Ah, viral sensations. The internet changed the world in some good and bad ways. And its ability to catapult certain songs to international fame is definitely somewhere in the middle. Some viral hit songs are amazing, and others are deemed “bad” by listeners who are just sick of hearing them everywhere. Let’s look at four examples; you can decide if they’re worthy of love or not.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “I’m Good (Blue)” by Bebe Rexha and David Guetta
Both Bebe Rexha and David Guetta are talented artists, but some fans just couldn’t dig “I’m Good (Blue)”. This dance-pop jam became a massive viral hit when it was first released. However, the track’s rise to fame wasn’t without some criticism.
Some fans have criticized the song for being generic pop nonsense that didn’t add much to the original song it reworked, Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” from 1998. However, it’s that source material at the heart of the remake that makes it so easy to love and hate at the same time.
2. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus
A lot of Miley Cyrus fans will not agree that this song deserves to be on our list of bad viral hit songs that we can’t help but love. When it comes down to it, this Endless Summer Vacation smash hit is beautifully written pop fodder.
However… “Flowers” has been played to death on radio since it came out, so we understand why some people might straight-up hate this disco-pop tune. Once you give this song a break for a while and listen to it again with fresh ears, it’s honestly a bop.
3. “Dance Monkey” by Tones And I
The source of the vitriol toward this hit electropop tune from 2019 is, without a doubt, Tones And I’s voice. The Australian pop singer’s voice and singing style are unique, to say the least.
When this song hit no. 1 across the globe and was featured on every radio station imaginable, on repeat, a lot of listeners got sick of the squeaky, raspy, and oddly pronounced vocal track. Still, one can’t deny that it’s a bop; and that music video is really something else.
4. “Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon
This somewhat older track on our list of bad viral hit songs that are still addicting is definitely worthy of a spot on this list. It’s a polarizing piece of work. “Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon seems to either be loved or hated universally, depending on who you talk to.
We think “Shut Up And Dance” is top-notch pop-rock mid-2010s Top 40 trash that is incredibly easy to love. You just can’t beat that rhythm, those melodies, and those danceable lyrics.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
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