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Classic songs that you just dont get.


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Old 24-01-2008, 19:23
g jones
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The other day Jeremy Vine played The day before you came by Abba and Sally traffic commented that she found it a tuneless dirge. This got me thinking what song that is considered a classic that you just just fail to get.
I have never been able to get into Secret smile by Semisonic i just find it monotonous and it does not seem to go anywhere.
Anybody else with any other songs.
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Old 24-01-2008, 20:08
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Hmph. Sally Traffic has just gone down in my estimation. TDBYC is one of ABBA's best songs ~ almost certainly in the top 3. It's not meant to be tuneful. However, as this thread correctly indicates, "one man's meat is another man's poison" (or however the cliché goes! ), so I'll list a few of mine (I'm prepared for a slating ):

- "Imagine" (John Lennon). Miserable, whining dirge.
- "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana). Repetitive riff and screamy vocals did nothing for me, and still don't.
- Most U2 songs ... I'll nominate "The Sweetest Thing" for being undefinably bland and irritating.
- "We Are Family" (Sister Sledge). Can't explain it ... have never liked it, even before the damaging effects of a TV advert with dancing sheep or something (was it for a supermarket?)
- "Clocks" (Coldplay). Uninvolving and with nasty, indistinct vocal delivery.
- "Rehab" (Amy Winehouse). Huge critical acclaim, but for me it doesn't work. The arrangement seems chaotic, and her voice, while technically very good, reminds me of Macy Gray on this song (). Also, the horns just make me think of Madness songs.
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Old 24-01-2008, 20:49
rivercity_rules
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Basically anything by The Beatles, I just don't get them at all, they bore me greatly, with the exception of Hey Jude.

Anything by Coldplay, seriously seriously bore me, especially In My Place and Fix You.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Its like 10 Sh*t songs, combined into one almighty sh*t song.

Guns and Roses -Sweet Child of Mine and Paradise City, HATE These songs so much!
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Old 24-01-2008, 20:54
Sloopy
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I certainly wouldn't consider it a classic but everybody seemed to rave about Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars and the radio stations still insist on playing it to death.

I personally can't stand the bland, monotonous rubbish.
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Old 24-01-2008, 21:33
Daisy Bennyboots
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MacArther Park.....it's a SHITE SONG with bad lyrics.

Chasing cars....It's not *that* good....
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Old 24-01-2008, 21:58
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Angels by Robbie Williams. What a horrible dirge with a terrible vocal as well.
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:00
Miss_Moo
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Number one on my list is Imagine by John Lennon, shortly followed by Angels.
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:03
Blah123
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Yup Imagine and Angels would top my list - awful songs. I can't physically listen to Imagine
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:12
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Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Its like 10 Sh*t songs, combined into one almighty sh*t song.
Great summary

Agree with all the mentioned songs ('cept Sister Sledge)
I'd add all Jack Johnson records, although not classics, I just don't get him. He sounds like he's on the wrong speed.
Musical Horlicks.

and Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits..still waiting for it to start

as for James Blunt..
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:21
Tidosho
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Percy Sledge - When a Man Loves a Woman

Anything by U2 - ok, most things, Angel of Harlem and When Love Comes to Town are not too bad.
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:25
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Freebird

Overlong with the world's worst three note endless solo
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:26
Terrence Chant
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I thought I'd choose a few songs from the genre of music I like rather than mainstream, commercial flatulence..........

Coldplay's breakthrough hit 'Yellow'.......monotonous, heard it done better before, and spawned even more diluted offspring (hello, Snow Patrol et al)...........

'Creep' by Radiohead.......again, the song that kickstarted their career.......never really saw what the fuss was about with that song, much as I love a lot of their work.........

'Drowners' by Suede........much preferred the magnificent 'To The Birds' and 'My Insatiable' flip side.............


'Everybody Hurts' by REM........again, love so many of their songs, but perhaps this is the best REM song for non-REM fans..........

'Let Me Entertain You' - Robbie Williams*........the most ghastly song ever recorded IMO......

*'type of music I like' exception
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:31
louise81
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Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:45
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I think Queen have produced far better songs than the overated Bohemian Rhapsody.

I think Thriller by Micheal Jackson is awful as well.

I agree with Angels too, total rubbish.
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Old 24-01-2008, 22:56
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Yes, I forgot to mention "Angels" ~ I can't understand how it became such a phenomenon. :yawn:

As a fellow REM fan, I totally agree with Terrence about "Everybody Hurts". "REM song for non-REM fans" is an accurate observation; my Dad, who probably couldn't even name their lead singer much less identify him in an ID parade, has it, and no other REM song, on his iPod. Give me "Orange Crush", "Imitation Of Life", "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" et al any day!

Another I've thought of ... I like almost all early-80s New Wave/New Romantic bands, but Duran Duran have never interested me (although "Girls On Film" is adequate). "Rio", "Hungry Like The Wolf", "Is There Something I Should Know" (those last two sound the same to me!) and "The Reflex", in particular, leave me totally indifferent.
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:12
Turquoise
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White Christmas- Bing Crosby. Dull, boring, crooner.

A lot of songs by the Beatles and Elvis. Yes, they're good- but not that good surely? I can only think of one Beatles somg I really like (Lady Madonna) and Elvis goes completely over my head.

Denis- Blondie. definitely one of her worst- so how come it gets passed off as one of her best?

