# What's the worst music in the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 7, 2008, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455 "2008-09-07T05:01:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/101 "2008-09-08T23:43:57Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I found an [online link to the song](http://ubu.artmob.ca/sound/komar_melamid/KomarMelamid_The-Most-UnwantedSong.mp3), for those with strong enough constitutions. I’m only halfway through, but so far, this is _awesome._ ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/102 "2008-09-09T00:12:45Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I found an [online link to the song](http://ubu.artmob.ca/sound/komar_melamid/KomarMelamid_The-Most-UnwantedSong.mp3), for those with strong enough constitutions. Wow. This is LONG… ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/103 "2008-09-09T00:21:19Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I’m only halfway through, but so far, this is _awesome._ I wonder if you wrote this at the point the banjos appeared, at which I point I was giggling like a silly child 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/104 "2008-09-09T00:24:30Z")
It was the third go-round of the “generic holiday song.” I think it was Labor Day. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/105 "2008-09-09T00:33:04Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > It was the third go-round of the “generic holiday song.” I think it was Labor Day. That one got me, too. The kids had a particular enthusiasm for that one, for some reason! I’m on the finale now, and swaying slightly from side to side with the sheer emotion. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/106 "2008-09-09T00:33:53Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I’m only halfway through, but so far, this is _awesome._ I checked and the “Most Wanted Song” is also available from the same site where **Boyo Jim** found the “Most Unwanted Song”. This one’s much shorter, only about 5 mins: > **[Art Therapy Canada](https://www.artmob.ca/)** > > ... Everyone I know who’s heard both says essentially “the bad one was awesome, the good one was much worse.” (I’m pretty sure this was essentially the point of the whole project.) ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/107 "2008-09-09T00:45:25Z")
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned Wesley Willis yet: [_Suck a Cheetah’s Dick_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnCk0uGwFZI) At least he’s kinda funny though. Edited to add: VERY NSFW, strong language, and you’ll burst out laughing in spite of yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/108 "2008-09-09T00:55:10Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I checked and the “Most Wanted Song” is also available from the same site where **Boyo Jim** found the “Most Unwanted Song”. > > This one’s much shorter, only about 5 mins: > > [http://ubu.artmob.ca/sound/komar\_melamid/KomarMelamid\_The-Most-Wanted-Song.mp3](http://ubu.artmob.ca/sound/komar_melamid/KomarMelamid_The-Most-Wanted-Song.mp3) > > Everyone I know who’s heard both says essentially “the bad one was awesome, the good one was much worse.” (I’m pretty sure this was essentially the point of the whole project.) The “Most Wanted” song is just bland and immediately forgettable. You can buy it for 99 cents from iTunes. But to get the “Least Wanted” you have to buy the “album” containing both songs for $3.99. So in effect, the Least Wanted is 3 times as pricey. And it’s worth it. There’s even a point where it sounds as if the vocalist is spitting, or if not actually ejecting something, then at least hocking up a lugie. And I love the angry protestor with the megaphone – you have to get mostly to the end to hear it. And I really love how the soprano keeps singing YAHOO every possible way it can be sung. ---
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/109 "2008-09-09T01:11:22Z")
Great to see electronica not being bashed in this thread. It is generally not a big genre in the US and not many people like it over there. It’s more due to lack of proper marketing than anything else IMO. I love _ **good** _ electronica but I when it’s bad, It’s really bad. Anyway, getting back to the subject of this thread, I would nominate: Rap, Reggaeton and _this_: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONr5fl-0liQ) What a fuckin’ insult to Pink Floyd and all rock music. Truly beyond pathetic. Oh, and Pat Boone’s Cover version of Guns N’ Roses “Paradise City” gets an honorable mention. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Hyperelastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Hyperelastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hyperelastic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/110 "2008-09-09T01:27:30Z")
I find it interesting that a number of people have said that they hate country, but like bluegrass. That pretty much describes me as well. I went to a bluegrass festival over the summer and the pickin’ was hot. But then a moderately talented band came on, played a couple of lackluster breakdowns, and then launched into what I can only describe as every pop-country cliche known to man, all rolled up into one big sticky ball of corn. It was Snopesian glurge set to music. The bad part was, a few people in the crowd were _clamoring_ for this particular ditty, like you’d yell “Free Bird” at a Skynyrd concert. I had to be really clear to the people I dragged along with me that the song, in fact, sucked, to make absolutely sure they wouldn’t think I liked it. A similar pattern followed with many of the other bands at the festival. They’d play a great classic bluegrass tune, then they’d say “This next one is on our new CD, which is on sale at that tent over thar…” and proceed to emit a string of loose bowel movements in the pop-country style. When the crowd started to head for the concession stand, back came the bluegrass. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/111 "2008-09-09T01:30:55Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I’m only halfway through, but so far, this is _awesome._ The moment this song started I started laughing. I thought I could provide some commentary, since it’s 20 minutes long or so: 3:35: Bagpipes just explode onto the scene. I’m killing myself laughing. Question; do you think the pipers KNOW they’re participating in an attempt to make the worst song ever? 4:12: “Hey, everyone, it’s Christmastime!” Tears are rolling down my cheeks. 