Some songs are just hard to escape. The 1980s gave us some of the most unforgettable music—but not all of it was great. In fact, some of it was downright annoying.
The worst part? The catchiest songs are often the ones that get stuck in your head. No matter how hard you try, those repetitive hooks will have you humming along at the worst possible times.
So, let’s dive into the 1980s and revisit some of the most disliked tracks from that decade. You’ve been warned.
1. “We Built This City” – Starship
When Jefferson Airplane dissolved, Starship emerged—a dull, corporate rock band. Their 1985 hit “We Built This City” was anything but rock and roll.
With robotic drum machines and lifeless synthesizers, the song lacked any emotion. Even Grace Slick hated it, calling the lyrics “horseshit.”
The song couldn’t decide if it was about San Francisco, New York, or Cleveland. No wonder our cities are falling apart.
2. “Physical” – Olivia Newton-John
The early ’80s were obsessed with workout culture, and nowhere is this more evident than Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit “Physical”. It was far from amazing. Instead, it was a repetitious mess about trying to seduce a mystery man.
The bizarre music video didn’t help either. Newton-John jazzercised with out-of-shape men, pushing the idea that working out is sexy. But her robotic delivery of the lyrics made the whole thing fall flat.
Despite all this, “Physical” stayed at number one for ten weeks. That fact alone is enough to make anyone feel a little queasy.
3. “Hangin’ Tough” – New Kids on the Block
If you’re wondering where the stereotype of white people not being able to rap comes from, look no further than New Kids on the Block’s 1988 single “Hangin’ Tough”. It features five teenage boys trying to sound tough—and failing miserably.
The lyrics, delivered by Donnie Wahlberg, feel like they were written by someone who thought rap just meant rhyming words. Lines like “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings” prove how awkward the attempt was.
To make matters worse, Alvin and the Chipmunks covered it in 1991, and somehow, it wasn’t much worse than the original. This song remains a relic of that cringeworthy era when everyone thought they could rap.
4. “Kokomo” – the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys, once pioneers of surf rock and pop music innovation, hit a low point in the late ’80s with “Kokomo”. Written for the Cocktail soundtrack, the song tells the story of two lovers on a fictional beach. It was far from their earlier groundbreaking work.
Gone were the experimental sounds of the ’60s. Instead, “Kokomo” was a tropical, laid-back tune more suited for a middle-aged beach party. It felt like the Beach Boys had turned into a Jimmy Buffett cover band.
Brian Wilson had nothing to do with the song, which may explain its mediocrity. While catchy, “Kokomo” tarnished the legacy of a band once known for their musical genius.
5. “Mickey” – Toni Basil
Toni Basil’s 1981 hit “Mickey” is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head instantly. The opening chant bounces around in your brain all day, slowly driving you mad.
The chorus, sung like a cheerleader chant, is particularly unsettling when you consider Basil was 38 at the time. The music video doesn’t help either, with Basil dancing around in a high school cheerleader outfit.
Although “Mickey” was part of her debut album, Basil’s music career didn’t take off. Despite only releasing one other album, she somehow has five “Best Of” collections, which doesn’t really make sense.
6. “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley
No, this isn’t a rickroll—it’s just a terrible song. Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” first tortured us in 1987. The overly optimistic chorus sounds like Astley is trying too hard to convince us he’s here to stay.
Then, in 2008, the song made an unwanted comeback with the Rickrolling trend. You’d click a link expecting something cool, and instead, Astley’s smug face would appear, singing that same irritating tune.
As catchy as it may be, “Never Gonna Give You Up” has haunted us twice now. Maybe it’s time we all finally gave up on it.
7. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby McFerrin
Positive visualization can help people reach their goals, but Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” takes it to an absurd level. The song suggests that happiness is something you can simply choose, no matter what problems you’re facing.
On the surface, the message seems harmless, but its naive simplicity quickly becomes grating. It’s like a sugary anthem playing on repeat, demanding you be happy until you finally give in.
Like “Kokomo”, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” was written for the Cocktail soundtrack. A reminder that not all soundtrack hits are worth revisiting.