# What's the worst song ever that reached #1? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2020, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170 "2020-04-06T04:28:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/81 "2020-04-06T21:03:02Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > About every 3 months or so this song randomly burrows into my ear and remains for at least a day or two. > > Thanks a lot, **Chefguy**. > mmm I’m here for ya, man. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/82 "2020-04-06T21:04:58Z")
Sugar Sugar/Monkees trivia–Micky Dolenz did eventually record the song, but put a very different spin on it. [Sugar Sugar from the album _Remember_](https://youtu.be/39f5xavEkVo) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/83 "2020-04-06T21:07:02Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > An occasional novelty song is meaningless. A procession of novelty songs indicates that something’s severely wrong with the business. That’s a bit of a non-sequitur to what I said, which was just a comment on novelty songs in general. But I don’t disagree with that with regard to the time period. Some time ago I went back and looked at hit tunes through the 30s into the 60s. The 30s and early 40s weren’t so bad, with a lot of classic big-band hits. But the late 40s and early 50s were a wasteland with few real classics. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/84 "2020-04-06T21:12:22Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay6CIDryEAQ) - Middle of the Road. #1 on the British pop charts. Listen at your own mental health risk. What is surprising to me is the fact that some of the people in the crowd are actually clapping. Most videos with that kind of set up the crowd is usually not moved at all by the music. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/85 "2020-04-06T21:19:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > . . . 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. I have to agree with this one. Others are annoying but I remember being repulsed by this one at the time. It didn’t help that it was played too often for too long. I’d also vote for “I’ve Never Been to Me”, but according to wikipedia, it only reached #3. This one was immediately repulsive. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/86 "2020-04-06T21:35:33Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > And I shall stand with you as well. Good to know who my allies are in these hard times! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/87 "2020-04-06T23:01:48Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay6CIDryEAQ) - Middle of the Road. #1 on the British pop charts. Listen at your own mental health risk. I suspect a great number of people in Britain have the same opinion of this song that those across the pond, like **pulykamell** , have about the Archies’ “Sugar Sugar”. The lyrics may be inane, but the song doesn’t pretend to be anything other than a catchy piece of singalong bubblegum pop, and is pretty enjoyable for what it is. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/88 "2020-04-06T23:05:03Z")
> [@installLSC](#): > > 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”. > . . . > [@Chefguy](#): > > [Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay6CIDryEAQ) - Middle of the Road. #1 on the British pop charts. Listen at your own mental health risk. When I saw the thread title, and indeed most of the way through, my only thought was “We’ve done this before, and it’s ‘Honey’. In the end it’s ‘Honey’ and will only ever be ‘Honey’.” I mean, it’s got it all. Lousy vocals, crap melody and lyrics that manage to be simultaneously psychotic and melancholy; you can’t even dance to it. Then you show up with that Nickelback crap, and now finally, after all these years, I understand the Nickelback hate. That is a serious steamer which should never have made it into the studio, and certainly not back out of it. THAT was a #1? But Chefguy, as always, bring the esoteric knowledge. Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep is one of the most horrific collections of sounds I have ever experienced. It’s the “Saw” of songs. It’s “Saw” as directed by Ed Wood. Great Og on high that was horrible. After 13 years on the Dope I am finally changing my vote. “Honey” may finally rest in peace. \*Angie Baby by Helen Reddy is almost as bad, and in the same pot. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/89 "2020-04-06T23:21:51Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Angie Baby by Helen Reddy is almost as bad, and in the same pot. ANYTHING by Helen Reddy belongs in the same pot! The same goes for Dolly Parton. Yeccch! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/90 "2020-04-07T00:06:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Ummmm, for example? I reread the thread and do not see a one. A lot of true dreck in this thread, some that really are Ok and “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste of Honey is a great song! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/91 "2020-04-07T00:11:08Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The same goes for Dolly Parton. Yeccch! :mad: You are dead to me. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/92 "2020-04-07T00:13:08Z")
I just Googled “worst #1 song” and here’s a list of 17 of them. Most have already been mentioned, but a few haven’t. > **[17 #1 Hits Worse Than 'We Built This City' - Best Classic Bands](https://bestclassicbands.com/worst-number-one-hits-1-7-17/)** > > That mid-'80s Starship hit perennially tops lists of the worst chart-toppers ever. It's bad, we agree, but we've found others that are worse ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/93 "2020-04-07T00:19:06Z")
