or, if one is lucky, 'above'.

Sequoia

(12,461 posts)
154. Honey. Ha, even Billy Graham hated it.
Sat May 12, 2012, 02:51 PM
May 2012

Sure. I was watching his crusade back in the day when that song was popular and he said something along the lines of the husband being foolish for "...and I'm being good." because he should just get on with his life and get married again since there are no marriages in heaven. Yep, I hated that song too because it made the wife out to be stupid.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
179. God, I saw him at a club in Brazil, Indiana in 1980.........
Mon May 14, 2012, 12:03 PM
May 2012

there was nothng else to do. There was a horrible sister singing group as his warm up act. They were on for about an hour and a half. Then he came on for about the same length of time. I don't know how many whiskey and waters I chugged that night.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
2. The worst of all times?...are you kidding me?
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:08 AM
May 2012

You must mean the worst in your lifetime
There was a time in our history when all there were so many bad songs it would drive you nuts....like
"On Top of Old Smoky"
"Mearsey Dotes"
"Big Rock Candy Mountain"
And dozens of others that would drive you nuts if you had to listen to them now

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
17. My grandma used to make fun of me for some of Led Zeppelin's lyrics
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:40 AM
May 2012

"Oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh
You don't have to go..."

Until I reminded her she got to rock out to "Ooomp whadda didda diddum whaddam do...something about fishies fimmin in a pool..."


but hey! i like Big Rock Candy Mountain! Cigarette trees and lakes of whisky? What's not to love?

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
18. I know....I heard them as a child too.
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:42 AM
May 2012

But Rock And Roll saved me from a life of insanity....and the grownups hated it which made it all the better
One of the greatest songs of my time was Yakety Yak...and it became my favorite because the local radio station refused to play it because it showed disrespect for parental authority....Another one was The Summertime Blues.

Summertime Blues lyrics
Well, I'm a-gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler
About workin' all summer just to try an' earn a dollar
Every time I call my baby to try to get a date
My boss says, "No dice, son, you gotta work late"

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

Well my mom n' papa told me, "Son, you gotta make some money
If you wanna use the car to go ridin' next Sunday"
Well, I didn't go to work, told the boss I was sick
Now you can't use the car 'cause you didn't work a lick

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

I'm gonna take two weeks, gonna have a vacation
I'm gonna take my problem to the United Nation
Well, I called my Congressman and he said quote
"I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"

Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues

TrogL

(32,818 posts)
23. Pink Floyd saved my life
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:55 AM
May 2012

The radio was strictly regulated in my household. The only stations allowed were CJRN which played Barry Manilow and Frank Sinatra (occasionally dabbling in the nonsense cited above) and the CBC which played classical. I begged for a set of headphones so I could listen without bothering anybody else. One day I turned the knob to the local rock station. The first song I heard was Pink Floyd's "Money". The style fit right in with all the jazz and experimental music I'd been listening to on the CBC so other rock music paled by comparison. I was ruined for life but the album let me know somebody else was out there.

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
36. Interesting story of your salvation.
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:40 AM
May 2012

I was lucky really....someone gave me a portable radio...this was in the late fifties and every Saturday one station used to play the top 40 tunes and I would take my radio outside and listen to rock and roll...and it made me feel connected living like I was in a small town.
But Pink Floyd was something special to me and will be always...The Wall and Dark Side of The Moon just thrilled me ...I still love listening to it today....and I must have seen the movie The Wall half a dozen times and I rarely watch a movie more than once...and it never gets old

bluedigger

(17,077 posts)
81. Springsteen covered Summertime Blues on his Darkness on the Edge of Town tour in '78.
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:14 PM
May 2012

It was awesome. Especially Clarence singing the bass line, "I'd like to help you son but you're too young to vote"!

snagglepuss

(12,704 posts)
115. Mine too as well asDown in the Water in the the Itty Bitty Boo
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:56 PM
May 2012

swam little fishies and the Mama fishie too. Also the not to be forgotten My Old Flibber

 

HERVEPA

(6,107 posts)
44. Big Rock Candy Mountain? Have you seen all the lyrics? Great Song. Kind of socialist.
Wed May 9, 2012, 12:54 PM
May 2012

Not just a sanitized version.


