Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs

By: Dave Barry

Narrated by: Mike Dodge

Length: 1 hr and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

When funnyman Dave Barry asked readers about their least favorite tunes, he thought he was penning just another installment of his weekly syndicated humor column. Instead, Barry found himself buried in responses in what turned out to be his most popular column ever. This program is a compilation of the results of Barry's Bad Song Survey, a definitive collection of the worst songs ever written. It is divided into such categories as Teen Death Songs, Songs That People Always Get Wrong, Songs Women Hate, and, of course, Weenie Music. From "MacArthur Park" to "Feelings," from "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife" to "Leader of the Pack," Mike Dodge, who considered this his most harrowing recording session, guides you through the world's worst lyrics.

©1997 Dave Barry (P)16 9; 1997 HighBridge Company

Totally Enjoyed It!

So much fun remembering the songs we liked, how bad they are and yet how we loved them!

This book will put bad songs in your brain!

This is a fun, silly listen. I love Dave Barry's humor and this is a great example of it. The fact that this was written in the 90's doesn't diminish the fun

Loved it!

A light hearted look at some really bad lyrics and one person’s, usually correct, opinion!

It could’ve been longer it was so funny.

Sorry, but they’re too tiny spoilers in this review, i.e. i’ve revealed two songs that were rated bad.

this book is funny, which I really need. It brings back memories of my Youth as a Boomer. I knew every song even before he mentioned it. MacArthur Park I think is number one for many people. The funny thing is that it was written by Jimmy Webb Who I think is a great writer. But this a song that I love to hate. So bad it’s good . My husband and I sometimes start singing it because it’s so hilarious ….. “someone left the cake out in the rain and I’ll never have that recipe again”. I guess it’s supposed to be a metaphor but it’s hilarious.

And “you’re having my baby“ is not hilarious, it’s just a bad bad song and It makes me cringe.

This is a Great book and very funny but I just wish it had more content because I enjoyed it so much.

Subjectively Hilarious

The truth is, choosing bad songs is quite obviously a subject enterprise. I could easily add 50 titles to those mentioned. Then again, I must say many of the songs that made the list I did not find all that objectionable. Sure a dorky line or two is easily criticized, but there’s more to a song than a bad phrasing in a single lyrical phrase.
That said, many songs that made the lists are quite universally hate worthy “I want a BRAVE man. I want a CAVEMAN” Seriously?!?!?!
Still, no matter where you land on a love/hate continuum for any mentioned song, Dave Barry will make you laugh out loud!!!!
Only one criticism: I wasn’t wild about the reader - perhaps because listening to Dave Barry is far more enjoyable.

Narration weak

Dreadful, dreadful narration. I would have loved to laugh more and I could hear that the content was funny - it just did not sound funny when read by this narrator

Don't Buy This!

Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the last review and wasted my money on this boring piece of trash. I figured I couldn't go wrong with Dave Barry.......well, I did! This audio was so excruciating, I couldn't even get through the whole thing! If I could give this NO STARS, I would! Don't waste your money!

Where was the humor?

I had high hopes for this book. I remember Dave Barry being very funny. This book is so boring. I have never been so bored by a book that wasn’t a textbook. I don’t understand how this was funny, and not just a litany of critique… Which is fine, but not what I was expecting from Dave Barry.