Beautiful Day – U2 (Grammy for Record of the Year)
Shelby Lynne (Best New Artist Grammy Winner)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Alicia Keys, Nickleback, Dido, Petey Pablo, Michelle Branch, Shakira, Jill Scott, Black Eyed Peas, Puddle of Mud, Linkin Park, Tool, India.Arie, Nelly Furtado, Incubus, Bubba Sparxxx and Five For Fighting
2001’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy with Ricardo Ducent
2. Get The Party Started – Pink
3. How You Remind Me – Nickleback
4. Thankyou – Dido
5. One More Time – Daft Punk
6. I’m Real – Jennifer Lopez
7. God Bless The U.S.A. – Lee Greenwood
8. Crazy For This Girl – Evan and Jaron
9. Hanging By a Moment – Lifehouse
10. Tainted Love – Marilyn Manson
2001’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
1. Breathless – The Coors
2. Perfect Day – Hoku (reached # 127 in US charts)
3. Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm
4. The Call – Backstreet Boys
5. Start the Commotion – The Wiseguys
6. Flavor Of The Week – American Hi-Fi
7. Because I Got High – Afroman
8. Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
9. Butterfly – Crazy Town
10. I Wanna Be Bad – Willa Ford
2001’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Cha Cha Slide – Mr. C The Slide Man
2. Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya and Pink
3. Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
4. Around The World (La La La La La) – ATC
5. Dance With Me – Debelah Morgan
6. Where The Party At – Jagged Edge with Nelly
7. Hit ‘Em Upstyle – Blu Cantrell
8. Sandstorm – Darude
9. Angel-Shaggy
10. Survivor – Destiny’s Child
2001’s Bubblegum Top Twenty
1. Never Had a Dream Come True-S Club 7
2. Bouncing Off The Ceiling- A*Teens
3. I’m A Believer – Smash Mouth
4. Get The Party Started – Pink
5. Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink
6. Breathless – The Corrs
7. Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
8. AM to PM – Christina Milian
9. (Dirty) Pop – NSYNC
10. Irresistible – Jessica Simpson
11. Everywhere – Michelle Branch
12. Stronger – Britney Spears
13. Drops of Jupiter – Train
14. Get Over Yourself – Eden’s Crush
15. This Is Me – Dream
16. All Or Nothing – O-Town
17. Butterfly – Crazy Town
18. I’m Like A Bird-Nelly Furtado
19. All For You – Janet Jackson
20. Hit ‘Em Upstyle – Blu Cantrell
2001’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
2. How You Remind Me – Nickleback
3. Hit Or Miss (Waited Too Long) – New Found Glory
4. Elevation – U2
5. Hash Pipe – Weezer
6. Flavor Of The Week – American Hi-Fi
7. The Rock Show – Blink 182
8. Fat Lip – Sum 41
9. Smooth Criminal – Alien Ant Farm
10. Drop of Jupiter (Tell Me ) – Train
2001’s Alternative Top 10 Hit List
1. Clint Eastwood – Gorillaz
2. Drive – Incubus
3. Last Nite – The Strokes
4. Sing – Travis
5. Where’s Your Head At – Basement Jaxx
6. Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja – Lost Prophets
7. Chop Suey! – System Of A Down
8. Name Of The Game – Crystal Method
9. Breakdown – Tantric
10. Short Skirt/Long Jacket – Cake
2001’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Outside – Staind
2. Blurry – Puddle Of Mudd
3. In The End – Linkin Park
4. Your Disease – Saliva
5. Down With The Sickness – Disturbed
6. Bodies – Drowning Pool
7. Crawling In The Dark – Hoobastank
8. Youth Of The Nation – P.O.D
9. Nice To Know You – Incubus
10. Schism – Tool
PCM’s 2001 Top 10 Hit List
1. Cha Cha Slide – Mr. C The Slide Man
2. I’m A Believer – Smash Mouth
3. Get The Party Started – Pink
4. Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, and Mya
To help you plan a soft romantic playlist, or an unforgettable wedding playlist, we’ve compiled a list of what we believe are the best love songs of this generation. For best results, play on shuffle.
1. Perfect – Ed Sheeran (2017)
2. Lover – Taylor Swift (2019)
3. The Bones – Maren Morris (2019)
4. Fall for You – Secondhand Serenade (2008)
5. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars (2010)
6. The Story – Brandi Carlile (2007)
7. If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys (2001)
8. By Your Side – Sade (2000)
9. R.E.M. – Ariana Grande (2018)
10. Ocean Eyes – Billie Elish (2017)
11. If You’re Not the One – Daniel Bedingfield (2002)
12. Untitled (How Does It Feel) – D’Angelo (2000)
13. No One – Alicia Keys (2007)
14. Cover Me Up – Jason Isbell (2013)
15. Make You Feel My Love – Adele (2008)
16. All of Me – John Legend (2014)
17. You Make It Easy – Jason Aldean (2017)
18. When I Look At You – Miley Cyrus (2009)
19. The Reason – Hoobastank (2003)
20. Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (2018)
21. Drops of Jupiter – Train (2001)
22. With You – Mariah Carey (2018)
23. Let Me Love You – Mario (2005)
24. No Air – Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown (2008)
25. Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves (2018)
26. Made for You – Alexander Cardinale (2014)
27. Edge of Desire – John Mayer (2009)
28. Fallin’ – Alicia Keys (2001)
29. How Do I Live – Le Ann Rimes (1997)
30. She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5 (2004)
31. Your Body Is A Wonderland – John Mayer (2001)
32. Better – Khalid (2018)
33. Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis (2008)
34. Kiss Me Slowly – Parachute (2011)
35. This Town – Niall Horan (2017)
36. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes (2005)
37. 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay ft. Justin Bieber (2019)
38. I Found You – Alabama Shakes(2012)
40. The Luckiest – Ben Folds (2001)
41. Mariners Apartment Complex – Lana Del Rey (2019)
42. The Mystery of Love – Sufjan Stevens (2017)
43. Come What May – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (2001)
44. In Another’s Eyes – Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (2014)
45. LOVE. – Kendrick Lamar ft. Zacari
46. One and Only – Adele (2011)
47. Thinkin’ Bout You – Frank Ocean (2012)
48. Little Things – One Direction (2012)
UpBeat All Time Love Tracks
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1993)
