Top 10 Annoyingly Catchy Songs

Are you fancy? Boy, we hope so. This electro hop track from Australian artist Iggy Azalea and English singer/songwriter Charlie XCX wormed its way into the heads of audiences after peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014. “Fancy” was overplayed on radios around the world, eventually claiming the title of Song of the Summer by Billboard. It’s notable that, unlike many songs on this list, the tune was received with critical acclaim.

You knew this one would be here. Chumbawamba’s most successful single to date, “Tubthumping” features an all-out rocking beat with an easily chant-able chorus that sure will get your blood pumping. While many people say they hate this song with a passion, it didn’t hinder the track from receiving commercial success. And despite the fact that the alt rock and pop rock number constantly appears on worst songs lists, this hasn’t stopped fans from “getting knocked down and getting back up again.”

Yet another break-up song from the queen of break-up songs. The third promo single off her 2012 album Red, the track became a huge commercial and critical success due to viral marketing on YouTube. This led to “I Knew You Were Trouble” winning the “YouTube Phenomenon” award at the inaugural YouTube Music Awards. Sounds like all you need to do is take a Taylor Swift break-up song, add just a tad of dubstep, and you have the formula for success.

This explosive track was released in the summer of 2014 and has received constant radio airplay since. Meghan Trainor sings about girls with “a little more booty” and how they are just as awesome as “them skinny bitches.” Topping the Billboard charts in the United States, this song is way too catchy for its own good and if you aren’t singing it already, you’ll undoubtedly soon be “All About That Bass”.

Oh look, another song about relationships. Released as a single for Avril Lavigne’s third album The Best Damn Thing, “Girlfriend” was praised by many and is arguably Lavigne’s most widely known song. Due to its free-flowing lyrics over a funky pop-punk beat, the track became a commercial and critical success, topping charts in many different countries. When this song was released, we couldn’t get this punk princess out of our heads.

These boys sure know how to make an appearance. “MMMBop” was Hanson’s debut single in 1997. They became recognized almost immediately due to “MMMBop”‘s soft pop rock beat, and you couldn’t help but sing along. Critics seem to be split on “MMMBop”, as it was nominated for two Grammys but has also seen its fair share of time on many worst songs lists. Whether you think it should go in the good camp or the bad, there’s no denying the Hanson brothers know how to write a catchy tune.

You probably don’t know the song by its original title, as it is better known as the “Numa Numa” song. Made virally famous by Gary Brolsma’s video in which he dances to it, the pop and Eurodance track was originally released by Moldovan group O-Zone. It has been their most successful single, shooting to number one on the Eurochart Hot 100 as well as topping the German and French charts. While the majority of listeners don’t actually know what the lyrics are, it doesn’t really matter ‘cause it’s fun to make up your own.

Admit it, you’ve sung this song in the shower at least a few times. The third overall single from Danish-Norwegian dance group Aqua, “Barbie Girl” is their highest rated track ever released. It’s since become a guilty pleasure for many listeners. Because the Barbie and Ken dolls from Mattel are the stars of the track, the bubblegum dance number actually was the subject of the controversial lawsuit Mattel v MCA Records. Who knew dolls could get you into so much trouble?

No doubt you’ve heard this earworm. The first single from Italian group Eiffel 65, “Blue” is known for its ridiculous and often misunderstood lyrics all over a sweet techno dance track. This world-wide Italian hit became one of the most popular dance tracks in the 1990s, reaching number one in many European countries and number six in the United States. If only we knew why his world was so blue.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

- “We Like to Party” (1998)
Vengaboys

- “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)” (1999)
Lou Bega

- “Macarena” (1995)
Los del Río

- “Let It Go” (2013)
Idina Menzel

- “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” (2013)
Ylvis

- “Want U Back” (2012)
Cher Lloyd

“Call Me Maybe”, performed by Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen, was being played on anything that could stream music in 2011. You couldn’t get away from it, no matter how hard you tried. While the track has become one of the most popular pop tracks in the past few years, it was originally written as a folk song - good thing it was changed, as it’s obviously the tune’s fun, poppy sound that keeps us listening to it to this day.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite annoyingly catchy song? For more earworm-y top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.