×

Songs that should be banned

TRAVERSE CITY — An NPR writer broke the rules recently by writing something with a pulse.

By that I mean an opinion. (I saw the print edition, but if he read his piece on air, I’m sure he did so in a hushed voice, like he didn’t want to set off a nearby time bomb.)

The writer’s name is Bob Boilen. He said he was sick of certain songs, which immediately got my attention because as “The Person Who Should Be in Charge of Everything” I have often thought that some songs should be banned for life.

Boilen’s choice was “Cats in the Cradle,” by Harry Chapin, which I completely agree with. That song has tortured fathers for decades now. “Ohmygod, I played softball with the guys for two hours instead of playing catch with my son. Now he’s going to hate me forever. Son! Son! I didn’t mean it! Here, here’s twenty dollars.”

Enough. Ban it.

And while we’re at it, we should also ban:

– Every Christmas song ever made with the possible exception of the Bing Crosby version of “White Christmas.” No one did it like Bing.

– Anything by Kiss. Except for “Beth,” which was their only ballad. For some reason, I like that one.

– Every rap song ever made. Hey, I’m old, OK? Gimme a break.

“Muskrat Love” by the Captain & Tenille. If you’re too young to remember this one, by all means, go listen to it. But be warned, it’ll make you want to strangle actual muskrats.

“Umbrella” by Rihanna. Why? Here are some of the actual lyrics: “You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh. Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh.” Understand now?

“Escape” (The Pina Colada song) by Rupert Holmes. Not because it’s a terrible tune. It’s not. It’s actually kinda OK the first two times you hear it. After that you start analyzing the lyrics, especially the part where the woman he’s meeting to go “make love in the dunes of the Cape” turns out to be his current girlfriend. And she’s not mad at all. Instead she laughs and says, “Oh, it’s you!” instead of “You bastard!” before punching him in the noogies.

“You’re 16, You’re Beautiful, and You’re Mine” by Ringo Starr. This is one of those songs that was perfectly acceptable for some reason back in 1973 when Ringo was, um, 33. These days when I hear it I think, “You put that song out today, dude, and you’re gonna slapped with a molestation charge.”

“Pinball Wizard” by the Who. It’s just a dumb song, OK.

“Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys. The actual lyrics, which are somehow much worse when you hear them sung: “My heart’s on fire, for Elvira. Giddy up oom poppa omm poppa mow mow. Giddy up oom poppa omm poppa mow mow. Heigh-ho silver, away.”

“We Built This City” by Starship. The sheer arrogance. Plus, how did Grace Slick ever end up playing second vocal fiddle to that wuss Mickey Thomas?

“Piano Man” by Billy Joel. Great tune. But I’ve now heard it 7,679 times. Plus there’s that lyric, “Man, what are YOU doing here?” Ego much, Bill?

I welcome the list of songs you’d retire or ban. Send them to andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com.

— — —

Andrew Heller, an award-winning newspaper columnist, appears weekly in the Daily Press. He graduated from Escanaba Area High School in 1979. Follow him at andrewheller.com and on Facebook and Twitter. Write to him avia email t andrewhellercolumn@gmail.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today