Cuz I Love You – Lizzo (2019)
Adore You – Harry Styles (2019)
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars (2010)
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz (2008)
Love Song – Sara Bareilles (2008)
Love Story – Taylor Swift (2008)
My Love” by Justin Timberlake (2006)
Such Great Heights – The Postal Service (2003)
Yellow – Coldplay (2000)
I Love You Always Forever – Donna Lewis (1996)
That’s The Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson (1993)
The Best – Tina Turner (1989)
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson (1988)
Just Like Heaven – The Cure (1987)
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel feat. Youssou N’Dour (1986)
Kiss – Prince (1986)
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & the News (1985)
I Would Die 4 U – Prince (1984)
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen (1980)
Heroes – David Bowie (1977)
Best Of My Love – The Emotions (1977)
You Make Loving Fun” by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley (1977)
Silly Love Songs – Wings (1976)
How Sweet It Is – James Taylor (1975)
Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tennille (1975)
Maroon 5 (Best New Artist) Daughters – John Mayer (Song of the Year) Ray Charles (Grammy for Album of the Year) Here We Go Again – Ray Charles and Norah Jones (Grammy for Record of the Year)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Chris Brown, Rihanna, Rob Thomas (solo), T-Pain, Jesse McCartney, Natasha Bedingfield, Keane, Daddy Yankee, Sugarland, Death Cab for Cutie, Keyshia Cole, Michael Buble, My Chemical Romance, Paul Wall, and The Bravery
2005’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
2. Since You Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
3. These Words – Natasha Bedingfield
4. Live Like You Were Dying – Tim McGraw
5. What Dreams Are Made Of – Hilary Duff
6. Have A Nice Day – Bon Jovi
7. Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls
8. Daughters – John Mayer
9. Sitting, Waiting Wishing – Jack Johnson
10. As Good As I Once Was – Toby Keith
2005’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Pon De Replay – Rihanna
2. Run It! – Chris Brown
3. Listen To Your Heart – D.H.T.
4. We Be Burnin’ – Sean Paul
5. Lose Control – Missy Elliot with Ciara
6. Belly Dancer (Bonanza) – Akon
7. Obsession (No Es Amor) – Frankie J with Baby Bash
1. Hot to Go! – Chappell Roan
2. Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
3. A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
4. Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
5. Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
6. Lose Control – Teddy Swims
7. Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
8. I Had Some Help – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
9. We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love) – Ariana Grande
10. Greedy – Tate McRae
11. Miles on It – Marshmello and Kane Brown
12. Million Dollar Baby – Tommy Richman
13. Fe!n – Travis Scott featuring Playboi Carti
14. I Can Do It with a Broken Heart – Taylor Swift
15. Saturn – SZA
16. Fortnight – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
17. APT – ROSE & Bruno Mars
18. Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
19. Rich Baby Daddy – Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA
20. Agora Hills – Doja Cat
21. Houdini – Dua Lipa
22. Double Life – Pharell Williams
23. Illusion – Dua Lipa
24. Too Sweet – Hozier
25. Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
26. Lovin on Me – Jack Harlow
27. I Remember Everything – Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves
28. Pink Pony Club- Chappell Roan
29. Apple – Charli xcx
30. Fast Car – Luke Combs
31. I Like the Way You Kiss Me – Artemas
32. Texas Hold ‘Em – Beyoncé
33. Stargazing – Myles Smith
34. Stick Season – Noah Kahan
35. Die with a Smile – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
36. Gata Only- -FloyyMenor X Cris Mj
37. Good Good – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage
38. Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido – Karol G
39. Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
40. Feather – Sabrina Carpenter
41. Austin – Dasha
42. Popular – Ariana Grande (from Wicked)
43. Water – Tyla
44. Snooze – SZA
45. Everybody – Nicki Minaj featuring Lil Uzi Vert
46. Taste – Sabrina Carpenter
47. Need a Favor – Jelly Roll
48. Houdini – Eminem
49. Cruel Summer – Taylor Swift
50. Lunch – Billie Eilish
51. Defying Gravity – Cynthia Erivo Featuring Ariana Grande (from Wicked)
52. I Am Not Okay – Jelly Roll
53. Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie Ellis-Baxter
54. Obsessed – Olivia Rodrigo
55. That’s So True – Graci Abrams
56. Paint the Town Red – Doja Cat
57. The Door – Teddy Swims
58. Yes, And? – Ariana Grande
59. Pink Skies – Zach Bryan
60. One Of The Girls – The Weeknd Jennie & Lily-Rose Depp
61. Last Night – Morgan Wallen
62. Dos Dias – Tito Double P & Peso Pluma
63. Dancing In The Flames – The Weeknd
64. Girl So Confusing – Charli XCX With Lorde
65. It’s Ok I’m Ok- Tate McRae
66. I’m Gonna Love You – Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood
67. Bodyguard – Beyoncé
68. 360 – Charli XCX
69. Who – Jimin
70. Like That – Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar
71. Timeless – The Weeknd & Playboi Carti
72. Close To You- Gracie Abrams
73. Guy For That- Post Malone Featuring Luke Combs
74. Slow It Down – Benson Boone
75. Joyride – Kesha
76. Sailor Song – Gigi Perez
77. Think I’m In Love With You – Chris Stapleton
78. End of Beginning – Djo
79. Diet Pepsi – Addison Rae
80. La Diabla – Xavi
81. Cowgirls – Morgan Wallen featuring Ernest
82. I Love You, I’m Sorry- Gracie Abrams
83. Wind Up Missin’ You – Tucker Wetmore
84. 25 – Rod Wave
85. Selfish – Justin Timberlake
86. Jump – Tyla, Gunna & Skillebeng
87. Is It Over Now? – Taylor Swift
88. High Road – Koe Wetzel featuring Jessie Murph
89. Lies Lies Lies – Morgan Wallen
90. Bad Chem – Sabrina Carpenter
91. Thinkin’ Bout Me – Morgan Wallen
92. Liar – Jelly Roll
