The worst/stupidest/funniest/most ridiculous etc. lyrics ever thread ! :) [MERGED]

[HIStoric]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

You sound too critical towards British people.

I'm not...?

 

[mj_frenzy]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

I'm not...?

I cannot understand why you criticize the Western people, particularly the British ones, & their traditions.

 

[HIStoric]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

I cannot understand why you criticize the Western people, particularly the British ones, & their traditions.

...I'm not? What are you going on about?

 

[mj_frenzy]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

...I'm not? What are you going on about?

My question aims generally at such songs interpretations, not personally to you.

It looks like that some songs (for example, particular Christmas songs) try to make Western people feel some sort of shame because they are more privileged, as compared to the permanent, dire African situation.

 

[HIStoric]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

My question aims generally at such songs interpretations.

It looks like that some songs (for example, particular Christmas songs) try to make Western people feel some sort of shame (during certain festive occasions) because of the permanent, dire African situation.

Well I wasn't criticising British people/Westerners, if that's what you're wondering. I don't think Westerners who are better off should feel shame because they are... if anything I think that's silly actually.

As someone who is quite privileged in a sense (especially compared to the Africans affected by famine as mentioned in the song), sometimes I/we do take our lifestyle for granted. Every once in a while it doesn't hurt to be reminded that ya know, there are people out there who are less fortunate so we should be grateful. I don't feel shameful because I'm better off and I'm not going to, but I do recognise that I'm lucky to be born into the situation that I am in and so I'm grateful for that.

 

[mj_frenzy]

Well I wasn't criticising British people/Westerners, if that's what you're wondering. I don't think Westerners who are better off should feel shame because they are... if anything I think that's silly actually.

Of course it is silly & I am glad that we both agree on that!

As someone who is quite privileged in a sense (especially compared to the Africans affected by famine as mentioned in the song), sometimes I/we do take our lifestyle for granted. Every once in a while it doesn't hurt to be reminded that ya know, there are people out there who are less fortunate so we should be grateful. I don't feel shameful because I'm better off and I'm not going to, but I do recognise that I'm lucky to be born into the situation that I am in and so I'm grateful for that.

Seriously, do you believe that the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ genuinely aimed at raising awareness?

Or, that even people need those (mostly charity) songs in order to be reminded of their luxuries (as compared to the impoverished Africans) so as to feel grateful?

This goes back to an interesting discussion we had some months ago (when you seemed to be positive about such recordings).

Anyway, I am going to say that again: All these songs (including ‘We Are The World’, of course) aim for the most part, if not exclusively, to create good publicity for the involved artists, no ifs or buts about it.

 

[barbee0715]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

-_- And wtf is with the "thank God it's them instead of you", who says that in a charity song?

Doesn't that just mean "there, but for the Grace of God, go I?" It could very well be them. It could very well be me. In other words, it's compassion and empathy.

Yes, these songs do create good publicity for the involved artists, but there are actually people out there who want to help and encourage others to help their fellow man.

 

[barbee0715]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

Hands down, I heard the worst song ever today, because the radio.com article that crossed my news feed declared that Chris Brown has channeled Michael in his new video and song "Privacy."

I don't even consider that a song-that had to be the most vulgar, pornographic lyrics I've ever heard in my life.

 

[MichaelD]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

I wonder why this hasn't been brought up already

Everybody wanting a piece of Michael Jackson
Reporters stalking the moves of Michael Jackson
(...)
Everybody watching the news on Michael Jackson
They wanna see that I fall cause I'm Michael Jackson

 

[HIStoric]

I wonder why this hasn't been brought up already

Everybody wanting a piece of Michael Jackson
Reporters stalking the moves of Michael Jackson
(...)
Everybody watching the news on Michael Jackson
They wanna see that I fall cause I'm Michael Jackson

It's a given, that's why

Seriously, do you believe that the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’ genuinely aimed at raising awareness?

This goes back to an interesting discussion we had some months ago (when you seemed to be positive about such recordings).

Yes, these songs do create good publicity for the involved artists, but there are actually people out there who want to help and encourage others to help their fellow man.

Barbee pretty much sums up how I feel. There's no doubt that yes the songs create good publicity for the artists, but I'm sure a number of them do genuinely want to help. At the end of the day, it raised millions of dollars for those in need and to me, that's what matters most.

 

[LindavG]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

The song's target audience seems to primarily be a Western audience who experience snowfall during Christmas, and thus they often identify Christmas with snow, so the visual image of a lack of snow maybe helps emphasise how "un-Christmas" it is to them. I've seen comments online from Americans/British people saying it's weird to see places like Australia and NZ have super hot summers on Christmas day, simply they're so used it to be freezing cold and snowy.

I don't think the part about there being no snow in Africa for Christmas is meant as a fun fact but rather to perpetuate this stereotype that Western people have of Africa as a barren desert "where nothing ever grows".

However, wasn't this song written for and during a huge famine? Therefore being a famine, many riverbeds are drying up, there's no rainfall and therefore many crops are failing to grow? I mean, if that's the case then the lyrics fit....?

The lyrics may have been appropriate for that specific time and place but that doesn't mean it's not cringeworthy today. And that's all this thread is about, right?

