World’s Worst Songs: An Introduction
Consider this picture a hint about our first song. (Getty Images/Toby Jorrin/AFP)
Everybody who loves music also hates music — certain specific examples of it, anyhow. I know I do. Some songs rub me the wrong way because of a lyric or a melody or a performance. Some songs by artists I like disappoint me by failing to live up to the standards I expect. This feature is about those songs: the World’s Worst Songs. I’ll spotlight a different one each week. But before I begin, there’s this: I could be completely wrong. If you think I blew it — if there’s a case to be made for why a certain song is better than I think it is — use the Comment function following each post to tell why. Ready?
“It was rainin’ hard in Frisco/I needed one more fare to make my night” is an arresting couplet with which to open a story, as Harry Chapin does in his 1972 hit “Taxi.” Certainly it would be possible for a big-city cabbie to pick up his first love one night. It might be interesting to eavesdrop on the conversation. And you might expect a talented songwriter to find some universal truth in the experience. Lots of potential in that scenario, and the biggest hook “Taxi” has is the time it takes for it to unfold. What you don’t notice right away is that Chapin is doing nothing with the setup except stringing it out.
An unheard conversation between the former lovers ensues, and then: “She hand me 20 dollars for a two-fifty fare and said ‘Harry, keep the change.’” This is supposed to the emotional climax of the song. Instead, it comes off as a gigantic WTF moment. Is she flinging her wealth at him? Assuaging her guilt over leaving him? Paying him for services rendered in the back seat all those years ago? We’re intended to fill in the blank, but none of these alternatives, or any of the others I’ve been able to think of over the years, seems sufficiently interesting to merit all the buildup.
“Taxi” is one of the most beloved songs in rock, but few songs promise more and deliver less.
Listen to and debate more of the World’s Worst Songs.
Rob Meurer
November 19, 2011 12:24 pm
Two types of people in the world: Those who love Harry Chapin, and…
I hate every song of his I’ve ever heard. HATE!
And he was actually good at what he did; I just despise what he wrote.
So a big Amen to this first one.
Michael Verity
November 21, 2011 10:45 am
For me, Harry Chapin is like Frank Zappa. Lots of respect for what he did but not a lot of tolerance for listening to him. “Taxi” is not the World’s Worst Song but I know JA has more up his sleeve.
notesfromunclechuck
November 20, 2011 10:08 am
And then, to make things worse, the abysmal “Sequel” came out in 1980-81 … that’s one of my least favorite songs ever. I could listen to “Taxi” if I’m in the right mood. “Sequel” gets turned off (if it ever comes on) every time.
Doug Broda
November 29, 2011 5:44 am
Don’t agree on this. The song may be a major downer, but I think it’s quite effective. Sue giving him the twenty is to show that her identity now is her money, having a lousy marriage etc etc, while Harry’s path turned out just so awfully, albeit differently. In other words, no matter what you do in life, you’re screwed.
I certainly will agree with the poster who despises “Sequel.” Maybe the only time Harry Chapin sold out, but it’s a doozy. Not only pointless, but plain awful.
For obvious reasons, I’d love to know what JA thinks of “W.O.L.D.”