I’m here for ya, man.
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
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.
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.
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.
Good to know who my allies are in these hard times! 
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.
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.
ANYTHING by Helen Reddy belongs in the same pot! The same goes for Dolly Parton. Yeccch! :mad:
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!
You are dead to me.
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.
Here are some more, although some non-charting albums and songs are included in this list.
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.”
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.
“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?
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.
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…
Ya’ll don’t want my nomination, I assure you.
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”.
It’s got a nasty bass riff, however.
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**, 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.