Blender has a "worst songs of all time" list

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I just saw this mentioned on the local news, which is odd.. I noticed this particular news show has been trying to expand their demographic lately, but anyway, I think they said the top five was We Built This City, Achy Brakey Heart, something, Rollin, and Ice Ice Baby. I forgot number 3.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:13 (twenty-two years ago)

to the ramparts!

s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:14 (twenty-two years ago)

#3 is "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" by Wang Chung.

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:24 (twenty-two years ago)

oh yeah, that was it.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Um, that Wang Chung doesn't belong there.

Patrick South (Patrick South), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:49 (twenty-two years ago)

All those songs are good.

jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)

It's funny because if you look at the November 1991 issue of Blender, four of those songs were on their Greatest Songs of All Time list. The self-loathing hypocrites.

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Here's the press rele-- ...AP story:

'Blender' Names 50 Worst Songs
Associated Press

According to Blender Magazine, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," and "Dancing on the Ceiling," may have been catchy tunes and big hits, but they still stink.

The music magazine is publishing its list of the 50 worst songs in its May issue. The songs were selected for "crap-tastic melodies," were poorly performed, or just didn't make any sense to the folks at the magazine.

Starship's "We Built This City," from 1985 topped the list.

"The truly horrible sound of a band taking the corporate dollar while sneering at those who take the corporate dollar," the magazine said of the tune.

Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart" was second, followed by Wang Chung's "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." "If this song was a party, you'd lock yourself in a bathroom and cry," quipped Blender.

Rounding out the top ten worst songs ever are Huey Lewis and the News with "The Heart of Rock and Roll," "Don't Worry, Be Happy," by Bobby McFerrin, Eddie Murphy's "Party All the Time," "American Life," by Madonna and "Ebony and Ivory," the duet by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

The post-Sept. 11 anthem "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," by Toby Keith was Number 22. The magazine says Keith's song was "so vengeful, it makes 'The Star-Spangled Banner' sound like 'Give Peace a Chance.'"

Even The Beatles made the list with "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," which the magazine said sounded like "the desperately chirpy songs Cockneys used to sing to keep their spirits up while the Luftwaffe rained death on them during the Blitz."

morris pavilion (samjeff), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, I'm bored enough that I'm willing to cut, paste and smirk over this bullshit.

morris pavilion (samjeff), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

If "We Built This City" isn't bad I don't know what is.

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:15 (twenty-two years ago)

uh... do you like big Eighties rock songs?

morris pavilion (samjeff), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I kind of like the Eddie Murphy song.

Tim Ellison, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Seriously, the Starship hate has to stop know. Would you rather we had his fucking son?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:29 (twenty-two years ago)

The Vanilla Ice and maybe Huey Lewis indicate merely that they feel superior. The Lionel Ritchie and Wang Chung indicate that they are insane.

(you won't hear any complaints about from me about the Starship though)

gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 17:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't hate Starship, exactly, but "We Built This City" has such an annoying chorus, and more importantly, I've been unwillingly subjected to it close to 1,000 times. I worked in a butcher shop for a few years in the early 90s, I was positioned right below the speaker w/ the pumped-in shopping music (real songs, not Muzak), and I'm sure I heard "We Built This City" at least once a day for those years.

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Songs mentioned on the list, so far:

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" - Cute toon, but gets irritating if you have to hear it every 10 minutes.
"Dancing on the Ceiling" - Can't remember this song. It's that forgettable.
"We Built This City" - I agree that this is the absolute worst. I've already vivisected this song in another thread.
"Achy Breaky Heart" - and to think Billy Ray made a few songs that are actually worse.
"Everybody Have Fun Tonight." - I don't see anything wrong with this song. And the video was great, too. It gave Beavis a seizure. And that only makes me love it more.
"The Heart of Rock and Roll" - I like this song. Not sure why...but I do. In fact...I declare that there ain't nothin' wrong with this song!
Whichever Blender staffer dissed this song is a tone deaf fule without a soul.
"Party All the Time" - It's catchy but repetitive. Eddie Murphy may not have a great singing voice...but at least he's slightly better than William Hung.
"American Life" - Proof that Madonna hasn't made a good song since "Frozen"
"Ebony and Ivory" - A fine song. Stevie Wonder does a wonderful job of humanizing Paul McCartney (and preventing him from sucking).
"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" - To Toby Keith all I can say is "Get a Brain, Moran!"
"Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" - I hate this song to the absolute utter core of my being. I think only "We Built this City" makes me iller.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

This has bizarrely been all over CNN and MSNBC...(as if Blender is some sort've credible authority or something). Oddly, they cite Simon & Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence." I mean, sure....it's pretentious, but one of the worst of all time? I think not.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Of course Blender has no credibility. If they wanted credibility, MSNBC should've went to Maxim.