93. Whatever She Wants – Bryson Tiller
94. Iqual Que un Ángel – Kali Uchis feat. Peso Pluma
95. Heart Of A Woman – Summer Walker
96. Ariana Grande – The Boy Is Mine
97. Wild Ones – Jessie Murph and Jelly Roll
98. Squabble Up – Kendrick Lamar
99. Carnival – ¥$: Ye and Ty Dolla Sign featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti
100. Pour Me a Drink – Post Malone featuring Blake Shelton
Adele (Best New Artist Grammy Winner) Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (Grammy for Album of the Year) Please Read The Letter – Alison Krauss and Robert Plant (Grammy for Record of the Year)
2009’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
2. Fireflies – Owl City
3. Whatcha Say – Jason Derulo
4. Don’t Stop Believin – Glee Cast
5. Chasing Pavements – Adele
6. Good Girls Gone Bad – Cobra Starship with Leighton Meester
7. Right Round – Flo Rida (with Kesha)
8. Don’t Trust Me – 3OH!3
9. I Love College – Asher Roth
10. My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
2009’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
2. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
3. I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) – Pitbull
4. Just Dance – Lady Gaga
5. Evacuate The Dancefloor – Cascada
6. Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
7. Poker Face – Lady Gaga
8. 3 – Britney Spears
9. Hotel Room Service – Pitbull
10. Heartless – Kanye West
2009’s Bubblegum 10 Hit List
1. Party In The USA – Miley Cyrus
2. Love Story – Taylor Swift
3. Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti and Spearhead with Cherine Anderson
4. Favorite Girl – Justin Beiber
5. Fifteen – Taylor Swift
6. The Climb – Miley Cyrus
7. One Less Lonely Girl – Justin Beiber
8. Paranoid – Jonas Brothers
9. Hoedown Throwdown – Miley Cyrus
10. Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) – A.R. Rahman and the Pussycat Dolls
Alicia Keys (Best New Artist Grammy Winner)
Walk On – U2 (Grammy for Record of the Year)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Ashanti, Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton, Jimmy Eat World, Kelly
Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, DJ Sammy, John Mayer, Paulina Rubinoiio,
Jack Johnson, Cee-Lo
2002’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. a Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
2. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head – Kylie Minogue
3. Foolish – Ashanti
4. Cleaning Out My Closet – Eminem
5. Hero – Chad Kroeger with Josey Scott
6. Jenny From The Block – Jennifer Lopez
7. The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
8. Where Are You Going – Dave Matthews Band
9. The Rising – Bruce Springsteen
10. Black Suits Comin’ (Nod Ya Head) – Will Smith
2002’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
1. Still Fly – Big Tymers
2. Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
3. Starry Eyed Surprise – Oakenfold
4. Rapture (Tastes So Sweet) – iio
5. Insatiable – Darren Hayes
6. Days Go By – Dirty Vegas
7. My Neck, My Back – Khia
8. A Little Less Conversation – Elvis vs JXL
9. I Don’t Have To Be Me – Steve Azar
10. The Ketchup Song (Hey Hah) – Las Ketchup
2002’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Hot In Herre – Nelly
2. Heaven – DJ Sammy & Yanou
3. Gimme The Light – Sean Paul
4. Young’n (Holla Back) – Fabolous
5. Dirrty – Christina Aguilera
6. Without Me – Eminem
7. Still Fly – Big Tymers
8. Rapture – iio
9. Say I Yi Yi – Ying Yang Twins
10. Feel It Boy – Beenie Man
2002’s Bubblegum Top Twenty List
1. Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
2. A Thousand Miles-Vanessa Carlton
3. A Moment Like This-Kelly Clarkson
4. Hey Baby – No Doubt (w/ Bounty Killer)
5. Soak Up the Sun – Sheryl Crow
6. Ain’t It Funny – Jennifer Lopez with Ja Rule
7. Complicated – Avril Lavigne
8. Can’t Fight The Moonlight – LeeAnn Rimes
9. Heaven – DJ Sammy & Yanou
10. Girlfriend – NSYNC with Nelly
11. Hot In Herre – Nelly
12. Escape – Enrique Iglesias
13. Jenny From The Block – Jennifer Lopez (w/Jadakiss & Styles)
14. Just a Friend 2002 – Mario
15. Standing Still – Jewel
16. Take Ya Home – Lil Bow Wow
17. All You Wanted-Michelle Branch
18. Gotta Get Through This – Daniel Bedingfield
19. Thank You – Lil Bow Wow
20. Stole – Kelly Rowland
2002’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Hero – Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott
2. Complicated – Avril Lavigne
3. Swing Swing – The All-American Rejects
4. Never Again – Nickleback
5. Clocks – Coldplay
6. When I’m Gone – 3 Doors Down
7. Take It Off- The Donnas
8. Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous – Good Charlotte
Norah Jones (Best New Artist Grammy Winner & Grammy for Album of the Year)
Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones (Grammy for Record of the Year)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: t.A.T.u., Beyonce (solo), Clay Aiken, 50 Cent, Frankie J, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, Baby Bash, Pharrell, Evanescence, Good Charlotte, The Ataris, Simple Plan, Queens of the Stone Age, Norah Jones, Hilary Duff, All-American Rejects, Seether, Bowling For Soup, Fefe Dobson and The White Stripes
Some music highlights from 2003 include:
The White Stripes released their fourth album, Elephant.
Coldplay released their second studio album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, which included the hit singles In My Place and The Scientist.
Radiohead released their sixth studio album, Hail to the Thief, spawning the hit single There There.
Outkast released their fifth studio album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, including the hit singles Hey Ya! and The Way You Move.
The Strokes released their debut album, Is This It, which spawned the hit single Last Nite.
The Dixie Chicks released their fifth studio album, Home, which included the hit single Long Time Gone.
Bruce Springsteen released his twelfth studio album, The Rising, which became one of his most successful releases, with the single Mary’s Place.
