Three Seriously Stupid Serious Songs, Part 7
66If you have read this series since Part 1, you know that I am not identifying terrible songs. I am identifying songs that are intended to be serious, but, because of the lyrics, are really seriously stupid. If you have not read the series, you now also know that because I just told you.
In addition to having seriously stupid serious lyrics, the songs in this series also were hits. Therefore, a song like "Stupid Song Lyrics" by Dayglo Abortion will not be included, even though it is seriously stupid.
The songs in this part of the series have common threads. Each song was performed by a trend setting band that had phenomenal success. Each song was also intended to make no sense. Though some may contend that a song that is intended to make no sense should not be included in this series, it is my contention that the writer is actually admitting that the song is a seriously stupid serious song.
Here we go!
Answer me, Kenneth!
At one point in their career, R.E.M. sang critically acclaimed songs about politics and ecology. This was after they gained a cult following with Michael Stipe mostly singing unintelligible lyrics. After they gained mainstream fame, however, they put out a number of songs that made no sense. If I had not given you a hint in the subtitle, you might have guessed any one of dozens of songs they produced. If you have not guessed what it is, grab your benzadrine inhaler and put on your shirt of violent green because this seriously stupid serious song rocks!
From Skid Row to Stardom
The band that produced the next song began its career in 1987 with a drummer named Aaron Burkhard and the name Skid Row. It ended in 1994 with a drummer named Dave Grohl when its frontman, Kurt Cobain, committed suicide (or was murdered, if you believe in conspiracy theories). In between those events, Nirvana would put grunge music both on the map and on the radio. The lyrics of their first big hit were so seriously stupid that Weird Al Yankovic did a parody in which he asks "what is this song all about; can't figure any lyrics out." Just one listen to it, though, and you will know why the song was a major hit despite it being a seriously stupid serious song.
This is Your Mind on Drugs
When Michael Stipe was just a kid, and Kurt Cobain was just a baby, John Lennon was writing songs and taking acid. In the case of this song, though, he was taking acid and writing a song. This song brought him both joy and dismay. He became aware that some teachers were having students analyze Beatles songs. It brought him joy to add a verse that was utterly confusing so they could "work it out." It brought him dismay, though, to learn that the carpenter was the hero in the Lewis Carroll story, and not the walrus. Though not the first Beatles' song to make the series, this one is regarded by many as the most seriously stupid serious song ever made by the legendary group.
If there is anything we can take from Part 7 of the series, it's that many seriously stupid serious songs are quite enjoyable to listen to, and can even get our feet tapping. I suppose you can also take acid and write songs from it, but don't expect to see them in the series unless they become hits.
In case you are reading this series in reverse, here is a link to Part 6 that identifies three seriously stupid serious songs that racist through the promotion of stereotypes. If you aren't reading the series in reverse, here is a link to Part 8 that identifies three seriously stupid serious songs about promises men will make to impress a woman.
If you want to suggest a song, and I use your suggestion in the series, you will be rewarded with acknowledgment and a link to your author's page.
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As always, thank you for the comment, KF!
I considered some other R.E.M. songs, though not the ones you listed. "Losing My Religion" and "Man on the Moon" both fit, but they don't rock like Kenneth does! I had not heard how the title came about, so thanks for that bit of trivia.
There was no reason to single out R.E.M., though. They at least wrote some songs that made sense. I'm not sure I can find anything by Nirvana that makes sense, aside from a cover song or two they did.
One thing I remember from the '60s related to the Beatles was the rumor that Paul had been killed in a car accident. It spanned Magical Mystery Tour and Abbey Road. There are some spoken words at the end of "I am the Walrus" (Bury my body) that were supposedly hints. The cover of Abbey Road shows Paul barefooted, out of step with the others, and his eyes are closed. The sign on the wall was the name of a cemetery, and the VW had the license plate "28IF" since Paul would have been in the "dead at 27" club.
Oh, those were the days!
If you REALLY want to hear something funny about all the "Paul is dead" rumors....there was a book about 15-20 years ago that cataloged all the rumors, and the author gave full credit to University of Michigan journalism major Fred LeBour for being the man who started all those rumors.
Today, Fred LeBour is better known as "Too Slim" of Riders in the Sky!
You always have an interesting fact or piece of trivia to add to a discussion! I checked out the Riders in the Sky website (here's a link for others who may be interested: http://ridersinthesky.com/domain/877/index.htm )
Thank you for your frequent contributions. They are greatly appreciated!
Ha, how many of us sang Smells Like Teen Spirit with the wrong lyrics because we couldn't understand what he sang?!
Doesn't matter, it's a classic and there is seriously great music being played in this song. Teen angst, love it.
I love that I Am the Walrus video. It's the kind of song that I think we can all identify with at some point in our lives. Crazy and it makes no sense.
I got to see Nirvana open for Tin Machine, and didn't even know it until they were on Saturday Night Live a few weeks later. They were way better than the headline act, but they didn't appear on the tickets or the marquis. A group of us went to see what David Bowie was up to.
I'm pleased that you are enjoying the series. I'm doubly pleased that you are leaving comments! Thank you!
I like to read many of the music hubs here at HP. I don't always have time to comment, but you've got a great set of hubs for music lovers. I thought of an idea, maybe a few female vocalists for a seriously stupid serious songs hub.
I can think of a few off the top of my head. One could be It Only Hurts When I Breathe/Shania Twain. Even a country song hub might be fun, there are so many that would fit into this category. Enjoy!
Thank you for the suggestion, dear rebekah. I will see what I can do with that.
BTW, I got over and read the text on your cover artist interview. I had my hands full with grandkids, so I didn't get to listen to his songs yet, but I will and will leave a comment for you. I thought it was wonderful that he responded, and then tweeted you that he liked it!
I'll be talking to you in the next day or two. Thanks again!
That's fine, I'll be looking forward to your response on the Nick Gardner hub. He's doing it right and of course, the interview is good exposure for him, especially once more people hear his work. He is recording now, but can't say much. So that's exciting news. I'm going to give your hub series a tweet and FB like.
KF Raizor Level 4 Commenter 3 months ago
The story behind the title "What's the Frequency, Kenneth" is that someone was saying that when they attacked Dan Rather in the mid-80s. Doesn't excuse the lyrics, though. I would dare say that's not even in the top five of R.E.M. songs that belong in this category (see "Catapult" and "We Walk," for instance). I still love R.E.M., though.
I'm surprised it took you this long to get to "Smells Like Nirvana....er....Teen Spirit." Speaking of parodies, there's a great spoof of John Lennon that the National Lampoon did (it's called "Magical Misery Tour" and it is on YouTube) that sounds suspiciously like "I Am the Walrus." I guess you had to be there to understand it. No, wait, I was alive in the 60s, and I don't understand it.
Great hub, as usual.