Worst song on a "great album"?

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My vote, at least right now, goes to Marvin Gaye's "Save the Children." Ugh. You?

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:43 (twenty years ago)

btw, "Great album" means obvious canonized work plz.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:43 (twenty years ago)

does the song have to be particularly bad or just "least best"?

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:44 (twenty years ago)

desperado from the langley album

― Dr. Glen Y. Abreu (dr g), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:44 (twenty years ago)

particularly bad, plz

Langley is nowhere near obviously canonical; it's NPR-approved, which isn't the same thing. I'm talking, like, Abbey Road-level, Rolling Stone best-albums-ever list ubiquitous type albums.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:53 (twenty years ago)

the weeklys are bashing npr and approving rolling stone! wtf?

― Dr. Glen Y. Abreu (dr g), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:54 (twenty years ago)

wtf indeed! what are you talking about?

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:56 (twenty years ago)

who's bashing anything except bad songs?

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 06:59 (twenty years ago)

"love song" on like a prayer

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:01 (twenty years ago)

seriously OTM re save the children. wtf is up with that moaning 'ohhhh save the babies' bit

― bea arthur, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:05 (twenty years ago)

yeah, w/the sax and those sickly strings behind it, it's horrible!

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:07 (twenty years ago)

JAZZ POLICE, PEOPLE

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:10 (twenty years ago)

you really think so? I don't hear it as anywhere near as mawkish or cloying as "Save the Children"--it's even kind of funny!

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:13 (twenty years ago)

that said, I can see how it would drive someone nuts

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:15 (twenty years ago)

Cohen seems to make a habit of one outright dud per album - see also his 290-minute-long pub-croaking singalong version of "Always" on The Future.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:17 (twenty years ago)

haha, I love that version--its endlessness is part of the joke, if not most of it.

― Matos-Webster Dictionary (M Matos), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:18 (twenty years ago)

Must admit I always found "Strange Relationship" a bit of a boring plod.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 07:19 (twenty years ago)

I was just this evening thinking how much I like "Strange Relationship" as it came up on my discman on the bus - too fluid a bottom to possibly be any sort of plod, although I can understand the desire to get to "I Could Never Take the Place" as quickly as possible.

But the answer from my POV is RAINY DAY WOMAN #12 and 35"

― plebian plebs (plebian), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:14 (twenty years ago)

Really? That's the only track I like on Blonde On Blonde!

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:17 (twenty years ago)

no, plebs otm there. that, in fact, is the CLASSIC example of "worst song on a great album."

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:28 (twenty years ago)

so off the mark you could be the german economy circa 1923.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:29 (twenty years ago)

i can do without "lily, rosemary, and the jack of hearts" on blood on the tracks too, but it's not so much "bad" as interminably lonnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg.

― you people and your friends are fake (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:30 (twenty years ago)

"Diamonds And Rust" by Joan Baez was inspired by Dylan ringing her up and singing her the entire lyric of that song down the 'phone.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 08:32 (twenty years ago)

i kind of enjoy "rainy day women." i remember when i first heard it the only thing i knew about bob dylan was that he was supposed to be some sort of great poet so i was desperately trying to figure out what the GREAT METAPHOR was.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:13 (twenty years ago)

How do we stand on "Revolution 9" (or "Martha My Dear") (or "Rocky Raccoon")? (how many bad songs can a great album actually have, anyway?)

(or "Remote Control")?

― plebian plebs (plebian), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:18 (twenty years ago)

Revolution 9 is the greatest Beatles album track EVER!!!!

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

Next thing you'll be telling me is that all Stevie Nicks songs on all Fleetwood Mac albums are duds when compared to the seamless songwriting skills of Christine McVie.

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:19 (twenty years ago)

To be fair I never listen to "Rainy Day Woman" because I always skip to track 2. Not that I've played BoB for a while.

Anyway, how about "Polly"?

x-post - all Stevie Nicks songs on all Fleetwood Mac albums are duds when compared to the seamless songwriting skills of Christine McVie. Especially the albums that neither are on.

― plebian plebs (plebian), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)

"revolution 9" is a fantastic sound collage; it's consistently interesting and it builds in a subtle and evocative way. it's one of the few songs of theirs i've never gotten tired of. that it's widely considered the "worst" beatles song is ludicrous.

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:26 (twenty years ago)

oh dear, pleb, you're never going to get to sleep with me, are you?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:30 (twenty years ago)

boris the spider?

― flowersdie (flowersdie), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:31 (twenty years ago)

the token bruce foxton track on all jam albums (e.g. "smithers jones")?

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 09:49 (twenty years ago)

pet sounds: 'waiting for the day'

― N_RQ, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME

― Marcello Carlin (nostudium), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 10:39 (twenty years ago)

what's wrong with Waiting For The Day?

Student Demonstration Time goes without saying - yuck!

