Great Artists... Terrible, Terrible Songs! Ten Classic Rock Stinkers

[@jgirlLVR]

Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. This discussion is now CLOSED. 😊

[@classicalbum]

That was awful

[@johnxgalt8312]

Did you forget his collaboration with Michael Jackson "say say say". McCartney should have stayed with Denny McClain who was underated under McCartney's star.

[@jgirlLVR]

@@johnxgalt8312 Oh man, thanks for the memory. >_< I just thought of another awful song by an amazing group, Disco Strangler by the Eagles. 1979. As a 15 yr old recent convert to Rock and Roll I felt obligated to pretend to like the song because it kind of made fun of disco. But I knew the truth, IT STUNK.

[@thatcanadian6698]

Good call.

[@bigmike4962]

@@jgirlLVR disagree........

[@markcastillo2757]

hilarious, I love your use of adjectives ,similes and hyperboles to get your point across...love it!!!!!

[@richard623]

Tea for one is a surprise to me... certainly not a bad song!

[@John-fc7wc]

Regarding Tea For One, I agree with Plant's vocal performance, but I always have thought that Page's guitar solo on this track was one of his very best.

[@roywatson8133]

i love tea for one

[@KeithLindquist]

Its the only song on Presence I really listen to! Its a fabulous blues prog with great solos and Plant vocals. All the rest on Presence is turgid attempts at rock. Nobody's Fault But Mine is the only other song I'll listen to but only because of the solo and drums...

[@roywatson8133]

always liked pages guitar work on that track @@KeithLindquist

[@boomer3150]

@@roywatson8133 The finest song on Presence.

[@roywatson8133]

top stuff @@boomer3150

[@aavv4554]

I’m surprised Body Language by Queen didn’t make the list.

[@marcofalzone6469]

😂

[@GrouRocks]

It got completely vindicated when used by Liana Blackburn dancing to it. That video is on youtube, and it's one of the hottest things you'll ever see.

[@simonpearn479]

Must be one of the worst Queen songs ever?1

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

Body Language has a great bassline, if the lyrics were different it would not be bad. personally I dislike Radio Gaga more.

[@PeterTea]

I love Tea for One. It’s a great slow burning blues song. Page and Plant do a great live version of it in Japan in the 90’s with an orchestral accompaniment.

[@jonblackers4339]

I m not familiair with the other tracks, there is so much music, I ll never get around to it unfortunately, appearantly some can. TEA FOR ONE is a darling of mine, PRESENCE as a whole always has been to me. ACHILLES LAST STAND alone is worth everything. Though I m inclined to search out for different stuff, I m afraid some autism is active here, I often love to re listen old beloved stuff instead of jumping on to anything else, I might not do it cause of including this gem. Well at least someone with an appropriate name shares my taste. For a moment I feel less lonely now. Cheers Bro

[@PeterTea]

@@jonblackers4339 All classics have timeless appeal and Zeppelin is definitely timeless. Cheers.

[@peterbutler1113]

Agreed! 100% It's my go-to track on Presence.

[@bigmike4962]

Tea For One is underrated

[@Luthiart]

I like "Mother" precisely BECAUSE it sounds like a "swirling, nightmarish carnival ride".

[@etamommy]

Totally agree I like that song, mother. By the police, I think in its pathos it’s pretty funny and not unintentionally so I would argue. The guitar part is still pretty cool even though I can see how it wouldn’t annoy some people.

[@jimnewl]

I love Tea For One. One of the best tracks on the album. I was fully expecting you to cite Hot Dog, off of In Through the Out Door. That you find Tea For One worse than that tripe actually offends me lol.

[@jreskin]

"Tea for One" isn't Zeppelin's finest moment, but I've always liked it. I think the listlessness of the music conveys that of a lonely, hotel-imprisoned rock star. (If you want to talk crap Zeppelin tunes, you can't do much better than "D'yer Mak'er.") But it does have one peculiarity: The opening 20-second riff-based bit bears no relation at all to the rest of the song. What gives? If you ever land JP for an interview, please ask him what the hell was going on there!

[@Railway_Railfan]

Love "Tea for One"...I would much rather hear it than "Since I've been..." Both good tunes, but "Tea..." is better IMO.