Lord Custos Omicron (Lord Custos Omicron), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah "Sounds of Silence" really sticks out on the list, just b/c the reasons for its inclusion don't fit.

One dumb thing about this list is Blender talks shit about the lyrics of "We Built This City," about how Starship themselves weren't living up to the ideals of the song or whatever.

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:12 (twenty-two years ago)

How psyched is blender that Carmen Elektra is married to Dave Navarro? Now they can include a pictorial whenever they want, since she is the "wife of rocker Dave Navarro."

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:13 (twenty-two years ago)

And
She answers their calls!

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Every time I hear Ob-La-Di... I can't help but think of Corky's smiling face on Life Goes On.

I wonder what ever happened to that kid.

Sp lit, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:25 (twenty-two years ago)

I think he's Secretary of the Interior.

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:26 (twenty-two years ago)

"Sara" >>>>>>>>>> "We Built THis City"

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

(did you see my post on the WBTC thread?) (i just posted Sarah lyrics, not grand enlightening whatever on the y'know of stuff)

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Haha no I didn't! I won a talent competition when I as 13 thanks to "Sara", ergo it is fantastic.

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:31 (twenty-two years ago)

"Obladi Oblada" is a really good song, and the only reason they chose it is because they wanted to be controversial by picking a Beatles song, and "Obladi Oblada" is more popular than "Honey Pie."

The worst song of alltime is "The Joy Of Cola," obviously.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:37 (twenty-two years ago)

2 McCartney songs means they probably never mention "Freedom." From what I can tell, they chose too many songs that are more funny than bad, but I need to see the whole thing to be sure.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:48 (twenty-two years ago)

"american life" is the one where madonna tries rapping, right¿
if so it should be #1 (and i hope is an exception for gygax's statement).

dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 18:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Dammit, "American Life" is great!

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

No, it really is dreadful -- any song that rhymes Mini Cooper with super-duper deserves all of the scorn it gets.

I sound all Alex in NYC all of a sudden.e

El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Blender has the worst "songs of all time" list.

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:08 (twenty-two years ago)

No doubt my beloved "Afternoon Delight" made the list again!

Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

No, "Afternoon Delight" was not on there. I do remember:

Right Said Fred - "Too Sexy"
Gerardo - "Rico Suave"
Ricky Martin - "She Bangs"
Bette Midler - "From a Distance"
Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start the Fire"
Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"
Rembrandts - "I'll Be There For You"
Crash Test Dummies "Mmm Mmmmm"

Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Y'know, I think like Celine Dion.

The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm drinkin' a soy latte
I get a double shoté
It goes right through my body
And you know I'm satisfied
I drive my Mini Cooper
And I'm feeling super-duper
Yo they tell me I'm a trooper
And you know I'm satisfied
I do yoga and pilates
And the room is full of hotties
So I'm checking out their bodies
And you know I'm satisfied
I'm diggin' on the isotope
This metaphysics shit is dope
And if all this can give me hope
You know I'm satisfied
I got a lawyer and a manager
An agent and a chef
Three nannies, an assistant
And a driver and a jet
A trainer and a butler
And a bodyguard or five
A gardener and a stylist
Do you think I'm satisfied?

and with that madonna ruined rap forever.

dyson (dyson), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Was it recorded before "Slow Jamz" then?

Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Again, I have magic ears.

VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

"American Life" is WITHOUT A DOUBT the worst thing Madonna ever slapped her name on. Worse than the stupid Sex book. Worse than the Who's That Girl movie.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 20:52 (twenty-two years ago)

They just had to choose Titanic, didn't they.. There are Celine Dion songs that are equally as bad as "My Heart Will Go On." How boring.

That Crash Test Dummies song is cool! God, I hate Blender.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

that song is NOT "cool."

s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I agree....Dion has worse songs than the "Titanic" theme (which is not to say it ain't an audio trial, but rather Celine has far worse chest-beaters in her arsenal).

