The NY Post readers complied a list of the “worst songs of all time.” Here is their list:
Starship: We Built This City:
When even the co-singer of the song, Grace Slick, calls it “the worst song ever” (as she did in a Vanity Fair interview in 2012), it has to be pretty bad.
USA for Africa: We Are the World
The charitable intentions couldn’t hide what a stinker of a song it was. Prince knew it and, despite huge criticism at the time, wisely refused to take part.
Barenaked Ladies: One Week
Reader Heather Pink referred to this simply as the song “about Chinese chicken.” It’s not actually about that, but Barenaked Ladies’ one big hit is so heinously grating, it’s enough to spark eye rolls of recognition all ’round.
Bobby McFerrin: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Righteously blasted in the lyrics of Fight the Power by Public Enemy, McFerrin’s whimsical a cappella hit also attracted withering criticism by reader Dave Richard, who regarded it as a “real steaming pile of crap.”
Terry Jacks: Seasons in the Sun
Adapted from a Jacques Brel song, Jacks’ wimpy delivery and the cornball lyrics about a man reflecting on his life make it one for the pop morgue.
Berlin: Take My Breath Away
For fans of Top Gun, it’s the song that signifies the on-screen passion of Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. For readers like John Farrell, it’s merely “vomit-inducing crap.”
Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots: Disco Duck
A novelty Number one hit for radio DJ Dees in 1976, this maddeningly irritating hit marks where disco truly did suck.
Steve Miller Band: The Joker
Keeping classic-rock radio stations in business since 1973.
Baha Men: Who Let the Dogs Out
Fun for about two weeks in 2000, when it came out. The bane of music fans the world over in the 16 years since.
Piko-Taro: PPAP
In October, this Japanese comic made chart history when his 45-second viral hit became the shortest song ever on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s still long enough to be massively aggravating.
The Hues Corporation: Rock the Boat
Looking back, this early disco single feels so thin, it’s practically invisible.
Eddie Murphy: Party All the Time
Much mocked, but Murphy’s hit — written and produced by Rick James — is exasperatingly catchy.
Nena: 99 Luftballons
Look closely, and 99 Luftballons actually reveals itself as a song about nuclear apocalypse, but that subtlety was lost under the annoying melody.
The Beatles: Hey Jude
Paul McCartney famously does three-hour live sets these days. But two and a half of them is him singing the “na na na na” part of Hey Jude.
Bryan Adams: (Everything I Do) I Do It for You
Any marriage is deemed legally null and void without a playing of this song at the wedding.
Men Without Hats: The Safety Dance
This ’80s electro-pop track was always pretty lame — and its case wasn’t helped by the stupid dancing in the video.
Los del Río: Macarena
The dance craze that still rears its ugly head every summer.
Billy Ray Cyrus: Achy Breaky Heart
Cyrus might be cool again, but for many, that doesn’t forgive him this original sin.
Europe: The Final Countdown
The absolute nadir of bombastic ’80s poodle-rock. Now fittingly used in car-insurance commercials.
Desiigner: Panda
The Brooklyn MC’s mumbling number one hit was a target for some confused readers. “The words don’t even make sense,” complained Jennifer Smith.
Do you agree with this list? What do you deem to be the “worst songs of all time?”
source: nypost.com
36 Responses
I agree with a good portion of this list, but I would add these songs. Remember, this all personal opinion, so we do not have agree.
Eric Clapton: Lay Down Sally:
I despise this corny song, and if I was Clapton, I would be ashamed to admit it was mine.
America: Horse With No Name:
A Neil Young bite.
Minnie Rippington: Loving You:
I really don’t think this one even needs an explanation.
Honorable mention:
Sheryl Crow: All I Wanna Do:
I cannot say that this may qualify as one of the “worst songs of all time,” but what pisses me off about it, is what a rip off of Steeler’s Wheel, Stuck In The Middle With You, it is. This song was so lauded, but in my opinion, the lyrics stink, the vocal is thin, and the music is someone else’s song. Thumbs up to Steeler’s Wheel and thumbs down to Sheryl Crow.
D 🙂
Any song by Sugar Ray is one of the worst of all time. Europe made this list for “The Final Countdown,” but I love the guitar solo in it and let me tell you, having recently purchased all of Europe’s albums, they are so much more than that song and one of the most under rated bands EVER!
Fame by Bowie is one of the worst songs ever.
I think there’s a difference between “worst songs” and songs people are sick of. This list seems to be the latter.
I don’t recognize a couple of them, but Macarena and Achy Breaky heart should be at the top.
I don’t agree with a few of them, The Joker, Hey Jude, Party all the time is a classic silly tune, no 80’s celebration is complete without a song from Top Gun, Safety Dance was a always a cool/dumb song.
Lets be honest, if you know the melodies or words to any of these songs, and most of us do, then they weren’t “bad”, because they stuck in your head, Your just sick of them.
No, I really think they meant “worst songs.” This list was predicated upon someone in England stating that he felt that John Lennon’s Imagine was worst song of all time. He presented his argument, and apparently, a lot of people seemed to agree with his point of view.
As for Safety Dance, I never liked this song. I always thought it was a cheesy song, and not in one of those “guilty pleasures” type way. Additionally, the vocal is God awful, but to each their own. 🙂
D 🙂
I only saw “top gun” on its 25th anniversary screening. “take my breath away” lost its “charm” after its 10th spin. god help whoever disses the hues corporation.
Who are these so-called New York Post readers? Their opinions? In the words of Phil Collins – “It Don’t Matter To Me!” To each their own, that’s all that matters!
“We Built This City” – 9/7/85 debuts at #73 on Billboard’s Hot 100, 11/16/85 it hits #1, and stays there for 2 weeks, spends a total of 24 weeks on the charts, almost half a year, that’s pretty damn good! The single went gold, selling over 500,000 copies, so there are over a half a million people out there that like that song, besides me! Point is, who’s to say what is good, bad, best, worst, whatever, whatever you like, you like, and no opinion or survey will ever change that, so rock on! You can dance, rock, pop, shake your booty, bang your head, wake the dead, whatever! It’s all good! Especially if it came from the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s! Have a great weekend, ignore the BS, “Live It Up,” and just “Enjoy Yourself!” 😉 Cheers! 🙂
You mean there isn’t even one song, you don’t like? There has to be at least one. 😉 If so, please share it.
D 🙂
Well I’ll agree with “Disco Duck,” IMO, that song really does suck! That song gave disco a really bad name! Don’t get me wrong, 😉 there are a lot of songs I don’t like, but when I say it’s all good, I mean if you like a song that I don’t, it’s cool, because once again, to each their own.
BTW, how the hell did “The Joker” make that list? That’s one of the greatest songs, (IMO) and one of my faves of all time!
Disco Duck-LOL!!!
Gotta go, it’s time to get *KNEE DEEP IN THE HOOPLA!* I’d hang around, but my girl wants to “Party All The Time,” and “All She Wants To Do Is Dance!” 😉