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David Melson
David Melson is a copy editor and staff writer for the Times-Gazette.
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Those off-the-wall songs

Posted Monday, March 17, 2008, at 9:50 AM

There are some songs that, no matter how well-written or well-performed they are, just make you cringe.

An office discussion arose over that today. One of the songs mentioned was "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles.

As for me, I'd say "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes, and that's possibly due to overexposure: A few years ago Mix 92.9 was played over ceiling speakers in the T-G office -- we couldn't get to the radio, which was locked in the then-publisher's office, and change the station -- and they seemed to play it every day.

And Delilah's not exactly a song, but one former employee actually ripped out the speaker over his desk one night because he couldn't take any more of Delilah, the air personality who plays love songs nightly.

I didn't exactly like "Acky Breaky Heart" either, but Billy Ray Cyrus has come a long way since. Looks like the sky's the limit for his daughter Miley/Hannah Montana.

I listen closely to today's music as well and can't immediately think of anything overly irritating.

Then there are those "guilty pleasure" songs -- those you wonder why you tolerate them. For me, that one would be "Boogie Shoes" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band (remember them from the mid-1970s?) Simply a good beat, even if it's disco.

So what are your nominations for "most irritating" and "guilty pleasure" songs?

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  • That brings back so many memories. And before people get the wrong idea, no it was not me that 'ripped out the speaker'. However, I remember that night like it was yesterday. Probably never laughed as hard in my life, especially when the ceiling began to fall on top of us! We were truly "Dancing on the Ceiling" (by Lionel Richie) that night!

    Absolutely hilarious blog and I'm glad you brought it up. I hope to hear some other funny responses to annoying songs...this could be good.

    -- Posted by Chad_Tracy on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 10:46 AM

  • My feel Good songs are

    "That kind of Day" By Sarah Buxton

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ypi2AyfvaQ

    Another one is "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w&feature=related

    They both make me happy;

    The only song I can think of that irritates me is "Ticks" by Brad Paisley

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KvHB4zpNX4&feature=related

    -- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 11:37 AM

  • My all time favorite song is "Sweet Home Alabama" - and of course anything Kid Rock sings....his newest album "Rock & Roll Jesus" is a lot more "mellow" than his previous music and will take a lot us kids of the 80's down memory lane if you listen to the words to some of the songs.

    -- Posted by Angie Bush-Lee on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 12:16 PM

  • I can not stand, "Who Let the Dogs Out"... and that song about "Discovery Channel" (you and me baby and nothing but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel) LOL... Horrible songs

    -- Posted by darrick_04 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 12:29 PM

  • if I have to hear "Shift Work" one more time I'm going to jump off a bridge...talk about over played!

    -- Posted by sfowler on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 12:42 PM

  • You think you've got "Shift Work" stuck in your head ... they played it over 100 times in Wartrace while filming the video for the tune last year and it took weeks for it to be washed clean from my cortex.

    That, and that stupid "Maccarana" thing from the late 1990's ...

    -- Posted by Brian Mosely on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 12:50 PM

  • lol at the shiftwork....if George (Strait) is singing, I'm listening!

    That song from a few years ago "I'm bossy" I think Trina sang it, I detest that song!

    -- Posted by LauraSFT on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:04 PM

  • I absolutely hate the following songs:

    "Crazy Frog" - Axel F(This song gives me an absolute headache!)

    "Jolene" - Dolly Parton

    "Who Let the Dogs Out" - Baha Men

    "Patience" - Guns n Roses(The whistling drives me CRAZY!!)

    I cringe every time I hear one of these songs.

    -- Posted by jaxspike on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:08 PM

  • Rascal Flatts or Carrie Underwood are both terrible. Pick any song by either as most annoying

    -- Posted by gordo1965 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:09 PM

  • I remember one from years ago. How about the country song: Just a Swingin'

    -- Posted by time2relax on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:15 PM

  • time2relax, I love that song!

    -- Posted by LauraSFT on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:19 PM

  • Take On Me - Aha

    Final Countdown - Europe

    November Rain - GnR

    Just A Girl - No Doubt

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:26 PM

  • Oh yeah

    Relax - Pet Shop Boys.

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:31 PM

  • LauraSFT, so did my mother.

