Dear Gentle Reader:
Occasionally we come across lyrics that inspire disbelief, consternation, and even nausea. I invite you to submit lyrics that you feel are worse than the two samplings I have for your inspiration today.
Runner-Up: This song was so popular that I had the opportunity to hear it many times on the radio. I remember that first awakening when I started listening to the words instead of just the music and singing. I thought I would never find a more terrible example of rhyme over reason. Sheesh. These words make absolutely no logical sense, but you get the distinct impression that they are somehow supposed to. Disheartening. Very disheartening. Without further ado:
"You're Beautiful"
by James Blount
My life is brilliant
My life is brilliant, my love is pure
I saw an angel of that I'm sure
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won't lose no sleep on that
'Cause I've got a plan
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
Yes, she caught my eye
As we walked on by
She could see from my face that
I was flying high
And I don't think that I'll see her again
But we shared a moment that will last 'till the end
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
La la la la la la la la la
You're beautiful you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
There must be an angel with a smile on her face
When she thought up that I should be with you
But it's time to face the truth
I will never be with you
My life is brilliant, my love is pure
I saw an angel of that I'm sure
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won't lose no sleep on that
'Cause I've got a plan
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
Yes, she caught my eye
As we walked on by
She could see from my face that
I was flying high
And I don't think that I'll see her again
But we shared a moment that will last 'till the end
You're beautiful, you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
La la la la la la la la la
You're beautiful you're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
There must be an angel with a smile on her face
When she thought up that I should be with you
But it's time to face the truth
I will never be with you
Please do not hurl on your keyboard--run quickly to the restroom. Quickly!
Winner: Well, imagine my utter surprise that "You're Beautiful" was edged out by a little emo ditty that I've heard on Pandora for a while without understanding the lyrics. It needs no further introduction.
"Like A Rose on the Grave of Love"
by Xandria
Come like the dusk
Like a rose on the grave of love
You are my lust
Like a rose on the grave of love
I curse the day I first saw you
Like a rose that is born to bloom
Don't look at me the way you do
Like the roses, they fear the gloom
Your thorns, they kissed my blood
Your beauty heals, your beauty kills
And who would know better than I do?
Pretend you love me!
Indeed, reality seems far
When a rose is in love with you
Slaves of our hearts, that's what we are
We loved and died where roses grew
They watched us silently
A rose is free, a rose is wild
And who would know better than I do?
Roses are not made for love
Like a rose on the grave of love
You are my lust
Like a rose on the grave of love
I curse the day I first saw you
Like a rose that is born to bloom
Don't look at me the way you do
Like the roses, they fear the gloom
Your thorns, they kissed my blood
Your beauty heals, your beauty kills
And who would know better than I do?
Pretend you love me!
Indeed, reality seems far
When a rose is in love with you
Slaves of our hearts, that's what we are
We loved and died where roses grew
They watched us silently
A rose is free, a rose is wild
And who would know better than I do?
Roses are not made for love
Stunning. Simply Stunning. I'm always on guard when I hear the word "rose" in a song--it makes me listen with a kind of lyrical trepidation. I was particularly moved by the completely nonsensical stanza set off by the "bloom" and "gloom" rhyme. Brilliantly, brilliantly bad. "Like the roses, they fear the gloom." Beat THAT! Ha!
My challenge to you:
Find something that puts these winners to shame. In fact,
I challenge you
To be true,
Else make me blue
Or want some stew.
I challenge you;
Just a few!
Old-- even new.
Maybe Motley Crue?
It's up to you.
It's up to you.
UPDATE:
Although I don't think the "Piranha" lyrics can exceed the horror of "Like a Rose on the Grave of Love," since one is meant to be taken seriously and the other surely not, they are very entertaining, especially in the context of speed metal drumming. Please enjoy the musical stylings of an unknown band singing a song about a piranha. Thanks to Eric for accidentally finding this little gem, and Kami for hooking us up. Indeed--who needs coffee in the morning when you could listen to this?
Disclaimer: I cannot find who wrote or performed this song, and am unaware of any copyright infringement. If someone can tell me who credit should be given to, I will gladly do so, and if the proven owners of this song wish, I will unhappily remove the link from this site.
LOL love it. Mike and I always said that the James Blunt song sounded like it was some drug-mania-crazed homeless guy on the subway who saw a beautiful woman who smiled half out of polite horror and fear, and imagined that she shared a moment of connection with him.
ReplyDeleteOkay, this topic strikes a chord (ha) with me. I have always been disgusted with Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman to Me." Incredibly stupid:
ReplyDeleteShe can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child,
But she's always a woman to me
She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe
And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me
CHORUS:
Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind
And she'll promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--
Bridge
CHORUS:
Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind
She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--
Ok, I've got a winner! Years back Eric downloaded a song that was mislabeled as a Traci Lords song. It was in fact, the (in)famous Pirana song! He never has been able to find the name of the band . . .
ReplyDeleteSwimming in the deep blue sea
he's after you, he's after me.
He'll eat you up, oh yes he will.
Cause he's a baaaaad fish.
Pirrrraaana.
Pirrraaaana.
Pirrrraaana.
Pirana!
Swimming in the deep blue sea
he's after you, he's after me.
He'll eat you up, oh yes he will.
Cause he's no chicken of the sea.
Pirrraana.
Pirraaana.
Pirraaana.
Pirana!
And that's it. Seriously. Wait, Eric says there's some misc screaming in there too and some speed metal drumming. It's great. Eric and Randy played it every morning for almost two years straight . . . and then Randy and El moved to CO. Hmmmm. Coincidence?
We just listened to it again - it starts off:
ReplyDelete"This is a song about a fish. And fish are baaaaaad. OOOOOOOOH! BAD!"
I'm SO glad I was able to hear this one for myself this weekend. It's truly awe-inspiring. I also did some extensive searching to find out if there is anyone claiming this musical genius of a song, but nothing that I can find. Truly disappointing, because it's maybe the most boldly absurd example of post-modern speed-metal which incorporates the theme of man-eating fish that I've ever seen. Inspirational. Thank you, Kami & Eric. (And I want a copy of it, mmmkay? Thaaaanks.)
ReplyDeletePretty much all Bush lyrics were that bad. Take your pick of ANY of them. Below is their masterpiece Glycerine.
ReplyDeleteAlso, not to defend the song, it's stupid for sure, but "You're Beautiful" IS about a drug-addled out-of-body experience, which makes the disjointed lyrics a bit easier to swallow. The radio edit changed "she could see in my eyes I was f***in' high" to "flying high," which pretty much changes the entire mood of the song from pathetic daydream to sticky saccharine highschool love.
Glycerine:
Must be your skin that I'm sinkin in
Must be for real cause now I can feel
and I didn't mind
it's not my kind
not my time to wonder why
everything's gone white
and everything's grey
now your here now you away
I don't want this
remember that
I'll never forget where your at
don't let the days go by
glycerine
I'm never alone
I'm alone all the time
are you at one
or do you lie
we live in a wheel
where everyone steals
but when we rise it's like strawberry fields
If I treated you bad
you bruise my face
couldn't love you more
you got a beautiful taste
don't let the days go by
could have been easier on you
I coudn't change though I wanted to
could have been easier by three
our old friend fear and you and me
glycerine (repeat)
don't let the days go by
glycerine
I needed you more
when we wanted us less
I could not kiss just regress
it might just be
clear simple and plain
that's just fine
that's just one of my names
don't let the days go by
could've been easier on you
glycerine