Inspired by the Cure thread.

I love "Why Can't I Be You." I think it's great precisely because of how over the top it is (and the video with Robert Smith dancing in a ratty fat bear suit helps). If the Cure can take mopery to ridiculous heights (depth?), why shouldn't they take idiot glee and do the same?

I guess I like naive music. I said the same thing in last week's Neil Young - Living With War thread--some people see the lyrics as awkward, but there's a purity and an enthusiasm to its "first-draft" words that really works for me.

It's part of why I like Joan Jett--purity of motive; she just wants to fucking rock! Naive music either doesn't know that it's overearnest or stupid, or it knows and goes for it anyway. It may come across as awkward, but dammit if Jett doesn't mean it. Yoko Ono, Jonathan Richman, the Shaggs, "Walking on Sunshine," "Emotional Rescue," "Kung Fu Fighting." They don't hear that little critical voice that says "you can't do that!"

It's what makes Ed Wood's movies so much more interesting than most good bad movies--purity and enthusiasm. Tim Burton got it exactly right; you can laugh at Glen or Glenda and yet still be kinda... touched. Don't you wish you could sometimes put aside your irony and be that open?

"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."--David St. Hubbins

Y'all got any favorites that shouldn't work but somehow do?

The Shaggs.

The answer for many is an ulcerated "no."

Saddens me because they miss out on the glory that is T.J. Hooker.

I think a really good example of this (despite the InstaCool rating of 97) is The Ramones.

I agree except for the Shaggs. The Shaggs are fucking stupid.

And, yes indeed...JOAN JETT FUCKING ROCKS!