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

Shame the promising intro you mentioned turned into a 9-minute dirge that has nothing much to offer. Another stinker on the album is the one with a crap title, Royal Orleans. As for D'yer Mak'er from Houses of the Holy, it's a harmless novelty song with a great drum sound but it does go on a bit too long.

[@mauriceharvey4300]

@@Railway_Railfan Think I might have to agree with you on that. There's just something about TFO that is very compelling. For me I think it's the idea of time moving slowly. When Plant sings "...Twenty four hours seem like a life time..." I can relate to that (and other lyrics in the song).

[@Railway_Railfan]

Yeah agree...Tea seems to convey more emotional pain than "Since I've been...", but both great Zep blues.

[@alanthorne3921]

After ALS Tea For One is my fave track off Presence.The dirge like feel is relative to the lyrics and works perfectly.Plants world weary vocals and the lazy light night feel of the bass drums set the mood.Pages soloing is superb, atmospheric and restrained.No it doesn’t have the dynamics of Since I Have …but it doesn’t need to.

[@DarkSideOfTheMoule]

Loved the puns when commenting on My Ding a Ling! 'Over engorged', 'Limp'! Extra points for saying it with such a deadpan demeanour. Makes me proud to be English as I think we excel at this sort of humour

[@davidl570]

I'm American and I LOVE British humour! Best type of humour in the world.

[@jimmythemadostrich8947]

I think we could perhaps get to grips with it by a firm hand and have a mass debate about MY Ding -A-Ling

[@drmusic3641]

I love "Mother" by the Police. I related to it because it described my mother perfectly. She would call me for every little thing and the despair of Andy Summers vocal was how I felt. At one point I even used it as my ringtone. "The telephone is ringing, is that my mother on the phone?" LOL

[@bossfan49]

I don't share that experience but I still like the song, especially given its place on the album in the middle of Side A. it takes the frantic energy hinted at in Synchronicity and bumps it up a couple notches.

[@happy_fecker]

@@bossfan49 I agree. I like Mother and it's place on the album. It fits nicely with Miss Gradenko and Walking In Your Footsteps.

[@aldebaran4154]

I love it too. It brings a nice, 80's King Crimson like proggy aggression to the album.

[@davidsharp6392]

The Brian Wilson Album was never released. The other 9 were.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

I thought Zeppelin's song would be Hot Dog. Thanks for the video, I love your brutal harshness, clever word play and humor. I always leave with a smile.

[@dust-dog]

Hot Dog is always on my Zeppelin playlist, catchy as a MFer, that one

[@CraigHollabaugh]

​@@dust-dogagree with you on the catchy, just thought he'd pick it. Surprised at tea for one though. Doesn't matter, it's all good.

[@jerryleeelvisberryrichard6247]

Favorite Zep song by far.

[@xrandy11]

Agree with you about "Real Man", but when I saw the Human Touch cover come up I thought you were going to go after "57 Channels" which is hated by so many Springsteen fans, but I think is a classic. I never understood the derision for this tune. It is a great critique of modern ennui, the production is stellar and that bass (played by Bruce btw) rocks!

[@domfjbrown75]

​@@DadgeCityso do I :)

[@leebritnell2405]

Very enjoyable.It's great to hear a mature and articulate person discuss music at length and meaningfully(as opposed to quick,semi -literate sound bites).

[@waynegoucher4503]

🤣one of my favourite tracks on synchronicity - 'Mother' .. regard it as a 'palette' cleanser!!! But then again, when The Police did part, I followed Summers solo career to present date rather Than Sting.

[@marcofalzone6469]

If Brian Eno wrote it. I wonder if he would think differently 😅

[@jtt8886]

One of the most out of place songs on an album in the history of rock. Terrible. Not a pallet cleanser. A pallet destroyer.

[@waynegoucher4503]

I bet the three band members had a wonderful scrap arguing over its inclusion 😊..my money would have been on Stewart Copeland!!

[@noyfb4769]

The song IS horrible, which is to say it perfectly encapsulates how many of us feel about our mothers. Best worst song on the list.

[@jimtoms7591]

I actually like "Tea for One." Joe Bonamassa's version from the You & Me album is also very good. I agree about "Mother," which is truly awful. I've thought that since I bought Synchronicity at age 13.

[@danielmaher7108]

It becomes obvious on songs like "Mother" and "Be My Girl (Sally)" that there was a reason Sting was the principal songwriter for The Police.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

@@danielmaher7108 They are so bad that they are good !

