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51 Overplayed Songs, Ranked

Pop songs that get stuck in your head aren’t created by accident. There’s a science to creating a sensational song that keeps your head nodding along to the beat for years to come. That’s why they all sound the same! The music industry knows what chords to play, how fast to play them, and what words to sing to make the song a major success. It’s a science they have perfected that makes them money and ruins your day at the same time.

You’ll see a lot of the same things in these songs. The chorus repeats itself a thousand times. The lyrics are kind of gloomy and romantic. The chorus is perfect for singing along with—which you’ll do before you realize the song is now stuck in your head. Typically, we like these songs for a few days before we realize that—oh no, this is another hit. It’s going to be played so many times I’ll end up hating it. By then it’s too late.

Here’s a list of songs that we can’t stand now, ranked by how frustrating it is when they get stuck in your head. They might have been decent at one point, but they sure are ruined now. 

52. Shake It Off (2014) Taylor Swift

52. Shake It Off (2014) Taylor Swift

You know that Taylor Swift song, "Shake It Off"? It was everywhere for a while, right? Like, you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing it. And it's not that it's a bad song or anything. It's just that it got played so much that it started to get on people's nerves.

The thing is, it's super catchy, and the message of shaking off negativity is cool. But after hearing it over and over again, it kinda loses its charm. Plus, it seemed like every store, party, and TV commercial had it on repeat. So, even though it's a fun song, the constant playing of "Shake It Off" made it feel a bit overplayed and, well, kinda annoying after a while.

(Image via Big Machine)

51. Despacito (2017) Luis Fonsi feat. Justin Bieber

51. Despacito (2017) Luis Fonsi feat. Justin Bieber

"Despacito" didn't start its life as an obnoxious, overplayed song. It was released in 2017 by Puerto Rican musician Luis Fonsi, and it had modest success on the charts. However, a few months later, a remix of "Despacito" featuring Justin Bieber was released, and it became the overhyped song we all know and hate today. 

Once the Biebs was involved, the popularity of the song skyrocketed. It reached number one on the charts in 57 different countries, and it tied the record for the longest time on the Hot 100 charts. Needless to say, this thing got so popular that you couldn't avoid it, no matter how hard you tried!

(Image via Universal Latin/Republic/RBMG/Def Jam/School Boy)

50. Jam (Turn It Up) (2011) Kim Kardashian

50. Jam (Turn It Up) (2011) Kim Kardashian

Luckily, Kim Kardashian isn’t a musician, or there would have been no excuse for this song being so bad. Over half of this “jam” is long segments of the same line, “They playin’ my jam, turn it up,” repeated over and over. This song isn’t even catchy; it’s just plain awful.

The heavy autotune, combined with completely uncreative and repetitive lyrics, earned Kardashian a spot on this list of annoying songs. The song, recorded in 2010, was released in March 2011. It was maligned by critics, but because of Kim's popularity, she was able to sell 60,000 copies in the first month in the US. 

(Image via Instagram)

49. Axel F (2005) Crazy Frog

49. Axel F (2005) Crazy Frog

When the early 2000s remix the '80s, you know there are going to be major problems. It was released with a fully animated music video featuring the “Most Annoying Thing,” and that seems an apt description for the song itself. You have to give it to the Swedish group that made it, though: it’s the second oldest video on YouTube and one of the most-played videos of all time.

The original song had peaked on Billboard at number 3 in the United States. It was released in 1984 and appeared on the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack. Meanwhile, the remix reached No. 1 in Turkey, New Zealand, Australia, and actually most of Europe. In the U.S. it was number 50. 

(Image via Ministry of Sound/Mach 1 Records GmbH/Universal/Warner)

48. Afternoon Delight (1976) Starland Vocal Band

48. Afternoon Delight (1976) Starland Vocal Band

Ignoring the fact that this has been used and re-used so many times that it’s a deflated balloon, it’s also an incredibly annoying song in general. One of the worst parts of the song is the random “Skyyyy rockets in flight” line that doesn’t fit anything else in the song.

Afternoon Delight was recorded in 1975 and was released in 1976. It received three nominations for the 19th Grammy awards and won for Best Arrangement for Voices. In 2010, it was named by Billboard as the 20th hottest song of all time. Since its release, it has been featured in numerous films and shows including Good Will Hunting, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,  and Arrested Development.