4:53: Eastertime! Chocolatetime! Do all your shopping at Wal-Mart! 6:00: Opera rap. I once commented, in another musical thread, that talent is context-dependent, because different talents work in different genres. My example was that you might say the Three Tenors were better singers than the Beastie Boys, but you’d probably prefer the latter to perform “Paul Revere.” Well, this song proves why. 8:32: Kids are back for Yom Kippur, but they still want to shop at Wal Mart. Oy vey, who pays retail? 9:56: The guy playing the banjo obviously doesn’t actually know how to play it. That’s kind of cheating, actually. 10:38: But with bagpipes, you can never be quite sure if the guy knows how to play or not. That’s the genius of them. 12:50: It’s Labor Day! This is getting boring. 15:52: Do you know what bagpipers walk when they play? They’re trying to get away from the noise. 20:20: Big finale! 21:06: If this woman did this whole song in one take she must have the lung power of a locomotive. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/112 "2008-09-09T01:32:23Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Contemporary music. > > For example, you will certainly want to listen to the[most famous piece by John Cage](http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=HypmW4Yd7SY&feature=related) , “4’33” > Those who didn’t like this particular interpretation of the piece probably will easily find another more in line with their tastes. Or maybe will want to play it themselves. > If you want to listen a bit more (not difficult) of John Cage , here’s [Sonata V](http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=VYsx5Di3bso) (If you’ve never heard of John Cage, the screws are part of the instrument. That’s why they appear on the video) > Just wanted to add for unaware people that John Cage is very famous. I didn’t dig up a random zozo. Oh yes, it has always been my dream to study in a library looking very agitated and distracted until finally losing it completely, walking up to the librarian and screaming at the top of my lungs “I LOVE JOHN CAGE AS MUCH AS ANYBODY BUT CAN YOU PLEASE TURN THIS MUSIC DOWN I CAN HARDLY HEAR MYSELF THINK!” ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/113 "2008-09-09T01:47:34Z")
I’m not sure I can compete with that 20 minute monstrosity, but I present to you all, [Featured Content on Myspace](http://tinyurl.com/57ht7w) Sergio. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/114 "2008-09-09T02:11:34Z")
Rap/Hip-hop. Christmas music. Country music. Pretty much all brands of rock these days. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/115 "2008-09-09T02:39:44Z")
[QUOTE=Hyperelastic] I find it interesting that a number of people have said that they hate country, but like bluegrass. That pretty much describes me as well. [/QUOTE] How would you feel if I said I thought country sucked but western was allright. I love Eddie Arnold, I hate Garth Brooks. ---
**Author:** ![buns3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@buns3000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buns3000)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/116 "2008-09-10T08:55:06Z")
> [@SuntanTigerTamer](#): > > I will disagree VEHEMENTLY with the aforementioned CocoRosie, and second Mr Excellent’s post. That anyone could consider the cookie cutter stylings of Nickleback “music” makes me wince.. Nothing Cocorosie could ever do from now on could possibly compensate for the unmitigated shit of [Japan](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7sa92YTonY). Seriously, what’s not to hate? Two chords. The whole song has two chords. Inane, pointless bullshit lyrics. Fake vocal stylings. Have you heard this song? In what way could this be worse? At best, I’d concede it might go down alright with the under 5 set on Sesame Street or similar (if not for the “rape” line). Pure rubbish. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/117 "2008-09-10T16:55:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I don’t know if it’s the worst music in the world, but that Peruvian pan flute stuff manages to be annoying as all hell through sheer blandness and insipitude. [Gheorghe Zamfir](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8C8ys7SF3I&feature=related) What do I win? Zamfir may actually be the worst thing ever recorded in the world. Check out how he rapes other songs. _My heart will go on_ was glurgy in the first place, but he manages to make great songs awful. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/118 "2008-09-10T17:11:45Z")
> [@Hyperelastic](#): > > I find it interesting that a number of people have said that they hate country, but like bluegrass. That pretty much describes me as well. Yeah, I’m not even sure I could articulate the difference between the two, but it’s true. It’s like ear-porn - I know it when I hear it! ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/119 "2008-09-11T00:36:40Z")
Well, there’s a difference between despising a genre and just not particularly liking it. I don’t particularly \*like \*country. But there’s a handful of artists I like, and at least for the most part I don’t want to gouge out my eardrums if a Shania Twain song comes on the PA at Walmart. I don’t like Christian music either, but if it’s sung by Dolly Parton or Randy Travis I can enjoy it. That being said… **Christian heavy metal**. If it’s not satan-worshiping, what’s the goddamned point? **Yodeling**. Just sounds like someone’s in pain. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455/120 "2008-09-13T15:19:51Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I’ll defend British rap. Dizzee Rascal, Miss Sovereign, Wiley et al show alot more lyrical ingenuity and have a freshness of style that makes most other music being made in Britain of late a bit :o . It’s not to everyone’s tastes and I doubt it’ll ever become mainstream in the way US rap has but dismissing the whole genre in one fell sweep merely displays your ignorance of it. Oh god NO! I just wish that I was ignorant of it ! Or deaf. Or iliterate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-music-in-the-world/462455.md?page=5)