PopTodd Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 "I am the killer of people/You look like a meatball"Jane's Addiction - "Ted, Just Admit It"(Okay, so that one is kinda so awful that it's amazing. Still...) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Having a similar discussion with a buddy of mine. I would say 95% of all the songs that are considered "good" have some pretty terrible lyrics if you just read them on paper. It is the nature of songs. Lyrics just sound stupid when read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Having a similar discussion with a buddy of mine. I would say 95% of all the songs that are considered "good" have some pretty terrible lyrics if you just read them on paper. It is the nature of songs. Lyrics just sound stupid when read. Without a doubt.But some are just so particularly awful that they jump out at you. I guess that is what this thread is supposed to be about. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 123456789 / once in Germany someone said "nein" Ummm.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 What's that Dylan song where he says "I'm a poet and I know it' or some such bullshit? There are probably only five or six Dylan songs that don't have at least one cloying groaner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Most of Phish's tunes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 What's that Dylan song where he says "I'm a poet and I know it' or some such bullshit? There are probably only five or six Dylan songs that don't have at least one cloying groaner. I Shall Be Free No. 10, from Another Side of Bob Dylan. Not one of the stronger tracks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KevinG Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Without a doubt.But some are just so particularly awful that they jump out at you. I guess that is what this thread is supposed to be about. The song that started my discussion with my buddy was Pearl Jam's Even Flow. But then again that would not necessarily be considered a "good" song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 123456789 / once in Germany someone said "nein" Ummm....Oh, I like those lyrics. Kinda stupid, but in a kinda stupid song, so they fit. (I mean stupid in a good way--I LOVE I'm A Wheel!) On the other hand, one line that always hits me with a thud in a song I really like is "like we've discussed" in Please Be Patient With Me. I love that song but I hate that one clunky line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Oh, I like those lyrics. Kinda stupid, but in a kinda stupid song, so they fit. (I mean stupid in a good way--I LOVE I'm A Wheel!) On the other hand, one line that always hits me with a thud in a song I really like is "like we've discussed" in Please Be Patient With Me. I love that song but I hate that one clunky line. I originally heard that line as "black with disgust" and I still prefer it that way... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Oh, I like those lyrics. Kinda stupid, but in a kinda stupid song, so they fit. (I mean stupid in a good way--I LOVE I'm A Wheel!) On the other hand, one line that always hits me with a thud in a song I really like is "like we've discussed" in Please Be Patient With Me. I love that song but I hate that one clunky line. I love the song and agree the lyrics fit well in that context. On "paper" or "screen," they're awful. Some of the best rock 'n roll songs in this style have really trite lyrics, but when married with the music, pack a punch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I Shall Be Free No. 10, from Another Side of Bob Dylan. Not one of the stronger tracks. Oh, I remember the line now: "I'm a folk singer, hum dinger." I later heard Kevn Kinney from Drivin and Cryin sing that exact line on his first solo album and will never figure out how anyone would steal that line. Of all the things to steal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Oh, I remember the line now: "I'm a folk singer, hum dinger." I later heard Kevn Kinney from Drivin and Cryin sing that exact line on his first solo album and will never figure out how anyone would steal that line. Of all the things to steal. I know the song well -- the title track: "MacDougal Blues".In that song, it works really well, I think. A nod and a wink. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 123456789 / once in Germany someone said "nein" Ummm....I'm with Wilco Me on this one! That lyric totally works in that song. Although I don't think I'm a Wheel is stupid. It's sexy as hell! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I'm with Wilco Me on this one! That lyric totally works in that song. Although I don't think I'm a Wheel is stupid. It's sexy as hell!Which is what I said -- it works for that song. On paper, that lyric is really dumb. Never thought of this song as "sexy," though. It's mean and nasty and tough and ballsy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Which is what I said -- it works for that song. On paper, that lyric is really dumb. Never thought of this song as "sexy," though. It's mean and nasty and tough and ballsy.Yeah, well, you maybe don't know smells like flowers. That's how she likes 'em. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
smells like flowers Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Yeah, well, you maybe don't know smells like flowers. That's how she likes 'em. You're damn right! None of this "I do the laundry when you're not home" or some such bullshit! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cold as Gasoline Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I always thought that "I will turn on you" was just another way of saying "I will turn you on." Agree with the sexy as hell assessment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 The men don't know but the little girls understand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El Picador Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Most of Phish's tunes.Most but not all... "What ever you do... take care of your shoes" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 "Yes, I received your letter yesterdayAbout the time the doorknob broke" "Walk upside-down inside handcuffsKick my legs to crash it off" "The judge, he holds a grudgeHe’s gonna call on youBut he’s badly builtAnd he walks on stiltsWatch out he don’t fall on you" For the greatest songwriter of his generation, Dylan has his share of "clunker" lines. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 "Yes, I received your letter yesterday About the time the doorknob broke" There isn't a single letter in that song that isn't perfect. How dare you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) There isn't a single letter in that song that isn't perfect. How dare you.Agree. Checked the lyrics of Desolation Row and the lyric reads as: (not sure why I am pointing it out, but there it is.) Yes, I received your letter yesterday(About the time the doorknob broke)Read more: http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/desolation-row#ixzz2rpzUBB4G Edited January 30, 2014 by calvino Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I agree on Desolation Row. great tune, great lyrics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I love Desolation Row, but that's not exactly my favorite part. I'm not too crazy about the Cinderella verse either. I wouldn't call it a terrible lyric. It's a great song with a few weak lyric spots. One of my top ten Dylan songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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