2003’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. Picture – Kid Rock With Sheryl Crow
2. Milkshake – Kelis
3. Your Body Is a Wonderland – John Mayer
4. Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
5. Drift Away – Uncle Kracker
6. I Love This Bar – Toby Keith
7. Girls and Boys – Good Charlotte
8. Where Is The Love? – Black Eyed Peas
9. The Boys of Summer – The Ataris
10. Behind Blue Eyes – Limp Bizkit
2003’s ‘One Hit Wonders’
1. Boys Of Summer – The Ataris
2. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
3. Amazing – Josh Kelly
4. All The Things She Said – t.A.T.u.
5. Never Leave You – Uh oooh, Uh Oooh! – Lumidee
6. Gigolo – Nick Cannon
7. F+++ It – Eamon
8. Roc Ya Body (Mic Check 1,2) – MVP (Most Valuable Playas)
9. Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love) – JC Chasez
10. Take Me Away – Fefe Dobson
2003’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Crazy In Love – Beyonce with Jay-Z
2. Get Low – Lil Jon, East Side Boyz, and Ying Yang Twins
3. Get Busy – Sean Paul
4. Baby Boy – Beyonce with Sean Paul
5. My Love Is Like Woah – Mya
6. Hey Ya! – Outkast
7. Senorita – Justin Timberlake
8. Something – Lasgo
9. Never (Past Tense) – The Roc Project
10. Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Me) – Panjabi MC
2003’s Bubblegum 10 Hit List
1. Hey Ya! – OutKast
2. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
3. Crazy in Love – Beyonce
4. Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
5. Get Low – Lil Jon
6. Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake
7. Stuck – Stacie Orrico
8. Suga Suga – Baby Bash
9. Unwell – Matchbox Twenty
10. Trouble – Pink
2003’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Bring Me To Life – Evanescence
2. Harder To Breathe – Maroon 5
3. Stacy’s Mom – Fountains Of Wayne
4. Unwell – Matchbox 20
5. Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
6. Someday – Nickleback
7. The Anthem – Good Charlotte
8. One Thing – Finger Eleven
9. Meant To Live – Switchfoot
10. Girl All The Bad GuysWant – Bowling For Soup
2003’s Alternative Top 10 Hit List
1. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
2. Hysteria – Muse
3. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
4. Hurt – Johnny Cash
5. I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness
6. Straight Out Of Line – Godsmack
7. Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
8. Girls Not Grey – AFI
9. Addicted – Simple Plan
10. Megalomaniac – Incubus
2003’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Times Like These – Foo Fighters
2. Numb – Linkin Park
3. So Far Away – Staind
4. Headstrong – Trapped
5. I Hate Everything About You – Three Days Grace
6. mOBSCENE – Marilyn Manson
7. 45 – Shinedown
8. Send The Pain Below – Chevelle
9. Like A Stone – Audioslave
10. Unwell – Matchbox 20
PCM’s 2003 Top 10 Hit List
1. Crazy In Love – Beyonce
2. Hey Ya! – Outkast
3. Get Low – Lil Jon, East Side Boyz & Ting Yang Twins
Novelty songs are different from most popular songs in that they usually have an invisible expiration date like 1999 or Pac-Man Fever with the exception of Christmas Songs and to a lesser extent, Halloween Songs. Pac-Man Fever really mattered in the early 1980s, but it has long since lost its purpose. Sometimes you can’t tell the difference between a novelty song and an odd pop song written on purpose. Songs like 1999 by Prince, Angie Baby by Helen Reddy, 1985 by Bowling For Soup and Who Let The Dogs Out by the Baha Men come to mind.
Songs like Lindbergh (The Eagle of the U.S.A.) and Lucky Lindy (both 1927) celebrated Charles Lindbergh’s historic non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Even Lorne Green (TV’s Bonanza’s Ben Cartwright) tried to financially horn in on the Beatles’ coming, with his tribute to Ringo, in 1964. Of course, not all novelty tunes were about the world around them. Some were very experimental. Richard “Dickie” Goodman took short riffs (now called ‘samples’) from then-current pop songs to answer by his intrepid, fast-talking reporter/announcer. His Mr. Jaws was a hit in 1975 and The Flying Saucer soared in 1956. Some novelty tunes are new interpretations of the classics, like Richard Cheese’s Baby Got Back, and Jessica’s Simpson’s remake of These Boots Are Made For Walking.
Youtube videos changed the game, and the most successful are targeted towards a younger audience.
Top Novelty Songs Given To Us By Youtube
1. Baby Shark – Pinkfong
2. Crazy Frog – Axel F
3. Gummy Bear
4. Gangnam Style – Psy
5. The Duck Song – Song by Bryant Oden and video by Forrest Whaley
6. It’s Raining Tacos – Parry Gripp
7. Hamster Dance – Hampton the Hamster
8. The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?) – Ylvis
9. Everything is Awesome – Tegan and Sara
10. Chocolate Rain
2000s Comedy & Novelty Songs
1. White and Nerdy – Weird Al Yankovic
2. She-Bang – William Hung
3. The Hardest Part of Breaking Up (Is Getting Back Your Stuff) – 2ge+her
4. Aaron’s Party – Aaron Carter
5. Because I Got High – Afroman
6. Tribute – Tenacious D
7. My Humps – Black-Eyed Peas
8. Chicken Noodle Soup – Young B and Webstar
9. Baby Got Back – Richard Cheese
10. Osama – Yo’ Mama – Ray Stevens
90s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
1. Amish Paradise – Weird Al Yankovic
2. The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
3. The Thanksgiving Song – Adam Sandler
4. Smells Like Nirvana – Weird Al Yankovic
5. This Is Ponderous – 2nu
6. Deep, Deep Trouble – The Simpsons
7. Meet The Flintstones – The B.C. 52’s
8. Three Little Pigs – Green Jelly
9. Redneck Games – Jeff Foxworthy & Alan Jackson
10. Turtle Power – Partners In Kryme
80s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
Noone in the world of novelty has had the enormous success of Weird Al Yankovic. He has mocked many of the stars of the 1980s through today, including Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Eminem, Limp Biskit, Chamillionaire and others. His first breakout near-hit was Another One Rides the Bus, recorded in a bathroom for “just the right echo effect”.