One evening as the sun went down
And the jungle fires were burning,
Down the track came a hobo hiking,
And he said, "Boys, I'm not turning
I'm headed for a land that's far away
Besides the crystal fountains
So come with me, we'll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes
And you sleep out every night.
Where the boxcars all are empty
And the sun shines every day
And the birds and the bees
And the cigarette trees
The lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The winds don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
You never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol
Come trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats
And the railway bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew
And of whiskey too
You can paddle all around it
In a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin.
And you can walk right out again,
As soon as you are in.
There ain't no short-handled shovels,
No axes, saws nor picks,
I'm bound to stay
Where you sleep all day,
Where they hung the jerk
That invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
....
I'll see you all this coming fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains



zeemike

(18,998 posts)
48. Never seen that before
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:23 PM
May 2012

And you are right...the lyrics are great...it is really a hobo dream song.

LeftishBrit

(41,192 posts)
55. Oh, I love those!
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:45 PM
May 2012

Though that does make me think of songs I sang in Singing class in primary school, and there was one that was Kipling's 'Rolling Down to Rio' set to music, which was fairly dire: not the words so much as the tune and way it was sung. The lines 'I'd like to roll to Rio/ Some day before I'm old' sounded like 'I'd like to roll to Rio/ Some day before I mould'! I suppose the quality of our singing voices, including mine, could have made anyone start to mould; but still!

Bake

(21,977 posts)
59. I believe it's "Mairzy Doats"
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:14 PM
May 2012

And yes it is horrible. I'd rather hear Watching Scotty Grow! Or else jab icepicks into my ears.



Bake

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
171. The Big Rock Candy Mountain was a song sung by the hobo's as they
Mon May 14, 2012, 01:06 AM
May 2012

rode the rails in the depression trying to find some kind of life...



It was a sarcastic jab at politicians...

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
175. Well I have gained a new appreciation for that song.
Mon May 14, 2012, 08:37 AM
May 2012

Which goes to show you that you just can't lump all thing together just because they sound like silly songs.
But I never really heard the lyrics because I just dismissed it out of hand...a mistake often made.

panader0

(25,816 posts)
177. Big Rock Candy Mountain is a great song--social commentary.......
Mon May 14, 2012, 11:46 AM
May 2012

I had to learn all the lyrics

zeemike

(18,998 posts)
180. I had never really seen the lyrics
Mon May 14, 2012, 12:22 PM
May 2012

Until it was posted to me here...and I had to change my mind about it.
Thus the saying don't judge a book by it's cover.

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
87. Haven't heard that one in a while. Obnoxiously mellow
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:40 PM
May 2012

Must have been tough to work in a dentist's or doctor's office back when this was getting airplay.

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
14. Something by Diamanda Galas, whose music
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:20 AM
May 2012

generally sounded like an infinite number of cats being thrown into an infinite number of blenders. Horrible stuff, but heard by only a few, thankfully.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
21. Aww c'mon - she had Jonesy for an album!
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:49 AM
May 2012

oh wait...yeah, that didn't help

&feature=related


(And look how young John Stewart was back then! lol)


But JPJ held up his end.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
8. Someone's knocking at the door - whatever that song is by Paul McCartney and Wings
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:13 AM
May 2012

I think he got a bad bag of pot the day he wrote that stinker

rppper

(2,952 posts)
149. NOOOOOO!!!
Sat May 12, 2012, 01:50 AM
May 2012
Sir Paul is off limits! Shame shame shame!

Ok, that's a guilty pleasure song, like the bee-gees...I always like wings more than Lennon....

My entries....."god bless the USA" by lee greenwood.....I heard that song every time I'd turn around after the gulf war, and I was part of it....I heard it in 1980 after Reagan became president....lee greenwood has a hit song every time a war breaks out....write something new Lee....

"undercover angel" from the 70's....I remember it being an annoying song as a 10 y/o....

