Why is the worst song usually the most well known?

Question

Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon is the perfect example. Personally, I love Zevon's music. He's a bit cynical, and it shows through his music which I love. However, if you aren't an avid listener probably the only song you know of his is Werewolves of London, which is also probably his worst song.

I think this is how it is a lot of times.......

Answer 1

It seems like the most well known/worst songs always have a "catch". It could be a highly repetitive beat or chorus(repetition sells), gimmicky lyrics, or something that otherwise "stirs up" the general listening public.

Unfortunately, these things that make the music ideal for radio play and a singles release also usually come at a cost to the music. If you have gimmicky lyrics, you usually can't have truly poetic songwriting. If you have a repetitive beat, you can't have really amazing musical arrangements.

So, a lot of times, whether the artist knows that they're doing it or not, some artistic and musical merit is lost in favor of marketability.

I hate how most people only know "Truckin" of the Greatful Dead. It makes me wanna' strap them to a chair and show them all the Dead songs that are so much better but virtually unknown.

Answer 2

I love Warren! You are right. Werewolves is a novelty hit with a great piano hook and a howl, but that's it.

More where that came from:

Firefall - You Are The Woman
Paul Davis - '65 Love Affair
Dan Fogelberg - Longer (actually a decent love song but so out of character from his rockin' days)

Answer 3

Interesting question but I don't think its as prevalent as you think. The word "worse" is subjective.

My example of an artist's worse song being the most well known would be "My Ding -A-Ling" by Chuck Berry. It was his only #1 hit even though his repertoire includes such classics as "Johnny B. Goode", "Memphis", "School Day", "Sweet Little Sixteen" "Roll Over Beethoven", "No Particular Place To Go" etc. Unfortunately there'll be people out there who will only remember him for that horrid novelty song from 1972

Answer 4

Well, okay, I have no idea who Warren Zevon is so I don't know if this is the answer you're looking for but...

The song This is why i'm hot by Mims is pretty bad. No, actually, it's rly bad. It's stupid; however, everybody knows it. Kind of like My Humps by the BEP. I personally think that it's because they're kinda so ridiculous, it's funny. So you remember them, and since they're catchy they get stuck in your head, whether you like it or not.

Answer 5

I might have to check that song out. =) Yea, the worst songs are usually the most catchiest or 'well known' because they have a great beat, easy to remember words, etc. It's the repetition that ends up making it get stuck in your head and indelibly; your memory. Kind of like 'Fergilicious' God, I hate that song and yet I find myself singing along with it. *sigh*

*LMAO...and I knew when I went to watch Warren's video on You Tube I had heard that song before. It's on my kids' Kidz Bop Halloween CD. ;) *

Answer 6

i think that more often than not we discuss bad songs and go on n on as to why they are so bad. very rarely do we discuss songs that we love. we just say we love them n thats it. n i dont think we really forget them, we just dont stress on them...
and also maybe if we hear one song from a band thats not world famous, n we hate it, we have a negative feeling towards the other songs so dont warm to them easily...so there are a no of reason..

Answer 7

That crap song "How Bizarre!" that came out in the mid 90s/ sooo lame!

Answer 8

because people are stupid. also because people who run radio stations, etc might think they are trying something new and innovative, but they aren't appealing to the fans of the artists.