Quirky top 10 hit songs that maybe wouldn't have been popular if people really listened

[BlueStarryHat]

She Bop by Cindi Lauper

I had my Cyndi Lauper album confiscated by my Mom for that song. Played it a little too loud one night and POOF! Gone.

 

[tzolkin]

Several months ago, The Rolling Stones removed Brown Sugar from their set list. They've been playing it since 1970. Back then, people who doid't listen to the song think "brown sugar" refers to heroin. But, it's clear in the lyrics it's about the horrors & violence of slavery. The Rolling Stones (or their publicist) felt it was time to stop playing the song in today's climate as the lyrics aren't a upbeat and celebratory as the music is.

"Gold Coast slave ship bound for cotton fields
Sold in the market down in New Orleans
Skydog slaver know he's doin' all right
Hear him whip the women, just around midnight

Brown sugar. . ." You are going to have to Google for the rest.

I have no clue how people could not know what this song was about. I can understand with some songs that use only metaphors where the subject meaning may go over someone’s head, but the lyrics of this one are pretty explicit.

Into the Night - Benny Mardones

She’s just 16 years old, leave her alone they say…

Ummm….that is the creepiest line ever when sung by someone that sounds like a 30 year old man. Of course he should leave her alone!! And what does he mean by taking her into the night?? Abduction?! So, so wrong.

There are lots of creepy/stalker/underage songs, but this one has always topped them all for me.

It’s not just abduction, it says “take you into the night and show you love like you’ve never seen” which just screams rape to me.

I know the singer claims that it’s completely platonic, but even the video shows him arguing with her dad, spying on her, climbing through her window, and making out with her on a magic carpet.

 

[georgina]

I have absolutely no idea what the lyrics to She Bop are. So many of these songs people react to the music but don't listen to the words.

The nuns at my (all girls, Catholic) high school hated Only the Good Die Young.

Along those same lines, there was a grocery store tv ad showing families (adults and kids) getting together for a bbq party in someone’s back yard and the song playing was Afternoon Delight. I was just .

That would have made me laugh. There have been lots of commercials with odd song choices. I remember a Subaru ad used The Pogues' If I Should Fall from Grace With God which I thought was weird.

 

[Imzadi]

Thought of another one.

If people really listened to the lyrics, maybe this song wouldn't be used for high school marching bands.

Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going wrong?
Why don't you ask him the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me
Just tell me that you want me
Tusk
Just say that you want me

 

[HelsBels16]

More recent example - Blurred Lines

Miracles by Jefferson Starship always made me cringe when younger. "I had a taste of the real world...

I’ve just been watching a live stream from a blogger at Disney Springs, and a band was singing ‘Blurred Lines’. I don’t really think it’s appropriate or ideal for a mainstream Disney location…

 

[tvguy]

Sounds like a question for my wife. As for me, I usually just ignore the lyrics. Which explains why I have a large collection of instrumental versions of popular songs.

 

[Beezle2]

I got all the way here to page 3 and haven't seen Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People?!

Robert's got a quick hand
He'll look around the room, but won't tell you his plan
He's got a rolled cigarette
Hanging out his mouth, he's a cowboy kid, yeah
He found a six-shooter gun
In his dad's closet, and with a box of fun things
I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run outrun my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run faster than my bullet

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I don't give humanity that much credit.
A couple off Dookie by Greenday
I think Basket case and album might have made the top 10
Basket Case and Pulling Teeth

 

[Imzadi]

Yes, I'm bumping up a thread from over a year ago. The video below popped up on my YouTube feed and reminded me of these posts on this thread.

Into the Night - Benny Mardones

She’s just 16 years old, leave her alone they say…

Ummm….that is the creepiest line ever when sung by someone that sounds like a 30 year old man. Of course he should leave her alone!! And what does he mean by taking her into the night?? Abduction?! So, so wrong.

There are lots of creepy/stalker/underage songs, but this one has always topped them all for me.

It’s not just abduction, it says “take you into the night and show you love like you’ve never seen” which just screams rape to me.

I know the singer claims that it’s completely platonic, but even the video shows him arguing with her dad, spying on her, climbing through her window, and making out with her on a magic carpet.

 

[SirDuff]

Not a "top 10" but You are my Sunshine played as a love song/at weddings. I think people only know the first verse/chorus.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I remember liking it when it first came out since the melody is catchy until actually listening to the lyrics.Ick. Now I just get mad.

