# The most cringeworthy moment in pop music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258 "2016-10-11T17:48:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/61 "2016-10-14T00:30:42Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I have to protest this one. It made me laugh just about every time I allowed it to come on. Agreed. I always assumed it was intentionally ridiculous/pathetic. Welp, I made it to the ripe old age of 33 without ever seeing ‘‘Dancing in the Street’’ or ‘‘Muskrat Love.’’ I don’t even. (I can forgive Bowie & Jagger. They are clearly having way too much fun.) I’ve got an obscure one by Paula Cole: [Hush, Hush, Hush.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPNjvvUkmuo) One of the most beautiful, heartbreaking songs I have ever heard in my life (it’s about a man comforting his gay son as he dies of AIDS)… Long white arms losing their strength and form Sixty year man on twenty year old skin Skeleton, your eyes have lost their warmth Look to your father for some support Hush, hush, hush Says your daddy’s touch Sleep, sleep, sleep Says the hundredth sheep Peace, peace, peace May you go in peace …is utterly fucking ruined by one of the worst Peter Gabriel interludes I have ever heard. (The horror starts about 2:00 in.) ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/62 "2016-10-14T03:45:52Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I’ve got an obscure one by Paula Cole: [Hush, Hush, Hush.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPNjvvUkmuo) One of the most beautiful, heartbreaking songs I have ever heard in my life (it’s about a man comforting his gay son as he dies of AIDS)… > > Long white arms losing their strength and form > Sixty year man on twenty year old skin > Skeleton, your eyes have lost their warmth > Look to your father for some support > Hush, hush, hush > Says your daddy’s touch > Sleep, sleep, sleep > Says the hundredth sheep > Peace, peace, peace > May you go in peace > > …is utterly fucking ruined by one of the worst Peter Gabriel interludes I have ever heard. (The horror starts about 2:00 in.) Even before I saw this post, I was going to mention Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait.” The entire song is absolutely horrible, but especially the pre-chorus. “Say a little prayer for I.” Did she flunk first grade English? Then she continues with some unintelligible high-pitched wailing. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/63 "2016-10-14T08:07:34Z")
> [@](#): > > What am I missing at 1:13? They all look ridiculous but I don’t see anything at 1:13 except him moving his foot. C’mon, I want to experience sheer bliss, too. > [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Presumably he’s referring to that awkward [hand jive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrQTh_Cq7U)move. Yeah, that hand gesture makes me cringe. It’s like the shy kid at school who all of sudden decides to “go wild” and half-way through goes: “But… not _too_ wild… people might make fun of me”. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/64 "2016-10-14T08:12:08Z")
I’ve just checked **Biffy** ’s link and that’s the same move… except these ladies have the necessary coordination skills to make it look good. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/65 "2016-10-14T08:43:31Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I’d like to nominate almost anything involving my previous neighbour Simon Fat Fuck Le Bon. The name’s Bon… Simon Le Bon. ---
**Author:** ![littleAl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/51bf81/32.png) [@littleAl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/littleAl)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/66 "2016-10-14T14:39:31Z")
I like a lot of these so far mentioned… :o …but, the talky bit in “Never been To Me” always gives me full body cringe. Actually most over earnest talking segments are bad, with the exception of “And though my friends just might ask me…” in The Look Of Love by ABC. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/67 "2016-10-14T15:21:52Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > The entire song is absolutely horrible, but especially the pre-chorus. “Say a little prayer for I.” Did she flunk first grade English? Maybe she’s a [Horta](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/startrek/images/4/41/No_Kill_I.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080410005207). ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/68 "2016-10-14T15:23:45Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > Maybe she’s a [Horta](http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/startrek/images/4/41/No_Kill_I.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080410005207). See what you did there I. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/69 "2016-10-14T15:27:45Z")
> [@littleAl](#): > > I like a lot of these so far mentioned… :o > > …but, \*\*the talky bit \*\*in “Never been To Me” always gives me full body cringe. > Actually most over earnest talking segments are bad, with the exception of “And though my friends just might ask me…” in The Look Of Love by ABC. Talky bits in any song – not spoken word songs by themselves, but [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUO8y5reYM) is a good, but by far from the only, example. (Herman’s Hermits “I Understand (Just How You Feel)” at the 2:23 mark. ) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/70 "2016-10-14T15:33:00Z")