Prince in general. To be fair I haven't heard much of his tuff, but what I have heard wasn't brilliant.

Walk like an Egyptian- Bananarama. It's awful!

I can't remember the name of it (sorry) but there's a Madonna one everyone loves that I find pretty dull. Like a Prayer was her best by miles.

Flying without Wings- Westlife. Noise pollution if I ever heard it.

Billie Jean- Michael Jackson. It's pretty boring.
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:16
Terrence Chant
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As a fellow REM fan, I totally agree with Terrence about "Everybody Hurts". "REM song for non-REM fans" is an accurate observation; my Dad, who probably couldn't even name their lead singer much less identify him in an ID parade, has it, and no other REM song, on his iPod. Give me "Orange Crush", "Imitation Of Life", "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" et al any day!
Funny you should say that, on the sleeve of their debut 'Murmur' album, REM were so unknown that the lead singer was printed as (you've guessed it) Michael Stripe........

Going back to Jacko........never understood why everyone loved 'Billie Jean' so much........never got into it........ (EDIT: seems Turquoise is with me on that one!)

My first car had ELO on its number plate but I concede that that is irrelevant to this discussion.
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:17
Daisy Bennyboots
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'Drowners' by Suede........much preferred the magnificent 'To The Birds' and 'My Insatiable' flip side.............

'Let Me Entertain You' - Robbie Williams*........the most ghastly song ever recorded IMO......

*'type of music I like' exception
I maintain that Stay Together (and with wild Ones)was the best Suede single release of that era. We 'interpreted' that song as a mural on the wall of our student "house". B side Living Dead was also excellent. Happy daze.

As for Robbie....his tracks are the ballads beer boys are allowed to sing. I hate Angels with a passion, LetMeEntertain You is sonething worthy of Redcoats at some holiday camp revue. It's so awful it makes me feel angry Rock DJ makes feel...well it's quite offensive , so I won't type it here
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:37
alienghost
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Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes- (I've Had) The Time Of My Life- It's just always annoyed me for some reason.

Wham!- Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go- I know it's supposed to be cheesy, but I just find it irritating.

The Proclaimers- (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles- Actually, I don't get the appeal of The Proclaimers in general.

The Beatles- Hey Jude- Always found it boring.
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:51
Terrence Chant
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I maintain that Stay Together (and with wild Ones)was the best Suede single release of that era. We 'interpreted' that song as a mural on the wall of our student "house". B side Living Dead was also excellent. Happy daze.
Not to mention 'My Dark Star'.......Suede made so many early great B sides that a lot of bands would have been proud to call their A's.........

(I liked your blog BTW.......just thought I'd let you know someone's read it........)

Another stinker: I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston (quite like Dolly's original though)
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Old 24-01-2008, 23:54
Terrence Chant
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. Walk like an Egyptian- Bananarama. It's awful!
Unless there's some hideous cover version I'm unaware of, I think you meant Bangles
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Old 25-01-2008, 00:27
Daisy Bennyboots
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Not to mention 'My Dark Star'.......Suede made so many early great B sides that a lot of bands would have been proud to call their A's.........

(I liked your blog BTW.......just thought I'd let you know someone's read it........)

Another stinker: I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston (quite like Dolly's original though)
(Thanks...I was doing pretty well until the plane crashlanded at Heathrow...now I'm back watching it again - garghghhh )

Wake Me Up Before You Flippin' Go Go. Angry, clappy song - hate it - Butlins, not classic pop. Everything She Wants is soooo much better.
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Old 25-01-2008, 01:34
The Spoon
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oooh - loads of records I like being written off.

U2 - back in the early 80s, the Edge's sound was innovative and "New Year's Day" etc were brilliant.

Beatles - see Beatles' thread on that one -millions disagree.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen - sophisticated, yet rocky. they were awesome in concert - don't diss them.

Snow Patrol - very atmospheric single. it works.

Angels - Williams - melodic and positive, well sung and orchestrated.

Blondie - Denis - I bought it when it came out - you miserable b-ggers mustn't have understood the New Wave scene

Prince? Prince? the guy who recorded "Purple Rain"? FFS!

Billie Jean - Jackson at his best - a poppy song in a slightly negative vibe - club classic of the 80s. FGS - even I got on the floor when it was played.

the records people are dissing in this thread make it seem like "iconoclasm" a type of stupidity that makes people criticise or destroy great art solely because it is popular and acclaimed.

I think I may be out of place on this thread! hardly anything mentioned has not been fairly well performed and deservedly popular.

there are some peopel with a kind of inverted snobbery that decries anything that it popular. lots of popular stuff isn't to my taste, but it doesn't mean it is without merit.
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Old 25-01-2008, 04:08
d'@ve
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there are some peopel with a kind of inverted snobbery that decries anything that it popular. lots of popular stuff isn't to my taste, but it doesn't mean it is without merit.
Yes, criticism for the sake of criticism; I agree with your post.

There are plenty of "classic" songs I don't like but I still accept that they are (they must be) good songs and/or performances. Some of the songs listed in this thread are nowhere near to being classics (too recent) but of the ones that are, I accept them as being great songs - even if I don't "get it".

Some of the insulting language that's been aimed at some of the greatest songs ever to have been written or performed is just crazy. Not 'getting' a classic song is no reason for insulting it.
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Old 25-01-2008, 04:25
Radiomaniac
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Anything/everything by :

Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, The Spice Girls.
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