Windsong/RCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

47. Happy (2013) Pharrell Williams

47. Happy (2013) Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams enjoyed a lot of success from this song, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for singing it live. Despite its popularity, “Happy” made many people angry for its sing-song sound and repetitive lyrics. Half the song is Williams telling you to clap, with a background voice chanting, “happy, happy, happy” way too many times.

Okay, maybe we're being a little negative—but you have to admit this song was way overplayed to the point that it no longer made anyone happy. As a single from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, it was popular with kids and adults, topping the Billboard Hot 100 list in early March 2014. 

Shawn Ahmed, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

46. What’s New Pussycat? (1965) Tom Jones

46. What’s New Pussycat? (1965) Tom Jones

"What’s New Pussycat?" sounds like one of those songs that end way before it actually does. Tom Jones, like many of the other artists, has a burning question: What’s new, pussycat? Nowadays, the song kind of sounds gross, too. It's just not a good song and we can't figure out how it ever became popular!

The song, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, was released in the United States in June 1965, and in the UK that August. In the UK it peaked at number 11 as a top 30 record. In the United States, it peaked at number 3. And in 1966 it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the film of the same name.

(Image via Facebook)

45. It’s a Small World (1963) Sherman Brothers

45. It’s a Small World (1963) Sherman Brothers

You know this song from the water-based Disneyland ride of the same name. Songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman wrote the song to be easily translated into several different languages. Given that it's played over and over again, it's very possible "It's a Small World" is one of the most played songs in history.

This song assaults most of us at Disney theme parks, but it pops up from time to time elsewhere. Disney, do us all a favor and stop using the song. Retire it. The world will be grateful. 

(Image via Instagram)

44. Disco Duck (1978) Rick Dees

44. Disco Duck (1978) Rick Dees

Disco Duck is everything no one wants to remember about the '70s. It’s got a disco beat, which is fine, but then there’s an annoying duck that quacks through the track. Then, the duck starts talking, and it sounds just like Donald Duck, who is also annoying.

"Disco Duck" was released in September 1976. It was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list for an entire week. The highly popular song was not welcome everywhere, however. It was banned by radio stations in Memphis. In the United States, it earned Platinum status for selling more than two million copies.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

43. MMMBop (1997) Hanson

43. MMMBop (1997) Hanson

Why write lyrics when you can just sing sounds you make up? It’s much easier that way. People won’t focus on how bad the rest of the actual lyrics are because they’ll be too focused on whatever is going on in that chorus. Sure, it was catchy for a bit in 1997—until it was totally annoying.

Hanson's 1997 hit song "MMMBop" made the band a one-hit wonder. It got them nominated for two Grammy awards, but they didn't take anything home. It charted number one on lists around the world and remained on the charts until the end of the year. It was (sadly) a huge success. 

Grapepinky, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

42. Baby (2010) Justin Bieber

42. Baby (2010) Justin Bieber

People made fun of this song even while it was still popular. From Bieber’s hair to his extreme youth, the music video should have been a disaster from the start. Apparently, it worked, though. At one point, it was the most-watched video on YouTube. Luckily, we all left “Baby” behind.

"Baby," featuring Ludacris alongside Justin Bieber, was available as a digital download in January 2010. The combination of dance-pop and hip-hop was a huge success with critics for some reason, and it was a commercial success, too. It was number one in Scotland and France and had no problem charting in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, among others.

(Image via Island, RBMG)

41. Barbie Girl (1997) Aqua

41. Barbie Girl (1997) Aqua

These days, this song wouldn’t fly. Today, Barbie dolls are looked down on for the standards they set for young girls, and this song only goes to make things worse by objectifying women in every way possible. Just listen to the lyrics, and you’ll realize that there’s really nothing good here.

The Danish-Norwegian dance-pop group Aqua released the song in May 1997. It was a mega-hit, selling more than eight million copies worldwide. It debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mattel, who was not happy with the trademark violation nor the depiction of Barbie in the song as an object, filed a lawsuit—but the case was dismissed.

