# Musical Guilty Pleasures: Cheesy or Uncool But You Love Them Anyway **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2003, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049 "2003-03-21T06:46:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![irkenDoom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c2a13f/32.png) [@irkenDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irkenDoom)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/61 "2003-03-22T13:12:53Z")
You want cheesy and uncool? _I’ll_ give you cheesy and uncool. Hell, it’s chee **z** y with a “z,” it’s so uncool. I have a collection of '80s era commercials and TV themes on my computer. I just got done listening to the ending theme to _WKRP in Cincinnati_. I used the old school ending theme to _Sesame Street_ on my graduation demo reel at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. And I’ve pulled my SO in with me, thanks to the _Benson_ theme. I am the **KING** of uncool! **BOW BEFORE ME!** ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/62 "2003-03-22T14:46:57Z")
I like Duran Duran. At least, I like old Duran Duran. I don’t know about any of the new stuff. ---
**Author:** ![noddygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/47e85d/32.png) [@noddygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/noddygrrl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/63 "2003-03-22T15:26:54Z")
Jesus Christ Superstar, and the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber in general. Boytronic Alphaville Cat Stevens Steely Dan Dolly Parton Rush the Monkees Neil Diamond Tom Jones I read the OP’s question as music which I personally feel guilty for liking. I know some of the people on my list are generally recognised as having artistic merit, but I’m still ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/64 "2003-03-22T15:49:05Z")
The Archies I have all their albums, including “This Is Love” which was released _after_ they lost the license to the characters (so the cover shows generic teens. Also, I have most of Tony Burrow’s work: Burrows was a big bubblegum-music guy, and he was something like 5 different one hit wonders. He was (off the top of my head) Edison Lighthouse/“Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes” White Plains/“My Baby Loves Love” First Class/“Beach Baby” and at least two or three other one hit “groups”. He was also the guy who did the vocals on the “I’d Like to Teach the World To Sing” Coke commercial. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![bibliophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@bibliophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophile)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/65 "2003-03-22T16:41:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aslan2 \* > \*\*I like Duran Duran. > At least, I like old Duran Duran. I don’t know about any of the new stuff. \*\* Duran Duran was the first band to come to my mind when I read the thread title! That and Billy Idol. I too have a long-standing affinity for hair metal - Poison, Warrant, Whitesnake, especially Skid Row, even lesser known bands like Bang Tango and Salty Dog. I’m not really ashamed of this, but then again, I don’t advertise it either. I’m not sure if Guns N’ Roses qualifies as hair metal, personally I don’t think so, but others may disagree. But I am still proud to say I love GnR, I still have the black Calvin Klein embroidered denim jacket my parents gave to me for my 15th birthday, and I don’t care what anyone says, it’s still cool! ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/66 "2003-03-22T17:16:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bibliophile \* > \*\*Duran Duran was the first band to come to my mind when I read the thread title! That and Billy Idol. > \*\* Then you’ll wet yourself when I tell you that I saw both of them (Billy opening for Duran Duran) in Syracuse, NY on March 4, 1984. I’m suddenly so ashamed for remembering the exact date. :o ---
**Author:** ![Tia3child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@Tia3child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tia3child)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/67 "2003-03-22T17:17:02Z")
First I have to say that To Sir with Love is a classic. Earth Wind and Fire are not cheesy You’ll only get chastised for listening to and ABBA song if you’re singing along with them. this is from personal experience. The Monkees are cool even if they were one of the first corporate throw togethers. Take the Last train to Clarsville and I’ll meet you at the station… BUT THE CHEESIEST SONG OF ALL TIME HAS TO BE: Midnight at the Oasis by Minnie Ripperton How many people can get away with saying cactus is our friend and still be considered normal??? I sing it all the time off key and at the top of my lungs ---
**Author:** ![Tia3child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@Tia3child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tia3child)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/68 "2003-03-22T17:19:34Z")
The irken dude got me beat. I bow before thee ---