I’m embarrassed for the Moody Blues every time I hear the poetry parts from [Nights in White Satin](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/moodyblues/latelament.html), or [Ride My See-Saw](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/moodyblues/departure.html). (Especially See-Saw, sounds like he’s splattering jizz all over the place). Yes, I’m sure they blushed all the way to the bank. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/71 "2016-10-14T15:43:35Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > \*\*I’m embarrassed \*\* Breathe deep. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/72 "2016-10-14T16:34:07Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > In the video category: > Van Halen, the epitome of cool in the late 70s, early 80s, trying to dance in unison (wearing orange tuxedos no less) in the “Hot for Teacher” video. Got it bad, indeed. [Found it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M4_Ommfvv0). The horror begins at 2:12 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/73 "2016-10-15T02:23:52Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > You might like[this episode of “One Hit Wonderland”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6y329rggtw) where Todd in the Shadows bashes the song (the one by The Floaters) hard. > > This song was popular in late 1977 which is around the same time I started listening to music on my own but, oddly, I have no memory of hearing it then. Also, once it fell out of the Top 10, radio stations must’ve destroyed all their copies of the record because I’ve never heard it played anywhere (not even on an oldies station). The only reason I know of it now is because of “One Hit Wonderland”. The only times I ever recall hearing “Float On” (by The Floaters) was on Casey Kasem’s Top 40, and the canned-radio station that aired it. I wonder if it was a big hit on black radio. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/74 "2016-10-15T11:41:03Z")
The answer is always Geddy Lee attempting to rap. [I’m not kidding.](https://youtu.be/2Pm6tb7HkRI) It starts at 3:13. That’s Geddy with his voice phased down. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/75 "2016-10-15T12:27:51Z")
Here’s a good one that many of you won’t have seen or heard before. Jemini (that’s how they spelled it) were a boy and girl duo selected to represent Britain in the Eurovision song contest in 2003. It didn’t go well. The girl claimed afterwards that the monitors or earpieces that normally help the singer to keep in tune with the band/backing track didn’t work, so she couldn’t hear properly. Even so, it was very, very embarassing. It goes on for over three minutes, never gets any better, and was broadcast live to about 200 million viewers. ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/76 "2016-10-15T13:55:36Z")
There’s a new Maroon 5 music video themed after pokemon go. I don’t have to watch it to know it’s awful. Maroon 5 is awful to begin with. Adam Levine’s voice is like a pneumatic drill to my ears. They’re lowest common denominator by default, but this takes the cake surely. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/77 "2016-10-15T18:46:04Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > I’m embarrassed for the Moody Blues every time I hear the poetry parts from [Nights in White Satin](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/moodyblues/latelament.html), or [Ride My See-Saw](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/moodyblues/departure.html). (Especially See-Saw, sounds like he’s splattering jizz all over the place). Yes, I’m sure they blushed all the way to the bank. I love the whole _Days of Future Passed_ album, except for one cringe-worthy moment: in a spoken part, “\*\*senior citizens \*\*wish they were young.” _Senior citizens_? Why the sterile bureaucratic euphemism, when _any_ other way fo saying “old people” would be more poetic. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/78 "2016-10-15T19:14:23Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FjeMDvCdrtc/hqdefault.jpg "worst cover ever! \*the final count down\*") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjeMDvCdrtc) ---
**Author:** ![Randolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Randolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randolph)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/79 "2016-10-15T21:29:34Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Bobby Goldsboro’s _Honey_, where he rhymes “what the heck” with “hugged my neck”. What, that works. You big fuckin’ jerks. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2016, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258/80 "2016-10-15T21:39:31Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > David Lee Roth with, presumably, a corn cobb up…well, you get the idea. > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-VZ2mrpBZs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-VZ2mrpBZs) What the…I can’t…but…why would…just who thought that was a good idea? I actually cringed. I happened to listen to some old Van Halen songs recently, and I was surprised by the awfulness of Roth’s singing. He was terrible but I don’t think I noticed it much at the time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-cringeworthy-moment-in-pop-music/768258.md?page=5)