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

The longer version of Chuck Berry’s My Ding A Ling has been “kept zipped up”? Pure poetry.

[@BobVond]

And sadly wrong; it occupies 11 minutes 52 seconds on The London Chuck Berry Sessions, dog-rodgering an already bum production.

[@classicalbum]

One to avoid then...

[@BobVond]

If you can find it - one of those cheap 70's Chess releases no one was interested in at the time and fewer are now.@@classicalbum

[@Flibbybibby]

That lengthy uncut version is unofficially called the “John Holmes mix” I believe. 😏

[@H-mu4bo]

"Mother" was great song, it compliments "Synchronicity" perfectly. The cacophonous off kilter sound and manic delivery by Andy Summers is more reminicent of Stewart Copeland's Klark Kent pseudonym identity. It comes at the right moment and neutralises Sting's dominence on the record.

[@fightersweep]

I agree. Synchronicity needed an antidote to the Sting dominance. Probably the reason why I quite like Stewart's Miss Gradenko too. It's generally my least favourite Police album anyway. Regatta is the one that get's the hammering on my turntable.

[@paulmcmillen5925]

I thought that Under the Red Sky was Dylan's attempt at writing a children's record. "Wiggle Wiggle" does sound childish, doesn't it? Funny remark, "There's nothing like classic Elvis, and this song is nothing like classic.Elvis"

[@PhilSmithRHR]

I absolutely buy into the “children’s song” theory about this album. When you view it this way, you can enjoy it much more.

[@bossfan49]

I have no problem with "Mother". It's definitely the most extreme song on the album, but I think it fits, and is perfectly placed in the middle of Side A. I'm a big Springsteen fan and I'm one of the few that holds that album with any regard. Of the 14 tracks, I think 8 of them are quite good. However, of the remaining 6, I agree that "Real Man" is towards the bottom.

[@shadow-jk9gj]

“Bob Dylan is the type of artist that would have so many people gravitating just to exist from moment within the orbit of his Bobness.” -Classic Album Review, 2024

[@CorkDave1]

I beg to differ on this one, Tea for one is a brilliant track, different time signatures, the use of incredible space while still using the guitar army. Plants lament at being a tax exile in a wheelchair and features one of Pages best guitar solos. I think the idea is to sit there looking at the clock…when time 7/4 12/8 moves so slow. Cheers and best 👍🎸

[@peterbutler1113]

Agreed! 100% It's my go-to track on Presence.

[@scottrap]

I don’t think Andy intended “Mother” to be a serious song as much as a comedy number. I’ve always loved it because I think of my own mother while listening.

[@docsavage8640]

Sting insisted Andy sing it and that it be included on the LP. It's deliberately what it is. The less intelligent listeners get confused by levity and the avant-garde.

[@chriswilkinson7636]

Love the comment about it being " groundbreaking"😂😂😂

[@Sp33gan]

I agree with them all and I love your subtle English swipes. It was tough to keep from laughing and miss what was said next. For me, I could honestly fill 100 worst songs with only Elvis tripe. As soon as his manager removed Lieber and Stoller from those writing for Elvis, he began a long string of horrible material choices.

[@bobbybishop368]

I'm certainly glad that all of the songs you recorded were better.

[@Sp33gan]

@@bobbybishop368 A well worded swipe. Nicely done. In truth, you're right. Some of the songs I recorded really were better. Thank you for being glad about that. My band just didn't have the big RCA machine behind us, pushing the latest one. Regardless, that's an immaterial point. Music, like all forms of entertainment, is subjective. If you like his work, then your opinion is right for you. As is my right, I happen to disagree. If you read my statement, it's clear I said what I believe instead of blithely saying it was all garbage, thereby dismissing your right to disagree with me. The truth is, Elvis actually did record a lot of dreck after 1963. Wooden Heart, anyone? The proof is in the fact that he disappeared from the public eye, save for a vast number of generally bad movies, each one attracting smaller and smaller numbers of box office returns. As I have always said, though, you don't have to be good to be popular and you don't have to be popular to be good. How many singers or bands sell millions of records, yet you personally, don't understand their popularity? The same applies to Elvis. He practically disappeared from the charts after 1963 and was even considered a has been in the music industry. Until his '68 TV special, many had forgotten his name. On the other hand, modern audiences will recognise The Beatles, for example, but Elvis is only a household name for those who are older. Whose music is withstanding the test of time and quality? It's not Presley, despite his enduring popularity with his hardcore fans. Is Elvis important to 20th Century music? Absolutely, yes! While he didn't invent Rock 'n' Roll, it was he with Scotty and Bill and Sam Phillips who made the new form acceptable to the mainstream audiences. Without Presley, it's possible the music revolution would have stayed almost hidden. But is Elvis the most enduring of all the Rock singers and bands that came after? Being objective and completely honest, only to his existing fans. Every singer and band will record stinkers. Elvis just did that with a lot of his recordings. In the end, to each their own. Even though the number was fabricated, the album title "50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong" is correct for those who are his fans. Those who aren't his fans are also correct.

