The only part in "The Flame" I dislike is when Zander yowls beyond his range in the last minute.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:33 (eleven months ago) link
i always feel like this phenomenon happens a lot when an artist with longevity crosses decades and decides to jump onto a trend they're not really equipped for, then recalibrates shortly after.
OOOH
Isley Brothers - Contagious
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:41 (eleven months ago) link
I was listening to the Hollies 1976 disco-influenced track 'Wiggle That Wotsit' the other day, and it might be the worst track I can think of by a group that had once made really wonderful records, (despite the extenuating circumstances, half the original members had left by that point and they were mainly recording songs by outside writers) I'm not familiar enough with post early-70s Hollies to say if it was a one-off or if they had whole albums of stuff as bad as this, though, so maybe it doesn't count.
Also maybe the least artistically successful attempt by a 60s pop group to 'go disco'
― he thinks it's chinese money (soref), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:45 (eleven months ago) link
ABBA's I Have a Dream was the only song of theirs I couldn't stand - early embryonic schlager included - at least until Little Things.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:46 (eleven months ago) link
lol that song wound up on an ep of Black Mirror (though not their version, a cover created for the show)
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:48 (eleven months ago) link
I had no idea about that Hollies track and I love the Hollies. going to give a listen after my meeting.
Those recent remixes of Frozen mark Madonna's obvious nadir to me.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:49 (eleven months ago) link
I was literally just about to post a YouTube of "Wiggle That Wotsit" but when I was listening to it it didn't sound terrible enough for this thread
― Maggot Bairn (Tom D.), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:49 (eleven months ago) link
just popping in with the thought that the beatles are disqualified because of "hey jude" and "the long and winding road"
― my beard exists more than i do. (Austin), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:51 (eleven months ago) link
prefab sprout - I hate that for most people they're the wacky hot dog jumping frog band
― rincton monkspoon (NickB), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:13 (thirty-one minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
I like Illegal Alien, Shiny Happy People and The King of Rock 'n' Roll, they maybe all fall into the category of slightly novelty-ish songs by bands that became hits, I can see how that would annoy fans, but none of those songs feel completely divorced from the band's usual vibe, they don't have that "how the hell did THAT come out of YOU?" thing described in the op. Black Messiah is unlikeable, but also seems to be mined from a seam that's there in other Kinks songs
― he thinks it's chinese money (soref), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:55 (eleven months ago) link
I was going to post the youtube video as well, them miming to the song on Dutch tv, listening to it again maybe it's no so much the song, which is just everyday-bad, but that they look so clapped out and badly dressed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL9lg3dDgQo
This single only charted in Holland (23) New Zealand (11) and Sweden (19)
― he thinks it's chinese money (soref), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:59 (eleven months ago) link
madness - driving in my car
while there are a few other songs of theirs that i don't enjoy due to over exposure, i absolutely hated this track even when it was released.and i have never changed my opinion about it.
― mark e, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 14:59 (eleven months ago) link
I love several of these songs including that one. Mostly I like the rickety junkshop rhythm which I can't help but wonder if - unlikely as it seems - it was inspired in some way by Anthony Newley's That Noise (Newley and Madness not being miles apart).
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:07 (eleven months ago) link
Bonus points though for being the only hit single (that I know of) to mention my childhood home turf of Muswell Hill
xpost
― hellboy falling through the bar (Matt #2), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:09 (eleven months ago) link
I'm sure I'm quite alone in this, but: Chicago was a great singles band up to "Just You and Me," then everything they do is awful; same with the Carpenters up to "Sing," more or less.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:13 (eleven months ago) link
Chicago is such an ingrained part of my youth (school prom theme was "Colour My World") that I can't deny. I'd even push the timeline a bit farther than that single, but the greatness starts to decline.
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:38 (eleven months ago) link
I'd push the Carpenters' discog out a few more singles too, actually.
― Three Rings for the Elven Bishop (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:41 (eleven months ago) link
I'm sure people here will say that U2 have plenty of bad songs, but "Get On Your Boots" feels particularly egregious.
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 15:46 (eleven months ago) link
omg Wiggle That Wotsit is DIRE......holy fuck. great add to this thread.
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:12 (eleven months ago) link
Brown Sugar
― kurt schwitterz, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:19 (eleven months ago) link
"Rainy Day Women"? Doesn't exactly loom large in the massive body of work but kinda stands out leading off an album like Blonde on Blonde...
― Lavator Shemmelpennick, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:22 (eleven months ago) link
tied for biggest hit in America
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:25 (eleven months ago) link
I feel like there have to be some hip hop artists this applies to, like....i know not all rappers were album-artists so there's often a lot of filler, but even rappers with huge stature make some wtf choices (i.e. Nas's "Fetus", though I don't count him as despite being one of my favorites, he has a fuck ton of songs I hate).