― dog latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 10:44 (twenty years ago)

screamadelica: 'damaged'

― N_RQ, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 10:44 (twenty years ago)

metal box: 'albatross' BAWRIN!!!!!!

― N_RQ, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 10:48 (twenty years ago)

More Dylan: "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" on John Wesley Harding.

― Andrew Norman, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:02 (twenty years ago)

it's not a great album imo but it is a 'great album': blue lines: 'hymn of the big wheel'

― N_RQ, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:04 (twenty years ago)

"Party For Your Right To Fight" - It Takes A Nation Of Millions...
"Lovers Rock" - London Calling
"Within You, Without You" - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Etc.
"Fitter, Happier" - OK Computer
"New York" - Never Mind The Bollocks...

EVERY classic album has one dud on it.

Except the first Ramones album, that's perfect.

― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:09 (twenty years ago)

Also, I might be w/ Matos, but don't forget that Wu-Tang sure love "Save The Children."

― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:10 (twenty years ago)

Aquemini, Mamacita

― Some Guy, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:14 (twenty years ago)

There are a lot of clunkers on sgt pepper. "Within You, Without You" is far from the worst, though its on a different kind of vibe.

"Jazz Police" may be the worst song on that album but its not like the other songs are that much better than it.

― Some Guy, Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:28 (twenty years ago)

Fuck, "Mamacita," is godawful.

The chorus is annoying enough, but the girls don't even sing it at the same time on the ONE take they use of it and loop.

― Whiney G. Weingarten (whineyg), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:31 (twenty years ago)

Stevie Wonder - "If It's Magic" and "Summersoft" off Songs From The Key of Life.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:55 (twenty years ago)

The Clash, "Liar" off The Clash.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 11:58 (twenty years ago)

jazz police is my favourite song

― RJG (RJG), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 12:00 (twenty years ago)

"space odyssey" = DREAR

― zappi (joni), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 12:04 (twenty years ago)

David Bowie – "Eight Line Poem," off Hunky Dory.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 12:08 (twenty years ago)

Jackals, False Grails The Lonesome Era: Pavement (worst on Slanted & Enchanted)

Stay Away: Nirvana (worst on Nevermind)

Sun King: Beatles (worst on Abbey Road)

Ride My Llama: Neil Young (worst on Rust Never Sleeps)

The Great Curve: Talking Heads (worst on Remain in Light, but I can see how some would like it)

Casino Boogie: Rolling Stones (worst on Exile--and it's still great)

Andmoreagain: Love (worst on Forever Changes)

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 9 August 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 155 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

But, Revolution 9 is really undrrated! To me at least.

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 02:25 (twenty years ago)

The real dud on Rubber Soul is Wait.
The real dud on Rubber Soul is "What Goes On"
"What Goes On" >>>>>>>>> "Run For Your Life"

-- phil d. (pldenniso...), January 30th, 2006.
The Realler dud is "If I Needed Someone".
The Reallest dud is "The Word".

― retrogurl, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 05:47 (twenty years ago)

I think "Mother" on Synchronicity ownz this thread. --- Pleasant Plains, August 11th, 2003.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Synchronicity. --- Pleasant Plains , October 28th, 2003.

Don't even get me started on "Mother" from Synchronicity --- Pleasant Plains, September 20th, 2004.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 05:58 (twenty years ago)

I can't believe Love was mentioned, but the second side of Da Capo was not.

― Shakey Mo Collier (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 06:42 (twenty years ago)

It was, it's just a long thread and I'm still reeling with outrage at people dissing "We Will Fall" from the Stooges or pretending that there isn't a more horrific song on Rubber Soul than "Run For Your Life".

That said...

Rainy Day Woman #12 and #5 is one I consistently skip. And o. nate's inability to get "Sad Eyed Lady" inspires great pity in me.

I shouldn't read these threads after a night at the pub.

― sleeve (sleeve), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 07:58 (twenty years ago)

I'll defend "Gary's Got A Boner." Let it Be needs both Tommy gets his tonsils out and Gary's Got a Boner to balance out the mopey sad sack shit in "Answering Machine." Sure it's worthy of the 100 dissertations written on it. But if you think the subject matter is that different than Dashboard Confessional - you be wrong! It's emo-riffic!

I dig it, but the cover of "Black Diamond" is probably the worst track on that record.

― Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 08:14 (twenty years ago)

Stevie Wonder - "If It's Magic" and "Summersoft" off Songs From The Key of Life.
-- Alfred Soto (sotoal...), August 9th, 2005 7:55 AM. (Alfred Soto)

"Summer Soft" is my favorite song ever. I mean that really. Ever.

― Eric H. (Eric H.), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 08:33 (twenty years ago)

Michelle is the worst track on Rubber Soul, as any fule kno.

