We all have a guilty pleasure (or two). Music taste is a deeply personal thing, and we can relate to songs for many reasons. Though the songs below have been deemed “embarrassing” (either because they are radio-worn or failed the test of time), I can’t help but love them. And I think you might be in the same boat.
Videos by American Songwriter
“All By Myself” (Celine Dion)
Sentiments aren’t always timeless. What we found endearing in the ’90s might seem cliché now. Upon its release, “All By Myself” was a quick hit for Celine Dion, earning listeners with her unprecendentedly powerful vocals. Nowadays, we take this song less seriously. Well, most of us anyway. I, for one, listen to this song with its original intention in mind. Though commercials and movies have tried to convince us that this Dion song is cheesy, I won’t apologize for shedding a tear or two when her voice reaches the stratosphere. Would it be a little embarrassing if someone heard me earnestly listening to this song? Maybe. But, it’s a risk I’m willing to take—and often do.
[RELATED: Celine Dion Cautions Against “Unsanctioned” AI-Generated Songs Using Her Voice]
“Believe” (Cher)
Clubby dance tracks are the call of the day in the music industry. Because of that, you’d think people would want to revisit the source material. However, there is entirely not enough chatter about Cher’s “Believe.” Of course, everyone knows this song. I truly can’t remember the first time I heard it. It has just kind of always been there. But, not enough people think of this song as a playlist staple. Sure, you might listen to it at a party or if it came on the radio on some throwback channel, but have you given this song a spin on your own? It’s not as embarrassing a song as you might think it is. Our cyclical tastes have circled right back around to this dance-floor anthem.
“With Arms Wide Open” (Creed)
Creed is in the top tier of what fans have labeled, not-so-affectionately “butt rock.” It’s a name given to bands of the late ’90s who’s brand of grunge is so watered down it could hardly be considered as such. True grunge fans laugh in the face of Creed, but i’d have a hard time not considering “With Arms Wide Open” a good song. True, the vocals border on unintelligble, but it’s the passion behind them that makes this song work, in my opinion. You may not say you like Creed or you may not know the band at all, but I know you head bang along to this song when it comes on—no matter how minutely.
“Girls, Girls, Girls” (Mötley Crüe)
Mötley Crüe’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” kind of reads like ChatGPT trying to write a glam metal song. It’s almost as if they said, “Okay, let’s see here, what do rock stars sing about…fighting, motorcycles, knives, and girls” and then just put as much of it into one song as they could. When I listen to this song, I feel as though the Crüe is trying to convince me of their edge. I’m usually not convinced, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the journey. Thought it’s a little trite, I’m posssesed by the spirit of over-indulgent, raunchy rock every time I listen to this song.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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