[@bobbybishop368]

Congratulations.

[@Sp33gan]

@@bobbybishop368 Why, thanks.

[@mariuspoppFM]

​@@bobbybishop368the usual ret@rd response. Elvis fans better reach him ASAP

[@zd4v1d]

I had never heard "It would be so nice" before. So I looked it up and, well sir, I think you're wrong on that one! :) Seems to be in the same vein as "Summer '68". So thanks for the intro. The other songs, totally agree.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Re: your number one, have you not heard ‘Summer of Love’ by the Beach Boys featuring Mike Love rapping with the Baywatch cast? 🤣 It’s a musical atrocity. I am not a huge Beach Boys fan if truth be told, but your pick and that song convince me they should retired long ago. They destroyed their reputation in the 1980s and 1990s chasing commercial tackiness.

[@boywonders]

Lol so, so bad. I highly encourage watching the Todd in the Shadows episode on here that covers that album. It's absolutely hysterical

[@marcofalzone6469]

Agreed 110%. Smart girls IS an abortion. Yet The Beach boys were doing AS WORSE with many songs in their 90s catalog.

[@t0mn8r35]

I certainly enjoyed this review. Well done as always!

[@classicalbum]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johndavies2285]

Really admire your writing. The comment about Brian Wilson going to KFC got me subscribed.

[@vlj1133]

Tea For One is absolutely fantastic. Second best song on the album behind Achilles' Last Stand.

[@ZitherBeast]

The song is brilliant.

[@danielreid5114]

Brian Wilson’s Smart Girls was never officially released as you point out - I think all the tracks on the Beach Boys Summer in Paradise could be on your list - they’re really terrible - by the way I’m a big Beach Boys fan!

[@classicalbum]

Me as well

[@eyericht]

Reckon Wiggle Wiggle got off lightly there! Another fine review!

[@robison5396]

Hilarious, entertaining and for the most part on point. I still prefer Mother to anything on Trout Mask Replica.

[@johnryan3913]

Really? Dachau Blues? Ella Guru? What about I Love You Big Dummy from Decals

[@10538overture]

I always avoid mentioning Trout Mask Replica. If people can't bring themselves to admit how utterly wretched it really is, that's their problem.

[@johnnythefox9830]

Tea for one - they were greaving. Its an excellent track from an underrated album. Chill and enjoy. X

[@peterbutler1113]

Agreed! 100% It's my go-to track on Presence. I actually thought he must be joking at first when I heard him mention it on his list.

[@jonblackers4339]

Arrived here cause of your sweet interview with SAM BROWN, such a great lady. It must run in the family, once met her mother, so sad such a great woman died so soon. I even told Sam walking and seeking my way at Royal Albert Hall where I attended 2 CONCERTO FOR GROUP AND ORCHESTRA events, incl with the beloved, RIP, Jon Lord. It had only been 13 years after I had her mother sign my vinyl of Lordys BEFORE I FORGET.

[@pauljohnson5925]

With 60 years and 30 albums behind him, there's gonna be a few stinkers in the collection, but I have never understood the inclusion of "I Am Your Robot" on Elton John's 1982 release "Jump Up" 💩

[@danielhkhk7283]

Agree, this song is horrible. Go it alone from Leather Jackets is not much better.

[@PaulMazzoni]

“Did You Steal My Money” is quite terrible! Yet, I find myself singing it about once every two years. Thanks for getting it back into my head. 😂

[@PhilBaird1]

Great stuff Barry. Some real fizzers in there too (Aeschylus !). More please.