TrogL

(32,818 posts)
25. I love McArthur Park (but my sanity does not bear close scrutiny)
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:58 AM
May 2012

I hate typical pop songs because they're all three chords, predicable lyrics. Ignore the disco version and listen to the original.

hlthe2b

(101,729 posts)
33. It is the lyrics that are insane. The melody is actually quite nice.
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:31 AM
May 2012

I read somewhere that Jimmy Webb wrote those lyrics on a dare.

caraher

(6,276 posts)
113. That was my first choice when I saw the thread
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:55 PM
May 2012

And if you don't know it... PLEASE don't try to find it and listen!

pa28

(6,145 posts)
78. Look what you made me do.
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:07 PM
May 2012

I've never heard "Macarthur Park" so I naively went up to youtube and listened. NOW WHAT!!!!11!

PassingFair

(22,434 posts)
159. I was talking to a younger person at work one day about how horrible that song was...
Sun May 13, 2012, 10:08 AM
May 2012

and they didn't know it, so I started singing a snippet, someone walking by
heard me and joined in, and soon about 5 or 6 of us were singing it at the top
or our lungs, with emotion....

It was like a flash mob!



I was surprised that so many of us knew the lyrics.

My two teenagers love to warble it out whenever they get the chance,
again, because the lyrics are so silly and dramatic at the same time.

pa28

(6,145 posts)
109. Well it's not really a laughing matter is it?
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:16 PM
May 2012

I'm still worried about his wet cake that he left in the rain.

Patiod

(11,816 posts)
85. Wrong - Macarthur Park is worse
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:31 PM
May 2012

Take it from someone who lived next to a psycho bitch from hell. I had a 103 fever, and called her and told her I was sick, and asked if she would turn down the music. She blasted it, put the arm over so the record would repeat (yeah, I'm old) and left the room and locked the door. So that song played over and over all night.

yellowcanine

(35,692 posts)
15. "I Write the Songs" Barry Manilow
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:24 AM
May 2012

Hands Down. Worst lyrics ever.

Write the Songs Lyrics:

I’ve been alive forever,
And I wrote the very first song.
I put the words and the melodies together,
I am music,
And I write the songs.

I write the songs that make the whole world sing.
I write the songs of love and special thing s.
I write the songs that make the young girls cry.
I write the songs, I write the songs.

My home lies deep within you,
And I’ve got my own place in your sole.
Now, when I look out through your eyes,
I’m you’g again, even though I’m very old.

Chorus

Oh my music makes you dance
And gives your spirit to take a chance,
And I wrote some rock ’n’ roll so you can move.
Music fills your heart,
Well, that’s a real fine place to start.
It’s from me it’s for you,
It’s from you, it’s from me,
It’s a world wide symphony.

Chorus

I am music, and I write the songs.

Nuclear Unicorn

(19,497 posts)
22. How about "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:50 AM
May 2012

How over-wrought can one get? And it's not just the lyrics, it's the musical composition: orchestral swell, crashing cymbals. Good grief!

I only know this song because Lover Boy makes a determined effort to listen to bad songs. He actually relishes them.

caraher

(6,276 posts)
116. Manilow was the bane of 6th grade for me
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:59 PM
May 2012

We had to sing that damned song for some kind of school musical show, wearing red crepe paper vests. I don't remember whether I actually pretended to move my lips - just standing there was traumatic enough without voicing such insipid lyrics.

SwissTony

(2,560 posts)
151. The last one is Lonnie Donegan
Sat May 12, 2012, 10:58 AM
May 2012

A British Institution.

Mark Knopfler wrote a song about Lonnie.

Some quotes about the man

"He was the first person we had heard of from Britain to get to the coveted No. 1 in the charts, and we studied his records avidly. We all bought guitars to be in a skiffle group. He was the man." — Paul McCartney

"He really was at the very cornerstone of English blues and rock." — Brian May.

"I wanted to be Elvis Presley when I grew up, I knew that. But the man who really made me feel like I could actually go out and do it was a chap by the name of Lonnie Donegan." — Roger Daltrey

"Remember, Lonnie Donegan started it for you." — Jack White's acceptance speech at the Brit Awards.

Now, go to bed, pipi_k...with no supper!!!!

