Just as the thread title suggests, what is the worst song of all time that hit #1 on a Billboard chart or its equivalent in your country?
You’re not allowed to say “Macarthur Park,” the disco version of which did reach #1 and the original bv Richad Harris was #1 in Canada, but it’s too easy a choice.
I’m going with “In the Year 2525,” with “We Built This City” a close runnerup.
Damn you. I was gonna nominate “in the year 2525”
OK… “Solid as a Rock” was pretty fucking awful and I think it was #1 on some charts for some godawful reason.
That’s easy: “Disco Duck”, with a side of “Ringo” by Lorne Greene.
Fly Robin Fly by the German disco group Silver Convention. Reached number 1 in the USA back in 1975. First #1 song for a German group in the USA ever. When my daughter asked why I hated disco so much, I found a YouTube video of this for her to watch. She understood perfectly afterwards.
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks.
Submitted [del]for your approval[/del] because apparently I have a deep-seated subconscious hatred for all of you.
Meco’s disco version of the Star Wars theme.
“Convoy” by C. W. McCall.
I actually love Meco’s Star Wars, though the single edit is vastly inferior to the 15-minute version on the LP.
Despacito.
Oh, and “In the Year 2525” rocks.
Daniel Powter “Bad Day”
Some others.
“Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey
“Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam
“When I’m With You” by Sheriff
“Stars on 45”
I liked it at the time, but I was eleven, that’s my excuse
Obviously, it’s “Don’t You Want Me” by the Human League.
“Last Kiss” was only #1 in Australia and Iceland. On the Hot 100, it peaked at #2.
This. And if you think that’s bad, it gets worse!
Have you ever listened to the flip side of that single? Jebus Cripes.
“Put the bone in, she begged him, once more!” *(it’s not what you think, perv.
)
You said “a” Billboard chart, so:
Rock charts: “Something In Your Mouth”, Nickelback. Which is even worse than you’d expect from Nickelback singing something called “Something In Your Mouth”.
Country charts: Oh God where do you start? Half the songs are basically MAGA hats set to music. The absolute bottom of the barrell is either “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” by Toby Keith or “Fly Over States” by Jason Aldean. Tough guy posturing by a guy who’d run to Canada the second they brought back the draft, and another by a guy who probably would be bored out of his skull within ten seconds of living in a small town.
I have to disagree with the OP. In the Year 2525 is indeed crap, but the lyrics are so dementedly both bizarre and lame at the same time that it gives it a certain surreal appeal. We Built This City is the nadir of the wreckage that Jefferson Airplane became, but at least has Grack Slick.
The #1 hit I loathe the most is Honey, by Bobby Goldsboro, which is such a revolting combination of maudlin, saccharine, and inanity I have to turn it the second I hear it.
Ache-y Breaky Heart…Billy Ray Cyrus.
It only made #4 on the Hot 100. Billy Ray didn’t have a #1 until he guested on “Old Town Road” last year.
Definitely Honey.
In an odd coincidence I just reread Dave Barry’s Book of Bad Songs earlier today.