The Crash Test Dummies song is entirely inoffensive.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:28 (twenty-two years ago)

well it's not NOT cool, at least.

billstevejim, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

yes it is!

s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark's list OTM

I only disagree with "Too sexy" and slightly with "Rico Suave", not because I don't think it's bad but because its one of this songs that's meant to be bad and meaningless and that makes it funny at least.

How could we have forgotten abot the disgustingly infuriating rubbish "I'll be there for you".

daavid (daavid), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:32 (twenty-two years ago)

"She Bangs" is awesome, but I really do hate that Billy Joel song.

Sonny A. (Keiko), Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Are you referring to the Friends theme song? Is it so bad? The band that did that actually includes the guy from the '70s L.A. power pop band the Quick.

x-post

Tim Ellison, Tuesday, 20 April 2004 21:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Ammending my post by noting that, despite my assertions about the OK-ness of the song, the lyrics to the Friends theme song aren't good.

Tim Ellison, Wednesday, 21 April 2004 01:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Holy shit, this item made the news in Australia, and it didn't even mention the source. It simply said "Panel of judges" or something.

Now I find out it's some shitty newspaper named after the robot from Futurama and they couldn't even get the spelling right.

Sasha (sgh), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 02:44 (twenty-two years ago)

"Every time I hear Ob-La-Di... I can't help but think of Corky's smiling face on Life Goes On. I wonder what ever happened to that kid."

He still acts occassionally, I think.

Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 21 April 2004 02:58 (twenty-two years ago)

"Jenny From The Block," easy.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 27 April 2004 22:59 (twenty-two years ago)

It contains the line "I love my public."

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 27 April 2004 22:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm telling you, this list is sorely lacking The Macarena and ESPECIALLY "Cotton Eyed Joe."

Plus, songs from just about every artist Bender has put on their cover in the past 5 years.

David Allen (David Allen), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 00:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't even particularly like the Police and I like "King of Pain"! As a catchy happy song anyway. I was singing it this morning. And "Touch Me"? Ranked below "Your Body Is a Wonderland" Anthony? WTF? "The Final Countdown" is awesome. "My Heart Will Go On" is a perverse classic and "Superman" is better than everyone gives it credit for.

sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 00:27 (twenty-two years ago)

It's still Mr Writer.

Matt DC (Matt DC), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 08:35 (twenty-two years ago)

David Allen OTM.

latebloomer (latebloomer), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 15:10 (twenty-two years ago)

three weeks pass...
Caught about the last half hour of VH1's show on this last night. The daughter, in one of her frequent flashes of extraordinary insight, said, "All the songs they hate are just so they can feel superior to somebody else." It did seem like the insufferable commentators leaned heavily on terms like "11-year-old girls" and "white trash" in describing the audiences for these supposedly awful songs. I actually liked a lot of the songs, and all the hatin' just made me want to like all of them. Except for "We Built This City" -- that's where I draw the line.

briania (briania), Friday, 21 May 2004 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

"It did seem like the insufferable commentators leaned heavily on terms like "11-year-old girls" and "white trash""

Right on. Where do they find these people? Is it possible to have a single piece of Billy Ray Cyrus without mentioning his mullet?

billstevejim, Friday, 21 May 2004 21:31 (twenty-two years ago)

you dont respect the opinion of ptolemy jingleberries, world famous stand-up comedian???

bill stevens (bscrubbins), Friday, 21 May 2004 21:34 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't believe that "Ice Ice Baby" is the Vanilla Ice pick - anyone remember "I Love You"?

Siegbran (eofor), Friday, 21 May 2004 21:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Exactly, "Ice Ice Baby" is probably his only tolerable song.

billstevejim, Friday, 21 May 2004 22:00 (twenty-two years ago)

the vh-1 list was different from the blender list. it was like guys who had been extras in a britney spears pepsi commercial making comments on the songs.

keith m (keithmcl), Friday, 21 May 2004 22:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Butthole Surfers - "Pepper"

Aaron A., Tuesday, 1 June 2004 06:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Pepper's not so bad. Sure, it is compared to their earlier stuff, but not Starship bad.

AaronHz (AaronHz), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 07:22 (twenty-two years ago)

> Duran Duran - Wild Boys
> I defy anyone to claim they like this song.

I love it. What's your problem?

Palomino (Palomino), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 11:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm watching the VH1 show now.

I just heard Matt Pinfield describe Rick Astley as goofy-looking. Uh, dude, HE'S not the guy with the misshapen head, k?

