worst song of all time ? We built this city...
danger boy
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The worst song of all time
'See the tree, how big it's' -- groan
By Todd Leopold
CNN
Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey" was one of the biggest hits of 1968.
Image:
Every day, at the end of almost every hour, XM's '60s channel plays the top six hits of a corresponding week from that decade. As an aficionado of the Billboard charts -- I've got a bunch of the Billboard Top 40 and No. 1 books at home -- I knew what was going to be No. 1 when the countdown got to mid-April 1968: "Honey," by Bobby Goldsboro.
The Worst Song of All Time.
I sat transfixed in my car as it played, as if I were in the midst of an accident. The simpering melody, the tearjerking lyrics: God, how I hated it. And yet I couldn't change the station.
"See the tree, how big it's grown / But friend, it hasn't been too long, it wasn't big ..."
"Honey" wasn't just a hit -- it was No. 1 for five weeks in April-May 1968, one of the biggest songs of the year. According to a Bobby Goldsboro tribute site, songwriter Bobby Russell initially gave the song to Kingston Trio member Bob Shane; when Shane's version got off to a slow start, Russell (who also wrote "Little Green Apples" and "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia") allowed Goldsboro to release it, and the recording took off immediately.
(The Kingston Trio also did an early version of "Seasons in the Sun." Coincidence? I think not.)
I've always been at a loss to its success. Sure, it's about a "Love Story"-type romance, and those sorts of tearjerkers sell. But the narrator of "Honey" isn't even kind to his wife: He laughs when she slips, describes her as "kinda dumb and kinda smart" and mocks her for crying at the late show.
"One day while I was not at home / While she was there and all alone / The angels came ..."
And then there's her death. Even in 1968, what kind of jerk wouldn't be at his wife's bedside as she died? No doubt, the "Honey" narrator grew up to become the narrator of Harry Chapin's far superior "Cats in the Cradle," ignoring his son as he once ignored his wife.
But one man's offal is another man's meat, and "Honey" has its defenders.
"I cried when I first heard it as a child, and still cry as an adult. So what if it's sappy," wrote Fiona on Songfacts.com. "This song is [one of] the most touching and heartwarming songs I have ever heard, second being 'Iris,' by the Goo Goo Dolls," added Dawson.
Besides, it's foolish to single "Honey" out when there are so many other awful songs. I asked CNN.com staffers what they thought the worst song of all time is -- and you'll get your chance as well.
Eye on Entertainment can't get them out of his head.
Eye-opener
I only had two rules: the song had to have been a hit -- preferably the kind you hear on the radio so often you can't change the station fast enough -- and it can't have been a song that wore out its welcome through repetition. A really bad song is one you hate from the word "go."
Several people nominated Starship's "We Built This City," a No. 1 hit from 1985 that was also named Blender magazine's worst song ever. CNN Pipeline copy editor James Dinan put it best: "I got a laugh when I read that the original intent of this song was to be a statement against cracking down on artistic freedom. I'd support such a crackdown if it means this song will never be played again."
The Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" got a few votes, as did Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart," Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" and Don Johnson's "Heartbeat." ("Broken Wings" succeeded "We Built This City" as No. 1 by a few weeks; obviously, late 1985 was a golden age for bad songs.)
A couple folks named "MacArthur Park," which also won a Dave Barry worst song contest several years ago. Barry himself can't stand "In the Year 2525," which he called "relentlessly ugly" in his book "Tricky Business."
Then there were the generalists, who nominated such things as "anything ever recorded by Celine Dion" and "the REO Speedwagon catalog."
Of course, there were the novelty songs -- C.W. McCall's "Convoy," Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy," Rick Dees' "Disco Duck" and the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" ("so bad as to veer toward evil," wrote a Slate.com reviewer in apparent agreement). But it seems unfair to lump novelty songs in with works that insist on quality and earnestness. (However, it also may be unfair to assume the "quality" and "earnestness" of "Achy Breaky Heart.")
The submissions spawned their share of quarrels. One person intensely disliked Biz Markie's "Just a Friend," but despite its amateurish rap and clunky background, I find the song perversely charming. And as many people love Toni Basil's "Mickey" as can't stand it. (Rhino Records, never one to miss a trick, has a whole album of bad hit songs: "'70s Party Killer Classics" -- not to mention the classic "Golden Throats" collections.)
What do you say, dear reader? What do you think is the worst song of all time? Send your responses (and reasons, if you have them) to worstsong@cnn.com. I'll compile them in a future column.
In the meantime, I'll stick with "Honey." Or, at least, it'll stick with me ... like decomposing, stepped-in garbage on a hot day.