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:27 (eleven months ago) link
Jay-Z also doesn't qualify as he has multiple shits up in him
"Change Clothes" my pick for worst Jay-Z top ten.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:28 (eleven months ago) link
ctrl-f kokomo
― ꙮ (map), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:35 (eleven months ago) link
good mention map, but i'd say they're like the beatles: multiple crimes were committed.
― my beard exists more than i do. (Austin), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:41 (eleven months ago) link
And I don't know whether this is a factor, but the Beach Boys hadn't been "amazing" for at least 15 years beforehand.
― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:45 (eleven months ago) link
Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing”
― niall horanburger (cryptosicko), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 17:19 (eleven months ago) link
Definitely an extreme minority opinion: I was a rabid R.E.M. fan who hated "Losing My Religion" (and then "Orange Krush"). I did love a few singles after that, though.
― clemenza, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 17:22 (eleven months ago) link
I hate LMR and most of its parent album, but “Orange Crush” is brilliant (and came before LMR).
― assert (matttkkkk), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 19:44 (eleven months ago) link
I want to say this but obviously not exactly a singles bandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlJPqRs0ZLM
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 20:44 (eleven months ago) link
fp'd
― No, 𝘐'𝘮 Breathless! (Deflatormouse), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 20:46 (eleven months ago) link
still dying at that Hollies song upthread.
it goes to prove pop hooks in one brand of popular music don't necessarily map well to others, even though there were definitely lots of non-disco acts successfully navigating disco waters in the 70s (some, like the Bee Gees, deciding to stay there for good).
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 20:51 (eleven months ago) link
Leonard Cohen – 'Jazz Police'
― lord of the rongs (anagram), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 20:52 (eleven months ago) link
big ballad turds in the 90s alt rock punchbowl:Soul Asylum "Runaway Train"REM "Everybody Hurts"Guided by Voices "Hold on Hope"
― BrianB, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 21:15 (eleven months ago) link
Performing a song titled "Wiggle That Wotsit" is already a crime against humanity no matter how good the song might be.
― Hideous Lump, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 21:57 (eleven months ago) link
The first Lou Reed song I ever heard (on MTV, no less) was "I Love You, Suzanne"... not the worst song in the world, I guess, but also not exactly representative of his appeal (as I would later come to know it).
― Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Wayne Manor (morrisp), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:01 (eleven months ago) link
I feel like there's at least one example out there of an artist releasing a first single that had such a bad reception that they ended up not putting it on an album.
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:10 (eleven months ago) link
The Avalanches - Frankie Sinatra
― MarkoP, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:12 (eleven months ago) link
Ebony & Ivory - Stevie and Paul McCartney. Think this is the only single they released together but a stinker that should count against both artists
― that's not my post, Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:28 (eleven months ago) link
Jazz Police rules!!!
― maf you one two (maffew12), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:33 (eleven months ago) link
They improvise inside of my head
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:38 (eleven months ago) link
The Stranglers (feat. George Melly) - "Old Codger". Vying with "Tits" as the most unlistenable piece of shite in their entire catalogue.
― hellboy falling through the bar (Matt #2), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 22:48 (eleven months ago) link
― Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Wayne Manor (morrisp),
He's always written these throwaway pop songs, often more quietly subversive than the overtly transgressive ones.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 23:26 (eleven months ago) link
The drums are too loud in the mix!
― Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Wayne Manor (morrisp), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 23:39 (eleven months ago) link
Symptom of the times: an engineer who didn't know how to record the big drum sound. New Sensation is my favorite of his solo albums. I'd know what Lou Reed was capable of as a writer from this album.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 10 May 2023 23:46 (eleven months ago) link
Seger had at least as many duds as he had classics. For every "Night Moves," there is a "Like a Rock." Ugh.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 11 May 2023 00:16 (eleven months ago) link
immortalized by a car commercial
but see I can still listen to 'Like a Rock' and go 'ok corny but aight', "Old Time Rock 'n Roll" is like the musical equivalent of those Youtube comments saying "now this was REAL music"
― Qeq-hauau-ent-pehui (Neanderthal), Thursday, 11 May 2023 00:31 (eleven months ago) link
Seger has many good hits. It was his birthday last weekend.
― the dreaded dependent claus (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 11 May 2023 00:35 (eleven months ago) link
I’m a Todd Rundgren fan and I kinda feel that way about “Bang On the Drum All Day.”
