The Worst Songs of All Time, According to Critics

what are the worst songs of all time? Music is so highly subjective for listeners that I would hesitate to name them myself. However, some critics, really just enjoy tearing songs apart. With that in mind, let’s see what the 9 supposed worst songs of all time are.

“We Built This City”

Starship has an interesting history as a band, beginning life in the 1960s as Jefferson Airplane. That said, many consider their 1985 hit, “We Built This City” to be one of the worst songs of all time. However, you could point to any number of kitschy 80s hits that are arguably cheesier. Heart was doing even more schmaltz during the decade.

“Achy Breaky Heart”

Billy Ray Cyrus is the epitome of a one-hit wonder, flaming out early after his 1992 hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” Despite the fame this carried, Cyrus is often regarded as having one of the worst songs of all time. I may not be a fan of pop country from the 1990s, but that seems harsh.

“Everybody Have Fun Tonight”

I was shocked to see people disliked this song. Yes, “Everybody Have Fun Tonight”, the 1986 hit single from Wang Chung, is regarded as one of the worst songs of all time. I feel like you could point to so many singles from the 1980s and get a similar corny but jovial feel.

“Rollin”

Alright, I kind of agree with this one. Limp Bizkit was a band that I was really into when they came out, but I was also 11 or 12 when “Rollin” hit the radio. In the 25 or so years since I would safely agree this is possibly one of the worst songs of all time.

“The Heart of Rock & Roll”

Huey Lewis is one of my favorite songwriters of the 1980s. I put him up there with the likes of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen when it came to delivering a message with pop backing. Oddly, some critics have voted his 1984 single, “The Heart of Rock & Roll” as one of the worst songs of all time.

“Don’t Worry Be Happy”

If you were a child in the early 1990s, you heard this song, often I might add. Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” is perhaps the ultimate one-hit wonder. However, some critics vote it as one of the worst songs ever made. I can’t get behind that, it is just so charming.

“Party All the Time”

Alright, forget what I said about music being subjective for just a moment. This vanity hit from Eddie Murphy is everything wrong with the excesses of the 1980s. It’s too kitschy, the vocals are lacking, and it rightly earns a top spot in the worst songs of all time.

“I’ll Be There for You”

I’m not a Friends fan, and that’s okay. I safely recognize The Rembrandts didn’t churn out one of the worst songs of all time. The theme song to the hit sitcom was surprisingly a hit song all its own. It’s catchy and memorable, and best of all, it’s a decent song on its own.

“We Didn’t Start the Fire”

Finishing off our list is a song that I will rightly argue isn’t one of the worst songs of all time. “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel is many things, but bad isn’t one of them. Billy Joel has a catalog of incredible songs, and some clunkers, I would easily put this single in the former camp.