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In perusing Taz's list of shoulda-been hits, I saw the title Little Red Rented Rowboat. I recalled the lyrics where the guy with the humble rowboat agrees to give two girls a ride. Soon after, one ditches him for a guy on a sailboat, then the other ditches him for a guy with a motorboat. A little later he sees the motorboat stranded with no gas and the sailboat with no wind, and snubs them both with his "nose held way up high" as he rows away.
I thought, what other songs are there that have Karma as a central theme. Here are a few to get the list going. Additions to the list would be appreciated.
Hats Off To Larry - Del Shannon
The singer's girlfriend had dumped him for Larry, but now Larry has done the same thing to her.
It's My Party / Judy's Turn To Cry - Lesley Gore
This Karma extends over two songs. You took my boyfriend from me, so now I'm taking him back from you.
Come A Little Bit Closer - Jay and the Americans
The singer was enticed by the girl in the cafe when she said "Come a little bit closer, you're my knd of man". Soon after, he had to hightail it out of the cafe (Jose had come back) with the words "Come A little bit closer, you're my kind of man", now being spoken to Jose, echoing in his ears.
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (June 24, 2024 1:13 pm)
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Not sure if this one fits, but maybe. Anyone remember Jerry Reed's novelty hit "When You're Hot, You're Hot?" He tries to bribe a judge after being caught winning big while gambling and gets thrown in jail.
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In 96 Tears, ? sings about getting revenge on a girl who left him by getting back with her for just a little while so he can then dump her.
"And then I'm gonna put you, way down here, and you'll start crying", 96 Tears."
Last edited by AzMike (June 24, 2024 6:56 pm)
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The first two to come to mind are;
Beep Beep “I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn”
One Tin Soldier “Turned the stone and looked beneath it ‘Peace on Earth’ was all it said”
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One of the saddest songs ever, I Can Never Go Home Anymore by The Shangri-Las
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John Lennon famously did "Instant Karma."
You want to know how to make "Instant Karma?"
Just add fate, and stir.
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A favourite of mine in this regard is "Poor Side of Town" by Johnny Rivers.
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Jeannie C. Riley's country/rock hit "Harper Valley P.T.A." calls out the hypocrisy of the small minded people in her town and gives them a good comeuppance. They even made a short-lived TV show out of it.
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Here are a few more possibilities that have come to mind.
Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
Nathan Jones - The Supremes
Can I Change My Mind - Tyrone Davis
Take Time To Know Her - Percy Sledge
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Escape (The Piña Colada Song)
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Roses Are Red - Bobby Vinton
Lovers Who Wander - Dion
When she kissed me I was born and she said goodbye
And I knew right away I was born to cry
Now I'm happy and the joke's on her
Cause I found that place for lovers who wander
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (June 30, 2024 6:43 am)
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You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
The guy "beats her to the punch" in asking her name and wanting her to be his, but then Karma sets in:
"But I found out beyond a doubt
One day, boy, you were a playboy
Who would go away and leave me blue
So I ain't gonna wait around for you to put me downThis time I'm gonna play my hunch
And walk away this very day
And beat you to the punch this time (I'll beat you to the punch)"
Foolish Little Girl - The Shirelles
"You broke his heart and made him cry
And he's been blue since then
Now he's found somebody new
And you want him back again
Foolish little girl, fickle little girl
You didn't want him when he wanted you
He's found another love, it's her he's dreaming of
And there's not a single thing that you can do"
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (July 2, 2024 7:04 am)
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Both "Baby, Come Back" by The Equals and "Baby Come Back" by Player feature a man who wronged the woman in his life, lost her as a result and now deeply regrets the way that he treated her, and is pleading with her to come back to him.
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The songs that came to mind when I considered this topic are..."Work With Me Annie" and "Annie Had A Baby" by Hank Ballard. I was living in the musical desert of Guam when they came out. One of the traditions of our community was when any new teenager showed up,we'd want to know all the latest songs and artists. When the new guy showed up, when we began to question, he got a strange look on his face, gathered all the boys together and led us back to a quiet corner away from the girls. He then proceeded to tell us about Hank Ballard and these "dirty songs" that were shocking everybody. It was years before I finally heard them and the shock had worn off by then. Still are some fun memories!