'See the tree, how big it's' -- groan
By Todd Leopold
CNN
Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey" was one of the biggest hits of 1968.
Image:
Every day, at the end of almost every hour, XM's '60s channel plays the top six hits of a corresponding week from that decade. As an aficionado of the Billboard charts -- I've got a bunch of the Billboard Top 40 and No. 1 books at home -- I knew what was going to be No. 1 when the countdown got to mid-April 1968: "Honey," by Bobby Goldsboro.
The Worst Song of All Time.
I sat transfixed in my car as it played, as if I were in the midst of an accident. The simpering melody, the tearjerking lyrics: God, how I hated it. And yet I couldn't change the station.
"See the tree, how big it's grown / But friend, it hasn't been too long, it wasn't big ..."
"Honey" wasn't just a hit -- it was No. 1 for five weeks in April-May 1968, one of the biggest songs of the year. According to a Bobby Goldsboro tribute site, songwriter Bobby Russell initially gave the song to Kingston Trio member Bob Shane; when Shane's version got off to a slow start, Russell (who also wrote "Little Green Apples" and "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia") allowed Goldsboro to release it, and the recording took off immediately.
(The Kingston Trio also did an early version of "Seasons in the Sun." Coincidence? I think not.)
I've always been at a loss to its success. Sure, it's about a "Love Story"-type romance, and those sorts of tearjerkers sell. But the narrator of "Honey" isn't even kind to his wife: He laughs when she slips, describes her as "kinda dumb and kinda smart" and mocks her for crying at the late show.
"One day while I was not at home / While she was there and all alone / The angels came ..."
And then there's her death. Even in 1968, what kind of jerk wouldn't be at his wife's bedside as she died? No doubt, the "Honey" narrator grew up to become the narrator of Harry Chapin's far superior "Cats in the Cradle," ignoring his son as he once ignored his wife.
But one man's offal is another man's meat, and "Honey" has its defenders.
"I cried when I first heard it as a child, and still cry as an adult. So what if it's sappy," wrote Fiona on Songfacts.com. "This song is [one of] the most touching and heartwarming songs I have ever heard, second being 'Iris,' by the Goo Goo Dolls," added Dawson.
Besides, it's foolish to single "Honey" out when there are so many other awful songs. I asked CNN.com staffers what they thought the worst song of all time is -- and you'll get your chance as well.
Eye on Entertainment can't get them out of his head.
Eye-opener
I only had two rules: the song had to have been a hit -- preferably the kind you hear on the radio so often you can't change the station fast enough -- and it can't have been a song that wore out its welcome through repetition. A really bad song is one you hate from the word "go."
Several people nominated Starship's "We Built This City," a No. 1 hit from 1985 that was also named Blender magazine's worst song ever. CNN Pipeline copy editor James Dinan put it best: "I got a laugh when I read that the original intent of this song was to be a statement against cracking down on artistic freedom. I'd support such a crackdown if it means this song will never be played again."
The Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" got a few votes, as did Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart," Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" and Don Johnson's "Heartbeat." ("Broken Wings" succeeded "We Built This City" as No. 1 by a few weeks; obviously, late 1985 was a golden age for bad songs.)
A couple folks named "MacArthur Park," which also won a Dave Barry worst song contest several years ago. Barry himself can't stand "In the Year 2525," which he called "relentlessly ugly" in his book "Tricky Business."
Then there were the generalists, who nominated such things as "anything ever recorded by Celine Dion" and "the REO Speedwagon catalog."
Of course, there were the novelty songs -- C.W. McCall's "Convoy," Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy," Rick Dees' "Disco Duck" and the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" ("so bad as to veer toward evil," wrote a Slate.com reviewer in apparent agreement). But it seems unfair to lump novelty songs in with works that insist on quality and earnestness. (However, it also may be unfair to assume the "quality" and "earnestness" of "Achy Breaky Heart.")
The submissions spawned their share of quarrels. One person intensely disliked Biz Markie's "Just a Friend," but despite its amateurish rap and clunky background, I find the song perversely charming. And as many people love Toni Basil's "Mickey" as can't stand it. (Rhino Records, never one to miss a trick, has a whole album of bad hit songs: "'70s Party Killer Classics" -- not to mention the classic "Golden Throats" collections.)
What do you say, dear reader? What do you think is the worst song of all time? Send your responses (and reasons, if you have them) to worstsong@cnn.com. I'll compile them in a future column.
In the meantime, I'll stick with "Honey." Or, at least, it'll stick with me ... like decomposing, stepped-in garbage on a hot day.