Marion Curtis/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

40. We Built This City (1985) Starship

40. We Built This City (1985) Starship

If there's one song that describes the '80s music scene perfectly, it’s this song. It just sounds like frizzy hair and lasers. And the lyrics—wow, they’re hypocritical. We can’t stand listening to them. This has to be one of the worst songs of the '80s, and that's the nicest thing we can say about it.

In the United States, "We Built This City" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Released in August 1985, the song only reached Gold certification with 500K sales. Since its release, it has been consistently ranked among the very worst songs of the 1980s—and it isn't getting any better with age.

(Image via Grunt/RCA)

39. Call Me Maybe (2012) Carly Rae Jepsen

39. Call Me Maybe (2012) Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen seemed super confused. Call her? Don’t call her? What are you trying to tell us to do? This really is crazy. The song certainly was catchy, but everyone heard it too many times to the point that it simply became annoying. And Carly Rae Jepsen really never came out with a bigger hit.

"Call Me Maybe" from Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen was first released on her EP Curiosity and then later on her second studio album Kiss. In Canada the song topped the charts, meanwhile, in the United States, the song reached number one on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. It was nominated for two Grammy awards.

(Image via Instagram)

38. Message in a Bottle (1979) The Police

38. Message in a Bottle (1979) The Police

Most people can make it through "Message in a Bottle" just fine…until they get near the end. From that point, The Police sing “Sendin’ out an SOS” for a solid minute. We’re not joking. A solid 60 seconds of “sending out an SOS.” At that point, we’re sending out an SOS – save us from this song!

The Police's "Message in a Bottle" was released in September 1979 and became one of the band's first number one singles. It's also one of the band's personal favorite songs for some reason. In addition to hitting the charts all over the world, it also made the Billboard Hot 100, ranking 74 at its peak.

(Image via Instagram)

37. Do My Thang (2013) Miley Cyrus

37. Do My Thang (2013) Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus put this song, along with a few other annoying ones, on her "Bangerz" album, which came out after she broke up with then-ex-fiance, now-ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. We get it—she’s having a good time and trying different musical styles now that she’s single. But could she at least express herself without repeating “I'ma do my thang” a hundred times?

"Do My Thang" was released worldwide in October 2013. The song, designed as a dance track, is easily one of the worst on the "Bangerz" album. Billboard called the lyrics "absurd," and they aren't wrong. This was hardly the biggest hit on the album, but it was certainly among the most annoying songs of the 2010s.

Raphael Pour-Hashemi, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

36. Livin’ La Vida Loca (1999) Ricky Martin

36. Livin’ La Vida Loca (1999) Ricky Martin

This upbeat song is easy to get stuck in your head and nearly impossible to get out. Sure, it’s catchy, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear it a million times. Not to mention, the chorus is sung a total of four times during about a four-minute song. That’s quite a bit, considering how long it is. We’re livin’ la vida loca thanks to Ricky Martin.

The hit Ricky Martin song was the start of the Latin pop wave that happened in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Released in 1999, the song was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and could be heard on the radio practically every day. It continues to perform well in the digital age, having sold 502,000 digital copies in the US. 

(Image via Columbia)

35. My Humps (2005) Black Eyed Peas

35. My Humps (2005) Black Eyed Peas

The more you look into this song, the funnier it gets. The song is obviously risque, so at first, it’s obvious what the lumps and humps are. But in some spots, the “humps” are actually “hump” in the singular. So, we’ve got lumps, humps, and a hump. Hmmm…Well, the song is definitely up for interpretation, but we’d rather not stick around to find out what’s going on.

"My Humps," which was written and produced by will.i.am, received negative criticism from seasoned music critics—but that didn't stop it from being successful nevertheless. It earned a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and made the Billboard Hot 100.

(Image via A&M/will.i.am)

34. Sherry (1962) The Four Seasons

34. Sherry (1962) The Four Seasons

Pretty much anything by The Four Seasons can make this list because of that stupid whining noise the short guy makes. Out of all of the songs, "Sherry" is the most annoying because it’s basically the whole thing. There is nothing to love about this song, technically nor lyrically. It's a disaster, and we aren't going to pretend otherwise.

