Source: amazon.com via Mauricio on Pinterest
This morning on RRR the Breakfasters were interviewing Mikey Cahill (Music Writer for News) on a Lunchbox Soapbox session he is doing at the Wheeler Center called
Waxing Lyrical: The Good, The Bad and The Gaga.
Its about whether music lyrics have gotten better or worse with time.
So I decided to do some investigation.
First, finding out, what is the #1 in Australia at the moment. And then comparing it to a #1 of my youth.
#1 in Australia at the moment is a perky little tune called “Call Me Maybe” by an artist I’ve never heard of, Carly Rae Jepsen.
The lyrics are pretty bland stuff. Teenager, falls in love with hot guy, can’t look at him, and wants him to call her. And repeats herself alot Please see below.
So then, just as I was getting all judgemental, I thought back to my personal #1, the first cassette I ever bought, The Knack. And the lyrics of the hit off that, My Sharona.
And lo and behold, its a perky little tune. Teenager, a boy this time, falls in love, wants the girl to go home with him. And repeats himself alot.
I don’t think things have changed that much!
There are still Bob Dylans and Becks and Neil Youngs out there to stimulate our minds.
But there is obviously always going to be a place for perky mindless music about falling in love.
What do you think? Are pop songs getting sillier?
Source: Uploaded by user via Elise on Pinterest
Call me Maybe
I threw a wish in the well,
Don’t ask me, I’ll never tellI
looked to you as it fell,and now you’re in my way
I trade my soul for a wish,pennies and dimes for a kiss
I wasn’t looking for this,but now you’re in my way
Your stare was holdin’, Ripped jeans, skin was showin’
Hot night, wind was blowin’
Where you think you’re going, baby?
[Chorus]
Hey, I just met you,and this is crazy,but here’s my number,so call me, maybe?
It’s hard to look right,at you baby,but here’s my number,so call me, maybe?
Hey, I just met you,and this is crazy,but here’s my number,so call me, maybe?
And all the other boys,try to chase me,but here’s my number,so call me, maybe?
[Verse 2]
You took your time with the call,
I took no time with the fall
You gave me nothing at all,but still, you’re in my way
I beg, and borrow and steal
At first sight and it’s real
I didn’t know I would feel it,but it’s in my way
Your stare was holdin’, Ripped jeans, skin was showin’
Hot night, wind was blowin’
Where you think you’re going, baby?
Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
I missed you so bad
I missed you so, so bad
Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
And you should know that
I missed you so, so bad
Before you came into my life
I missed you so bad
And you should know that
So call me, maybe?
My Sharona, The Knack
Ooh my little pretty one, pretty one.
When you gonna give me some time, Sharona?
Ooh you make my motor run, my motor run.
Gun it comin’ off the line Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up.
Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch
of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo. M M M My Sharona…
Come a little closer huh, ah will ya huh.
Close enough to look in my eyes, Sharona.
Keeping it a mystery gets to me
Running down the length of my thighs, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up. Such a dirty mind.
Always get it up for the touch
of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo. M M M My Sharona…
When you gonna give it to me, give it to me.
It is just a matter of time Sharona
Is it just destiny, destiny?
Or is it just a game in my mind, Sharona?
Never gonna stop, give it up.
Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch
of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo. M M M My Sharona…
The Wheeler Centre, 12:45PM – 1:15PM, Thursday 26 April 2012
The Wheeler Centre
176 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Telephone enquiries: (03) 9094 7800
Like the World. 
Go back further, or even in-between Sir Paul wrote “Silly Little Love Songs” or Neil Sedaka with his songs, then you have rock ballads and rock opera to play with. Some songs are great, others have nonsense or a lot of na na in them. It will be the great ones that will stand out.
I think you’re right AC. There will always be silly songs and having silly songs is important.
You are so right. Great article.
Thanks lovely : )
Oh, My Sharona – the memories. I think there is an importance to some silly pop music. Most of it can go straight out the window, but some of it really means something. Look at Elvis and The Beatles.
So true!