1. Fat – Weird Al Yankovic
2. Curly Shuffle – The Jump In The Saddle Band
3. Shaddap You Face – Joe Dolce
4. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – Monty Python (Eric Idol)* * From 1979’s Life of Brian
5. Because I’m a Blonde – Julie Brown
6. Take Off – Bob & Doug McKenzie with Eddie Lee
7. Eat It – Weird Al Yankovic
8. You Look Marvelous – Billy Crystal
9.Meet The Flintstones – Bruce Springstone
10. Make My Day – T.G. Sheppard with Clint Eastwood
70s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
The Streak had its day in 1974, but by April of that year, the shortcomings of this fad, running naked through public events, were evident, as noted by film star David Niven. Practically everybody bought a C.B. radio when they heard Convoy in 1976. Of course, some Novelty tunes are timeless like Junk Food Junkie by Larry Groce and Take This Job and Shove It by Johnny Paycheck.
1. Disco Duck – Rick Dees
2. King Tut – Steve Martin
3. My Balogna – Weird Al Yankovic
4. Mr. Jaws – Dickie Goodman
5. Earache My Eye – Cheech and Chong
6. Shaving Cream – Benny Bell
7. The Topical Song – The Barron Knights
8. Junk Food Junkie – Larry Groce
9. Do You Think I’m Disco – Steve Dahl
10. Dead Skink – Loudon Wainwright III
60s Weirdest/ un-P.C. Songs
1. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – The Beatles
2. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – Iron Butterfly
3. A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash
4. Star-Spangled Banner – Jimi Hendrix
5. If You Wanna Be Happy – Jimmy Soul
6. Surfin’ Bird – The Trashmen
7. Fire – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
8. Tip-Toe Through the Tulips With Me – Tiny Tim
9. I Want My Baby Back – Jimmy Cross
10. My Pal Foot Foot – The Shaggs
60s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
1. They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! – Napoleon XIV
7. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor – Lonnie Donegan
8. Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah – Allen Sherman
9. Leader Of The Laundromat – the Detergents
10. Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport – Rolf Harris
50s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
Ross Bagdasarian, better known as David Seville, used the process of speeding up his voice to create the Halloween hit, Witch Doctor. He further refined the technique to create Alvin, Simon and Theodore, the Chipmunks. With them, he created another holiday classic The Chipmonk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late). Mad with power, he built this one-trick novelty bit into a mini-empire with a prime-time animated TV show.
1. Purple People Eater – Sheb Wolley
2. Banana Boat (Day-O) – Stan Freberg
3. Alvin’s Harmonica – The Chipmunks
4. Stranded In The Jungle – The Cadets (or The Jayhawks)
5. The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane – The Ames Brothers
6. The Flying Saucer – Buchanan & Goodman
7. The Thing – Phil Harris
8. What It Was, Was Football – Andy Griffith
9. Uh! Oh! – The Nutty Squirrels
10. Nuttin For Christmas – cracked the top 40 in 1955 by Art Mooney & Barry Gordon, Joe Ward, Ricky Zahnd, The Fontane Sisters and Stan Freberg in 1955.
Pre-50s Comedy/ Novelty Songs
The earliest novelty song we could find was recorded in the days before CD, Cassette Tapes, even vinyl records. The Laughing Song followed up with The Whistling Coon ware recorded by ex-slave George Washington Johnson in 1891 on a cylinder. His Laughing Song was probably the highest-selling recording of the 19th century. The first-ever actually-recorded song that we have proof of was Thomas Edison singing Mary Had A Little Lamb.
In Der Fuehrer’s Face and (There’ll Be A) Hot Time in the Town of Berlin (When the Yanks Go Marching In) meant a lot to freedom-loving American people in the 1940s.
A Chicken Ain’t Nothin But a Bird – Cab Calloway
Animal Crackers In My Soup – Shirley Temple
Bake Dat Chicken Pie – Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Andrews Sisters
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime? – Bing Crosby
Casey At The Bat – DeWolf Hopper
Cigarettes, Whiskey and Wild Women – Red Engle
Come Take a Trip On My Air-ship – Billy Murray
Daddy Won’t Buy Me A Bow-wow – Dan Quinn
Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two) – various
Dem Golden Slippers – Silas Leachman
Der Fuehrer’s Face – Spike Jones
Girlfriend of the Whirling Dervish – Johnny Payne
Grandfather’s Clock – Burl Ives
I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream – Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians
I’ll Lend You Everything I Got, Except My Wife – Bert Williams
I’m Against It – Groucho Marx
I’m Popeye, The Sailor Man – Billy Costello
Indian Love Call – Slim Whitman
Inka Dinka Doo – Jimmy Durante
Courtroom Catastrophe – Amos and Andy
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) – The Four Lads
K-K-K-Katy (The Stammering Song) – Billy Murray
Last Shot Got Him (Great Bloo-is Song) – Eddie Morton
Let’s Misbehave – Ben Bernie
Mairzy Doates – Merry Macs
Makin’ Whoopee – Eddie Cantor
Minnie The Moocher – Cab Calloway
My Own Grandpa – Lonzo and Oscar
Oh Death, Where Is Thy Sing? – Bert Williams
Shaving Cream – Benny Bell
Shoo-Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowty – Dinah Shore
Shortnin’ Bread – The Andrews Sisters
Take Me Out To The Ball Game – Billy Murray and the Haydn Quartet
The Alphabet Song – The Three Stooges
The Laughing Sing – George Washington Johnson
The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane – The Ames Brothers
Summer Songs come in two different varieties:
1. The classic songs that describe summertime, vacations, beaches and the boardwalk.
2. The songs that were played in constant rotation on the radio and dance clubs.
Included are timeless, obvious songs like Summertime by New Kids On The Block and Summer Love by Justin Timberlake and there were songs that were played non-stop on the radio over the summer like Hot In Herre, Yeah! and Poker Face. Don’t Speak by No Doubt was released in late 1996, but stayed on the Billboard Charts for over a year, and dominated during the summer of 1997.
If a song’s title or primary lyrics are about Summer, that usually bumps it in nostalgia value on our lists. Songs like Hollaback Girl and Poker Face get a beggir nostalgic/retro vote than In The End by Linkin Park for example.
In many ways, older songs are easier because fewer outlast the rest from their era, songs only a decade or two old have more competition for eardrums, so this list is longer than our typical top 100 music list. We tried to combine both, the classic summer songs and songs that dominated the airwaves during the summer, with our own Pop Culture Madness look at the songs that outlasted others from their time.
