I haven't had "the song that never ends" stuck in my head for a long time - whats really strange is when that happens (I? others?) can't make it stop until I've seen or sung the complete song; OR if I get it stuck in someone else's head.
About the student: I think you had equal chances of being right; he may have been abused, he may have been a big crybaby. For some reason it's become stylish to whine about how your parents screwed you up. Some folks have legitimate complaints, others need to be called on being crybabies, told to build a bridge, and get over it.