The song nevertheless was a huge success in Canada, most of Asia, New Zealand, and the USA, where it charted number one. In the UK it charted number 8. The song, released in 1962, took just 15 minutes to write—yet we've had to listen to it in some form or another for over half a century. Not fair.

Hulton Archive/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

33. Ice Ice Baby (1989) Vanilla Ice

33. Ice Ice Baby (1989) Vanilla Ice

“Ice Ice Baby” was the first hip hop single to top the Billboard Hot 100. Everything about the song makes you laugh. The beat is so cool that it’s cold like ice. Sorry, that’s just too far. And then there's the rhythm ripped straight from Queen's and Bowie's "Under Pressure"...

The song is bad, and it's time we face that fact. While people might have loved it at the time, one-hit-wonder Vanilla Ice has hardly left a lasting impression on the music business itself. But it was a success with critics and commercially as well. Released in 1990, it was the first hip-hop single to reach the number-one spot on Billboard.

(Image via Instagram)

32. My Heart Will Go On (1997) Celine Dion

32. My Heart Will Go On (1997) Celine Dion

All the best songs are about love, right? “Love Will Go On,” the end credits song for Titanic, seemed to really hit the nail on the head. So much so that it got overplayed. Way more overplayed than most songs. Kate Winslet, one of the stars in Titanic, claims she feels like throwing up when she hears the song now.

"My Heart Will Go On" was recorded in May of 1997 and released in December of 1997. It was one of the biggest singles of its time, having sold more than 18 million copies worldwide as a single. Even with only 658,000 copies available, it debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

RepliCarter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

31. Blue (1998) Eiffel 65

31. Blue (1998) Eiffel 65

"Blue" manages to tell a story, but not one anyone necessarily cares about. Pretty much, everything is blue. But if everything is blue, is anything really blue? Well, if you want an answer, the lyrics may give an answer: “Da ba dee da ba dye.” If only we knew what the words meant.

The Italian group Eiffel 65 released the song in October 1998. It was their most popular single and the band is now mostly considered to be a one-hit wonder. Reviews for the song were mixed, but it had no problem topping the charts in Europe. On the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, the song made the top ten at number six.

 

(Image via Instagram)

30. Copacabana (1978) Barry Manilow

30. Copacabana (1978) Barry Manilow

Just because it’s by Barry Manilow doesn’t mean it’s good. Even though the lyrics are different, it feels like it’s the same thing over and over and over. Then, after hearing it, it gets stuck in your head. Just the “Copacabana” part. Nothing else. It's honestly a waste of everyone's time.

Copacabana was released in June 1978 and became a summer hit that year. It was first featured in Billboard magazine's Top 40 chart on July 7, 1978 and peaked at number 8. It was also featured in the top 10 lists of Belgium, Canada, France, and the Netherlands. In the United States, it received Gold certification with more than 1 million sales.

(Image via Instagram)

29. Karma Chameleon (1983) Culture Club

29. Karma Chameleon (1983) Culture Club

C-C-C-Can we not? Karma Chameleon has the weird harmonica in the background that sticks out and then repeats itself just for the beat. God forbid they just throw in more lyrics. Loving this song would be easy if it wasn't so repetitive.. But, alas, here we are,  and now you can go if you please.

The hit song from the Culture Club was released in 1983 and it's one of the most '80s songs out there to be sure. It spent three weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and it is actually the only number one hit in the United States. But they certainly had more around the world. 

(Image via Instagram)

28. Macarena (1995) Los Del Rio

28. Macarena (1995) Los Del Rio

Another song with seriously questionable lyrics, "Macarena" was huge back in the '90s. The dance was iconic, so it was played pretty much anywhere where dancing happened—but that just added to its problems. With that said, this one was probably more popular because of the song itself, but unfortunately, you can't separate the two.

Macarena was originally recorded in 1992 but was released in 1993. Los del Rio earned a spot on VH1's  "#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time" in 2002 because of the song. The song has remained so popular, despite how annoying it is, with a number seven position on the Billboard's All Time Top 100 list.

Evan Agostini/Liaison/Getty Images

27. Wannabe (1996) Spice Girls

27. Wannabe (1996) Spice Girls

The Spice Girls want to tell us what they want, what they really, really want, but we know what we really, really want: for them to stop wasting our precious time. Just skip to the next track, please. We don't want this song to be part of pop culture a second longer. Thanks.

