I love the written word. Short form, long form, poetry or prose, words can be both trite and profound at the same time.

I am especially enamored with song lyrics. Well, sometimes. I have shared many a song lyric on these pages. I of course, have always shared my favorites. Below are some of my least favorites.

Worst Lyrics. When I say worst, it can mean stupid, poorly written, insensitive or any combination there of. The artists can be legendary, moderately successful or one hit wonders. The songs themselves have had at least some success in record sales, radio play, or music downloads.

The Rolling Stones do have some excellent, compelling lyrics in many of their songs, but Under My Thumb? Come on Mick, Keith et all. They were criticized for this ego ridden, sexist song, and came up with the worst reply to go with their worst lyrics. Some goop about how they secretly meant just the opposite of what everyone was thinking.

Just the same, they were (still are I guess) a great rock band with a catalogue of well-written songs.

Under My Thumb, The Rolling Stones
Under my thumb

The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me around
It’s down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come,
She’s under my thumb
Ain’t it the truth babe?
Under my thumb
The squirmin’ dog who’s just had her day
Under my thumb
A girl who has just changed her ways
It’s down to me, yes it is
The way she does just what she’s told
Down to me, the change has come
She’s under my thumb
Ah, ah, say it’s alright
Under my thumb
A Siamese cat of a girl
Under my thumb
She’s the sweetest, hmmm, pet in the world
It’s down to me
The way she talks when she’s spoken to
Down to me, the change has come,
She’s under my thumb
Ah, take it easy babe
Yeah

I think she should run away, quickly——————————————————————————————–
New Edition – Popcorn Love

“P” is for her personality
I said the “O” is for originality
And the other “P” is for the perfect love she gives to me
The “C” is just ’cause she loves me
And the “O” means she’s the only love I got
And the “R” and the “N”, our love will never end’

Good grief!!

———————————————————————————————-

The Joker, The Steve Miller Band

I probably shouldn’t criticize Steve Miller. He’s very successful, is from my home state of Wisconsin, and has a good catalogue of music. Lyrically he has some nice songs and a lot of bad ones (my opinion). If you disagree with me, many people would be on your side. One of his most successful songs ever was The Joker. The songs has a great “sing. songy” quality and I admit I catch myself singing along to it. That is until I really listen to the words. Below are a few of those words.

‘Cause I’m a picker
I’m a grinner
I’m a lover
And I’m a sinner
Playin’ my music in the sun
I’m a joker
I’m a smoker
I’m a mid-night toker
I get my lovin’ on the run
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
You’re the cutest thing that I ever did see
I really love your peaches
Want to shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time
Ooh wee baby, I sure show you a good time

Well, it is true that you can rhyme Steve, but come on!———————————————————————————————————-

Coldplay Wow Coldplay, how brilliant!!!!!

Look at the stars,

Look how they shine for you,

And everything you do,

Yeah they were all yellow,

Not all stars are yellow. Some are red. Some are orange. Others are blue. Fuchsia stars have been reported, but such claims are unverified.

Good grief (again), these are dumb even if you just say them, much less sing them.

A few lines from The Black Eyed Pea’s, I gotta a feeling are

I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling, woohoo, that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

A feeling, woohoo, that tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good night
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night

I gotta a feeling too, it’s called nausea. Also that the Black Eyed Peas need some fresh ideas.

——————————————————————————————————

Ultimately song lyrics like many things, are a matter of opinion. Personal taste. I have shared lyrics to songs before on these pages and I suspect, some would be liked by most people, but others less so.

I shared the lyrics of two Bob Dillon songs in one article.

The first, Forever Young contained very straightforward words that I suspect a lot people liked. The kind of words that almost anybody can identify with.

The second was a song called Along The Watchtower. I suspect that many who read those words said to themselves “what the h***” Some phrases seemed to make sense and some did not. The music is important in that song and I much prefer the Jimi Hendrix version as it sets the mood. To me, those words paint a picture, be it a bit of a strange one. I think it is possible that Dillon was under the influence of some foreign substance when he wrote it.

Yes words do mean things, it’s just that sometimes what they mean is forgettable.

Have a lyrical sort of day,
Wayne