I'm not a cynical person who questions the intent or value of songs like this. I think it's great when artists use their platform to raise money or awareness for a good cause and I'm sure this song (and others like them) helped a lot of people. That's beside the point. I just wish that this particular song didn't include such sweeping generalisations of an entire continent. I understand the need to describe Africa in the most dire terms in order to convince people to donate their money or time but I also feel bad for Africans who take pride in their cultural Christmas traditions that this song comes back on the radio every year, removed from the context of a famine.

Doesn't that just mean "there, but for the Grace of God, go I?" It could very well be them. It could very well be me. In other words, it's compassion and empathy.

It's compassion and empathy to thank God it's them and not you?

 

[barbee0715]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

I'm not a cynical person who questions the intent or value of songs like this. I think it's great when artists use their platform to raise money or awareness for a good cause

The lyrics may have been appropriate for that specific time and place but that doesn't mean it's not cringeworthy today. And that's all this thread is about, right?

Is the thread about songs that have aged and are now cringeworthy, or always had bad lyrics?

and I'm sure this song (and others like them) helped a lot of people. That's beside the point. I just wish that this particular song didn't include such sweeping generalisations of an entire continent. I understand the need to describe Africa in the most dire terms in order to convince people to donate their money or time but I also feel bad for Africans who take pride in their cultural Christmas traditions that this song comes back on the radio every year, removed from the context of a famine.



It's compassion and empathy to thank God it's them and not you?

Well, and maybe I'm misunderstanding the lyric-but I always took it to mean what I said about "there, but for the Grace of God, go I?" In other words, the famine could just as easily occur in England. We could be homeless if our company goes under. We are one disease away from being bankrupt and on the street.

So, you thank God for your blessings, and help those more unfortunate. They're no different than you and it could be you tomorrow.We are all one.

Maybe that's just a naive assumption on my part, and since I know the song was written for the famine, I hear it that way. Granted, I'm not as familiar with it as people in the UK (and I guess Europe and Africa) are. They rarely play it here at Christmas, and even in 85, it didn't seem to be played much.

 

[Tony R]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

Is the thread about songs that have aged and are now cringeworthy, or always had bad lyrics?

Well, and maybe I'm misunderstanding the lyric-but I always took it to mean what I said about "there, but for the Grace of God, go I?" In other words, the famine could just as easily occur in England. We could be homeless if our company goes under. We are one disease away from being bankrupt and on the street.

So, you thank God for your blessings, and help those more unfortunate. They're no different than you and it could be you tomorrow.We are all one.

Maybe that's just a naive assumption on my part, and since I know the song was written for the famine, I hear it that way. Granted, I'm not as familiar with it as people in the UK (and I guess Europe and Africa) are. They rarely play it here at Christmas, and even in 85, it didn't seem to be played much.

You're 100% correct Barbee.

 

[LindavG]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

Is the thread about songs that have aged and are now cringeworthy, or always had bad lyrics?

What about songs that have bad lyrics that only make sense in a specific context but are even worse outside of that context?

I don't understand why we even need to have a whole debate about this. In my opinion, the song was poorly written and it has nothing to do with the intent of the song or the artists who participated. And it says nothing about how charitable I am as a person either -_-

So, you thank God for your blessings, and help those more unfortunate. They're no different than you and it could be you tomorrow.We are all one.

See, that sounds much better than "so tonight, thank God it's them instead of you!" Imagine a charity song for cancer victims or something that had that line. And since it was taken out of later releases of the song, I think they realised how bad it came across.

Again, I think initiatives like this are great and I support them on principle, but this thread is just about bad song lyrics and DTKIC immediately came to my mind as having cringeworthy lyrics.

 

[Tony R]

Re: Worst song lyrics ever

Really surprised this need pointing out, but the 'Tonight thak God it's them, instead of you line' isn't literal. It's appealing to that selfish part of us that kicks in whoever we watch footage of Ethiopia, or Syria or wherever the latest tragedy is, that makes us say Thank God it's not me.

It's so easy to have a go at those trying to make a difference and point out where they've got it wrong while we sit back and do nothing.

And giving to charity, there's always a little selfish reason why we do it - to make ourselves feel a little better.

 

[DuranDuran]

Tom - Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?

I remember that tom and jerry episode hahaha We have it on video

That song was a hit for Louis Jordan before it was used in Tom & Jerry

 

[StaceyMJ]

Re: The worst/stupidest/funniest/most ridiculous etc. lyrics ever thread !

Merging these threads guys.

 

[barbee0715]

Re: [MERGED] The worst/stupidest/funniest/most ridiculous etc. lyrics ever thread ! :)

That song was a hit for Louis Jordan before it was used in Tom & Jerry

I've always loved that song.

 

[Mikky Dee]

Re: [MERGED] The worst/stupidest/funniest/most ridiculous etc. lyrics ever thread ! :)

~Bump~


Any more ridiculous, stupid, funny, crazy, unintelligible lyrics out there???

 

[DuranDuran]

Vanity 6 - If A Girl Answers (Don't Hang Up)

the entire song is funny, but especially Brenda's part at around 1:50