"Wannabe" was the debut single from the English pop group, the Spice Girls. From music critics, the song received mixed reviews: some loved it while others not so much. The reaction was the same in the United States, but the song would debut at number three on the UK Singles Chart and at number 11 on the US charts. 

(Image via Instagram)

26. I Love You (1992) Barney

26. I Love You (1992) Barney

I don’t think anyone is confused about why this song is on the list. If you’ve heard Barney sing this while hugging a group of children, you might have had the urge to turn off the TV and let your kid cry over it. The whole song is the same verse, with only a minor change, repeated over and over again.

The song, featured at the end of  almost every episode of Barney, made its debut on the Barney & the Backyard Gang video, "The Backyard Show."  The tune is a direct rip-off of "This Old Man" and features lyrics from Lee Bernstein. It is now embedded in pop culture, and it's very unfortunate for us all.

(Image via Lyrick Studios/Southern Star/HIT Entertainment)

25. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984) Wham!

25. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984) Wham!

This song is just funny. The lyrics aren’t as bad as many pop songs. The sound is much more Beach Boys than '80s hair band, and that’s definitely a good thing. But man, does this song get old about halfway through, yet it goes on and on. Just as it wakes you up, it puts you right back to sleep.

"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" was released as a single in the UK in May 1984. It was a number one hit in the US and the the UK. And with more than two million copies sold, it earned Platinum status. The song was written by the late George Michael and was ranked among VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '80s" at number 28. 

(Louise Palanker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

24. I Want Candy (1965) The Strangeloves

24. I Want Candy (1965) The Strangeloves

This song wasn’t always annoying, but then it started to show up everywhere. On TV, in movies, and in grocery stores. It’s like you can’t get away from this stupid thing. What makes it worse is that it’s so freaking repetitive. And it's since become a song featured in the worst children's movies out there. 

The Strangeloves recorded the song back in 1965, and not everyone realizes it's that old because of the fact that it's still played today. The song peaked at number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. In the UK, the song peaked at number 25, and in Australia it reached number 81. 

Sheressesuzspen11, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

23. Mah Na Mah Na (1993) The Muppets

23. Mah Na Mah Na (1993) The Muppets

"Mah Na Mah Na" doesn’t have any lyrics. It’s just “Mah Na Mah Na” over and over, followed by some “do” noises. It’s literally sung by Muppets, but it became incredibly popular. It started showing up in movies and films – as if parents wanted that after seeing it on Sesame Street. 

There are good Muppets songs, and there are bad ones—and this is a bad one. It's actually a cover of a popular Italian song from composer Piero Umiliani, released back in 1968. It was only a minor hit in the US then, and only became one in the US when the Muppets version was released. 

(Image via Ariel AR-500)

22. Tequila (1958) The Champs

22. Tequila (1958) The Champs

This is a great song if you’re nervous about trying karaoke for the first time. Any other time, however, this song is just too annoying. The whole thing is instrumental music broken up by the occasional lyric “Tequila!” You need to drink a whole lot of tequila to get any enjoyment out of the song is what we are saying.

"Tequila" by the Champs was released in 1958 by Gene Autry's label Challenge Records. It became a number-one hit on pop and R&B charts. It has been covered numerous times over the years and has been featured in various films and TV shows. None of this changes the fact that the song is annoying though.

(Image via Amazon/Challenge)

21. Bread and Butter (1964) The Newbeats

21. Bread and Butter (1964) The Newbeats

This song is pretty terrible from start to finish. It opens up with an annoying voice screeching, “I like bread and butter,” and it doesn’t get much better from there. Who wants to listen to a song about eating basic food anyone can cook? I guess annoying songs were the Newbeats' bread and butter. 

"Bread and Butter" was recorded in 1964 and released in August of that year. After two weeks, the song reached number two on the Billboard, Hot 100 charts. it could never reach number one because of hits like "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Oh, Pretty Woman." And that's just fine.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

20. Yakety Yak (1958) The Coasters

20. Yakety Yak (1958) The Coasters

“Yakety Yak” is catchy in a bad way. The lyrics consist of lines about doing your chores and keeping your complaints to yourself. This song just reminds me of what my mom used to say to me before I was allowed to leave the house. No, thank you! 