Here are some more, although some non-charting albums and songs are included in this list. > **[List of music considered the worst](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_considered_the_worst)** > > This list consists of albums or songs that have been considered the worst music ever made by various combinations of music critics, television broadcasters (such as MTV and VH1), radio stations, composers and public polls. > The following songs have been named by critics, broadcasters, composers, and listeners as the "worst ever". Examples of sources include VH1's "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever" and Blender magazine's "Run for Your Life! It's the 50 Worst Songs Ever!". > In 1953, following t... I thought this made it to #1. It made it to #2, which was apropos because it was used in a disposable diaper commercial a few years ago, with “whoomp” changed to “poop.” [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ffCEr327W44/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGFAgSChyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLAdDAIaOrh_g9gKNrL65daIGLFQjQ "Tag Team - Whoomp! (There It Is)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffCEr327W44) ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/94 "2020-04-07T01:03:12Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > This deep into the thread and nobody’s named “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero”? #1 both in the U.K. and the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974.\* > > _Billy, don’t be a hero > Don’t be a fool with your life > Billy, don’t be a hero > Come back and make me your wife_ > > If I remember correctly, “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” was inducing nausea somewhere around the same time as “Seasons In The Sun”. Or maybe it was “The Night Chicago Died”. A time of horribleness. > > \*there were two different versions, one by Paper Lace and another by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. Blurgghh. I love that “The Night Chicago Died” seriously pissed off Mayor Daley. I think the band wanted to come to Chicago to do some kind of promo thing, and hizzoner said he’d have them thrown in the lake if they came. Oh, and sorry “Honey” is still much _much_ worse than that Cheep Cheep thing. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/95 "2020-04-07T01:31:12Z")
“Silly Love Songs”. Paul McCartney took the record as the composer of 27 number one hits with this vile piece of schmaltz. The fact that the other 26 were awesome makes this offense all the more inexcusable. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/96 "2020-04-07T01:38:40Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > “Silly Love Songs”. Paul McCartney took the record as the composer of 27 number one hits with this vile piece of schmaltz. The fact that the other 26 were awesome makes this offense all the more inexcusable. Question: “When did Paul McCartney write Silly Love Songs?” Answer: “All his life.” Did anyone mention “Tie a Yellow Ribbon?” yet? ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/97 "2020-04-07T01:44:16Z")
According to a little googling, “I’m too Sexy” by **Right Said Fred** was number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. I hated it then and I hated it now. It’s 2:50 of talking. There are some bad ones listed here, for my money, this is the worst. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/98 "2020-04-07T01:44:54Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > “Silly Love Songs”. Paul McCartney took the record as the composer of 27 number one hits with this vile piece of schmaltz. The fact that the other 26 were awesome makes this offense all the more inexcusable. Same album IIRC… Someone’s knockin’ at the door Somebody’s ringin’ the bell Do me a favor, open the door And let 'em in WHAT?! When he’s good, he’s great. When he doesn’t care, he REALLY doesn’t care. I’ll tolerate obscure lyrics but sometimes… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/99 "2020-04-07T01:54:00Z")
Ya’ll don’t want my nomination, I assure you. > [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > That crap titled _At This Moment_by some twat named Billy Vera. Jayzus, even his name pisses me off:mad: Funny thing. I saw Billy Vera live in a Comedy Club on Hollywood Blvd about a month before that hit the airways, and they did that song. Nobody had ever heard it, I’m sure. I said to the person I was there with, “That’s gonna be a huge hit”. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > “Silly Love Songs”. Paul McCartney took the record as the composer of 27 number one hits with this vile piece of schmaltz. It’s got a nasty bass riff, however. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2020, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170/100 "2020-04-07T02:06:19Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Rhyming “what the heck” with “hugged my neck”? Really? At least it’s a rhyme.\* Someone else cited Ray Stevens’ “The Streak”. While I found that song…not pleasant, it was still miles better than the first recording to take advantage of the short-lived streaking craze and actually get airplay. Yes, I am referring to [“Streakin’” by The Streakers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehyxQMCYheg&frags=pl%2Cwn)\*\*, which featured the following lines: _It won’t do no harm to do a little streakin’ in the dorm_ Clever. :smack: I feel oddly compelled to mention that the Minus Five recorded “The Night Chicago Died Again”, which was not one of their best songs. \*not defending the song in any way. \*\*unsurprisingly, it did not make it to #1. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-song-ever-that-reached-1/851170.md?page=6)