Why do bad lyrics happen to good people? From "suckin' on a chili dog" to "making love to his tonic and gin," even the biggest hits from our favorite artists can feature lyrical turns that make us feel quizzical, offended, or even downright nauseated. With the help of Sam Sanders, brilliant host of The Sam Sanders Show, we plumb the depths of the worst pop lyrics of all time—culled from hundreds of submissions form Switched on Pop listeners—to try categorize, historicize, and, perhaps, celebrate the art of the lyrical faux pas.


Follow Sam on Instagram  and check out The Sam Sanders Show for more hot takes on entertainment and culture. We recommend you start here.


Songs Discussed
Benson Boone - Mystical Magical
Velvet Sundown - Rebel Shout
Live - Lightning Crashes
Captain and Tennille - Muskrat Love
John Mellencamp - Jack and Diane
Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry, London Bridge
Katy Perry - Firework
Billy Joel - Piano Man
Richard Harris - MacArthur Park
Imagine Dragons - Sharks
Des'ree - Life, You Gotta Be
One Direction - Don't Forget Where You Belong, Little Things
Taylor Swift - Willow, Anti Hero, I Hate it Here, ME!
Train - Hey Soul Sister, Meet Virginia, Drops of Jupiter

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