Evanescence (Best New Artist Grammy Winner) Outkast (Grammy for Album of the Year) Clocks – Coldplay (Grammy for Record of the Year)
New Artists in the Pop Charts Included: Ciara, Ashlee Simpson, Fantasia, Gretchen Wilson, Jet, Pitbull, Kanye West, Akon, Lloyd Banks, Switchfoot, The Killers, Yellowcard, Gwen Stefani (solo), Big & Rich, John Legend and Modest Mouse
2004’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1.Dragostea Din Tei (Numa Nama Mai Ai Hee) – O-Zone
2. White Houses – Vanessa Carlton
3.1985 – Bowling For Soup
4. The Way You Move – Outkast
5. Leave (Get Out) – JoJo
6. Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
7. Red Neck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
8. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
9. Save A Horse, Ride a Cowboy – Big & Rich
10. Invisible – Clay Aiken
2004’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Yeah! – Usher with Lil Jon and Ludacris
2. Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas
3. Move Ya Body – Nina Sky
4. Oy Mi Canto – N.O.R.E. with Daddy Yankee
5. Turn Me On – Kevin Lyttle
6. Just Lose It – Eminem
7. Goodies – Ciara with Petey Pablo
8. Dirt Off Your Shoulder – Jay-Z
9. Freak-A-Leak – Petey Pablo
10. Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg with Pharrell
2004’s Bubblegum 10 Hit List
1. Yeah! – Usher
2. Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows
3. She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
4. Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson
5. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
6. Hey Mama – Black Eyed Peas
7. This Love – Maroon 5
8. Somebody Told Me – The Killers
9. Drop It Like Its Hot – Snoop Dogg
10. Pieces Of Me – Ashlee Simpson
2004’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Green Day
2. The Reason – Hoobastank
3. Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard
4. Accidently In Love – Counting Crows
5. I Miss You – Blink 182
6. Love Song – 311
7. Feeling Way Too Damn Good – Nickelback
8. Somebody Told Me – The Killers
9. Broken – Seether
10. Let Me Go – 3 Doors Down
2004’s Alternative Top 10 Hit List
1. Float On – Modest Mouse
2. Somebody Told Me – The Killers
3. Somewhere Only We Know – Keane
4. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) – My Chemical Romance
5. Take It Away – The Used
6. Mr. Brightside – The Killers
7. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
8. Vindicated – Dashboard Confessional
9. I Miss You – Simple Plan
10. Reptilia – The Strokes
2004’s Album Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Vertigo – U2
2. American Idiot – Green Day
3. Breaking The Habit – Linkin Park
4. Duality – Slipknot
5. Slither – Velvet Revolver
6. Scars – Papa Roach
7. So Cold – Breaking Benjamin
8. Cold Hard B*tch – Jet
9. Numb – Linkin Park
10. Cold – Crossfade
PCM’s 2004 Top 10 Hit List
1. Yeah! – Usher featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
2. Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas
3. 1985 – Bowling For Soup
4. Leave (Get Out) – JoJo
5. Car Wash – Christina Aguilera with Missy Elliott
6. Move Ya Body – Nina Sky Featuring Jabba
7. Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
8. Oye Mi Canto – N.O.R.E. Featuring Daddy Yankee, Nina Sky, Gem Star and Big Mato
About Retro Songs: Retro Songs can be songs that capture an era from your youth or a pivotal time in your life. Often they can be that bubblegum pop you heard non-stop as a child. Retro Songs can make you relive a moment, a day, an evening, a summer, or even a lifetime.
Retro songs sometimes speak only to you, or your peers, sometimes a bygone era.
OR, it may fit under the rules listed below.
Rules To Be Retro Songs:
1. It was cool to you once, at least ten years ago.
2. Then you got sick of it.
3. It’s been so long since you heard it, it has become cool again.
4. Most people know or think they know, every word.
5. Our Pop Culture Madness visitors voted them in!
Yes, a decade from now, Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson and Baby by Justin Bieber will be retro. Deal with it!
Retro Songs
The Last Few Decades
1. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
2. Wannabe – Spice Girls
3. Jumpin’ Jumpin’ – Destiny’s Child
4. Sexyback – Justin Timberlake with Timbaland
5. Funkytown – Pseudo Echo
6. Lady Marmalade – Christa Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink
7. Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy Tell’em
8. Mambo Number 5 – Lou Bega
9. Hot In Herre – Nelly
10. MMM Bop – Hanson
11. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
12. I Love Rock and Roll – Joan Jett
13. Brass Monkey – Beastie Boys
14. The Electric Slide – Marcia (pronounced Mar-C-Ya) Griffiths
15. Shake Ya Tailfeather – Nelly, P. Diddy, Murphy Lee
16. Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
17. Viva La Vida – Coldplay
18. C’Mon N’ Ride It (The Train) – Quad City DJ’s
19. Glamorous – Fergie
20. Upside Down – Diana Ross
21. Love Story – Taylor Swift
22. Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
23. Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg with Pharrell
24. Smooth – Santana and Rob Thomas
25. Poker Face – Lady Gaga
26. Thong Song – Sisqo
27. 1,2 Step – Ciara with Missy Elliot
28. Suavemente – Elvis Crispo
29. Hey Ya! – Outkast
30. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
31. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
32. Macarena – Los Del Rio
33. Can’t Be Tamed – Miley Cyrus
34. Livin La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
35. Don’t Cha – Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes
36. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
37. Hey Soul Sister – Train
38. Barbie Girl – Aqua
39. Gold Deggir – Kanye West with Jamie Foxx
40. Fight For Your Right (To Party) – Beastie Boys
41. Raise Your Glass – Pink
42. Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It – Will Smith
43. I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry
44. It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy
45. Like A G6 Far*East Movement
46. Here Comes The Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
47. London Bridge – Fergie
48. Boombastic – Shaggy
49. California Girls – Katy Perry
50. I Want Your Sex – George Michael
Dusty Retro Songs
Mostly 70s And 80s
1. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
2. Dancing Queen – Abba
3. Build Me Up Buttercup – Foundations
4. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
5. I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
6. Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver
7. Groove Is In The Heart – Dee Lite
8. Apache – Sugar Hill Gang
9. Flashdance (What A Feeling) – Irene Cara
10. Vogue – Madonna
11. You Should Be Dancing – Bee Gees
12. Kiss – Prince
13. Physical – Olivia Newton-John
14. Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill Gang
15. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas
16. Enjoy Yourself – The Jacksons
17. Ebony and Ivory – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
18. Can’t Smile Without You – Barry Manilow
19. Dancing In The Dark – Bruce Springsteen
20. Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
21. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
22. My Sharona – The Knack
23. When Doves Cry – Prince
24. Relax – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
25. In The Bush – Musique
Dusty & Rusty Retro Songs
1970s And Older
1. Close To You – Carpenters
2. Lean on Me – Bill Withers
3. Volare – Bobby Rydell
4. American Pie – Don McLean
5. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
6. The Loco-Motion – Grand Funk Railroad
7. Joy To The World – Three Dog Night
8. Low Rider – War
9. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy – Rod Stewart
10. Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band
11. The Happening – The Supremes Featuring Diana Ross
12. It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones
13. Crocodile Rock – Elton John
14. Nights In White Satin – The Moody Blues
15. See You Later, Alligator – Bill Haley and His Comets
16. I Write The Songs – Barry Manilow
17. The Yellow Rose of Texas – Mitch Miller (except in Texas, where it is always number one)
18. My Ding-A-Ling – Chuck Berry
19. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – B. J. Thomas
Some of the most notable genres and sub-genres of music from the 2000s include:
Pop: Pop music remained popular in the 2000s, with artists like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera achieving widespread success.