[@bookaufman9643]

My ding- a -ling was re-released around 1977 or 78 and I remember it being on the radio all the time and I would laugh really hard because I was a 12 year old. I kind of like this song.🎉

[@garyhitchcock3828]

My Ding-a-Ling was originally a hit for Dave Bartholomew in the early 50s covered by Chuck Berry in 1972.

[@ianpeterdavison1963]

Where did you find them? 😁

[@zplapplap]

I’ll be that one guy that likes “Mother”. I like it now, as I did in 1983 when I was 8 years old. It’s an interesting album track. It’s a frenetic and eccentric musical composition that captures a mood. But, the lyrics are half-written and show just enough potential to allude to what could have been accomplished with some introspection.

[@bradparker9664]

"Orbit of his Bobness.". That says everything you need to know about Bob.

[@MauriceTituer]

There were so many bad songs from great artists trying to adapt to the new sound of the 80’s. Strangely, a lot of them dumbed down their music and became even more popular.

[@noyfb4769]

Yes. The 80's were the Genesis of corporate musical sellouts that nobody with any taste had the Heart to listen to.

[@MauriceTituer]

@@noyfb4769i see what you did here.

[@PhilJS67]

Saw Bob sing Wiggle Wiggle live, it didn’t help.

[@Fiveash-Art]

"Mother" is a novelty song on a pretty much flawless record, but I wouldn't say it's a bad song. I've always liked it. That middle eastern vibe and crazed sounding vocal with appropriately humorous lyrics still make that song memorable. It doesn't sound like typical Police, but there's nothing wrong with that. It kind of reminds me of that song they did on Outlandos d'Amour about the blow up doll. It's funny.

[@hdervish2497]

I keep that song on my Halloween playlist. I love how unhinged it is

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@hdervish2497 Yep .. Danny Elfman vibes .. like an Oingo Boingo thing or something.

[@tucachannel4228]

Summers was hanging out with Robert Fripp, hence this song.

[@Fiveash-Art]

@@tucachannel4228 Yeah when I was a teenager I had that record "I Advanced Mask" .. Really good stuff.

[@artnada]

"Mother" was the song, getting me seriously into Police, : thinking - this is proggy isn`t, mate! I can like this band now ! They are far out!... (and I knew those "Mothers") always tought it was great song ... well - until now.

[@davidosborne5139]

I’m not sure Face Dances is the worst album of songs The Who ever released. I feel, It’s Hard and Endless Wire are probably bigger offenders to be honest. As for pinching Brasso, my wife stole mine and I still haven’t got it back, so I can completely identify with that particular lyric 😂

[@stevegrantley4588]

Tea For One is an amazing song - great performances -

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I really enjoy Page's soloing on the song

[@ArtbyJoeH]

Bad company ‘master of Ceremonies’ the desperation of writing songs as you record them under a deathly deadline.

[@BobbyBass-x6i]

Robert Cray T-shirt you’re killing me smalls! I saw his 50th anniversary tour last summer and it was so great we’re seeing him again next month. His voice still sounds awesome which is usually what goes in older performers (hello Ian and Elvis). Always plays a beautiful sounding blues guitar. Oh yeah thanks for the video too!

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

'Young Bob' !

[@niakav6975]

Yeah, Robert Cray is on fire at the moment!👍

[@ultraringo]

Tea for one? terrible song? I'm speechless!!!

[@alfietomkins7829]

Oh no, Tea for one is one of my favorite Led zeppelin songs, its a great slow paced blusy track and i love Jimmys guitar on this. interesting choice

[@davidqvist2392]

I see you are wearing Robert Cray T Shirt. Strong Persuader is a great album that does not receive the attention and praise it deserves. Maybe a relook sometime?

[@Justin_Kipper]

I agree with about 25% of this, but you're so damned funny that I would give this video 2 thumbs up if I could.

[@timbaker4253]

There are very few bad Zep songs. For me they are “the crunge”, “down by the seaside”, Black Country woman” and “boogie with stu”. Tea for one has a lovely melancholic feel and Page’s guitar work is haunting and always interesting to listen to.

