Actually I’d prefer throu the mid 80’s because I’ve ceased to listen to top 10 since about 1985.
However. Since it’s obvious we have a similar taste in music I’d be interested hearing what folks dispise in “pop” “top 40” radio.
I’ll list only a few of the worst songs I can remember because the list would run into the hundreds of pages.
Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast. (Poor Wayne)
I’ve Never Been to Me. (Oh what self-effacing horror).
(I can’t recall the name of this one but the words were: "Loving you, is easy 'cause your beautiful… " It was sung in a high pitched whine and had little sickingly sweet bird noises intersparced throughout.)
Billy Dont’ Be a Hero. (OH MY GAWD.)
Side Show. (If anyone remembers this foul abomination from the mid 70’s, I suffer with you.)
There are so many others I’m sure someone here can bring up.
My vote goes for any song in which someone is killed or severely injured in a car/truck/motorcycle crash. Examples include Leader of the Pack, Teen Angel, Last Kiss (re-recorded to a new level of creepiness by Pearl Jam), Deadman’s Curve, D.O.A. (eww!), and (for you country music fans) Phantom 309.
However, one that could top them all is “Run, Joey, Run”. Anyone remember that one?
If you live in the Tri-State Area (NY/NJ/CT), basically ANYTHING you hear on ANY FM channel qualifies. The only decent music selection is either through NPR or WFUV (Fordham University). Everything else really blows.
I feel lucky, most of the worst of my generation were clumped together in a sub-genre referred to as Bubble Gum Rock … Songs like Sugar, Sugar You Are My Candy Girl …
Of course, a number of Disco tunes tried to unseat this group from their autocracy of the worst, but ultimately failed.
My cavat is that not all bubble gum was bad, nor was all disco, but the did seem to contribute more than their fair share of to each years “worst of”.
That would be “Lovin You” by Minnie Riperton, who died at age 32 of breast cancer. She could sing REALLY high, too bad she didn’t have some decent material to work with.
My nomination for biggest loser is Rupert Holmes, who managed to sing three of the worst songs of all time: Answering Machine, the Pina Colada Song, and Him (him, him, HIM, watcha gonna do about himmmmm…)
“Basketball Jones” by Cheech and Chong. But, I actually kind of like the effect that song has on people. I sing it for my coworkers when they get on my nerves. Sort of a retribution thing.
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