I had a family that lived next door to me that we weren’t too friendly with. They were very strange in a sort of Addams Family type of way. Now, I didn’t really mind that part about them. I actually find strange and weird people interesting, which probably says a lot more about me than anything else. What got to me, though, was that the father loved to mow the lawn on Sunday mornings at around 7:00 a.m. Our houses were so close together that he was right outside my windows with that lawn mower early in the morning. I had asked him if he wouldn’t mind waiting a few hours, but he ignored my request.
So, one day, I took my huge PA speakers from my band and my Crown amps and set them up on my front lawn. I took my mixing board, plugged in a CD player, and started blasting Black Sabbath as loud as possible. The guy flipped out, but he got the message. As I was setting up my PA system, I was trying to decide what would be the perfect music to annoy this guy. In that instance, I chose “Iron Man” because the riff had an intimidating doom sound. But there are a lot more pieces I could have picked. Here’s a list of 10 others that would have worked well for various reasons. Some of these are great songs, while others are downright horrible, but in the end, they will do the job for multiple reasons.
# 10 – Pop Music – M
We open our 10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbors list with a very annoying song. Do you remember this one? It was released in 1979 and was a pretty big hit. However, that refrain “Pop Pop Pop Music” can drive anyone insane after a while. The lead vocalist sounds a little like Fred Schneider from the B-52s.
# 9 – Disco Duck-Rick Dees
Continuing with our 10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbor list, we are very sorry to have to mention his one because it can be very unsettling. Rick Dees “Disco Duck” is one of the most hated songs among rock fans of all time. I couldn’t even bear to listen to it when I placed it on this list. This one should be very effective, and if they come out and start dancing on the front lawn, then it is just probably time to move.
# 8 – The Earth Died Screaming – Tom Waits
There were many Tom Waits songs we could have picked for this list. All my Tom Waits records used to annoy everyone in my family over the years. This one has it all: a very creepy musical arrangement and verse that eventually explodes into Tom Waits’ maniacal chorus that will probably scare all the squirrels away, too.
# 7 – Billy Don’t Be A Hero – Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods
Do you hate this song or love it? It’s probably a little bit of both, or at least the love comes from a longing for that time period. Nonetheless, this song was a huge hit, and it annoyed a lot of people. Just imagine playing this one over and over again with that marching band segment and that flute lick. And oh, by the way, in case you forget, this song went all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.
# 6 – Dead Kennedys – Viva Las Vegas
Play this one and you will have a lot of fun. One of Elvis Presley’s most famous songs done in such a twisted punk meets cowboy style by The Dead Kennedys that will tick off a lot of people. If your neighbors are older and fans of Elvis, they will hate you forever if you play this one.
# 5 – B.Y.O.B. – System Of A Down
If you’re looking for something loud and insane, you can’t go wrong with System of A Down. They have a lot of choice material that can do some heavy-duty damage to your neighbor’s psychological well-being. I dont know how these guys play as fast as they do and are able to sing those lyrics in such perfect pitch with a sprinkle of insanity dancing all over it.
# 4 – The Four Horsemen – Metallica
Keeping it nice and loud for a while, we turn to the legendary band Metallica. How could we not include Metallica on this list? This one explodes right out of the gate. The intense vocals, guitars, bass, and drums will all do the job of trying to get those neighbors to pack their bags.
# 3 – My Bologna – “Weird Al” Yankovic
If the accordion at the beginning of the song doesn’t do the trick, there is plenty more to come after that. Imagine having to listen to this over and over again at really loud volumes. Weird Al delivered one of his most annoying parodies with his cover of The Knack’s “My Sharona.”
# 2 – Helter Skelter – The Beatles
As we get close to the end of our 10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbor list we present a perfect song. The Beatle’s “Helter Skelter” has been hailed by many as the song that helped fuel the heavy metal genre. It’s in your face loud and intense music and lyrics will eventually mentally break down anyone after repeated plays. It’s a work of genius that will ultimately drive you mad. You know what I’m talking about, right……
# 1 – Tip Toe Thru’ The Tulips With Me – Tiny Tim
Without question, this one is guaranteed to work. If it does not, we will buy you a year’s supply of onion rings from Burger King. That voice can be weaponized and possibly win wars. Enjoy this one, my friends, if you survive it.
10 Perfect Songs To Annoy Your Neighbor article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