"Yakety Yak" was written, produced, and arranged by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller for the Coasters. Released in April 1958, it spent seven weeks at number one on R&B charts and a week at number one on the Top 100 pop list. Over the years there have been numerous pop culture references to the song and covers of the song that have made it stay relevant, somewhat.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

19. Whip My Hair (2010) Willow Smith

19. Whip My Hair (2010) Willow Smith

We’re glad Willow Smith is finding her place in the musical world, and her talent is developing more with each release. However, this song repeats “I whip my hair back and forth” almost too many times to count. We get it, you like throwing your hair around. Now tell us something we didn’t know.

The debut single from Willow Smith was released in October 2010. Critics were kind to the song, praising it for its kid-friendliness and sweet beats. It debuted at number 60 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and peaked at number five on the charts. By the end of October it reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

(Joe Warminsky, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

18. Cheerleader (2012) Omi

18. Cheerleader (2012) Omi

We’re cheering for this song to be forgotten and left in the past. The repetition and annoying autotune make this song sound like it’s coming out of broken computer speakers. Thank you, next. "Cheerleader" is easily one of the worst songs from the 2010s.

"Cheerleader" from Jamaican singer Omi developed the song back in 2008, but apparently never figured out how to make it any better over the course of four years. When it was released in 2012, it was a global hit, topping charts in Europe before hitting the US. And the terrible song was featured in the equally terrible film, The Emoji Movie.

(Image via Instagram)

17. Achy Breaky Heart (1992) Billy Ray Cyrus

17. Achy Breaky Heart (1992) Billy Ray Cyrus

What isn’t annoying about Achy Breaky Heart? From the horrible mullet in the music video to the horrible lyrics, there’s nothing to like about this track. It’s so bad that it’s often used as the cliché, “ironic” country song whenever someone is making fun of the genre. It's everything people hate about country defined in one song.

"Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, was released in March 1992. In the United States, it peaked at the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list. In the UK it peaked at number three. These days, the song appears to be another song that people either love to hate or hate to love.

(Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mark O'Donald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

16. The Thong Song (2000) Sisqo

16. The Thong Song (2000) Sisqo

This song is hilarious, but it isn’t lyrical gold by any means. Of course, with lines like “She had dumps like a truck, truck, truck,” are you surprised? This song gets stuck in your head because of the chuckle-worthy word choice, but ultimately gets skipped after you remember the rest of the song is about a man asking a girl at the club if he can see her thong.

"The Thong Song" was recorded by Sisqo in 1999 and was released in February 2000. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 list. Combined with the music video, the song was a mega hit and was even remade in 2017. But really, the world would have been just fine if it was never made.

(Image via Instagram)

15. The Final Countdown (1986) Europe

15. The Final Countdown (1986) Europe

If any song sounds like the '80s, it's the "The Final Countdown". From the synth to the vocals, you’re transported to the time of big hair and neon colors. In case you forget while you’re listening to the song, they remind you 13 times that it’s the final countdown. By the end, though, you’ll be counting down the time until the song’s up.

"The Final Countdown" by the Swedish rock band Europe was released in 1986. The song was apparently inspired by David Bowie's "Space Oddity."  In the United States, the song had peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It was practically an instant success. It continues to be featured in media, including the sitcom Arrested Development.

(Europe performing in Festivalna hall, Sofia in 2012 via MrPanyGoff/Wikipedia © CC BY-SA 3.0)

14. Believe (1998) Cher

14. Believe (1998) Cher

Cher has a burning question: do you believe in life after love? She asks us eight times, so we doubt she wants anything other than hearing herself talk. This song is most notable for being the first autotuned song, and nobody is thankful for that milestone. Music has never been the same and that's not a good thing.

"Believe" by Cher got positive critical reception at the time with AllMusic referring to it as a "pop masterpiece." Recorded and released in 1998 it peaked at number one in 21 countries around the world. Cher became the oldest female recording artist to be featured on the Billboard Hot 100 in the number one spot. 