As far as Bruce Foxton tracks go, Smithers-Jones is one of his better efforts. The worst is London Traffic, closely followed by Don't Tell Them You're Sane, both on the truly dreadful This is the Modern World

― bham, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 10:35 (twenty years ago)

Oh come on, Modern World is GREAT! Life From A Window, Tonight At Noon, I Need You, Standards, In The Street Today...terrific stuff. Sure, the Bruce tracks are filler with dreadful lyrics, but they're spunky and spirited and keep the AC-30's humming until the next Paul track comes along. Have a heart!

― Dr.C (Dr.C), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 10:54 (twenty years ago)

damn, beat me to the punch Dr C. Don't forget a fantastic version of the late Wilson Pickett's In the Midnight Hour

― dr x o'skeleton, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 10:59 (twenty years ago)

But, Revolution 9 is really undrrated!

Not, it is worst. There are lots of truly awful tracks on that album ("Yer Blues", "Helter Skelter", "Why Don't We Do It In The Road", "Don't Pass Me By", "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey", "Good Night"), but "Revolution 9" remains clearly the worst one.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:22 (twenty years ago)

"Good Night" is worse

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:24 (twenty years ago)

The Beatles win this thread.

― ..., Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:29 (twenty years ago)

Rev 9 is fantastic! So is Helter Skelter and 'Monkey' My vote would be Why Don't We Do It In The Road. Sounds like a Groundhogs b-side.

― Dr.C (Dr.C), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:54 (twenty years ago)

Beach Boys to thread

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:57 (twenty years ago)

Beach Boys to thread

How many "great albums" did they truly have, though?

― Myke. (Myke Weiskopf), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 12:10 (twenty years ago)

... yes, true

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 12:12 (twenty years ago)

Mothership Connection - "Handcuffs"

... which is still a great track, it just doesn't fit with the concept of the album at all

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 12:13 (twenty years ago)

**How many "great albums" did they truly have, though? **

For me, only Holland and that has no dud tracks.

Sunflower has the gruesome At My Window and Surf's Up has Take A Load Off Your Feet. I don't really mind Student Demonstration Time!

― Dr.C (Dr.C), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 12:36 (twenty years ago)

I love "At My Window". "Holland" has that "The Beaks of Eagles" crap on it.

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 13:54 (twenty years ago)

... and then there's that terrible "fairy tale", which is beyond crap!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 13:55 (twenty years ago)

I dig it, but the cover of "Black Diamond" is probably the worst track on that record.

I disagree with you that it's the worst track, but I will say that it's the most dispensible.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:19 (twenty years ago)

... I know you're not talking about "Rip, Rig and Panic" by Roland Kirk - but the cover version of "Black Diamond" might be the worst thing on that (great) album

― Dadaismus (Dada), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:23 (twenty years ago)

Mothership Connection - "Handcuffs"
... which is still a great track, it just doesn't fit with the concept of the album at all

-- Dadaismus (dadaismu...), January 31st, 2006.

I was just about to say "Wizard Of Finance" from Funkentelechy vs the Placebo Syndrome for the exact same reason. Only differance being, "Handcuffs" is great fun and "Wizard" is shit of the highest order. I guess they had to have their Glen Goines ballad, whether it fit the concept or not.

Jay-Z's "That Nigga Jigga" from The Blueprint is just like "Handcuffs"; damn good, but way out of place.

I'd also like to nominate whatever the name of the song on Music of My Mind is where Stevie talks like a fucking retard. I hate that song.

"She Watch Channel Zero" from It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back deserves a mention too.

― R. J. Greene, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 20:45 (twenty years ago)

"Sweet Little Girl" is the name of the Stevie song.

― R J Greene, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 20:49 (twenty years ago)

Yes! I totally agree with Dr. C on the Beatles thing(funny, as it seems that I agree with guys whose names start with "Dr" on this thread)

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 22:56 (twenty years ago)

But I'll also have to throw in honey pie as the worst song on that album(not the funny weird version,which is great,but the godawful McCartney one)

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 22:59 (twenty years ago)

"Honey Pie" is great!

Speaking of Beach Boys, "Surf's Up" is generally (and well-deserved) consider part of the "canon" (maybe not the first page, but certainly lower down the list). And "Surf's Up" contains the awful "Student Demonstration Time".

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 23:35 (twenty years ago)

There are lots of truly awful tracks on that album ("Yer Blues", "Helter Skelter", "Why Don't We Do It In The Road", "Don't Pass Me By", "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey", "Good Night"

You are an insane person. Three of those songs are among the best on the album.

― phil d. (Phil D.), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 23:52 (twenty years ago)

Beach Boys Today!-"Bull Session With Big Daddy"

― Chairman Doinel (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:14 (twenty years ago)

"After the Flood" on Laughing Stock.
"Knives Out" on Amnesiac.
"Alarm Call" on Homogenic.
"It's Oh So Quiet" or maybe "I Miss You" on Post.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:18 (twenty years ago)

Meh. Why the hate on "Fitter Happier"? It's nice.

