Most Overplayed/Overrated Songs Ever

As promised, here is the list of the most overplayed/overrated songs of all time. These are the songs that we are convinced must be classics, because they are played constantly: on the radio, in commercials, karaoke, everywhere. Some of these songs are good songs that have been overexposed, and some are just terrible songs that I wish had never been written.

10. ANYTHING written and performed by Bob Seger: I hate Bob Seger. I hate his faux-macho delivery, his "hey look how American I am" lyrics, and his derivative songs. Every single released by Mr. Seger has been awful, and what's more, they are ALWAYS being played on the radio. From "Old Time Rock and Roll" which is taken directly from the Kidz Bop outtakes catalogue, to the bland "Night Moves" and "Against the Wind" which essentially combine Jackson Browne and Warren Zevon melodies and arrangments but remove the charm, wit, and originality and add a bellowing buffoon's croaked vocals. I hope to God I never hear another Seger song on the radio again.

9. "Stairway to Heaven"---Led Zeppelin: This sprawling epic has become a joke; a punchline to every mockery of the 1970's. This song is best enjoyed by those of you who use free time to learn Elvish or study maps of Middle Earth. Zep is such an awesome band, and has churned out many fabulous songs, most of which get good airplay on commercials and radio. However, this is the song that puts me over the edge. It drags, it doesn't rock until the last 1:30 (note: the guitar solo here is amazing, and when the song rocks, it really does rock), and its faux-mystical lyrics are muddled and fluffy, never delivering any real story or message. However, this song seems to consistantly top people's lists of greatest songs ever, probably because of its reputation as a "masterpiece." That is terrible logic if it is the case. "Stairway" is an incredibly overrated song.

8. "Satisfaction"---The Rolling Stones: Besides a somewhat catchy riff, this song has nothing going for it, yet it topped VH1's "greatest songs ever" list. The 3-note riff is memorable and solid, but it is not unlike the countless other British Invasion songs of the time. The Kinks, Beatles, et al. created songs that were just as catchy and had better lyrics. Yet, it is this tune that gets hands down the most radio play and esteem. What is so special about it? Jagger's half-yelled chorus? Charlie Watts' boring and simple drum beat? The "edgy" lyrics that by todays standards are about as racy as a Disney straight-to-video sequel? The answer is not clear, but this is a prime example of a song getting more play and praise than it deserves.

7. "More than a Feeling"---Boston: I do enjoy this song, with its unreal vocals, soaring riffs, and Boston-by-the-numbers song structure. However, nothing about this song is particularly GREAT in any way shape or form. Everyone who hears it says, "yeah, I kinda like that." It's like the McDonald's of music. It is SO overproduced and slick, SO packed with layers and layers of artificial crap, that it has to be appealing to people. This song is without a doubt one of the most overplayed classic rock songs in the history of radio. This is the song that is kinda fun to sing along with your friends, but if you ever hear this song on your own, you get about 30 seconds in before flipping the dial.

6. "Pour Some Sugar On Me"--Def Leppard: This song is both overplayed and inane. The derivative arena-rock riffs are so lame, that whenever you hear this song, you can imagine Joe Elliots pathetic "rock and roll manuevers." Every school dance I ever attended in my high school lifetime has featured this song, each time more obxious than the last. It is all over the radio, whether the station is classic rock, variety, anything. It doesn't matter. they will play this insidious crap heap. The terrible 80's production, the awkwardly sexual lyrics, everything adds up to a shit-show of awfulness. Yet, like all the songs on this list, it is a consistent party and radio favorite. I think one of the funniest things I have ever seen involving this song was a VH1 Classic commercial that featured Joe Elliot performing this song in-studio on an acoustic guitar, as an attempt to pass this song off as a piece of great musicianship.

5. "You Shook Me"----AC/DC: This song suffers from the same illness as the previous entry, but what makes it worse it that AC/DC actually rocked before this song. However, this is the song that they are probably most famous for, aside from "Back in Black," a song that is also overplayed, but is a good enough song to not make this list. This song however, is like Leppard's, full of slick, overproduced faux-rocking attempt to crack the mainstream. Its awkward sexuality is stomach-turning and the song itself is just boring and lame. It, like the others so far are featured in more high school dances and variety style radio programs than they should be. You Shook Me is terrible and overplayed.



The next 5 will appear in tomorrow's blog.

For now, Peace Love and Understanding.