[@tonyyeatropoulos6829]

Now that I think of it, I'm surprised you didn't include Tull's "Hot Mango Flush". You and I are both massive Tull fans, but even you must find it difficult to envision why it was included on "J-Tull Dot Com", especially with it following "Hunt By Numbers", which I rather liked. I'm not even sure I would have utilized it as a bonus track, B-Side, or 'Box Only Rarity'. I would go so far as to say that this is the worst track I've ever heard on a Tull release. Your thoughts?

[@ohsoedgy6888]

Motley Crue-Brandon The final track on the band’s worst offering by many “Generation Swine” where Crue went for a more Grunge/Industrial sound releases in a piano and strings based ballad sung by Tommy Lee about his son “Brandon” and comes off as laughably bad and the piano and strings production quality are so overproduced it feels like someone put a blender towards your ears! Also the lyrics oh god the lyrics “As you can see You are the one, Brandon, my son Your mother gave birth to you with love inside She had candlelight and songs of life Brandon, I love you, I love her, she is your mom” Good stuff! (Not Really)

[@DrDooDah]

The first time I saw Dylan live was on the Under the Red Sky tour. I didn't like that album too much, but I dutifully listened to it over and over, in preparation for the gig. The only song he played off the album that night was 'Wiggle'. I wasn't too impressed.

[@MomLAU]

I've never heard it, but the title sounds like a kids' song!

[@heartoftherose]

One of your best. Thank you.

[@classicalbum]

Thank you too!

[@kayfimt7769]

I think “dictator” by The Clash is their real shocker. What a shambles.

[@MinorCirrus]

Based on their 1967/1968 singles, you could say that Pink Floyd "found their sound" once they realised that their B-sides were leagues above their A-sides. Julia Dream is much better than It Would Be So Nice, and the same goes with Careful VS Point Me At The Sky.

[@ranica47]

I LOVE Julia Dream, it's a gorgeous song, beautiful melody. Heard it on Relics which I'm not sure is available any more. Don't think I've ever heard It Would Be So Nice or Careful lol.

[@MinorCirrus]

@@ranica47 I said "Careful" as short for "Careful With That Axe, Eugene", which is also available on Relics, and was the B-Side to the awkward "Point Me At The Sky" single. Careful was a staple of the band's live sets from 1969 to 1972, and I think its best rendition is on the live record of Ummagumma: give it a try! As per Julia Dream, I would suggest trying to listen to the mono mix, which is slightly better in my opinion. Relics only has the stereo one.

[@ranica47]

@@MinorCirrus Haha I can't believe I didn't realise you meant Eugene! One of my favourites from the early post Syd era. There's a great version called Come In No. 51(I think that's the right number!) Your Time Is Up from the Zabriskie Point soundtrack inc. another rarity Heart Beat Pig Meat.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

I do love a mean-spirited critique. Thank you 😁

[@classicalbum]

You are so welcome!

[@HazardGoat]

Genesis is my favorite band, and their worst song is the sappy, lugubrious "Hold on my Heart". Unlistenable.

[@OsoMarcol]

Unbearable indeed

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Another Genesis clunker: Who Dunnit

[@MoviesNStuff]

I don't hate that song. But If I never have to hear Invisible Touch again, I'd be all the better for it

[@simonpearn479]

@@MoviesNStuff Wasn't the same after Peter Gabriel left!

[@MoviesNStuff]

@@simonpearn479 True! Still Duke, Wind and Wuthering, and A Trick of the Tail are great albums

[@georgecoventry8441]

Hmm. I have somehow managed to miss hearing (or noticing?) all of these songs you mention except........"My Dingaling" and "Wiggle, Wiggle". "My Dingaling" is pretty silly, yes. As for "Wiggle, Wiggle", it's quite an odd song, to be sure. Bob seems to have enjoyed performing it live, because he did so in a lot of shows. There's obviously something he likes about it. It has mystified most of his fans, but I do kind of like the way he sings it, because I just generally like the way he sings. He makes it sound pretty dark! What is it about? Well, that's the question, isn't it? But Bob's not going to tell us. Wiggle like a big black snake!!!!!!! I think it may be about the many faces of evil, taking form in different ways.

