It's certainly true that every generation produces some songs that are cringe-inducing. It's just that they used to be sparse enough to avoid by jumping around the radio dial.
Indeed. Their silly lyrics were scarce enough to make them stand out in a sea of otherwise "story-telling" songs.
My 7 months preemie son (4 lbs 15 oz) was born a few years after "Feet Up" by Bob Merrill/Guy Mitchell came out and it's lyrics still stick with me 50 years later.
[refrain] Feet up, pat him on the po-po Let's hear him laugh ha-ha Feet up, pat him on the po-po Let's hear him laugh
Ain't seen a babe like this before He's so good-lookin', gonna have some more
[Refrain]
Ha-ha, now I've been known to gamble Take a little drink Then there's the night, I had a fight And landed in the clink
But now my rootin' tootin' Days are done Gotta be the man that he thinks I am 'Cause I love my son, oh
[refrain]
Ain't seen a babe like this before He's so good-lookin', gonna have some more
[refrain]
Ha-ha, I knew a lotta women When I was on the go They'd stand in line to drink my wine And help me spend my dough
But my wife Rosie Ain't that kind Got her to thank for a buck in the bank 'N' this kid of mine
I'm gonna do some braggin' Up and down the town I'm walkin' into joints a-new And passin' news around
That me and Rosie got a son Though he's just been born Gonna buy him a horn A baseball and drum, oh
[refrain]
Ain't seen a babe like this before He's so good-lookin', gonna have some more
[refrain]
He, he's as tiny as a peanut Yet I do declare Some day he'll look at me and say "Hey, how you doin' down there?"
He'll be good-hearted Like his ma But I bet, he'll be a lady-killer Just like his pa, oh
[refrain]
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Let's hear him laugh, hey