    -- Posted by time2relax on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:32 PM

  • Evil Monkey - Relax is not from the Pet Shop Boys, it's Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

    My favorite songs are anything from the following singers/bands:

    Pulp

    Leonard Cohen

    Gnarls Barkley

    The Beautiful South

    Morrissey/The Smiths

    Bobbie Gentry

    I tend to not really listen to the radio much, other than the MTSU or Vanderbilt stations, so I don't really know what's newer that I would really not like, but I can't stand Gwen Stefani - there's something about her, I can't get into. I used to think I wasn't really into country but I really like 60s and 70s stuff.

    -- Posted by cfrich on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 1:48 PM

  • You are so right. Same type of group and I got mixed up.

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 2:16 PM

  • I like 60's and 70's too, like Pink Floyd and The Doors and most of that instrumental classical stuff.

    I can't stand most country and absolutely no country earlier that the mid 80's.

    OMG, Elvira...aaahhhhaaa!!!! Although I heard a really funny parody where they sang O-bama, O-bama mao mao ?? and rhymed "Obama" with "Chelsey's Mama" I think it was on the Big Show. Too funny.

    -- Posted by Jacks4me on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 2:24 PM

  • Although I do think it is a great song and a classic, I developed a special dislike for "Free Bird", when I played music in bars & nightclubs for several years. If you have ever been a musician, then you can probably relate to the aggravation felt, when you heard someone from the crowd yell out "Free Bird" for like the millionth time. Our lead singer would say "Whats that?uh never heard it..we don't know it":)

    William

    -- Posted by HorseGentler on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 2:32 PM

  • Some times I feel I got to (duh duh) get away, I got to (duh duh) run away from....

    ....really really bad 80's one hit wonders, lol!!!!

    -- Posted by craftin_mom on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 3:23 PM

  • "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega is quite horrible!

    -- Posted by darrick_04 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 3:35 PM

  • Tainted Love is an awesome song... Marilyn Manson's remake of it was well done also.

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 4:42 PM

  • Favorite song: Back in Black- AC/DC

    Least Favorite- Cotten Eyed Joe- Rednex

    -- Posted by Murphy's Law on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 5:37 PM

  • All time most irritating song for me is Tiny Tim's "Tip Toe Through the Tulips."

    Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy" still makes me smile some 20 years later!

    -- Posted by Rhebea96 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 6:25 PM

  • Tip Toe through the tulips, I had that album.

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 6:35 PM

  • Oh my, so many memories here. I agree with most of you guys about your choices except for "Jolene". Jaxspike, How can anybody not love Dolly. :>)

    I am a avid music lover everything from Rap to Classical..I love it all :>)

    EM I still Have the "Tiptoe through the Tulips" single if you'd like to borrow it :>)

    -- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 6:47 PM

  • What is wrong with yall? Low Rider was the greatest ever!

    Can't stand Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah

    -- Posted by Disgusted on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 6:54 PM

  • Here's one to drive you all crazy:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNTxr2NJHa0

    Now, I'm gonna go run and hide. LMBO!

    -- Posted by craftin_mom on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 7:08 PM

  • One more...although I sort of like it! Every time I see the movie Ghost the song, "I'm Henry the VIII, I am" gets stuck in my head and is quite irritating after a while. Guess that makes it an irritating, guilty pleasure???

    -- Posted by Rhebea96 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 7:27 PM

  • craftin_mom

    You think that one is bad give a listen to this one very irritating but it sticks in your head ...lol

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88waiHTyjhA

    -- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 7:53 PM

  • I love the Llama llama song, lmbo!!!

    Makes no sense whatsoever, but it's so dumb, it's cute!

    -- Posted by craftin_mom on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 7:55 PM

  • ROFL you guys kill me hehe.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTW8oUV8Aq0

    -- Posted by Evil Monkey on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 8:35 PM

  • Anything from Culture Club ( Boy George ) or George Michael should be banned from the radio.

    -- Posted by seedsower on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 9:53 PM

  • my fav is the dirty dancing songs mmmm it just makes me go to a happy place lol!! annoing song would have to limp bizkit nookie just rubs me the wrong way haha and nything willie nelon i love country but he irks me!!

    -- Posted by jdw931 on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 10:01 PM

  • ok I'll bite seedsower "Why?"

    -- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 10:01 PM

  • Because they are both gay. And probably needed to be whooped as children... Why else? J/k, but that is probably seedsower's reason.