 

begin_within

(21,551 posts)
174. "Fish Heads" and "They're Coming to Take Me Away" were
Mon May 14, 2012, 02:06 AM
May 2012

played regularly by Dr. Demento on his L.A. radio show in the 1970s. I heard them many times on that show.

annonymous

(882 posts)
32. Afternoon Delight by The Starland Vocal Band
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:30 AM
May 2012

This song is full of juvenile sex references. My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas is a close runner up.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
34. Best use of "Afternoon Delight" in a movie - PCU
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:35 AM
May 2012

In order to steal booze for their party plus keep the college power-to-be off their backs for a few hours, Droz locks the dean and a bunch of school snobs inside an Alumni Fundraiser. Before he leaves he puts Afternoon Delight on the CD player, hits the repeat button and turns the volume way up - then locks the music cabinet. On the way out he then puts one of those Clubs you use for your car on the doors leading into the fundraiser so no one can get out. So all these people are stuck in a room listening to "Afternoon Delight" over and over again including the college republicans with their leader wonderfully played by David Spade.

I always imaged if there was a hell it would be something like that! Trapped forever in a room with college republicans while "Afternoon Delight" is on endless repeat.

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
41. "Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite"
Wed May 9, 2012, 12:15 PM
May 2012

Come on, lyrics don't get any finer than that.

Submariner

(12,485 posts)
42. "You Light Up My Life" by Debbie Boone is certifiable wrist slashing music
Wed May 9, 2012, 12:23 PM
May 2012

especially when sung by drunk Karaoke singers at a wedding.

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
47. Worst ever: Guaranteed.
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:15 PM
May 2012

First heard it in the 80's as one track on a new artist sampler album.

[link:

&feature=youtu.be|

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
49. Another awful one but funny
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:25 PM
May 2012

Was part of the same promo album I heard around '84. Found it on youtube: Heathen Dan's 'I Like'

[link:

&feature=related|

ceile

(8,692 posts)
52. Those are all fine and good.
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:40 PM
May 2012

But nothing makes me want to swan dive off a multi-story building more than this:

&ob=av2e

bluesbassman

(19,310 posts)
77. LOL. I guess that's one of my guilty pleasures.
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:05 PM
May 2012

I listen to Linda Perry's vocals as more of an instrument in the composition, and really don't pay much attention to the lyrics.

Oh well, something for everybody out there.

Stay away from tall buildings when it's on ceile.

LeftishBrit

(41,192 posts)
53. The theme song of 'Neighbours'
Wed May 9, 2012, 01:40 PM
May 2012

especially if you have to listen to it repeatedly because a family member is a fan of the programme: 'Neigh-baaas! Everybody needs good neigh-baaas!', etc.

Of 'proper' songs, I would agree on 'Honey'; and then there's the one from the early days of answering machines, 'Hello, This is Joanie'.

Response to LeftishBrit (Reply #53)

jobycom

(49,038 posts)
57. Hang on Sloopy would be on my list. Plus, that Rush song about trees.
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:05 PM
May 2012

I'd also put "Today's Tom Sawyer" on the list if I wasn't afraid of the death threats from Rush fans. That spanks anything listed in this thread so far. Except "Hang on Sloopy." It's at least better than that.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
165. Tom Sawyer was the answer that came to mind before I opened the thread.
Sun May 13, 2012, 07:13 PM
May 2012

My god what a terrible song. Not a fan of Rush generally but I like to think of it as a cosmic joke, much like "Touch of Gray" being the only Dead song to ever chart despite being a crappy song--one even Grateful Dead fans generally don't like.

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
63. a song about muskrats screwing
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:33 PM
May 2012

have to admit that it was original! Maybe the Captain was high that night.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
90. I did like the Big Daddy parody from Dr. Demento
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:45 PM
May 2012

although not sure why THAT song even needed parodying...


So delicious
and nutritious
into your mouth with a shove,
tastes like Hamster loooooove....




Muskrat love fun facts:
Written and recorded as Muskrat Candlelight by Willis Alan Ramsey in 1972
Covered by America in 1973 (Yes THAT America - been through the desert on a rat with no name...)
Covered by the good Cap'n and his friend Tennille in 1976.
 