This special says: we at VH1 think showing videos is totally beaneath us but we're kinda obligated to because it's part of the common shared generational culture or something and appealing to that kinda thing brings in the advertising. So we've come up with a compromise: we show videos (but not whole, God forbid) AND show people saying how completely retarded videos are. We're sure you can appreciate how we get to have our cake and eat it, too. Huzzah.

Michael Daddino (epicharmus), Sunday, 6 June 2004 01:17 (twenty-two years ago)

i have time on my hands.


1. We Built This City Starship ... 1985 -- the verses are what make this song awful. also the dumb metaphor. the chorus is passable.
2. Achy Breaky Heart Billy Ray Cyrus ... 1992 -- ?? sounds like a passable country novelty number to me. maybe i wasn't victim to its erstwhile overexposure.
3. Everybody Have Fun Tonight Wang Chung ... 1986 -- this song is not bad at all.
4. Rollin' Limp Bizkit ... 2000 -- i imagine anthony could come to a gallant defense of this song. it doesn't really seem worse than a lot of stuff on "alternative" radio.
5. Ice Ice Baby Vanilla Ice ... 1990 -- the rhymes are bad of course, but the backing track is silly fun.
6. The Heart of Rock & Roll Huey Lewis and the News ... 1984 -- this is a mediocre, poorly-engineered pop tune. no more no less. i guess huey lewis really stood in for something people really wanted to hate, huh?
7. Don't Worry, Be Happy Bobby McFerrin ... 1988 -- i don't hate this, but i can't actually imagine anyone liking it.
8. Party All the Time Eddie Murphy ... 1985 -- i like the synth line in this song, and the weird sense of urgency it gives. the vocal is ok until the high notes, which eddie massacres.
9. American Life Madonna ... 2003 -- ok this one is bad.
10. Ebony and Ivory Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder ... 1982 -- i don't hate this one either. i guess it's biggest problem is its guilelessness huh? the melody really meanders and is far too innocuous, like an advertising jingle.
11. Invisible Clay Aiken ... 2003 -- don't know it.
12. Kokomo The Beach Boys ... 1988 -- shamed to admit that i don't hate this one, although mike love's vocal--fed through the largest reverb box ever?-- is annoying.
13. Illegal Alien Genesis ... 1983 -- don't know it.
14. From a Distance Bette Midler ... 1990 -- the big problem with this song is the vocal. bette just isn't cut out to sing songs like this. the lyrics, while not great, are more interesting than the vh1 special let on. in fact, in summarizing the lyrics' worldview (as a prelude to ridiculing it), the vh1 talking heads made me realize that its "clockmaker" view of god is not all that different from the view of god held by, for example, thomas jefferson.
15. I'll Be There for You The Rembrandts ... 1995 -- this song, while having some ingenuity to it, still embodies all that is bad about "power pop," from the melody to the production.
16. What's Up? 4 Non Blondes ... 1993 -- i cannot find any redeeming value to this song.
17. Pumps and a Bump Hammer ... 1994 -- oh, c'mon, is this really any worse than any other (perfectly enjoyable) mc hammer song?
18. You're The Inspiration Chicago ... 1984 -- i don't actually know this one well, but i like other chicago ballads just fine. and i like peter cetera's voice in general. maybe this is the nadir, i dunno.
19. Broken Wings Mr. Mister ... 1985 -- don't remember it well enough.
20. Dancing on the Ceiling Lionel Richie ... 1986 -- this has a really weak melody. there have been sillier conceits for pop songs, though.
21. Two Princes Spin Doctors ... 1992 -- this is bad.
22. Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) Toby Keith ... 2002 -- i don't know about the song itself. the lyrics don't need my commentary.
23. Sunglasses at Night Corey Hart ... 1984 -- don't remember this one.
24. Five for Fighting Superman ... 2000 -- don't know this one.
25. I'll Be Missing You Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112 ... 1997 -- everything of value in this song came from the police tune. i say this as someone not too sold on the police and quite fond of hip-hop, if not puffy.
26. The End The Doors ... 1967 -- i don't really know this song, but i suspect that it is not that bad.
27. The Final Countdown Europe ... 1987 -- this is bad. and hard to believe it's not a parody.
28. Your Body Is a Wonderland John Mayer ... 2001 -- this song is conceptually gross and by far the worst-written of mayer's big hits.
29. Breakfast at Tiffany's Deep Blue Something ... 1995 -- this is very bad.
30. Greatest Love of All Whitney Houston ... 1986 -- this wouldn't be so bad if whitney didn't ham it up so much. it also wouldn't be any good at all if whitney wasn't singing it.
31. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Crash Test Dummies ... 1994 -- this is bad and best left forgotten.
32. Will 2K Will Smith ... 1999 -- i don't know this one. if it is anything like other will smith hits, it is perfectly passable. i don't think will smith expects people to take his lyrics that seriously.
33. Barbie Girl Aqua ... 1997 -- i like this song, as long as i hear it maybe once a year.
34. Longer Dan Fogelberg ... 1979 -- never heard it.
35. Shiny Happy People R.E.M. ... 1991 -- this is bad, but there are some alluring bits of business going on just the same.
36. Make Em Say Uhh! Master P featuring Silkk, Fiend, Mia-X and Mystikal ... 1998 -- don't know it.
37. Rico Suave Gerardo ... 1991 -- this song is so goofy, how can you hate it?
38. Cotton Eyed Joe Rednex ... 1995 -- no comment, lest i incure the wrath of chuck.
39. She Bangs Ricky Martin ... 2000 -- the melody is totally formulaic but not without a basic integrity. it's competently produced. any imperfections in his voice have been ably wiped out with modern technology.
40. I Wanna Sex You Up Color Me Badd ... 1991 -- this is a fine new jack-lite single.
41. We Didn't Start the Fire Billy Joel ... 1989 -- the chorus has shreds of a decent melody, sort of 1/3 of a hook. the rest is very bad.
42. The Sounds of Silence Simon & Garfunkel ... 1965 -- huh? this is a great song. (dippy lyrics aside.)
43. Follow Me Uncle Kracker ... 2000 -- never heard it.
44. I'll Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) Meat Loaf ... 1993 -- no opinion.
45. Mesmerize Ja Rule featuring Ashanti ... 2002 -- i actually hate this song! wow!
46. Hangin' Tough New Kids on the Block ... 1989 -- i really liked this song when it came out. i think there is a cowbell in this one.
47. The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You Bryan Adams ... 1996 -- don't know it.
48. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da The Beatles ... 1968 -- this song is great by virtue of paul desmond's instrumental version being used in a short film by abbas kiarostami.
49. I'm Too Sexy Right Said Fred ... 1992 -- a passably mediocre novelty song with shades of an interesting piano riff somewhere in there.
50. My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion ... 1998 -- this song is just fine, except for her vocal which gets way overriped. also hard to erase memories of the video in which celine seems woefully incompetent at applying the histrionic code of ballad-video gesturing.

