10 Songs That Need To Go Away

Not Bad, Just Need To Go

While we often celebrate the best, reveling in the timeless classics that have shaped the musical landscape, it’s equally important to take a critical look at some tracks that might have overstayed their welcome.

Here are ten songs that have garnered their share of groans and eye rolls, making a compelling case for a musical exodus:

10. “I Want You to Want Me” – Cheap Trick

This power ballad from Cheap Trick’s 1977 album “In Color” had an unfortunate downside. As one music critic humorously put it, “You may want me to want you, but I don’t want you to want me.” A departure from the band’s brilliance in “Surrender,” this song didn’t do them any favors.

 

9. “The Times They Are Changin'” – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are Changin'” is an iconic folk anthem, but his 1978 live version from “Dylan at Budokan” raised eyebrows. Dubbed by some as “Pearl Harbor in reverse,” this rendition may have left fans yearning for the original.

 

8. “Time for Me to Fly” – REO Speedwagon

Appearing in REO Speedwagon’s 1978 album “You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can’t Tuna Fish,” this power ballad had an unintended effect. Listing its duration as “three minutes and sixty-one seconds,” the song’s math seems as perplexing as its musical direction.

 

7. “Dreams” – Van Halen

A year after their monumental album “1984,” Van Halen’s release of “Dreams” marked a shift in their trajectory. This generic power ballad stands in stark contrast to their previous greatness, leaving fans wondering what might have led to this downturn.

 

6. “Love Is a Battlefield” – Pat Benatar

While Pat Benatar is revered for her powerhouse anthems, “Love Is a Battlefield” often leaves listeners cringing. The pop-infused track didn’t quite match the intensity of her earlier hits, earning a spot on this list.

 

5. “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie

David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” marked a departure from his edgier works. Released in 1983, this track, although successful, received criticism for veering too far into the realm of pop, a far cry from Bowie’s innovative reputation.

 

4. “Every Breath You Take” – The Police

Often mistaken for a love song, “Every Breath You Take” by The Police has a rather unsettling undertone. Some have jokingly advised against listening to it in the shower, as Sting’s lyrics could invoke a sense of being watched by the shower curtain.

 

3. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” – Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” may have been a hit at its time of release in 1978, but it now elicits a different reaction. With its disco vibes, it’s a track that’s aged like an acquired taste.

 

2. “Ebony and Ivory” – Paul McCartney featuring Stevie Wonder

Despite the good intentions, “Ebony and Ivory,” a collaboration between Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, seems to have fallen out of favor. The simple message, while heartfelt, has left listeners yearning for more depth.

 

1. “We Built This City” – Jefferson Starship

Often labeled the worst rock song ever, “We Built This City” by Jefferson Starship has sparked much debate. While some grant it this ignominious honor, others argue that its sheer terribleness is what actually makes it quintessentially rock.