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)
98. The Captain is Carmen Dragon's son!!
Wed May 9, 2012, 06:57 PM
May 2012

Carmen Dragon did the arrangement of America the Beautiful that you used to hear at sign-off time on the TV. It's a fabulous piece of work--great orchestration, interesting key chanages. He conducted the Glendale Symphony Orchestra. I played under him at summer music camp in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1971. We did the finale of Shostakovich's Fifth symphony.

He was a very nice, friendly, approachable guy. He has a daughter who is a harpist, also named Carmen Dragon.


said arrangement of America the Beautiful:

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
100. That is pretty great
Wed May 9, 2012, 07:35 PM
May 2012

ANd that fun fact is more fun than all mine put together - especially you getting work with him!


on a side note, I think if I were ever to date, fall in love with and marry a lady named Carmen Dragon, I might change my last name to hers instead of the usual thing. How awesome is that for name?

At the very least I would insist she not change her last name to mine.

FSogol

(45,357 posts)
62. Worst song of all time? "Put the Bone in" by Terry Jacks, 1972
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:23 PM
May 2012

It was the B side of "Seasons in the Sun."

Put the bone in
She yelled at the store
'Cause my doggie's been hit by a car
And I do want to bring him home something
Put the bone in
She yelled out once more
Because the meat from the pork is so sweet
And the bone from the pork give to me
Put the bone in she begged him
As she paced across the floor
Put the bone in she yelled out once more

Put the bone in
She yelled at the store
Cause my doggie's been hit by a car
And I do want to bring him home something
Put the bone in
She yelled out once more ...

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
64. "Feelings"
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:34 PM
May 2012

not only sappy but that "whoa whoa whoa - feelings" made me actually nauseous. So overplayed at the time too,

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
131. that's better
Thu May 10, 2012, 12:25 PM
May 2012

(I do like The Offspring) but I still have a more 'meh' attitude just because of the chorus. yuck.

TuxedoKat

(3,818 posts)
156. OMG
Sat May 12, 2012, 03:42 PM
May 2012

Before we got married both my husband and I really hated that song along with another one that I can't recall right now. Right before we were married we agreed we would ask the band not to play it and the other song. Anyway, we both forgot and at towards the end of the reception my sister got up and started singing with the band and you guessed it, sang "Feelings". I think they played the other one too but I just can't recall it right now. Maybe I'll see it in this thread!

TuxedoKat

(3,818 posts)
157. Joy to the World
Sat May 12, 2012, 03:44 PM
May 2012

Gosh I hated that song, it was so overplayed too. Not the worst, but definitely in my top ten.

Edited to add, not the Christmas Carol, the pop song by Three Dog Night, that starts out "Jeremiah was a bull frog". Yuck! Even my kids hate that song.

zanana1

(6,085 posts)
68. "Are you a boy or are you a girl"
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:48 PM
May 2012

Don't know the name of the moron who sang it, but it was out -of-this-world stupid and sounded like it had been written and composed by a six year-old boy. Does anyone else remember it?

bluesbassman

(19,310 posts)
74. We Built This City - Starship
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:56 PM
May 2012

One of the main reasons this song sucks so bad is who it came from.

This is your brain on drugs:



This is what happens when you detox:


cemaphonic

(4,138 posts)
99. To be fair, they didn't write it.
Wed May 9, 2012, 07:03 PM
May 2012

Bernie Taupin did, and while he's written a ton of great songs, he's also done much worse.

dawg

(10,610 posts)
192. IMHO it's not the songwriting that's the problem with this one.
Tue May 15, 2012, 10:19 AM
May 2012

It's the schmaltzy execution, horrible 80's production, and regrettable "radio dj" interlude.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
82. We didn't start the Fire, Billy Joel
Wed May 9, 2012, 03:15 PM
May 2012

Repetitive and tuneless in a boring way.

2nd place: Virginia, by Billy Joel

3rd place: that song by Meat Loaf, anything by him with his unromantic rejection of love

Next: that song by Dan Fogelberg where he meets his ex in a grocery store

RFKHumphreyObama

(15,164 posts)
91. Madonna's version of "American Pie"
Wed May 9, 2012, 04:42 PM
May 2012

She takes all the depth and meaning out of that song and her version is flat, emotionless, pointless and sounds horribly contrived

I remember when it was released, one of the radio hosts in the town I was living in at the time obviously either didn't like it or her or perhaps both and, before he started playing it, he asked "Hey Madonna, how long has it been since you've had a really good hit?"