[@GlennPowell-ls3lg]

Presleys " film years" were generally cheesy crap and Lieber and Stoller had long gone.He did make his actual comeback in I think 68 which was televised famously in a live rehersall in front of the audience where the drummer was using a box of some sort to use his sticks on.Brilliant.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Mother was an appeasement to Summers. Everyone probably knew it wasn't great, but it was weird and wild and was okay top have as a short break from the unmistakably superior Sting songs. DIng a Ling is obviously a novelty number meant as a joke, but the record company thought it had hit potential. Pretty much everything on Presence is a weak reworking of past Zeppelin work. A lot of these artists have a bunch of lousy songs. Meanwhile, geniuses like Paul McCartney and YES have also made some stinkers.

[@anachronistofer]

Amongst his many clever innuendos regarding 'My Ding A Ling', Barry forgot to slip in (heh) his favorite adjective "priapic". Tsk tsk. ;-)

[@klauspeiler5852]

Tea for one is great. So is the complete Presence album. Have you ever heard some Heep songs from High and Might? Can't stop singing is terrible. At least in my opinion.

[@johndonny443]

'Tea for one' is far more palatable then 'Hot Dog' if we were searching the mighty Zeps catalog.

[@BarkingSpiders-km7oj]

I like Mother in a similar way I enjoy Sally off Outlandos D'Amour, both being off-kilter and kind of don''t belong on their respective albums. The guitar work on Mother is great and a in darkly perverse way the lyrics and vocal are amusing, especially if you can relate to them, which, unfortunately I can.

[@adamfindlay7091]

Learning to Fly. Please. Oh, part 2, bring her on!

[@noyfb4769]

Except that was the best thing on THAT album!😂

[@MoviesNStuff]

​@noyfb4769 hm, I'd say "On the Turning Away" is better, Learning to Fly is great however!

[@garyhitchcock3828]

​@noyfb4769 I would have said the Dogs of war from AMLOR is a truly awful tune.

[@davidl570]

Hmm.......................have mixed feelings about Learning To Fly.....................it's one of the more decent songs on the fairly mediocre Momentary album, but it just goes on way too LONG!

[@lamecasuelas2]

I actually really like Mother, is like a mini Van der Graaf generator song.

[@SH-ud8wd]

Wiggle wiggle is ridiculous. There is a good alternative to Cut the Crap without synths called "Mohawks Revenge".

[@jasonbone7033]

I love these type of lists but have to say that “Tea for One” is far better than “Hot Dog”.

[@eccentricman87]

How could you have left off Like A Rolling Stone? hahaha, I jest. Good list, although I'm quite partial to the cathartic nature of Tea For One, are you really saying it's worse than All My Love?

[@anachronistofer]

No doubt that Zep's 'Tea For One' is too similar to 'Since I've Been Loving You', I could see one being critical of that fact and many are. But I still think it's a great song and emotionally rendered, not limp at all. I'd say their big dud is 'Hot Dog' from In Through The Out Door. Although they successfully ventured into different genres, LZ should have avoided straying into American Country altogether if this was the best they could do.

[@topbrew42]

Chuick berry's song working up Mary Whitehouse into a froth, it was worth it then ;)

[@robertcook2572]

Mary Whitehouse was years ahead of her time - only now is she beginning to be appreciated by the bien pensant. Those of us in the know have understood and admired her from day one. It gives us a smug feeling, akin to having followed a mega band when they were still doing the pub circuit.

[@topbrew42]

@@robertcook2572 Mmmm yeah, okay what ever floats your boat

[@jonblackers4339]

@@robertcook2572 Listen to DEEP PURPLEs MARY LONG, please.....

[@theskolcup]

Love the Robert Cray t-shirt!

[@tessjuel]

0:07 I'm not really new to this channel. Is it ok if I click the like button anyway?

[@Iomhar]

With so many awful Waters's songs, you chose It Would Be So Nice?

[@gtv6chuck]

Definitely agree with you about "Mother" and "My Ding a Ling". I assume you didn't include "Revolution 9" because it is a given that is universally regarded as garbage, or it's just not a song.

[@lawrenrich-nf3ni]

So many bad songs, so little time. Thankfully there are so many good ones !

[@bonesjackson81]

Yeah thats not a great Zep but Hot Dog is my pick of an awful Zep tune. I hate everything about it.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Yes I agree. Hot Dog is my least favourite Zep song, just feels like a throwaway B-side rockabilly pastiche. Tea for One is supposed to be brooding and listless, as Barry hinted I think it is about Jimmy Page’s increasing addiction to heroin which he would struggle to shake off for the best part of the next decade.