― Turangalila (Salvador), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:20 (twenty years ago)

"She Watch Channel Zero" is far from the worst song on Nation of Millions

"Honey Pie" is great!

-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), January 31st, 2006 5:35 PM. (GeirHong)

Least suprising thing I've read all day.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:31 (twenty years ago)

I don't know. The one thing I've realized from this thread is that people have INSANELY different tastes in music!

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:45 (twenty years ago)

One man's trash is anothers gold!

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 00:46 (twenty years ago)

SHAKEY MO: I DID indeed mention the second side of Love's DA CAPO. I just forgot the title ("Revelation?").

― Rev. Hoodoo (Rev. Hoodoo), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 02:52 (twenty years ago)

oh what the hell, "Fuck the world" on Turbonegro's Scandinavian Leather certianly fits the "La 1981 meets Detroit 1968" thing they were going for, but its still nowhere near as good as the rest of the record.

― Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 04:08 (twenty years ago)

I would have said Don't Be Shy on The Libertines, but my 3-yr-old son started singing it and now i don't hate it no more.
The worst song on Up the Bracket is The Boy Looked at Johnny, but someone else probably thinks it's the only good thing.

one man's meat is another man's...er potatoes

― dr x o'skeleton, Wednesday, 1 February 2006 10:27 (twenty years ago)

gun club - miami - the "run through the jungle" cover sucks!
television - marquee noon - guiding light - who remembers that song anyway?

― sdad, Thursday, 2 February 2006 22:57 (twenty years ago)

one man's meat is another man's reason to protest about the "evils" of eating animals and how absolutely cruel it is to eat it, therefore abstaining from eating the stuff alltogether only to substitue it with lesser versions of the stuff, which in part do not provide the same proteins the human body needs resulting in if the man WERE to eat meat ever again the man would become horribly SICK! ...........but that's just like..........my opinion man.

― xgurggleglgllg (xgurggleglgllg), Thursday, 2 February 2006 23:12 (twenty years ago)

television - marquee noon - guiding light - who remembers that song anyway?

It's one of my favourites on the album. "Torn Curtain" is the weakest (too pompous)

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 3 February 2006 10:20 (twenty years ago)

Joni Mitchell - Hejira - Blue motel Room
Joni Mitchell - Hissing - In France They Kiss on Main Street

― Baaderonixx, born again in Xixax (baaderonixx), Friday, 3 February 2006 10:49 (twenty years ago)

"Velvet Underground And Nico" ---> "Heroin".

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 3 February 2006 12:22 (twenty years ago)

Geir likes "European Son"!!!!!!!!!!!

― Dadaismus (Dada), Friday, 3 February 2006 12:35 (twenty years ago)

this thread has so much I cannot fathom, but I'm glad to see people picking "everybody hurts from Automatic for the People, I'd really like that album if it weren't for that piece of horrible mawkishness.

― el.k, Friday, 3 February 2006 13:02 (twenty years ago)

Geir likes "European Son"!!!!!!!!!!!

I just dislike "Heroin" more.

The only three songs I really like on "Velvet Underground And Nico" - a terribly overrated album IMO - are "Sunday Morning", "Here She Comes" and "Venus In Furs". The album is better than the awful and unlistenable "White Light/White Heat", but not by any means as good as "Loaded" in particular.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 3 February 2006 15:12 (twenty years ago)

Geir likes "European Son"!!!!!!!!!!!
I just dislike "Heroin" more.

-- Geir Hongro (geirhon...), February 3rd, 2006.
omd did sunday morning on liberator and it's better.

― retrokid, Friday, 3 February 2006 15:39 (twenty years ago)

canary in a goldmine

― retrokid, Friday, 3 February 2006 15:41 (twenty years ago)

OMD are generally a lot better than Velvet Underground anyway, so no surprise there :)

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 3 February 2006 15:55 (twenty years ago)

"Geezers Need Excitement" on Original Pirate Material
"I Kill Children" on Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
"What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4)" on Endtroducing
"Don't Stop" on The Stone Roses
"Fire in My Heart" on Guerrilla
"If Things Were Perfect" on Play
"Mod Lang" on Radio City
"The Great Gig in the Sky" on The Dark Side of the Moon
"Sitting Still" on Murmur
"Next in Line" on Open Doors, Closed Windows
"Moby Dick" on Led Zeppelin II
"Hazey Jane II" on Bryter Layter
"Surfboy" on dubnobasswithmyheadman
"Cold Blows the Wind" on The Mollusk
"Candi" on Chocolate and Cheese

― Mr. Snrub (Mr. Snrub), Saturday, 4 February 2006 00:05 (twenty years ago)

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