Top 10 Cheesiest Hit Songs of the 2010s So Far

Calling a Justin Bieber song cheesy may be akin to shooting fish in a barrel but this song is so cheesy we felt we had no choice but to include it here. A song written for tween girls sung by the creator of the Bieber fever, Bieber’s whisper rapping and singing is a little confusing. And what the hell does “I can be your Buzz Lightyear” mean? Lyrically evoking a child’s understanding of what a boyfriend brings to your life, there’s also nothing we want less than to chill by the fire and eat fondue with Justin.

Did you know there was such a thing as a Canadian reggae fusion band? Neither did we, and we truly hope the rest of the genre isn’t as over the top as this song. Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” seems like it was written for children but this song’s lyrics make it seem like it was written by children. A tune about asking for your significant other’s parent’s hand in marriage, the song comes off as whiney, and is the musical equivalent of a child making a scene at a toy store.

One of the catchiest tunes on this list, “I Love It” at its core is still cheesier than nearly every song released in the current decade. A breakup song that will get your blood pumping, the supposed rebellion of the song sounds similar to when you hear a child tell their parents that they’ll run away if they don’t get their way. The lyrics claim to not care but we firmly believe that Charlie XCX will care when she doesn’t have a car to drive.

Another catchy tune, we hate to say it, but this one is still a far way from being a classic. We have to imagine that when the song was written they thought if they name-dropped legendary musicians like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Prince that it would have to be taken seriously. We’re sorry to tell you MKTO, your over emotion and over the top rapping should have made you a shoe-in for the Disney Channel.

Do we truly live in a world where Taylor Swift is actually expecting anyone to not chuckle at a song where she feebly attempts to come off as tough or fearsome in any way? We all know Kendrick is better than this, and while he certainly improves the song with his impressive flow and emotive vocals, he simply can’t save this song from being pure fromage. This song certainly shows potential, but the track’s chorus is insanely lazy. Sorry Taylor.

When a man in their late twenties with a five o clock shadow sings that they are never going to grow up, something has gone seriously awry. On top of the fact that Jake Owens doesn’t understand the concept of aging, this song is jam packed full of every country music cliché in the book. Dubious lyrics about ice cold beer and Cadillac’s, and the inclusion of both banjos and drum machines. Is this pop country song really that much of a surprise to anyone?

A song with extremely minimal lyrics, and a repetitive beat, We No Speak Americano was clearly not meant for music purists. While this song is insanely catchy, and has become a staple of sporting events, we can’t deny that it is extremely gimmicky, which is what makes the song incredibly cheesy. It gets out feet tapping but despite the smile on our faces our heads are swiveling in disapproval at the flagrant cheap thrills.

Boom Clap has an awful lot in common with the movie “The Fault in Our Stars” whose soundtrack it appears on, an overly schmaltzy song that despite being undeniably affecting feels contrived. We’re not saying that we don’t like the song but we are saying that the trope of someone’s presence sending your heart a flutter though relatable is an awfully easy connection to make. Treading absolutely zero new ground, Boom Clap is an easily digestible 3 minutes of inoffensive music that tried too hard to seem organic.

On the topic of songs that are gimmicky, the whistling in this song could not be more forced. Also, really Flo Rida? This track arguably has the most obvious sexual innuendo that couldn’t lack more subtlety if it tried. The fact that he had the few people who didn’t catch to the tune’s meaning whistling on is pretty hilarious but this track also has the earmarks of a song that will elicit groans in the years to come. Flo Rida successfully created a summer tune for the masses and we’re guessing the craft of song writing is not foremost in his list of priorities, which you can definitely see all over this track.

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

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

“Written in the Stars” (2010)
Tinie Tempah

“I Really Like You” (2015)
Carly Rae Jepsen

“Booty” (2014)
Jennifer Lopez ft. Iggy Azalea

A band that is no stranger to cheesiness, Train’s overly sappy music perfectly fits weddings for a reason. A marriage song that is so forced, "Marry Me" may have stolen a place in your heart but trust us when we tell you that it is a magnificent achievement in cheesiness. We’re sending out a warning to any musician who would like to steal the top slot by the time the decade comes to an end, you’ve got you work cut out for you.