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Song lyrics you could not write today

That Tom Jones favourite:

"At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me Delilah, I just couldn't take anymore"
 
Neil Sedaka's "Happy Birthday Sweet 16" is quite the groomer's handbook:

Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

Tonight's the night I've waited for
Because you're not a baby anymore
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen,
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

What happened to that funny face
My little tomboy now wears satins and lace
I can't believe my eyes you're just a teenage dream
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

When you were only six I was your big brother
Then when a you were ten we didn't like each other
When you were thirteen You was a funny valentine
But since you've grown up Your future is sewn up
From now on you're gonna be mine, so

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
 
That Tom Jones favourite:

"At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me Delilah, I just couldn't take anymore"
I mean, I know people say that, but there’s actually lots of contemporary songs about violence and murder.
 
The threat of violence in this lovely ditty is a little unsavoury. I do wonder where her boyfriend has been all this time?

"My Boyfriend's Back" - The Angels

He went away and you hung around and bothered me every night
When I wouldn't go out with you you
Said things that weren't very nice

My boyfriend's back and you're gonna be in trouble
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
When you see him comin' you better cut out on the double
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
You've been spreadin' lies that I was untrue
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
So look out now 'cause he's comin' after you
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)

Hey he knows what you've been tryin'
And he knows that you've been lyin'

He's been gone for such a long time
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
Now he's back and things will be fine
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
You're gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
'Cause he's kinda big and he's awful strong
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)

Hey, he knows I wasn't cheatin'
Now you're gonna get a beatin'
What made you think he'd believe all your lies
(Wah-ooo, wah-ooo)
You're a big man now but he'll cut you down to size
(Wah-ooo)
Wait and see
My boyfriend's back, he's gonna save my reputation
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)
If I were you, I'd take a permanent vacation
(Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back)

Yeah my boyfriends back
Yeah he's back

Hey I can see him comin'
Now you better start a-runnin'

Ya ya ya ya yaya ya

Now he's coming after you... (fades)
 
But do these songs actually justify murder?
Does this one? It’s not Tom Jones’ diary; it’s a short story. Yes, it’s a misogynistic story, but nobody believes Tom Jones actually thinks the protagonist did right, do they? Any more than we think Nick Cave’s Murder Ballads are a personal manifesto.
 
Does this one? It’s not Tom Jones’ diary; it’s a short story. Yes, it’s a misogynistic story, but nobody believes Tom Jones actually thinks the protagonist did right, do they?
Not unless Green, Green Grass of Home is a sequel.
 
Does this one? It’s not Tom Jones’ diary; it’s a short story. Yes, it’s a misogynistic story, but nobody believes Tom Jones actually thinks the protagonist did right, do they?
Well, whatever Tom Jones may think, the song is putting forth a justification for murder.
 
Well, in that story the protagonist has been executed, but we don’t know if the songwriter thinks it was a miscarriage of justice. We just know their family is attending the funeral.
I've never examined that song too closely, but on a casual listen I always assumed he was getting home after being released from prison.

Maybe I need to give it another list.
 
I've never examined that song too closely, but on a casual listen I always assumed he was get home after being released from prison.

Maybe I need to give it another list.
No, he’s a corpse being repatriated to his family after judicial execution.

For there's a guard and there's a sad, old padre
On and on, we'll walk at daybreak
Again, I'll touch the green, green grass of home

Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me
'Neath the green, green grass of home
 
No, he’s a corpse being repatriated to his family after judicial execution.

For there's a guard and there's a sad, old padre
On and on, we'll walk at daybreak
Again, I'll touch the green, green grass of home

Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me
'Neath the green, green grass of home

A song from my youth, one I know all the words to. Still one that would go on my favourites list.
 
I’ve been known to chose it at karaoke.

I was commenting to Mary that the songs of our youth, we still remember the words. She replied that part of the reason for that was diction, you could make out every word clearly.

At risk of derailing the thread, cast your mind back to Cilla Black's diction on her TV shows, and compare with this:

 
I was commenting to Mary that the songs of our youth, we still remember the words. She replied that part of the reason for that was diction, you could make out every word clearly.

At risk of derailing the thread, cast your mind back to Cilla Black's diction on her TV shows, and compare with this:


She’s too needy:D
He’ll probably end up killing her!!!
 
The thread asks whether it or similar could be written today. I suggest not only could it, but it is.
My blade hit his chest-plate
Next day, swear, I had his best friend runnin' (Kevin)
I done beat up Rampz in probation
He shouldn't have pushed my buttons
Why'd you think that they call me Judas?
I laugh and giggle at my dead opp cousin (Incog)
Loose says that he chings, he doesn't (No)
Trust me, gang done cheffed up dozens (Ching)
I'm tryna see the opps get shot (Bow)
Same way GB done got-got (Bow, bow)
Or how CJ done got dropped (Ching)
Surely dem man has had enough? (They have)
But trust me, the beef don't stop (No)
So we're out 'ere tryna put another in the box
 
Not sure if this qualifies, strictly speaking.. But Jock Tamsons Bairns always worthy of a listen i reckon

 
I know a fat old policeman
He's always on our street.
A fat and jolly red-faced man
He really is a treat.
He's too kind for a policeman
He's never known to frown.
And everybody says
He is the happiest man in town!.

He laughs upon point duty
He laughs upon his beat.
He laughs at everybody
When he's walking in the street.
He never can stop laughing
He says he's never tried.
But once he did arrest a man
And laughed until he cried!

His jolly face it wrinkled
And then he shut his eyes.
He opened his great mouth
It was a wondrous size!
He said "I must arrest you"
He didn't know what for.
And then he started laughing
Until he cracked his jaw.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha.
 
So What?! by the Anti Nowhere League.

So fucking what?

Well, I've been to Hastings and I've been to Brighton
I've been to Eastbourne too
So what, so what?

And I've been here, I've been there
I've been every fucking where
So what, so what?
So what, so what, you boring little cunt?

Well, who cares, who cares what you do?
Yeah, who cares, who cares about you?
You, you, you, you

Well, I've fucked the queen, I've fucked Bach
I've even sucked an old man's cock
So what, so what?

And I've fucked a sheep, I've fucked a goat
I rammed my cock right down it's throat
So what, so what?
So what, so what, you boring little fuck?

Well, who cares, who cares what you do?
And, who cares, who cares about you?
You, you, you, you

And I've drunk that, I've drunk this
I've spewed up on a pint of piss
So what, so what?

I've had scank, I've had speed
I've jacked up until I bleed
So what, so what?
So what, so what, you boring little cunt?

Well, who cares, who cares what you do?
Yeah, who cares, who cares about you?
You, you, you, you, hey

I've had crabs, I've had lice
I've had the clap and that ain't nice
So what, so what?

I've fucked this, I've fucked that
I've even fucked a school girl's twat
So what, so what?
So what, so what, you boring little fuck?

Well, who cares, who cares what you do?
And, who cares, who cares about you?
You, you, you, you, you

So fucking what?
Yeah!
 
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