After some extensive research, I have compiled a list of 10 songs from the last 20 years to hit #1 on the Billboard singles chart that may make you ask yourself - "What were we thinking?"
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Remember back when Tom Cruise was cool and we all whistled along with this song? And we all went out and bought the Cocktail soundtrack because what could be better? I mean Don't Worry, Be Happy AND Kokomo? Can you ever really get enough of either of these classics? Yes. You can.
Ice Ice Baby
In 1999, I was actually in line to buy tickets for a Vanilla Ice concert before my roommate realized that he wouldn't be able to go. Someone that actually went told me that the crowd kept yelling for this song and he wouldn't play it. (No. Seriously.) Vanilla Ice wouldn't play Ice Ice Baby. I wonder why he thought people bought tickets. To hear his new stuff?
I'm Too Sexy
I actually bought the extended CD single for this song. More amazing, I think I still have it. The CD had seven - count 'em - seven different versions of this little ditty including my personal favorite - the spanish version. I'm too sexy for this link.
Informer
So you're Darrin O'Brien growing up in Canada. You feel like you are born to perform, but there aren't a lot of opportunities in the music biz for a white kid from suburban Toronto. So what do you do? You adopt a Jamacian accent and work on your fast rapping skills. Yeah...that'll work. For exactly one song.
Here Comes the Hotstepper
I'm not sure exactly what to say about this one because it really was a pretty good little dance song. Good beat. Easy to dance to. So why is it here? Look at the title. It's ridiculous. You would think that since Ini is the Lyrical Gangster that this would be a great little tune, but....No.
Macarena
Why in the world did we all do this? I actually was at a wedding in 1996 where this was played twice at the reception. And I was on the floor both times singing along to two middle aged Mexican folk singers. A little bit of trivia for everyone... "Macarena", loosely translated means "dumb American lemmings" in English. Look it up.
MMMBop
These guys are now listed on the top 100 movers and shakers in the Tulsa metro area at #67. The "Hot Dog Guy outside of Lowe's" is at #46.
I'm not kidding.
How did I found out about this little tid-bit of knowledge? They promoted it on their web site. Again, I'm not kidding.
My Heart Will Go On
I have to admit that this one isn't on this list because it's a bad song. I mean, it was a nice, sweet song in a cool action movie about a giant boat sinking. The actual reason that this song is here is because of the person who sings it. It's on this list because I can't even look at Celine Dion without throwing up in my mouth. Harsh? Yes. True? No, but she's still horrific.
Livin' La Vida Loca
For the most part, when these songs came out, they were wildly successfull and I enjoyed them along with everyone else. It was only after endless play on pop radio that they became the atrocities they are today. This little ditty by Ricky Martin, however, I knew immediately...I hated it. I still hate it. Thank goodness we can now listen to William Hung belt out Ricky Martin tunes instead of Ricky himself.
Laffy Taffy
This one holds a special place in my heart because it hasn't gained its inclusion on this list after stewing about how bad it is for years and years. I've only had about 6 months to come to the conclusion that this is the single most ridiculous song to hit #1 on the Billboard charts. If it's this bad now, how atrocious is it going to be when I'm 40? I'll let you know in 2015.
Your Turn
Did I miss any that should be here? Take a shot at your own research and see what you find. Feel free to add your own...
- Posted: Jun 12 , 2006 @ 09:32 PM
From the Peanut Gallery...
11 Replies | Add Your Own
I didn't see any New Kids on the Block on your list. They should at least get an honorable mention for Hangin' Tough.
I looked for them in my research, but they only had 2 #1 songs - Step by Step and I'll Be Loving You Forever - neither of which I thought induced nausea like the rest of the songs on the list. But if Hangin' Tough would have ben #1, it definitely would have been there.
nice list, but c'mon, ice ice baby? that's a great song. in fact, i may have to dig my to the extreme tape (yes i said tape, no cd) out of storage.
I saw Vanilla Ice in concert with MC Hammer and En Vogue. I'll be damned if I sit here and let you badmouth the Ice Man. I like to put that song in a roll in my 5.0 with the ragtop down so my hair can blow with girlies on the standby waiting just to say hi....did I stop? No, I just rolled by.
Two things make "Don't Worry, Be Happy" the absolute worst... First of all, it knocked "Sweet Child o' Mine" (Guns 'n Roses' only #1 hit) out of the top spot. Second, former MVTHS Career Ed teacher Carolyn Boyd had "B HAPPY" on her license plates!!!
Scott - When I first decided to put that song on the list, that was the very first thing I thought of. That white Mercedes sitting in the front row of the H building parking lot with those plates and how I just wanted to key the thing...1. because of the dumb plates and 2. because it was a freakin' Mercedes in a High School parking lot!!
This is great as usual. You must have had a great English teacher in high school. TQ
I guess it wasn't a #1 hit - but My Humps is one that I am sure he wanted to add to the list.
Was Snow really saying, "I'll lick your boom boom down."
Brent - Of course not. He was saying "A licky boom boom down." See how much more sense that makes now?
I have to give proper credit to "MMMBop", as that little tune would calm our daughter as an infant. (Now, if you're asking yourself WHY I sang "MMMBop", I've no clue; can I blame sleep deprivation?)