    -- Posted by nascarfanatic on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 11:55 PM

  • Boy George is gay?? Your kidding right? :>)

    -- Posted by Dianatn on Mon, Mar 17, 2008, at 11:58 PM

  • Dianatn . . . I love Dolly's bluegrass music and have the two albums she did a few years ago but I am not a fan of her country music but I can tolerate it except for Jolene. Something about when she sings the chorus with Jolene is like hearing fingernails scratching on a chalkboard. LOL!

    Her bluegrass music though ranks up there with Alison Krauss! I also love that song she did for that movie weird movie Transamerica . . . Travelin Thru.

    My favorite artists though are Sarah McLachlan, ATB, Enigma, Delerium, Bush, Smashing Pumpkins, Alison Krauss, Johnny Cash, and Tool. :-)

    -- Posted by jaxspike on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 6:16 AM

  • The sound of Delilah's voice makes me want to vomit!

    Tim McGraw's "Don't take the Girl" also makes me cringe. Not a bad song but SOOOO overplayed when it came out that, even now, can't stand to hear it come on!

    Other than that, I love it all!

    -- Posted by pleasebenice on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 1:14 PM

  • Dang. This must be "Hate on Seedsower day", but yeah nascardude you hit the nail smack dab on the head.

    -- Posted by seedsower on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 3:47 PM

  • Hmm, well it was yesterday but nice try. LOL

    -- Posted by nascarfanatic on Tue, Mar 18, 2008, at 6:48 PM

  • I believe I can FLY...Hate it...That is all he say's and it makes me want to scream and say then FLY....

    -- Posted by rebelrose on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 9:36 PM

  • Hey William I may have been one of those people yelling "FREE BIRD" I have done it many of times when we go to listen to bands playing. We had a nice spot in Wartrace for a while at the Whistle Stop Resturant on friday and saturday nite. But they closed down.My son just yelled out " Lucky Man' by Montgomery Gentry..He said he was burned out on it now.

    -- Posted by rebelrose on Wed, Mar 19, 2008, at 9:47 PM

  • rebelrose,

    Unless you were in TX., LA., or OK., in the late 80's through mid 90's, then it probably wasn't you, but some other "Free Bird" lover :). I have known many musician friends that have experienced the same feelings that I posted.

    I'm pretty sure that some famous bands and singers also get sick of playing some songs of theirs, that became hugely popular and are expected to be played at each show they do. I have never heard anything about if "Lynyrd Skynyrd" felt that way about "Free Bird" or not.

    I have also been to the Whistle Stop, but never played music there. I haven't been to Wartrace in a long time, so I was unaware, it had even closed.

    William

    -- Posted by HorseGentler on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 8:59 AM

  • I hate Free Bird and does anybody remember "The Safety Dance" by Men without Hats?

    -- Posted by Disturbia on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 1:59 PM

  • William do you still play in a band? Yes it has been closed for about 2 years now. It has been a while since you were in Wartrace.Were you ever there when Uncle Tom's Band played? They do alot of 70's and 80's. They are friends of mine and play great music.

    -- Posted by rebelrose on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 7:54 PM

  • Disturbia - I loved Men Without Hats!!

    Also, Seedsower - I had the biggest crush on George Michael in the 80s/90s. You have no idea how excited I am that he's on that new tv show, Eli Stone.

    -- Posted by cfrich on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 1:11 AM

  • William do you still play in a band? Yes it has been closed for about 2 years now. It has been a while since you were in Wartrace.Were you ever there when Uncle Tom's Band played? They do alot of 70's and 80's. They are friends of mine and play great music.

    -- Posted by rebelrose on Thu, Mar 20, 2008, at 7:54 PM

    rebelrose,

    I haven't played with a band since the mid 90's, except to occasionally sit in with some friend's bands, that used to play over @ Millenium in T-town, Chasers in Shelbyville or a bar that used to be in Lewisburg, but has since burnt and I cannot recall the name of the place. That should tell you how long it's been since I jammed with anyone,as all those places have been closed for several years.

    I personally know Tom & his son Toby, as I used to work with them in Lewisburg @ ICP, before it closed. I haven't heard them in at least 6 years, when they had a little different line up, but they were great then. Tom is super on guitar.

    When I was going to Whistle Stop I went to see a band whose singer's last name was Drake, but I cannot recall his first name.

    William

    -- Posted by HorseGentler on Fri, Mar 21, 2008, at 9:30 AM
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