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images

13. Honey, I’m Good (2014) Andy Grammer

13. Honey, I’m Good (2014) Andy Grammer

Maybe you’re into songs about a guy expecting praise for not cheating on his girl. Otherwise, this song would bother you. Grammer spends the whole song describing a beautiful woman trying to take him home, him resisting the urge, and feeling proud of himself for it. Congrats sir, you have basic human decency.

"Honey, I'm Good" was released in November 2014, and by February 2015, it was hitting radio waves. The wholesome song, according to Andy Grammer, is about monogamy and staying faithful in a relationship. Apparently, people liked the message because it peaked at number one on the Billboard US Adult Top 40. 

(Image via Instagram)

12. I’m a Gummy Bear (2007) Gummibär

12. I’m a Gummy Bear (2007) Gummibär

This is a German children’s pop song that found international popularity, much to the annoyance of parents. After all, the most complex line in this song is, “Oh I'm a movin', groovin', jammin', singin', Gummy Bear.” At least your kiddo isn’t listening to Barney anymore (we hope, for your sake).

"I'm a Gummy Bear" is certainly repetitive though and certainly terrible. From the horrifying character and the awful sound, we aren't sure how this song became so popular on YouTube. Released in June 2007, the music video for the song has since garnered 2.1 billion views. It's no "baby Shark", but that's certainly impressive.

(Image via Catchy Tunes)

11. Blurred Lines (2013) Robin Thicke

11. Blurred Lines (2013) Robin Thicke

Other than being very repetitive and uncreative, this song promotes bad culture in a dangerous way. Thicke sings about “blurred lines” with a girl who is supposedly hitting on him at the club. He wants her to leave her boyfriend for him, a stranger who is getting too familiar with a woman already in a relationship. In a strange twist, Thicke’s wife left him almost a year after this song came out.

Robin Thicke recorded "Blurred Line" in 2012 and released the track in March 2013.  No doubt contributing to the success of the track were the two music videos produced for the song. In one version, models Emily Ratajkowski, Jessi M'Bengue, and Elle Evans were all featured topless in the video, while another video was censored. The song debuted at number 94 but became a huge hit later on, peaking at number six.

(kowarski, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

10. All About That Bass (2014) Meghan Trainor

10. All About That Bass (2014) Meghan Trainor

The most annoying thing about this song is how it tried to be inclusive but failed. It’s great to promote body positivity for curvy girls, but Trainor accidentally put down petite bodies, girls who like to wear lots of makeup, and plastic surgery. If she was really trying to send a positive message, Trainor should have realized that beauty is different for everyone.

"All About That Bass" from Meghan Trainor was released in June 2014. It was criticized for the very reason we cited: for failing to be inclusive of every body type. Some, however, loved the song, with Time citing it as the sixth-best song of the year. The song debuted on Billboard Hot 100 at number 84 and reached number one by September 2014.

(Image via Epic Records)

9. Friday (2011) Rebecca Black

9. Friday (2011) Rebecca Black

If you’ve never heard "Friday," stay away. This isn’t one of those good songs that got overplayed. It became an internet sensation because it was called the “worst video ever made.” It's currently the sixth-most disliked video on YouTube. There's hardly anyone talking about it now, fortunately—well except for us, evidently. 

Upon its YouTube release, it was immediately met with criticism; yet it has garnered more than 30 million YouTube views and sold 43K copies. Now this tells us one of two things: either people genuinely dislike it and they want to revel in their distaste for it, or that they hate that they secretly love it. You decide.

(Image via ARK Music Factory)

8. Marry You (2010) Bruno Mars

8. Marry You (2010) Bruno Mars

This is another example of a successful song that is somehow extremely annoying at the same time. The single, released in 2011, charted at number 85 on Billboard. The beat is good and the lyrics are (mostly) sweet, which is why “Marry You” has been used as a proposal song so many times. 

However, something about the lines “it's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do, hey baby, I think I wanna marry you” just didn’t sit well with a lot of people. Mars basically said marrying that girl was a bad decision, but he wants to do it anyway. What’s up with that?