thank you.

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 21:57 (twenty-two years ago)

sunglasses at night most assuredly does not belong in that list

the surface noise for the sake of noise (electricsound), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:02 (twenty-two years ago)

my response to miccio's list:

"We Are The World" by USA For Africa - not really so bad. well, yeah, bad. but not SO bad.
"After The Lovin'" by Englebert Humperdinck - don't know it.
"I Hate Everything About You" by Ugly Kid Joe - don't know it.
"What's Going On" by 4 Non Blondes - as noted, this is bad.
"Sympathy For The Devil (Neptunes Remix)" by the Rolling Stones - don't know it (feel like i dodged on there).
"The Girl Is Mine" by Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson - i like this well enough.
"Mesmerize" by Ja Rule & Ashanti - as noted, this is bad.
"Come Wit' Me" by Puff Daddy, Jimmy Page & Fuzzbubble - don't know it.
"American Life" by Madonna - yes, this is bad.
"Jenny From The Block" by Jennifer Lopez - this is catchy in the way "rebel, rebel" is catchy--it runs a good riff into the ground.
"I'm Just A Kid" by Simple Plan -- i hate this kind of stuff, and yet, there is something fascinating about it.
"Turn To You" by Christina Aguilera -- don't know it. but i generally find xina songs passable at worst.
"Liquid Dreams" by O-Town - don't know it.
"Every Other Time" by LFO - don't know it.
"The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly -- ah, r. kelly. he really doesn't belong on any list at all, he transcends lists.
"Shine" by Collective Soul -- is this the one where they grunt? this is bad, then.
"Touch Me" by the Doors -- the electric piano (?) in this is awful.
"Cumbersome" by Seven Mary Three -- don't know it.
"I Alone" & "Heaven" by Live -- don't know it.
"The Barry Williams Show" by Peter Gabriel -- don't know it.
"I Can't Dance" by Genesis -- i understand all the reasons why people hate this song, but i find many other songs more offensive.
"Flood" by Jars Of Clay - don't know it.
"King Of Pain" by the Police - there is almost always something very cool, and something horribly wrong, going on in a police song, this being no exception.
"Squeeze Box" by the Who -- yes, this is bad.
"The Original Wrapper" by Lou Reed -- don't know it. is it is what i think it is?
"All For One" by Sting, Rod Stewart and Bryan Adams -- phew, don't know it.
"The Garden Of Allah" by Don Henley -- i find it hard to hate anything by don henley, but in truth i don't know this one.
"Gimme Something For The Pain" & "Keep The Faith" by Bon Jovi - don't know it.
"Layla (acoustic version)" by Eric Clapton -- eh, could be worse.
"A View To A Kill" by Duran Duran -- don't know it. does miccio hate duran duran in general or is this a really bad song by them?
"Dizz Knee Land" by Dada -- don't know it.
"Puttin' On The Ritz" by Taco -- well this is a good song, done up really badly. the vocal is really strange, i have no idea why anyone would want to sing that way.
Those really long boring songs with organs that come onto classic rock stations that they eventually say were by Pink Floyd
"The Hannukah Song" by Adam Sandler -- this isn't supposed to be good, but it's bad by any standard, by virtue of not being funny.
"Beth" by Kiss -- i like this.
"If I Had $1,000,000" by Barenaked Ladies -- i have wiped this one from my memory banks, thank you.
"Never Too Far" by Mariah Carey -- i don't recall this one, but i bet i would like some aspect of it.
"Last Kiss" by Pearl Jam -- this isn't bad, it's just pointless.
"Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus -- as noted above, totally passable.
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" by Spin Doctors -- this is better than the other one, but still really bad.
"Will2K" by Will Smith -- this is fine.
"Strokin'" by whoever the hell does "Strokin'" -- clarence carter. i really like clarence carter's 60s/early 70s stuff, but this is terrible.

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I wish I didn't know all the songs you don't know. Sometime in the next week I'm going to put explanations for my choices on my site.

does miccio hate duran duran in general or is this a really bad song by them?

really bad song (though I'll admit I believe their good numbers were the exception rather than the rule)

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:17 (twenty-two years ago)

i feel really grateful that i don't know a lot of those songs.

that was a lot of fun btw.

i saw part of the vh1 special, and agree that much of it was really offensively dumb, or just offensive. who is that smug rob whoever guy? who always appeared at the left? someone please throw a pie in his face for me. thank you.

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:19 (twenty-two years ago)

was it Rob Tannenbaum? Rob Sheffield?

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:21 (twenty-two years ago)

actually "puttin' on the ritz" sounds like it is being sung by robert preston's character in "victor/victoria" (i.e. an actor with no singing voice to speak of). even though i like that movie.

i think maybe sheffield.

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:22 (twenty-two years ago)

does vh1 ever bother to explain why they played all the videos for these supposedly unforgivably bad songs, incessantly once upon a time???

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:24 (twenty-two years ago)

this all seems to confirm guy debord's "society of the spectacle", which is too bad because that book sucks.

amateur!st (amateurist), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:24 (twenty-two years ago)

you know what song I forgot on my list? "What I Am" by Edie Brickell. For the guitar solo alone.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 6 June 2004 22:32 (twenty-two years ago)

ok I removed (at least) two songs, added a few more and created my own 50 Worst Songs Of All Time list. I'm gonna post 10 explanations a day on my site, if anybody wants to know why I picked what I did.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:25 (twenty-two years ago)

You're out of your minds. Derision for gems like the Crash Test Dummies' Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm, and no mention of Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight? (Unutterably dreary, it's the song I loathe above all others.)

Palomino (Palomino), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Can someone please explain to me how "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" is at all bad?

Curt1s St3ph3ns, Monday, 7 June 2004 00:35 (twenty-two years ago)

oh shit I forgot about "Wonderful Tonight." Good call, Palomino.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

"break stuff"

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:37 (twenty-two years ago)

"seven seas"

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Anthony's choices are so totally OTM it's not even real

Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:54 (twenty-two years ago)

"a view to a kill" is a GOOD SONG!!