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Post edited by danger boy on
Comments
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so many come to mind.....
a few:
I Just Called to Say I Love You -- Stevie Wonder
Mr. Roboto -- Styx
Sunglasses at Night -- Corey HartI never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
I would second "We built this city" I can't stand that song.
I wish I could think of others right now but I know there are several songs out now that I will crawl out from under my car and walk across the garage just to change.Skynut
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Peaches and Herb's "Reunited" make me want to puke.
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Anything by Ashlee Simpson. Good thing about that is she can also work in the category of least talented of all time.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
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Oh well different strokes... I like We Built This City, Afternoon Delight, Convoy & Disco Duck!Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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cfrizz wrote:Oh well different strokes... I like We Built This City, Afternoon Delight, Convoy & Disco Duck!
I only like "Afternoon Delight" because of Anchorman
If you will it, dude, it is no dream. -
MacLeod wrote:Anything by Ashlee Simpson. Good thing about that is she can also work in the category of least talented of all time.
Dave Attell: "Everyone has a fantasy about Jessica Simpsion. Mine goes like this -- Jessica, hold your sister Ashlee for me while I kick her in the throat." -
ANY "Power Ballad" ever recorded...
or since that is probably too broad...
One song that made me cringe every time I heard it....."How Bizzare" by OMC :eek: !"Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
Anything by the "Bay City Rollers"!!!
Anything by any "boy band"!!!!!!!
And last but not least...the entire disco era!!!!!!!2 Channel:
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anything by Nickleback or Creed are worst songs ever recorded.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Aw c'mon, there's gotta be one you like... "Bad Girls"? How 'bout, "Play that Funky Music" or "Brick House"?Roy Munson wrote:And last but not least...the entire disco era!!!!!!!
"Honey" has to be the worst... play it and syrup starts oozing out of your speakers.
And Honey I miss you
And I'm being good
And I'd like to be with you
If only I could...
If I ever see Bobby Goldsboro, I'll kick him in the nuts for putting that shite in my brain.More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
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Anyone object to putting "Don't worry, be happy" on this list?
It was played to death around here back in the day.So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?
http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/ -
Good one... Bobby McFerrin got real old, real fast didn't he...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
Kokomo.
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I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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zombie boy 2000 wrote:+ infinity on this one
Beach Boys - Brian Wilson + '80's = crapola
It kills me to say it too, because I think Brian Wilson is one hell of a song writer, and musician. -
Demiurge wrote:Kokomo.
Uggh! I love that song. Well there goes any respect that I might have built up. Holydoc (Home Theatre Lover)
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haha, I think it was just way too overplayed for me when I was growing up. Once of those those things. Vocal harmonies were good.
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I still respect you! The Beach Boys tight harmonies just couldn't be beat when they were in their prime! Kokomo had those harmonies in synch full blast! They are probably the largest bunch of music that I have in my collection.Holydoc wrote:Uggh! I love that song. Well there goes any respect that I might have built up.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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You guys are straying from the topic which is...worst SONG.
To me, there is no definitive worst song. I can give you a list of terrible terrible songs.
Here's one. Everyone that has a copy of "The Police: Synchronicity", cue it up and go to the song "Mother."
Now that qualifies for worst song. I'm shocked that Sting let such a horrible stink bomb polute an excellant album. WTF were they thinking! Who wrote that! Holy hell, just horrible!
Every song mentioned in previous posts is lightyears better than this!No excuses! -
Every song in Bob Seger's catalog vies for the top slot.
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That Springsteen song.......with the lyrics "oooh oooh oooh I'm on fire", plus numerous others of his songs."SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE" -
"We are the world", sung by the people with alot of money in our world.
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Toneless Bennett making a good living off "I Left My Heart...." always gives me a good laugh too.
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Zero wrote:But if you want a particular song; Whoever wrote that song that goes something like;
"people, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world"...needs to be beaten with an elephants ****.
That would be from the stage musical "Funny Girl". Music by Julie Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, 1964. Performed most notably by Barbara Streisand. The beating you mention is not an option since both have been dead for quite some time. Feel free to mentally flog them with your instrument of choice."Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
Chris Isaak - Wicked Game
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Okay, now let's all hold hands. C'mon now, don't be shy.....okay, that's better.
Everybody ready ? Okay, on the count of 3:
ONE
TWO
THREE
"Up, up with people
You meet them wherever you go,
Up, up with people,
They're ....
.....They're....
.....gasp.....I ..... can't go.......... on.........
...please.....shoot me..............
http://www.lyricshosting.com/artists/12/lambchop/up_with_people.htmlSal Palooza