― henry s, Tuesday, 16 May 2023 23:11 (eleven months ago) link
Yeah! Like, they aren't totally out of line with the rest of the artists' work, it's just that these songs became society's singular focus on an almost tossed off aspect of one of many things that the artist does.
― BrianB, Tuesday, 16 May 2023 23:23 (eleven months ago) link
I cannot believe Bang on the Drum All Day isn't a Bad Manners original.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 00:18 (eleven months ago) link
My disbelief is always the first thing I think of whenever I think of the Todd album let alone the song.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 00:19 (eleven months ago) link
the rest of that album is really good, too. “Influenza”, “don’t hurt yourself”…
― brimstead, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 01:56 (eleven months ago) link
"Stand" by REM springs to mind.
― Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 12:55 (eleven months ago) link
^only came to that song through Chris Elliott show "Get a Life"
― the manwich horror (Neanderthal), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 12:57 (eleven months ago) link
Wake up Boo! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJXPTnPmm78
Crazy Beathttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohyqek7fj6Y
Working on a Dreamzzzzhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ZMfPXgd_M
Winnerhttps//www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AEO21i-oN0
― Chuck_Tatum, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 13:19 (eleven months ago) link
Crazy Beat is naff but not ever sure it's the worst Blur single when Bang exists
― PaulTMA, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 14:14 (eleven months ago) link
Bang is great. I made my partial (partial) case for Crazy Beat upthread.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 16:10 (eleven months ago) link
the band hate Bang but it's probably my favourite song on Leisure, I will say its charms are kind of fleeting and intangible and it's a bad choice for a single (they should have gone with Sing)
― the world is your octopus (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 16:17 (eleven months ago) link
imo Sing is probably the song that would have worked least well as a single - too lengthy, droney and vaporous - but it is the best early Blur song.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 18:05 (eleven months ago) link
I think - as shown on Trainspotting - that Sing is sonically interesting and immediately gets your attention, it would really stand out on Radio or TOTP and show their range. Whereas Bang sounds like every other shuffling post-Madchester indie song and doesn't even have a proper chorus, it's only by listening to the LP a lot that you start to get the feel of it, so it's madness to put it out as your third single, it's like announcing you have no other ideas.
― the world is your octopus (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 17 May 2023 18:26 (eleven months ago) link
Sing would stick out but I don't think it would have sold to an audience who only know There's No Other Way. Not that 'Bang' sold much either, mind, but I can't imagine 'Sing' would have taken them to TOTP again. The closest thing to it on the 1991 charts would be To Here Knows When which was selling to a fanbase who already knew what the band were about.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 22:04 (eleven months ago) link
"Sing" was left off the US version of Leisure, which disappointed me. I guess the wags at SBK didn't see the hit potential either.
― henry s, Wednesday, 17 May 2023 22:20 (eleven months ago) link
"Honey Pie" might be the worst song in this entire thread.
― billstevejim, Monday, 22 May 2023 05:07 (eleven months ago) link
Underworld - Bruce Lee
― Agnes, Agatha, Germaine and Jack (Willl), Monday, 22 May 2023 08:43 (eleven months ago) link
Wake Up Boo, much as I do like it, is a good example of a hit song that eclipsed a great, multifaceted band
― Do I look like I know what a jpeg is? (dog latin), Monday, 22 May 2023 09:08 (eleven months ago) link
I also know people who maybe missed the original Britpop era who associate Blur with downbeat pity-fests like Tender, Coffee + TV and No Distance Left To Run. Damon's extracurricular work corroborates that view quite a bit - his default post- Britpop mode is to sound a bit tired and despondent. But in the 90s I remember them being upbraided in the press for being all cheery and chirpy
― Do I look like I know what a jpeg is? (dog latin), Monday, 22 May 2023 09:14 (eleven months ago) link
Bruce Lee is fucking amazing
― Tsar Bombadil (James Morrison), Monday, 22 May 2023 10:51 (eleven months ago) link
It’s an instant skip for me, the rest of Beaucoup Fish is so propulsive and then slap bang in the middle, Skym then this lumpen slow plod for 4 minutes. Never understood why it got a single release compared to say, Moaner or Cups.
― Agnes, Agatha, Germaine and Jack (Willl), Monday, 22 May 2023 11:03 (eleven months ago) link
I can never skip anything on Beaucoup Fish
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Monday, 22 May 2023 12:01 (eleven months ago) link
Moaner got a limited single release at the time of Batman & Robin but was already two years old by 1999. Although I somehow can imagine a radio edit of Cups despite it being 12m long.
― you can see me from westbury white horse, Monday, 22 May 2023 12:04 (eleven months ago) link