Rock: Rock music remained popular in the 2000s, with many subgenres emerging and gaining traction. Some of the most notable sub-genres of rock music from the 2000s include indie rock, emo, and post-punk revival.
Hip-Hop: Hip-hop, which had gained popularity in the 1990s, continued to dominate popular music in the 2000s. Artists like Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Outkast were among the most notable hip-hop artists of the decade.
Electronic: Electronic music, including dance, techno, and trance, also gained popularity in the 2000s.
R&B: R&B, a genre of music that combines elements of soul, funk, and pop, also remained popular in the 2000s. Artists like Usher, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey were among the most notable R&B acts of the decade.
2000s Bubblegum Pop Hits
1. Firework – Katy Perry (Capitol)
2. Baby – Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
3. Party In The USA – Miley Cyrus
4. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift
5. One Time – Justin Bieber
6. Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani and Akon
7. Numa Numa (Dragostea Din Tea) – O-Zone
8. Airplanes – B.o.B Featuring Hayley Williams Of Paramore
9. When I Grow Up – Pussycat Dolls
10. Whip My Hair – Willow
11. Say Hey – Michael Franti & Spearhead
12. Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
13. Lip Gloss – Lil Mama
14. What Dreams Are Made Of – Hilary Duff
15. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
The 2K Songs That Mom And Dad Hated
1. Because I Got High – Afroman
2. F— It (I Don’t Want You Back) – Eamon
3. What’s Your Fantasy – Ludacris
4. Good Girls Go Bad – Cobra Starship Featuring Leighton Meester
5. Tipsy – J-Kwon
6. Thong Song – Sisqo
7. Magic Stick – Lil Kim & 50 Cent
8. Ignition – R Kelly
9. Ridin’ – Chamillionaire
10. Shake That – Eminem & Nate Dogg
11. I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
12. My Neck, My Back – Khia
13. A** Like That – Eminem
14. Bad Touch – Bloodhound Gang
15. Blame It – Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
16. Money Maker – Ludacris ft. Pharrell
17. Candy Shop – 50 Cent and Trina
18. Lick It – Rulaah
19. Crazy B*tch – Buckcherry
20. Who’s a Ho – Ludacris
The 2000s Songs That Everybody Hated
1. Popozao – Kevin Federline
2. American Pie – Madonna
3. Magic – B.o.B Featuring Rivers Cuomo
4. All Day Long I Dream About Sex – JC Chasez
5. Lonely – Akon
6. Who Let The Dogs Out – Baha Men
7. Butterfly – Crazytown
8. Black Suits Comin’ – Will Smith
9. My Humps – Black Eyed Peas
10. I Played Chicken With A Train – Cowboy Troy
11. Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
12. A Little Less Conversation Elvis vs JXL
13. Country Girl – DF Dub
14. Shut Up – Kelly Osbourne
15. Starry Eyed Surprise – Oakenfold
16. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
17. Sorry – Justin Guarini
18. Freedom – Paul McCartney
19. These Boots are Made for Walkin – Jessica Simpson
Carrie Underwood (Best New Artist Grammy Winner) Dixie Chicks (Grammy for Album of the Year)
Not Ready To Make Nice – Dixie Chicks (Grammy for Record of the Year)
2007’s Retro Top 10 Hits
1. Apologize – Timbaland with OneRepublic
2. Crank That – Soulja Boy Tell’em
3.Fergalicious – Fergie
4. Rehab – Amy Winehouse
5. Lip Gloss – Lil Mama
6. 1234 – Feist
7. Beautiful Girls – Sean Kingston
8. Candyman – Christina Aguilera
9. Love Today – Mika
10. This Is Why I’m Hot – Mims
2007’s Dance Top 10 Hit List
1. Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
2. Cyclone – Baby Bash
3. Break It Off – Rihanna with Sean Paul
4. Give It To Me – Timbaland with Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake
5. Stronger – Kanye West
6. Pop Lock and Drop It – Huey
7. Wall To Wall – Chris Brown with T-Pain
8. Clothes Off! – Gym Class Heroes
9. Whine Up – Kat Deluna with Elephant Man
10. Walk It Out – Unk
2007’s Bubblegum Top 10 Hit List
1. Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani and Akon
2. What Time Is It – High School Musical 2
3. Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne
4. Glamorous – Fergie
5. Teardrops On My Guitar – Taylor Swift
6. You Can’t Stop the Beat – Hairspray
7. Clumsy – Fergie
8. Potential Break Up Song – Aly & AJ
9. Crazy Car – The Naked Brothers Band
10. Year 3000 – Jonas Brothers
2007’s Pop Rock Top 10 Hit List
1. Hey There Delilah – The Plain White T’s
2. Cupid’s Chokehold – Gym Class Heroes
3. Misery Business – Paramore
4. Rockstar – Nickleback
5. Wake Up Call – Maroon 5
6. Paralyzer – Finger Eleven
7. Little Wonders – Rob Thomas
8. Honestly – Cartel
9. This Ain’t A Scene It’s An Arms Race – Fall Out Boy
Bad music and all of the worst songs are subjective, we admit. Often, the songs on this are loved by many but hated even more by others.
