I take that back. I could almost see someone at Motown (re)doing Alison.
Disclaimers are fine, but I don't think anyone was out to attack or argue with you over your opinion. I have an interest in songwriting, and try to be a good songwriter, with varying degrees of success. Maybe there is something I am missing in those EC songs. Something from which I could learn.
Alison is not a bad song. The hook has a nice melody, and can appeal to the pop audience of adolescent female vulnerability and overly dramatic tendencies...."Alison....the world is killing you". Guys are less literal, it could appeal to the male listener as Alison can just as easily be substituted for the actual subject of desire, Angela, or whoever. The "aim is true" i guess is a reference to the fore mentioned "sticky" valentines, cupid's arrow. Other than the somewhat common theme of a longtime crush, from adolescence to her marriage, the remainder of the lyrics seem to be attempts at being clever that don't quite hit the mark. But it's obviously not a bad as far as pop songs go. Particularly the chorus, I would be pleased with it if I had wrote it. But certainly wouldn't be so pleased as to consider it among the best that pop songwriting has to offer....or hopefully I have to offer.