Then Madonna's voice started crooning "A long long time ago..."

A dishonorable mention goes out to the Fugees with their stupid remake of "Killing Me Softly"

Initech

(99,915 posts)
107. OK here's two contenders for the worst song ever that easily eclipse everything mentioned so far:
Wed May 9, 2012, 09:20 PM
May 2012

Gillionaire - "I'm Da Bes"



El Mundo - "Chacarron Macarron"



deutsey

(20,166 posts)
111. Some great bad stuff here, as Leonard Pinth-Garnell might say
Wed May 9, 2012, 10:39 PM
May 2012

Here are a couple others:

Billy, Don't Be a Hero

Macarena

Achey Breaky Heart

Lady in Red

God Bless the USA (Proud to be an American)...sentiment is cool, sappy song sucks

Grammy23

(5,808 posts)
120. Is That All There Is? Peggy Lee
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:19 PM
May 2012

Lots of deserving "bad" songs mentioned here. Looks like there is plenty of material to keep us going for a long time. One that always sends me into orbit (in a bad sort of way) is Peggy Lee groaning and moaning her way through "Is That All There Is". The most depressing song EVER. I always wondered how many people made the decision to just slit their wrists and be done with it after hearing this sad, pitiful song.

Rhiannon12866

(202,983 posts)
121. "It's a Small World"
Wed May 9, 2012, 11:46 PM
May 2012

Despite the fact that I first heard it as a child at the NYC World's Fair when it was an actual ride. The ice cream truck that cruises through my neighborhood plays it...

Myrina

(12,296 posts)
125. Oh, so many ... Let The Eagle Soar!!
Thu May 10, 2012, 08:41 AM
May 2012

... anything by Britney Spears, Niki Minaj or Justin Beiber

... Back that A*** Up - don't even know which mass-produced thug it belonged to

... An Innocent Man by Billy Joel

... Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnnie Tyler

... God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood (or whatever the title is). Makes me want to do a "Sig Heil", then vomit.

... what was the one by Toby Keith that came out after Sept 11, 2001? Yeah, that one too.

Gidney N Cloyd

(19,781 posts)
126. "California Sun" always makes me want to put my head in a meat grinder.
Thu May 10, 2012, 08:50 AM
May 2012

[Introductory 30-second Instrumental Interlude]

Well, I'm goin' out west where I belong
Where the days are short and the nights are long
Where they walk and I'll walk
They twist and I'll twist
They shimmy and I'll shimmy
They fly and I'll fly
Well they're out there a'havin' fun
In that warm California sun.

Well, I'm goin' out west out on the coast
Where the California girls are really the most
Where they walk and I'll walk
They twist and I'll twist
They shimmy and I'll shimmy
They fly and I'll fly
Well they're out there a'havin' fun
In that warm California sun.

[24-second Instrumental Interlude]

Well the girls are frisky in old ‘Frisco
A pretty little chick wherever you go
A-a-and they'll walk and I'll walk
They'll twist and I'll twist
They'll shimmy and I'll shimmy
They'll fly and I'll fly
Well they're out there a'havin' fun
In that warm California sun

Yeah they're out there a'havin' fun
In that warm California sun

dana_b

(11,546 posts)
130. to each his/her own
Thu May 10, 2012, 12:24 PM
May 2012

and I can ALMOST understand not appreciating his voice but his songs really are amazing. One of the best songwriters I can think of. Maybe if you heard them performed by someone else?? I love me some Neil.

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
134. Wait. Wut?
Thu May 10, 2012, 06:31 PM
May 2012

"Cinnamon Girl"? "Down By the River"? "Hey Hey, My My"?

I usually hate that kind of stuff but Neil Young transcends the limits of his genres.

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
142. "Ohio"? "After The Gold Rush"? "Alabama"?....
Thu May 10, 2012, 11:09 PM
May 2012

"Southern Man"? "Revolution Blues"? "Let's Impeach The President"?