[@ItsAMadHouse360]

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic: Police, Hello I Love You:Doors, All Of My Love: Zepplin, Learning to Fly P. Floyd- mostly for the lyrics. Sussudio: Phil Collins.

[@pontifexvonhummer9459]

Surprising how many of these deep cuts I knew. And strange to remember the dedication we had to any Album we had to pay for by a favorite artist back then. Was it just too much bother to go to the turntable and skip that particular band on the record that kept us listening to these bad songs? Did they become less bad in familiarity? Now, taken separately and held aloft out of time and context these tunes seem worse than I remember them back in the day. I guess I figured, if it’s on a major band’s album, it must be better than I can comprehend.

[@yullt6885]

Can’t disagree more on “Tea for One”. I think it’s one of the best latter day Zeppelin tracks. Maybe Plant’s vocals aren’t his best, but Jimmy’s guitar is a real shining moment. I’d nominate “D’yer Mak’er”. Pretty much the only Zep song, if comes on the radio I’ll change the channel.

[@adamcauldwell6776]

Can't agree with the Tea for One analysis, it's one of my favourite tracks from Presence. In through the outdoor is probably more fertile ground for a Led Zep stinker .

[@lawrencejhutchinson]

Tea For One was a brutally honest analysis by Robert Plant of his decision to leave his wife behind in Greece after she was seriously injured in a car accident. It's an apology to his wife.

[@davidl570]

Didn't know that! Wasn't Robert also injured in a separate car accident just prior to recording the Presence album?

[@larryzigler6812]

Just watched WIGGLE WIGGLE live- loved it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ☮☮💘💘💥💥

[@dmlevitt]

I agree. cheers!

[@UranusMcVitieFish-yd7oq]

Mediocre albums contain mediocre songs. Who'd have thought it? A genuine revelation of a video.

[@WeeferKeef]

"Ground Breaking" - to bury it. I love it.

[@misterschubert3242]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get the Police "Mother" as my ring tone when she calls...

[@landhorses]

Good list. I only disagree with "It Would Be So Nice"..........like that one.

[@peterbutler1113]

Love your channel, and agree with you 99% of the time. However I completely disagree with Tea For One. It's my favourite track on Presence, and indeed one of my favourite tracks period by Zeppelin. You may have a point about it not being 100% original vs their earlier work in the same genre, but I actually think it's their *best* work in that genre, original or not. At least I can take some solace in the fact that you only placed it at #10 in your list such that it still ranks as "fairly tolerable" (as per your words) as opposed to being a "festering turd". lol Listening to Tea For One is, for me at least, the Zeppelin-equivalent of listening to something like Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd, in that you can just close your eyes and be taken away into a lulled state for a while.

[@NigelSmith66]

I've always thought "Tea For One" was a poor attempt to re-create "Since I've Been Loving You". Whilst the latter is a classic, I find the former to be just boring. Not a stinker in my opinion, perhaps why it came in at number 10. Unlike others on here, I love "Hot Dog" - throwaway yes, but also damn good fun!

[@jamiethorstenberg1033]

I like Tea For One. While it can be meandering it's still a fine tune.

[@Taylor_Toons]

"Sounds like Brian's been on a visit to KFC." That one got me 🤣

[@thatcanadian6698]

Tea For One was meant as a metaphor for the loneliness Plant felt about being constantly on the road away from his family and not being able to enjoy simple pleasures like sharing a cup of tea with his wife (tea for one, not two). The rambling, limpid feel fits with the hollow emotions one experiences due to loneliness. The other song I disagree with is Mother by The Police. Clearly it wasn't meant to be a 'serious' rock song, but rather a comical take on a man's love/hate relationship with his mother. The somewhat strange time signature mixed with unexpected chords and Summers' almost psychotic vocals paint a picture of a man's tormented mind with regards to the most important woman in his life, but in an amusing fashion. I laughed out loud the first time I heard it and it still gives me a chuckle to this day. In that regard the song works for me. The rest of the songs on this list I don't give a shit about.

[@stephenfranklin8258]

Interesting that Tea for One was covered by Joe Bonamassa on his 'British Blues influence' collection. I saw him do that at Greenwich - was pretty good!