07 November 2008

Oh, The Humanity...

A friend of mine recently posed a great question: "What is the worst song that you actually like?" He qualified this statement by saying that the song couldn't be immensely popular. It had to be something that only one out of a thousand people would find enjoyable. Y.M.C.A. by the Village People doesn't count, because too many people would sing along if you cranked it up at a public gathering.

After much deep reflection, I think I've discovered that I have a soft spot for what I like to call The Mellow Gold of the late 70's and early 80's. This music served as a soft, non-threating bridge to help Americans make the transition from Bee Gees disco to Huey Lewis pop-rock. It is what Bart Simpson was talking about when he referred to Wuss Rock. It is also the only proven antidote when you've taken Viagra and your erection has lasted longer than four hours.

Some fine examples of this genre include:
England Dan & John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight
Randy Vanwarmer - Just When I Needed You Most
Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne
Stephen Bishop - On And On
Christopher Cross - Sailing

But I think my favorite "worst" song doesn't really fit into this genre, even though it was released around the same time. It is a bit too peppy.
Sammy Johns - Chevy Van
The song is an audible atrocity. It is so bad that I could not locate an example of it online. So I had to break down and buy a copy from Amazon. Best eighty-nine cents I ever spent. I may host and post it later.

What's your favorite "worst" song? Something by El DeBarge? Lionel Richie? You may be able to locate a new favorite barf-maker at this site.

On an unrelated note, I'd stab a granny for John Denver's Dobro.

7 comments:

ZDub said...

Oh, I love Dan Fogelberg too! They always play that song during the holidays and I love it. I think I need it on my iPod.

My most favorite awful song is 'Land Down Under' by Men At Work.

And Zaine's is '99 Luft Balloons'.

Krëg said...

The German version, or the English version of 99 luft ballons?

Something Happened Somewhere Turning said...

My wife says,'Run Joey Run' lyrics by David Geddes.
All I could think of was Minnie Ripperton's, Loving you is easy 'cause your beautiful'. But I don't know if that really qualifies as a favorite.

Something Happened Somewhere Turning said...

Oh...Oh...Oh!
I'm thinking of McCartney's,'Band on the Run' and my wife changed her's to 'MacArthur Park'.
Cuz how stupid is it to leave the cake out in the rain.

Lorrie Veasey said...

I've Never Been To Me
You Light up my Life
Widfire
The Night Chicago Died
Sister Golden Hair
OK, really...there is not a song from the 70s that I don't own, having been drunk many a night they did those long info-mmercials where Olivia Newton John sells you some insanely priced box set that arrives month after month after month.

And BTW: I own two copies of Chevy Van and contemplated dancing to it at my wedding.

ZDub said...

Zaine likes both, but don't they both suck?

'Band On The Run' is an awful song that I forgot I love!

Debbie said...

Yes, I did come over courtesy of Lorrie. I think she was just trying to get rid of me. I know I don't know you but I think you really need to rethink telling people about liking Chevy Van. I hadn't thought of that song in years (which was a high point in my life) but now I'm going to have it running through my head all night.