How can you not like the man? Yeah, maybe his voice is grating at times, but you gotta love the ideas he puts voice to.

bluesbassman

(19,310 posts)
135. Well I get the voice bit, but man he put out some good music.
Thu May 10, 2012, 06:55 PM
May 2012

"Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" is in my top 20 list of all time great albums.

GReedDiamond

(5,299 posts)
150. Horse With No Name was by America, not Neil Young...
Sat May 12, 2012, 03:23 AM
May 2012

...almost kinda sounds like Neil, but not really.

On edit: I think you are calling out "Horse..." as a really bad song (by America), but then referencing Neil Y as the inspiration, whom you also don't care for.

Which is fine, but I respectfully disagree.

HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)
133. This has got to be one of the worst to ever become a hit.
Thu May 10, 2012, 06:27 PM
May 2012


Sounds like early ABBA duetting with Rowlf from the Muppets.

pink-o

(4,056 posts)
163. Ugh! That song seriously turned me vegetarian at aged 16!
Sun May 13, 2012, 03:59 PM
May 2012

So I can't hate it as much as I would like cuz The Buoys did me a favor. I'm 57 now and I still don't eat meat.

As for worst song, I gotta go with anything Terry Jacks or Paper Lace. It's when people hear that schlock they think the 70s sucked

dogknob

(2,431 posts)
138. I wanted to kill Quentin Tarantino for a while...
Thu May 10, 2012, 08:03 PM
May 2012

because he put that band in Kill Bill that plays that annoying song that got made into a Vonage commercial.

Woo Hoo Woo Hoo Hoo (repeat until killed)

 

hifiguy

(33,688 posts)
148. I can't imagine how I forgot Bloodrock's "DOA"
Sat May 12, 2012, 01:27 AM
May 2012

I think I win the thread, even with those Bobby Goldsboro tunes. A couple of drinks dredges up bad trivia.

 

begin_within

(21,551 posts)
173. That's hilarious
Mon May 14, 2012, 01:54 AM
May 2012

And I am a genuine fan of the Lawrence Welk show. Obviously they didn't understand what "toke" was as Welk was very conservative and if he had known he wouldn't have allowed that song. I think I read about it somewhere on a discussion forum; they didn't know at the time they did that song what "toke" meant.

abbeyco

(1,555 posts)
153. Seasons in the Sun or Daddy Don't You Walk so Fast
Sat May 12, 2012, 12:25 PM
May 2012

Either song is just equally vomit-inducing for me...check 'em out:

Seasons in the Sun:



Daddy Don't You Walk so Fast:


Feel free to on this beautiful Saturday morning!
 

Lemmy

(15 posts)
169. We are the champions, by Queen
Sun May 13, 2012, 11:14 PM
May 2012

Hands down, the worst song ever recorded. Most of their other crap is awful too.

Lean on me comes a close second.

WCGreen

(45,558 posts)
172. Free Bird...
Mon May 14, 2012, 01:17 AM
May 2012

Not because it was a bad song but because every place our band played, someone would keep yelling out Free Bird...

We could play it but no one really wanted too.

MountainMama

(237 posts)
183. You're all wrong....
Mon May 14, 2012, 04:11 PM
May 2012

the absolute worst godawful song ever ever ever is "Mr. Roboto" by Styx. I loathe that song with the fire of a billion suns.

In second place is "Muskrat Love."

I also hate "Midnight at the Oasis" and that Jack Jones song "Wives and Lovers," wherein Mr. Jones tells the wife to "fix your makeup, soon he'll be at the dooooooor." It's telling her to look sharp or he'll have an affair.

rppper

(2,952 posts)
193. I saw Styx get booed off the stage...
Tue May 15, 2012, 04:00 PM
May 2012

At the Houston Texas jam back in the early 80's.....the played the songs from the roboto album, nothing else....less than 4 songs into it the crowd got hostile....bottles thrown onstage, etc, etc....that was a horrible album....I think Dennis DeYoung left the band shortly afterwards....

uriel1972

(4,261 posts)
189. I really, really, Really hate "Don't Worry be Happy"
Tue May 15, 2012, 12:31 AM
May 2012

by Bobby McFerrin. Basically, because at the time I was suicidally depressed.

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