This section is devoted entirely to the worst songs of all time. Well, maybe not the all-time worst written songs or worst performances of all time. Perhaps “Really irritating songs that used to be popular songs” would be a better title. On the other hand, there are people reading the list below and saying to themselves ‘these are the greatest hits of all time!”
These are songs that, admit it or not, we all knew and mostly liked when they first came out. These are songs that make us cringe when we hear them now in front of loved ones. What were we thinking?
How does one define a “bad song”?
Sometimes they are just too ‘catchy’ or we have heard them far too many times for a single lifetime. You may love a particular ditty and the person next to you may give you a look of horror, disdain, and even a little pity when they realize that you are enjoying that sound coming out of the speakers.
We’re not talking about music genres here. Parents/Adults have been whining about what the “kids” were listening to since the 1920’s. That nasty Charleston stuff that evolved into that Sinful Swinging, that enabled Elvis to gyrate, leading to Tina Turner showing some leg, Jim Morrison performing nude, Ozzie biting live bats, the Sex Pistols urinating on stage, James Brown singing about his “Sex Machine”, and Eminem flipping the world “the bird” at the 2000 Grammys.
Don’t tell us “today’s music is terrible”. You sound like your mom talking about those long-haired, unkempt bad boys in “The Beatles”, or her mom harping about Elvis. Or those teachers who banned swing dancing at the school dances during World War II. Music marches in.
People like Pat Boone tried to make R & B/rock-n-roll acceptable to the masses, yet, for all his pop music success, his greatest achievement was the fathering of his daughter, Debbie Boone, who went on to record one of the most successful bad songs of all time, “You Light Up My Life”, lasting 10 weeks at Billboard’s number one, and over 20 weeks in the Top 40 in 1977. She won the Grammy for the best new artist as well. She never charted again, which is just fine for those of us who heard it, on average, a hundred thousand times that Summer of ’77.
(BTW – the 70s was the list filled the fastest, followed by the 2000s with the 90s close behind.) (BTW2 – The further back we go, the more complaints we seem to get about the “worst” selections. Time is very kind to bad songs, apparently.)
The 2000s – Worst Songs
1. Popozao – Kevin Federline
2. American Pie – Madonna
3. Magic – B.o.B Featuring Rivers Cuomo
4. All Day Long I Dream About Sex – JC Chasez
5. Lonely – Akon
6. Who Let The Dogs Out – Baha Men
7. Butterfly – Crazytown
8. I’m A Girl, Not Yet a Woman – Britney Spears
9. My Humps – Black Eyed Peas
10. I Played Chicken With A Train – Cowboy Troy
11. Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
12. It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp – Djay f/ Shug (OSCAR WINNING SONG)
13. Country Girl – DF Dub
14. Las Ketchup – The Ketchup Song
15. Shut Up – Kelly Osbourne
16. Ring The Alarm – Beyonce
17. Starry Eyed Surprized – Oakenfold
18. Laffy Taffy – D4L
19. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
20. A Little Less Conversation – Elvis vs JXL
21. She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney
22. Sorry – Justin Guarini
23. Friday – Rebecca Black
24. Pimpin’ All Over The World – Ludacris Featuring Bobby Valentino
25. Unfaithful – Rihanna
26. Hey Ma – Cam’ron feat. Juelz Santana, Feekey Zekey and Toya
27. Grillz – Nelly, featuring Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp
28. Beautiful Soul – Jessie McCartney
29. Your Body Is a Wonderland – John Mayer
30. Picture – Kid Rock featuring Sheryl Crow
31. American Life – Madonna
32. Float On – Modest Mouse
33. She Bangs – Ricky Martin
34. I’m Real – Jennifer Lopez
35. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
36. I’m In Love With A Stripper – T. Pain with Mike Jones
37. I Kissed A Girl – Katy Perry
38. Sorry 2004 – Ruben Studdard
39. Catch My Disease – Ben Lee
40. Black Suits Comin’ – Will Smith
The Nineties’ – Worst Songs
1. You Must Love Me – Madonna
2. I Can’t Dance – Genesis
3. Rico Suave – Gerardo
4. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
5. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
6. 2 Legit 2 Quit – M.C. Hammer
7. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
8. Informer – Snow
9. Life – Des’ree
10. U Can’t Touch This – M.C. Hammer
11. Cantaloop – US3
12. Champagne Supernova – Oasis
13. All For Love – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting
14. My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion (Totally controversial as a bad song)
15. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
16. This Kiss – Faith Hill
17. Let Her Cry – Hootie and the Blowfish
18. I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
19. Peaches – The Presidents of the United States
20. The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You – Bryan Adams
21. Good Stuff – B-52s
22. I Finally Found Someone – Bryan Adams and Barbra Streisand
23. Fly Away – Lenny Kravitz
24. One Of Us – Joan Osborne
25. Higher – Creed
26. Lump – Presidents of the United States of America
27. Are You Jimmy Ray? – Jimmy Ray
28. Believe – Cher
29. Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough – Patty Smyth and Don Henley
30. Roam – B-52s
31. Shiny Happy People – R.E.M.
32. Play That Funky Music – Vanilla Ice
33. Faith – Limp Bizkit
34. Ironic – Alanis Morrisette
35. Can I Touch You… There? – Michael Bolton
36. One Headlight – The Wallflowers
37. If I Was Your Mother – Bon Jovi
38. Barbie Girl – Aqua
39. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven – Phil Collins
40. Macarena – Los Del Rio
The Eighties’ – Worst Songs
1. Morning Train (9 to 5) – Sheena Easton
2. The Girl Is Mine – Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney
3. To All the Girls I Loved Before – Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson