A truly great song is timeless. Tracks like Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” and The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” still hold their magic today. But what about terrible songs? They often embody the worst trends of their era, making them instantly recognizable—and sometimes unbearable. The 1970s, despite being a musically rich decade, had its fair share of truly awful songs that are hard to forget for all the wrong reasons. So let’s dive into the cringe-worthy musical moments from the grooviest decade.
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1. Muskrat Love – Captain & Tennille (1976)
Animal imagery is common in pop music, but most artists use it as a metaphor. Not here. “Muskrat Love” is literally about two rodents falling in love, complete with lines like “nibbling on bacon, chewing on cheese.” The song’s bizarre blend of a sappy melody and muskrats “wriggling” makes it a painful listening experience. And no, muskrats aren’t the romantic animals you’d want in a love song.
2. Feelings – Morris Albert (1975)
Few songs are more vague and dull than Morris Albert’s “Feelings.” The repetitive, unoriginal lyrics make you want to shake Albert and ask, “What are you feeling?” The slow, plodding melody only adds to the torture. By the end, you’re left feeling nothing but impatience for the song to finally stop.
3. You’re Sixteen – Ringo Starr (1973)
This catchy song’s problem? The lyrics. Ringo Starr was 33 when he sang about falling in love with a 16-year-old girl. Lines like “lips like strawberry wine” are more than a little disturbing when sung by a man old enough to know better. Today, the song feels not only dated but downright creepy.
4. You Light Up My Life – Debby Boone (1977)
This may surprise you, but the biggest hit of the 1970s wasn’t from The Bee Gees or Simon & Garfunkel—it was Debby Boone’s syrupy “You Light Up My Life.” Written as a love song, Boone sang it to God, and while the intent might have been pure, the result was sleep-inducing. The song drags on, lacking any of the spark its title suggests. Fun fact: the songwriter, Joseph Brooks, was later arrested for heinous crimes, making this song even more unsettling.
5. Escape (The Pina Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes (1979)
This infidelity-themed song might be catchy, but once you realize the story it tells, it becomes harder to enjoy. A man and woman both plan to cheat on each other, only to realize they’re each other’s blind date. The idea that rekindling romance through mutual betrayal is romantic is as absurd as the song’s tropical vibe.
6. You’re Having My Baby – Paul Anka (1974)
Paul Anka, the man behind timeless hits like “My Way,” missed the mark with “You’re Having My Baby.” The song is filled with cringeworthy lyrics about pregnancy, including “Oh that seed inside you baby, can you feel it growing?” A woman’s love is apparently best proven by bearing a man’s child—gross. It’s no surprise this song is now often cited as one of the worst of the ’70s.
7. Afternoon Delight – Starland Vocal Band (1976)
A song about midday lovemaking sounds like it could be steamy, but “Afternoon Delight” is more awkward than sensual. With lines like “rubbing sticks and stones together makes the sparks ignite,” the metaphors just don’t land. Adding insult to injury, this cheesy hit won a Grammy in 1976—the same year legends like The Ramones and Tom Petty debuted.
8. Disco Duck – Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots (1976)
Rick Dees, a Memphis DJ, was fed up with disco and decided to parody it with “Disco Duck.” The result? A man sings about dancing like a duck, complete with an excruciatingly bad Donald Duck impersonation. Against all odds, this nonsensical song reached number one on the charts, proving that the ’70s really were a strange time for music.
9. Convoy – C.W. McCall (1975)
This country tune about a trucker convoy is full of CB radio slang that no one outside the trucking world could possibly understand. While “Convoy” was a commercial success, the novelty wears off quickly, and the song now feels like a relic of a very specific, very niche trend. It’s no surprise this one hasn’t aged well.
10. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks (1974)
“Seasons in the Sun” is intended to be a tear-jerking farewell song, but its overly sentimental lyrics and off-putting melody make it sound more like a parody. Listening to it today feels like emotional manipulation—it’s hard to tell if you’re supposed to laugh or cry. Either way, it’s a song you won’t be rushing to add to your playlist.
Those were some of the most hated songs from the 1970s, a decade filled with both unforgettable classics and unfortunate flops. Which song did we miss? Or do you secretly love one of the songs on this list? Let us know in the comments!