**Author:** ![spartacist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@spartacist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spartacist)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/69 "2003-03-22T17:26:08Z")
Chalk up another for Gordon Lightfoot. I love his work. ---
**Author:** ![jeanster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc348/32.png) [@jeanster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeanster)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/70 "2003-03-22T17:27:02Z")
Sugar, Sugar - by the Archies I Think I Love You - by the Partridge Family Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Oak Tree - by Tony Orlando and Dawn Tammy - by Debbie Reynolds Anything by the Carpenters Last Song - by Edward Bear Dead Skunk - by Loudon Wainwright III (didn’t he appear once in an episode of MASH?) Moon River - by Andy Williams My Cup Runneth Over - Ed Ames I LOVE THE OLDIES!!! ---
**Author:** ![ECJones29](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@ECJones29](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ECJones29)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/71 "2003-03-22T18:53:12Z")
**Midnight at the Oasis** was Maria Muldaur, not Minnie Ripperton… ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/72 "2003-03-22T19:25:48Z")
Wow, a whole thread full of music I love! Except I’m not really familiar with Herb Alpert. I’ll have to check him out. My favorite cheesey band that’s not been mentioned yet: **Blue Oyster Cult**. Heavy metal cheesey goodness! Oh yeah! ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/73 "2003-03-22T19:28:01Z")
Already Gone - The Eagles You’re So Vain - Carly Simon The Morning After - Maureen McGovern (love theme from The Poseidon Adventure) Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas Planet Earth - Duran Duran some bands that have cheese factor, but I don’t feel guilty about liking… Cheap Trick, Kiss (Destroyer), The Vapors, Neil Diamond, Petula Clark and The Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Aleq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@Aleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aleq)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/74 "2003-03-22T20:15:57Z")
I just had to start reading this, didn’t I? I like the Insane Clown Posse. A lot. It wouldn’t be so bad if I were a pimply faced seventeen year old suburban skinny white boy gangsta wannabe, but I’m not. People get a little weirded out by the fortyish broad with the unlikely haircolor blasting out “F\*\*k The World” at max volume… Oh dear… And I love Lords of Acid, too. And The Cramps. And Dick Dale. And Dada. And Men Without Hats. And Butthole Surfers. And Romeo Void. And cheezy oldies. And T.Rex and Argent… It goes on, but I’ll just slink out now… ---
**Author:** ![Rock-n-Rolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/22d042/32.png) [@Rock-n-Rolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rock-n-Rolga)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/75 "2003-03-23T05:14:13Z")
Well, one thing that helps make my morning commute even remotely bearable is singing along to Pretty Boy Floyd, an 80’s hair Metal band that’s so cheezy they make Poison look and sound like Slayer. “Whooaaaa-ohhh-ohhhh, whoaa-ohh-ohh-oh! A little louder now! Whoa-ohh-ohhh…” And oh yeah, Aldo Nova owns. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/76 "2003-03-23T05:33:55Z")
There is no reason _whatsoever_ to feel guilty about recognizing Steely Dan as the geniuses they are. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/77 "2003-03-23T05:36:47Z")
I have actually stopped to listen to Duran Duran when one of their videos are on TV. (Not all their stuff, just some of their “Classic '80s” stuff.) I’m so ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/78 "2003-03-23T17:39:32Z")
Please help me! In my cars cd visor holder right now: Flash Gordon Sountrack (Queen) Technotronic (Pump up th Jam) Taco (Greatest Hits) (Puttin on the Ritz) Yello (Oh Yeah) (from ferris buellers day off) ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/79 "2003-03-23T20:45:43Z")
**Mmmbop** is one of the top 5 songs recorded in the 90s. I won’t argue about this. I own every **Poison** album. My two computers are named **Edmund** and **Fitzgerald**. ---
**Author:** ![Minor\_Irritant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Minor\_Irritant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minor_Irritant)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049/80 "2003-03-23T21:00:50Z")
Noddygrrl, Rush is a “guilty pleasure”? What manner of madness is this. Okay, don’t laugh: Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler. Yes, I possess a Y chromosome, and I know the words to this song. I don’t even think I was born when it came out! OTOH, if [Bruce Willis](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0219965) knows the words… Round and Round - Ratt. I know it’s stupid, but I still sing along every time I hear it on the radio… Anything by the Scorpions. My brain says “Crap!”, but my larynx won’t listen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musical-guilty-pleasures-cheesy-or-uncool-but-you-love-them-anyway/163049.md?page=5)