GAG ME WITH A SPOON: A Valley girl phrase used as an exclamation of disgust

Over the years, my good friend Denny McMahon and I would “disgust” each other by texting the name of or a phrase from a song that could “gag” us. We have had a lot of fun with this trying to outdo each other on the gagometer.  As I point these out to you, you will understand exactly what we mean.

In 1967, the Ohio Express came out with “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, I’ve Got Love in My Tummy” that incredibly rose to #8 on the pop charts. Subsequently, it is now listed as the #8 worst song with the worst lyrics –  gag me!

In 1966, Bob Lind came out with his nauseating tune “Elusive Butterfly of Love.”  The refrain is “Don’t be concerned; it will not harm you.”  Sorry, Bob, but this phrase has already done irreparable harm to any and all who had the displeasure of hearing it if only just once.

In 1969, the Archies, which derived from the tv show and the comic strip/book, “amazed” us all with the song “Sugar, Sugar.” The refrain in this example of “ingenious” creativity is “and you got me wanting you.” Sorry there, Arch, already had my fill of syrupy bubble gum pop this morning. Do not want any more.

As you ponder your list of obnoxious songs, I must enter a caveat. Here, I admit that I almost added a Simon and Garfunkel song to this list.  I should have known better that these famous and clever lyricists would not have tried to gag us.  The song that I refer to is the “Scarborough Fair/ Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”.  I can just hear myself singing about these herbs not knowing what their meaning was and then on reflection thinking this had to be another gag song.  In reality, the song is about a man trying to attain his true love.

• Parsley symbolized comfort
• Sage symbolized strength
• Rosemary symbolized love
• Thyme symbolized scourage

Geez! I wonder how many listeners back then and now would have just put it on the gag list and be done with it. Regardless, a tune about spices certainly belongs on the gag list no matter who wrote it.

I could go on and on with examples of gag songs.  Unfortunately, the list is way too long. Have some fun with this.  If you encounter a deserving tune, text the title or a phrase to a friend or an enemy of yours. Certainly, it will make them disgusted or possibly nauseated. Anybody got an extra spoon?