I remember hearing that Anne and Nancy Wilson hate the song too.
It seems like a lovely song, until it isn't. It is just SO disturbing.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I wonder if all the people that were pimping Rich Men North of Richmond still like it now that the author has said what it's really about. HAHAHA.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Thought of another one.

If people really listened to the lyrics, maybe this song wouldn't be used for high school marching bands.

Tusk - Fleetwood Mac

Why don't you ask him if he's going to stay?
Why don't you ask him if he's going away?
Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Why don't you tell me who's on the phone?
Why don't you ask him what's going wrong?
Why don't you ask him the latest on his throne?
Don't say that you love me
Just tell me that you want me
Tusk
Just say that you want me

Well the lyrics won't give it away unless you know what Tusk is slang for.

The TMB, who played on the original still plays it. Some customized lyrics have been added.

Looking for a non vulgar version.

 

[mylilnikita]

Kip Winger back in the day:

 

[LuvOrlando]

I wonder if all the people that were pimping Rich Men North of Richmond still like it now that the author has said what it's really about. HAHAHA.

Did that song really need explanation to anyone?

Having grown up poor and suffering all that goes with it I totally get the songwriters indignance & I also get why it tugs at the hearts of everyone trampled on by the system such that it is, but what I don't get is your HAHAHA. Why is poverty funny? I don't get the glee, are you one of those wealthy people who walk by homeless and tell them to just, "Get a job?"

I like the song, it is unifying across all the idiotic banners.
This song speaks to the same demographic as the late, great George Carlin, "It's a big club, and you ain't in it. You and I are not in the big club"

 

[LuvOrlando]

Ummm, how young?

You were so young, and I was so free
I may been young, but baby that's not what I wanted to be

 

[LuvOrlando]

I saw him dancin' there by the record machine
I knew he must've been about 17
The beat was goin' strong
Playin' my favorite son

 

[LuvOrlando]

How much older was Maggie exactly? Gag

Wake up, Maggie
I think I got something to say to you
It's late September and
I really should be back at school

I know I keep you amused
But I feel I'm being used
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my heart and that's what really hurts

The morning sun, when it's in your face
Really shows your age
That don't worry me none
In my eyes, you're everything

I laughed at all of your jokes
My love you didn't need to coax
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
Just to save you from being alone
You stole my soul and that's a pain I can do without

All I needed was a friend
To lend a guiding hand
But you turned into a lover, and mother what a lover!
You wore me out

All you did was wreck my bed
And in the morning kick me in the head
Oh, Maggie, I couldn't have tried anymore
You led me away from home
'Cause you didn't want to be alone
You stole my heart, I couldn't leave you if I tried

I suppose I could collect my books
And get on back to school
Or steal my daddy's cue
And make a living out of playing pool

Or find myself a rock 'n' roll band
That needs a helping hand
Oh, Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face
You made a first-class fool out of me
But I'm as blind as a fool can be
You stole my heart, but I love you anyway

Maggie, I wished I'd never seen your face
I'll get on back home one of these days, ooh, ooh, ooh

 

[mylilnikita]

Did that song really need explanation to anyone?

Having grown up poor and suffering all that goes with it I totally get the songwriters indignance & I also get why it tugs at the hearts of everyone trampled on by the system such that it is, but what I don't get is your HAHAHA. Why is poverty funny? I don't get the glee, are you one of those wealthy people who walk by homeless and tell them to just, "Get a job?"

I like the song, it is unifying across all the idiotic banners.
This song speaks to the same demographic as the late, great George Carlin, "It's a big club, and you ain't in it. You and I are not in the big club"

I don’t think the HaHa is a dug at poverty but political groups thinking the song is their anthem as a dug at the other team.
When in fact it’s OA saying it’s not for either sides benefit but the regular man.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don’t think the HaHa is a dug at poverty but political groups thinking the song is their anthem as a dug at the other team.
When in fact it’s OA saying it’s not for either sides benefit but the regular man.

Ohhhh, OK, if that is in fact the case I get it.

I hate that every single important cause becomes a brand now and once side or the other makes a play for it, I keep the ideas but completely reject lending leverage to it & so that is how you get the middle silent majority who can easily rock the boat.