Top 10 Pop Songs That Don't Deserve the Hate

Meghan Trainor[a][b]


Sometimes, even art with the best intentions can come across wrong. Meghan Trainor wrote “All About That Bass” with the goal of promoting body positivity– but unfortunately, it didn’t land well. Many felt that her unapologetically confident lyrics were tearing down one group in order to uplift another, contradicting her point. It was also lambasted for its 1960s-inspired sound, even resulting in her being accused of cultural appropriation. While some of the critiques are valid, no one can deny its importance– especially since it’d come out amidst a sea of harmful dieting advice. Its message, coupled with its truly unique sound, has made it a truly underrated bop– and with self-love culture continuing to flourish, we can only hope it can escape its previous reputation.

Hanson

You should never judge a book by its cover– or a song by its catchy chorus. With its nonsensical chorus and bright instrumental, “MMMBop” seems to be the very definition of a vapid pop track. This has unfortunately earned it an unfair image within certain circles, with many music fans even considering it to be one of the worst released during the 1990s. All it takes is one look at the lyrics to realize it’s much deeper than it appears to be. Its surprisingly mature, existential views on the fleeting nature of relationships completely separates it from the usual boyband fare. It serves as a perfect reminder that even the happiest-sounding tunes can have much more going on beneath the surface.

LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock


Music that puts more focus on vibes than content often gets a bad rap. However, there’s something to be said for art that can provide a sense of escapism during turbulent times. LMFAO’s smash hit “Party Rock Anthem” may have been beloved in clubs– but critics weren’t quite so kind. It was lambasted for its provocative[c][d] lines and intense house production. Many even accused the artists of being bad influences on younger generations at the time. Yet, the track offers much more than it appears to. Its carefree attitude and unapologetic love for partying make it perfect for briefly forgetting your problems and dancing the night away. It just goes to show that not every song needs to have deep lyrics to be considered good.

Justin Bieber

Looking back, it's hard to believe that such an inoffensive track was able to cause a global uproar. Although it’s nothing truly new, “Baby” by Justin Bieber isn’t nearly as bad as some have made it out to be. It’s been harshly criticized since it dropped, and has been raked across the coals online. It was so disliked at one point that it even became the most disliked video on YouTube– a title it maintained for years. Despite the intense reaction, it never lost its luster. The saccharine lyrics and signature early 2010s sound make for the perfect puppy-love bop. It’s clear to see why this was so beloved amongst fans– and hopefully, the public’s perception of it will begin to turn as well.

Aqua[e][f]

There are some songs you either love or hate– and few have been as divisive as this one. It was considered a novelty tune upon release, giving it an upward hill to climb in terms of respect. Although its unique instrumentation and comedic line delivery caused it to be written off as nothing more than an earworm, it actually has much more substance than it lets on. It critiques the more unsavory qualities of the iconic doll and what she represents, offering a previously unheard perspective. Now, decades later, it’s still just as relevant lyrically– and the unforgettable sound has remained just as fresh. It’s a perfect microcosm of the kitschier aspects of the 1990s, serving as a time capsule to a truly different time.

Katy Perry


One man’s favorite is another man’s flop…or something along those lines. Despite its overall positive message, many still weren’t convinced by Katy Perry’s hit, “Firework.” Some felt that the lyrics were too cheesy to truly be impactful, while others felt it came across as a hollow attempt at promoting self-love. It may not be complex, but it’s still an effective piece that has touched millions of people across the world. Its lesson of radical self-acceptance is admirable, helping fans and casual listeners realize their full potential. Even now, over a decade after its been published, it still has the ability to rouse and inspire. At its core, it's a feel-good comfort track– and that’s all it really needs to be.

Taylor Swift


Even though she’s one of the current reigning queens of pop, she’s still had her fair share of unfairly judged songs. She saw a fair amount of flack in her youth– such as the overanalysis of the literary references in “Love Story” -- she truly saw the brunt of it following the publication of “Shake It Off”. It was met with immense criticism, with many considering the writing and overall message to be shallow. While it doesn’t necessarily offer as much depth as her other work, it’s still pure pop perfection. It marks a turning point, showing the exact moment she transcended into superstardom. The saxophone-infused backing track and rousing chorus have ensured that it can be enjoyed by everyone, Swiftie or not.

Ed Sheeran


This is unfortunate proof that constant airplay doesn’t always translate to widespread love. Between its poppier sound and more simplistic lyrics, “Shape of You” was unlike anything Ed Sheeran had released before. Although it was immensely popular on the charts, its overexposure soon led to its downfall. Both he and his track were relentlessly mocked, causing it to be placed on several “worst of” lists at the end of 2017. However, the hate has been overblown. It’s a far cry from his usual acoustic work, but the unique production helps it stand out amongst other songs that came out around the same time. Its true potential comes out during live performances, where Sheeran can flaunt his chops and present it in a more artistic light.

Kesha[g][h]

When it comes to indulgent party tracks, no one does it better than her. During Kesha’s heyday in the scene, she and her work were often lambasted. The response to her debut “Tik Tok” made this incredibly evident, with some critics attacking the morals and the song itself. Despite their thoughts, it still has several positive qualities. It’s perfect for pumping yourself up for a night out on the town, with an earworm chorus that’s nearly impossible to forget. It’s the very definition of a carefree summertime anthem– one that still sounds fresh well over a decade later. In recent years, the tide has begun to finally turn– and the lyric changes now denouncing P. Diddy made it all the more beloved.

Carly Rae Jepsen

This was the very definition of inescapable. Between its incessant airplay and its earworm qualities, “Call Me Maybe” quickly became one of the most talked-about pieces of its time– but not always for the best reasons. It’s been written off by some detractors as nothing more than bubblegum-pop, with its production and bubbly lyrics being dragged. Its shiny veneer[i][j] may seem egregious, but beneath it is one of the best-crafted pop songs of the modern era. Its infectious and sentimental vibe make it nearly impossible not to sing and dance along to it, particularly once the chorus kicks in. While Jepsen hasn’t recaptured that same success, she can rest easy knowing she’s behind one of the most memorable tracks of the 21st century.


Which pop song do you think gets more hate than it deserves? Let us know in the comments below.

[b]MAY-ghin trainer https://youtu.be/x0YQSPscBmg?si=UGrbS4Revi2D-pIx
[c]pro-VOCK-uh-tiv
[d]https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/provocative
[e]AH-kwuh
[f]AWK-wuh https://youtu.be/5BUkC7bgOv4?si=qqJ487lI0KEw0ZA1&t=211
[g]KEH-shuh
[h]https://youtu.be/MJd6Y50hfAM?si=bg37U9-VZXZUnS0R&t=24
[i]vuh-NEER
[j]https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/veneer