"Worst Song Ever" meets "Sgt. Pepper's"

[JonFromMaplewood]

There has been an ongoing discussion on the TBSOWFMU regarding the worst song ever, with "Porcupine Pie" holding the title for some time before Producer Mike trumped it with "Cowboy Star" (or whatever that atrocious dreck was).

At the same time, there has been a discussion about Sgt. Pepper's undeserved acclaim. 

Well, I would like to propose that, in my humble opinion, "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" is the worst song of ALL TIME.  Listen to the lyrics!  Listen to the music!  Does anyone in the entire world ever say to themselves "You know what? I'm in the mood to listen to 'For the Benefit of Mr. Kite.'"?  Resounding "no".  But if that was its worst crime, then it would just be bad.  But no..."For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" has also marred an otherwise impeccable career of musical craftsmanship (let's ignore the misogynist "Run for Your Life" on Rubber Soul for a moment).

I know it's the Beatles, but hey, even the best are capable of the worst.  Anyone ever see Ang Lee's "Hulk?"

The emperor has no clothes.

-Jon from Maplewood

[buffcoat]

I kinda like "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite."  Lennon found the lyrics on an old timey flyer and pretty much read them word for word.

I do hum it sometimes.

DON'T JUDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sarah]

I've always had a soft spot for the misogynist "Run for Your Life."

[erika]

I love Sgt. Peppers and I won't put that in the apologist thread because I'M NOT APOLOGIZING!

[Beth]

I love Sgt. Peppers and I won't put that in the apologist thread because I'M NOT APOLOGIZING!

i second erika. it's a great album!

[masterofsparks]

I agree with Tom's assessment of the album (though I do like a couple of tracks), but I think the worst track on there is "When I'm 64."

[masterofsparks]

I also think Satanic Majesties, while vastly superior to Sgt Pepper, is a pretty uneven affair.

[John Junk]

"Day in the Life" is awesome.

"Good Morning" is awesome.

"Lovely Rita Meter Maid" is hyper-awesome.

"Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" kinda sucks.

"For The Benefit of Mr. Kite" sucks.

"Within You Without You" or whatever it's called blows.

I don't know... I guess I like "The Magical Mystery Tour" better though.

[Denim Gremlin]

i like to compare sgt. pepper's to who's next. lame albums with 1 or 2 really amazing stand out tracks.

but 1 or 2 really great songs does not make up for the rest of the songs being shit.

[boost ventilator]

I haven't heard the entire song, but I am sure the Eddie Izzard version isn't winning over any new converts.

[boil]

Aw KUM AWN!!!  A Little Help From My Friends is lovely rock.  Nobody's mentioned The Sargeant Pepper Reprise which rocks about as hard as anything they did until the White Album.  And how can anyone dismiss A Day in the Life unless they've already heard it 500 times?  I ask ys!

[JonFromMaplewood]

I agree! I wasn't suggesting that the whole album is bad.  I just shiver when "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" comes on.

The last several minutes of the album are amazing.  But before that, I am in Tom's camp. The album is high on concept, low on rock.

[Stan]

The album is high on concept, low on rock.

 The problem is that the band was high.

[erika]

The album is high on concept, low on rock.

 The problem is that the band was high.

I don't know that it's a problem, persay.

It may not deserve all the props that it gets, but it's still a good album. Not their best, and not the best of it's time, but it's still pretty neato.

Day in the life? One of the best songs ever written. Maybe not classified as a "rock" song, but it's still a great song... IMHO



yeah, I'm really not that humble, am I...

[lizzy jones]

'Angie Baby'. Worst song ever! Lyrics/ Music/ Helen Reddy's nasal voice.

Hmm... Angie Dickinson was cast as ' Sgt. 'Pepper' Anderson' on NBC's critically-acclaimed hit anthology series Police Story. Spooky!