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 7 June 2004 00:58 (twenty-two years ago)

actually I'll demur on "The Girl Is Mine" and maybe "Strokin'" (if "Strokin'" is the song I think it is) but OMG "Squeeze Box" is the most embarrassing record imaginable so Anthony gets 10 million points for that alone.

Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 7 June 2004 01:05 (twenty-two years ago)

dude, "cumbersome" is the jam! its no "water's edge" tho

juiceboxxx (juiceboxxx), Monday, 7 June 2004 01:09 (twenty-two years ago)

> "a view to a kill" is a GOOD SONG!!

It's got drama, sex and a taut, memorable melody. And big '80s drums. I really don't know what more anybody could want from a pop song.

Palomino (Palomino), Monday, 7 June 2004 01:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Any truths that Anthony has offered on this thread are forcefully negated by his disdain for "Save a Prayer"!1

Clarke B. (Clarke B.), Monday, 7 June 2004 02:38 (twenty-two years ago)

the songs that i do like:

8. Party All the Time Eddie Murphy ... 1985
13. Illegal Alien Genesis ... 1983
25. I'll Be Missing You Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112 ... 1997
26. The End The Doors ... 1967
27. The Final Countdown Europe ... 1987
33. Barbie Girl Aqua ... 1997
35. Shiny Happy People R.E.M. ... 1991
38. Cotton Eyed Joe Rednex ... 1995
42. The Sounds of Silence Simon & Garfunkel ... 1965
45. Mesmerize Ja Rule featuring Ashanti ... 2002

Eisbär (llamasfur), Monday, 7 June 2004 02:50 (twenty-two years ago)

"Can someone please explain to me how "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" is at all bad?"

i suppose to the dipshits at blender it's a flukey one-time hit that is easy to make fun of (even if it's a perfectly fine pop song).

plus it's "canadian". (i really don't understand that one myself, it's like "canadian" is a slur for "not good enough to be american or some bullshit" like that).

latebloomer (latebloomer), Monday, 7 June 2004 08:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I liked the British guy who kept saying "I don't understand what those lyrics mean" and thats why the song is bad?

christhamrin (christhamrin), Monday, 7 June 2004 16:59 (twenty-two years ago)

"What I Am" is great, Miccio.

2. Achy Breaky Heart Billy Ray Cyrus ... 1992
14. From a Distance Bette Midler ... 1990
19. Broken Wings Mr. Mister ... 1985
21. Two Princes Spin Doctors ... 1992
26. The End The Doors ... 1967
29. Breakfast at Tiffany's Deep Blue Something ... 1995
31. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Crash Test Dummies ... 1994
33. Barbie Girl Aqua ... 1997
40. I Wanna Sex You Up Color Me Badd ... 1991
44. I'll Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) Meat Loaf ... 1993

I'd nominate the Fine Young Cannibals, "Good Thing"

miloauckerman (miloauckerman), Monday, 7 June 2004 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I liked the British guy who kept saying "I don't understand what those lyrics mean" and thats why the song is bad?

-- christhamrin (hamr004...) (webmail), June 7th, 2004 10:59 AM. (christhamrin) (later) (link)


but that was their rationale for half of the songs on the list...

amateur!st (amateurist), Monday, 7 June 2004 17:22 (twenty-two years ago)

> i suppose to the dipshits at blender it's a flukey one-time hit that is easy to make fun of

Anyone who had a heart would concur that it's a great song, and a very poignant commentary on the human condition. The line, "But both boy and girl were glad: there was one kid had it worse than that..." kills me every time. Do y'all remember the fantastic video, set in the school hall?

Palomino (Palomino), Monday, 7 June 2004 22:34 (twenty-two years ago)

It's definitely better than every other Crash Test Dummies song I've ever heard.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 7 June 2004 22:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Mohammed will not come to the mountain.

Palomino (Palomino), Monday, 7 June 2004 22:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I finished my top 50, in case anybody wants to know what songs I added (and why).

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 13 June 2004 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

this all seems to confirm guy debord's "society of the spectacle", which is too bad because that book sucks

no it doesn't (not that i ever want to read it again).

"one in a million" is easily guns n'roses' best post-appetite song.

J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Sunday, 13 June 2004 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I vote for "Patience."

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 13 June 2004 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

"One In A Million" is fantastic.

billstevejim, Monday, 14 June 2004 04:22 (twenty-two years ago)


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