# Most hilariously bad song ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 18, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891 "2009-01-18T21:12:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/1 "2009-01-18T21:12:28Z")
What is the most hilariously bad song ever to have received any amount of commercial success? It doesn’t count if the song is funny on purpose (unless it fails in that aim and is funny despite it), really bad but not funny, or if it never made the charts anywhere. I already posted this one in the earworm thread after I found it while looking up another song, but I fail to comprehend how [Japanese Boy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCH1IlOfDTM) by Aneka, a squawking Scottish woman wearing the world’s worst wig, ever hit #1 on the British Pop charts (even in 1981). The video, however, is not only hilariously gaudy, but the comments also show that you can find a fan for anything. I also gather that it was featured on GTA: Vice City (you have to love their sense of humor sometimes). And another submission: what do you get when you combine one Indian-Egyptian female singer, a black American rapper, generic German dance music, and really bad costume design? [There Is a Star](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7zAn8SW2Dc&fmt=18) by Pharao (sic). It’s mainly funny (as opposed to just being bad) because of the hilarious contrast between the rapper and the rest of the song; it’s almost like they dubbed him in (and don’t forget the lyrics they have him singing!). Valete, Vox Imperatoris ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/2 "2009-01-18T22:32:10Z")
I’m not here to start no trouble, I’m just here to talk about the [Superbowl Shuffle.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNC3dgreaU) ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/3 "2009-01-18T22:38:44Z")
> [@Convict](#): > > I’m not here to start no trouble, I’m just here to talk about the [Superbowl Shuffle.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNC3dgreaU) Wow, I can’t believe they got an NFL team to do that. Valete, Vox Imperatoris ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/4 "2009-01-18T22:41:24Z")
“Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani. There’s the title, first of all - nobody’s sure what it’s supposed to mean - but what makes it great is the stupid, stupid lyrics in which a woman in her mid-30s tries to act tough by pretending to be a high school student. That combination still cracks me up. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/5 "2009-01-18T22:42:04Z")
> [@Vox\_Imperatoris](#): > > What is the most hilariously bad song ever to have received any amount of commercial success? It doesn’t count if the song is funny on purpose (unless it fails in that aim and is funny despite it), really bad but not funny, or if it never made the charts anywhere. > > I already posted this one in the earworm thread after I found it while looking up another song, but I fail to comprehend how [Japanese Boy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCH1IlOfDTM) by Aneka, a squawking Scottish woman wearing the world’s worst wig, ever hit #1 on the British Pop charts (even in 1981). The video, however, is not only hilariously gaudy, but the comments also show that you can find a fan for anything. I also gather that it was featured on GTA: Vice City (you have to love their sense of humor sometimes). > > And another submission: what do you get when you combine one Indian-Egyptian female singer, a black American rapper, generic German dance music, and really bad costume design? [There Is a Star](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7zAn8SW2Dc&fmt=18) by Pharao (sic). It’s mainly funny (as opposed to just being bad) because of the hilarious contrast between the rapper and the rest of the song; it’s almost like they dubbed him in (and don’t forget the lyrics they have him singing!). > > Valete, > Vox Imperatoris Japanese Boy is really fun to listen to while playing GTA Vice City 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/6 "2009-01-18T22:48:40Z")
One of the standard answers to this question is [MacArthur Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Park_(song)). ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/7 "2009-01-18T22:58:29Z")
‘My Humps’ (Black Eyed Peas) springs to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/8 "2009-01-18T22:59:40Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > One of the standard answers to this question is [MacArthur Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Park_(song)). I love the Weird Al version of that (“Jurassic Park”). Valete, Vox Imperatoris ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/9 "2009-01-18T23:15:09Z")
Simple plan’s How could this happen to me has become synonymous with bullshit emo melodrama. > [@](#): > > _CHORUS_ > How could this happen to me > I’ve made my mistakes > got nowhere to run > The night goes on as I’m fading away > I’m sick of this life > I just wanna scream > How could this happen to me Heres a Youtube [link](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfzA78jjjsI) to song. Perfect teenagers crying in a montage music in some crappy high school TV drama. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/10 "2009-01-18T23:32:05Z")
> [@Rodgers01](#): > > One of the standard answers to this question is [MacArthur Park](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Park_(song)). Yes, but which version? I prefer Richard Harris’ version if I want to experience true dreckiness in all its splendour. William Shatner’s is not quite, the teeniest eeniest mote not so bad. ---
**Author:** ![Vox\_Imperatoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/11 "2009-01-18T23:32:48Z")
Oh, I definitely have a submission for most melodramatic song (and especially video) ever: [All the Things She Said](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJaDZA-_Bk) by t.A.T.u., the Russian duo who lied-by-omission about being lesbians for three years. They managed to garner the most hilariously negative [allmusic review](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wiftxqualdde) I’ve ever seen, too. I think the song is alright, though. :o Valete, Vox Imperatoris ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/12 "2009-01-18T23:49:49Z")
Well, in terms of bizarre concept, wretched production and horrendously, hilariously bad execution it’s tough to beat Nervous Norvus’ 1956 hit song “Transfusion” (about the perils of reckless driving): _ZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM Tooling down the hightway doing 79 I’m a twin pipe papa and I’m feelin fine Hey man dig that was that a red stop sign [Scrreeech-BANG, tinkle] Transfusion, transfusion I’m just a solid mess of contusions Never, never, never gonna speed again Slip the blood to me, Bud_ Several more verses follow, each with its own car crash sound effects and hipster line about getting blood, concluding with _Hey, daddy-o Make that type O, huh Atta-boy (Scrreech-BANG etc.)_ More unbelievably, that was not Nervous Norvus’ only hit (He had “Ape Call” and “Dig”, another hipster chronicle)\*. \*Before his brief time at the pinnacle of recording success, he worked as a truck driver. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/13 "2009-01-18T23:53:26Z")
How about “I Love” by Tom T. Hall, perfectly sent up in [this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt3WQ7OE9s8) ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/14 "2009-01-18T23:56:47Z")
I’ve mentioned this one before in other threads, but what about _**He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)**_, co-written by Carole King! ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/15 "2009-01-18T23:59:32Z")
I can’t remember if Murray Head’s hit [One night in Bangkok](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgmoEHnUpjk) is supposed to be funny or not, but it cracks me up every time I see it. Best line: \*One town is very like another when your head’s down over your pieces brother. \* SSG Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/16 "2009-01-19T00:00:15Z")
Personally, I think “Indian Reservation” by Paul Revere and the Raiders deserves at least an Honorable Mention. That and “Seasons in the Sun.” ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/17 "2009-01-19T00:42:30Z")
Since it’s supposed to not just be bad, but HILARIOUSLY bad, I nominate the totally hilarious “Good Morning Starshine”. Ooby glibby dooby bibby blobby blooby… ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/18 "2009-01-19T00:53:56Z")
I just realized I forgot Sugarland. Jennifer Nettles trying to dance cracks me up everytime I see her. A couple examples: [Settlin’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjBrZ8L2Z5Q&feature=channel), and [Down in Mississippi (Up to no good)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW9lXRHPir0&feature=channel). Funnier than anything else I’ve seen on teh net. SSG Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/19 "2009-01-19T01:02:19Z")
“There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters wouldn’t make most Bad Song lists, but deserves to. I have an old two-record set covering Atlantic Records’ early years which includes this song. One of the heads of the record label comments in the liner notes how appalled he was when he first heard the demo, with a bloated string section seemingly working against the vocalists and guitar/saxophone accompanists, resulting in a cacophonous mess (which it is). He got talked into releasing it anyway, and it was a huge hit (got to #2 on the pop charts) and started a new trend in the use of strings on R&B recordings. It’s still dreadful. ---
**Author:** ![Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8797f3/32.png) [@Ins\_Outs\_What-have-yous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ins_Outs_What-have-yous)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891/20 "2009-01-19T01:12:58Z")
For me, it’s a tough call between ‘[Philosophy of the World](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTNo80YmRVM)’ and ‘[My Pal Foot Foot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN9UT2zF8c8&feature=related)’ by The Shaggs. Both are hilarously bad. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-hilariously-bad-song-ever/481891.md?page=2)