(Image via Instagram)

7. You’re Beautiful (2005) James Blunt

7. You’re Beautiful (2005) James Blunt

This song is a perfect pop song. It’s got sad music with some weirdly, maybe-romantic music. Well, in addition to it being overplayed, the singer has nothing good to say about it. Blunt says it’s about a guy high on a subway stalking someone else’s girlfriend. Not exactly romantic material.

"You're Beautiful" was released in 2005 for his debut album Back to Bedlam. In the United Kingdom and Australia, the hit song reached number one and number two, respectively. In the United States and Canada the song reached the number one spot. It was also one of the most played songs on the radio, so you've probably heard it enough by now. It was nominated for three Grammy Awards but did not win.

(Image via Instagram)

6. Cotton Eye Joe (1994) Rednex

6. Cotton Eye Joe (1994) Rednex

This song recently came back into popularity through internet meme culture, but it should have stayed in the past. The lyrics are inspired by STDs, with “cotton eye joe” referencing the cotton swab test performed at doctor’s offices. You’ll never look at this song the same way again after learning that.

"Cotton Eye Joe" is a Swedish Eurodance song that was released in August 1994. Combining American folk music with techno, the unique song was popular in Europe, particularly in Norway, as well as Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, and Austria. In the United States, it peaked at number 25 in May 1995.

(original by Gen. Quon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

5. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (1988) The Proclaimers

5. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (1988) The Proclaimers

This song is pretty sweet, even if it is annoying. It’s not too repetitive—it’s those accents and the beat that makes it so bad to listen to. There’s only so many times you can listen to this song before even just thinking about it makes it get stuck in your head.

"I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was released in August 1988 in the UK and later in the US in 1993. It became popularized in the United States from the film Benny & Joon starring Johnny Depp, in which it was used as one of the film's main themes. It reached the top 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart during the summer of that year.

(Image via Chrysalis)

4. Who Let the Dogs Out (2000) Baha Men

4. Who Let the Dogs Out (2000) Baha Men

This song won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording, but it still gets stuck in our heads. What makes this song so bad is the repetition of “woof, woof, woof, woof.” It might be a good dancing song, but let's face it:  it didn’t win any awards for having meaningful lyrics.

"Who Let the Dogs Out" was released in July 2000 and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand. Its peak position on the Billboard Hot 100 was at number 40. For the 2001 Grammy Awards, it won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording. 

 

(Image via Instagram)

3. Baby Shark (20th Century) Unknown Artist

3. Baby Shark (20th Century) Unknown Artist

“Baby Shark” has been covered by numerous artists and is currently popular with little kids, much to the annoyance of parents. This song started off as a campfire song, but it’s now the anthem of toddlers everywhere. I’m gonna take a cue from the song and “run away doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo.”

The song is still stuck in the heads of parents everywhere, and it's still not getting any better. The dance version of "Baby Shark" became popularized by a 2007 Youtube video titled "Kleiner Hai" and again in 2015 in a video produced by Pinkfong. Related songs reached up to five billion in views. "Baby Shark" went viral.

(Image via Amazon)

2. It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time (1997) Buckwheat Boyz

2. It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time (1997) Buckwheat Boyz

This song got popular for being ridiculous, and crowds found enjoyment in how stupid the song is. After the novelty wore off, no one actually listened to it. It’s not hard to see why, either. Every line is repeated at least twice if not four or more times. You can only listen to “Where he at, there he go, peanut butter jelly” so many times before the novelty wears off.

"Peanut Butter Jelly Time" from the Buckwheat Boyz was written back in 1997, but the song didn't become popular until it became an internet meme in 2002. The viral internet video features a dancing banana, dancing to the tune. Now it's known by millions if not billions of people.

(Image via Koch Records)

1. Photograph (2005) Nickelback

1. Photograph (2005) Nickelback

This song feels like it is a parody of an actual song. The way they narrate everything they do feels as awkward as something Weird Al would do. Add in Nickelback's already weird vocals and you’ve got a perfect song to make fun of. Look at this graph! I mean, photograph. Sorry, forgot what the real song was for a second there.

 

The song, released in 2005, was featured on the much-maligned band's fifth studio album, "All the Right Reasons." The song peaked at number one on Billboard in the United States, as well as Canada and the UK. The song also performed well in Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, among other countries around the world.

(Image via Roadrunner)