November 6, 2024 | Jesse Singer

How Embarrassed Should We Be That We Totally Love These Songs?


Guilty Pleasures

There are songs we hate, songs we love, and songs we don't want to admit we love. This list is all about that third kind. Please don't judge us too harshly—maybe you quietly love some of them also?

Guilty Pleasure Songs2 Split L

"How You Remind Me" (Nickelback)

Nickelback is one of the most divisive bands of all time–and while we wouldn't call ourselves a fan of their oeuvre, we totally blast "How You Remind Me" when no one's around.

Nickelback arrives to the American Music Awards 2011DFree, Shutterstock

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"Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" (Backstreet Boys)

We can't say we love the cheesy want-to-be-"Thriller" video. But when it comes to boy band songs, "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" is one we can't resist.

Photo of The Backstreet Boys perform at the Pepsi Centerjenniferlinneaphotography, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Never Gonna Give You Up" (Rick Astley)

Maybe we've just been Rick Rolled so many times that we can't ever get this one out of our heads—and now we don't even want to.

Rick Astley at Glastonbury Festival 2023Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Africa" (TOTO)

We probably can't name more than one more TOTO song, but that doesn't diminish how awesome this one is...right?

American rock band Toto on 40 Trips Around The Sun TourDarioZg, Shutterstock

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"Get'cha Head In The Game" (From High School Musical)

Come on. You know you wanna sign along..".We gotta get our, get our, get our, get our head in the game".

Screenshot from American musical television film High School Musical (2006)Walt Disney, High School Musical (2006)

"One Week" (Barenaked Ladies)

We memorized that awesome rap part back in 1998 and we can't let all that time and effort go to waste.

Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies perform at an outdoor concert in IndianaBruce Alan Bennett, Shutterstock

"Copacabana (At the Copa)" (Barry Manilow)

Just like Lola and Tony—when we heard this song we "fell in love".

Barry Manilow performs during Ron Adar, Shutterstock

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"History" (One Direction)

We're suckers for a good acoustic harmony.

One Direction at 'One Direction:This Is Us' premiere at Ziegfeld TheaterDebby Wong, Shutterstock 

"What Is Love" (Haddaway)

We blame Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan for this one.

Haddaway performing on stage at We Love Retro PartyMelinda Nagy, Shutterstock

"Spice Up Your Life" (Spice Girls)

You thought we were going to say "Wannabe" didn't you? While that's a good one, our go-to Spice Girl song is the dance-poppy "Spice Up Your Life", off of their Sophomore album.

Spice Girls performing on WembleyRaph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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"Roar" Katy Perry

Yes, it gets us hyped and makes us feel empowered. And we're not ashamed to admit it. Okay, maybe a little—but we just listened to the song, so we feel empowered to admit it anyway.

Katy Perry during her show at Rock in Rio 2015A.PAES, Shutterstock

"The Bad Touch" (Bloodhound Gang)

To this day, we still can't watch the Discovery Channel without giggling.

The Bloodhound Gang performs at Sziget music festivalNorthfoto, Shutterstock

"Complicated" (Avril Lavigne)

Nothing complicated about it. The song is ridiculously catchy.

Canadian singer Avril Lavigne at concert in FranceFrederic Legrand - COMEO, Shutterstock

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"I Love It" (Icona Pop)

We don't care. We love it!

Aino Jawo, Caroline Hjelt, Icona Pop at the 2023 Streamy AwardsKathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

"Party In The USA" (Miley Cyrus)

We'll admit that this one wasn't stuck in our head until the girls sang it acapella on the bus in Pitch Perfect. Ever since then it's been partying in our heads.

Miley Cyrus on stage for NBC Today Show Concert with Miley CyrusEverett Collection, Shutterstock

"Karma Chameleon" (Culture Club)

Any other 80s lovers out there? Raise your hands.

Boy George & his band Culture Club at the 2014 LACMA Art+Film GalaFeatureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock

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"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham)

We didn't say to put your hands down yet.

Grayscale Close Up Photo of English pop duo Wham!Louise Palanker, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Toxic" (Britney Spears)

Try telling us this song doesn't rock.

Britney Spears at the Debut of L.A. Live's 'Light of Angels's_bukley, Shutterstock

"MMMBop" (Hanson)

Don't laugh. It's really catchy. And speaking of "mmmm's"...

Hanson arrives to the DFree, Shutterstock

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"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (Crash Test Dummies)

Anyone else remember this one?

Photo of Crash Test Dummies performing on stageSPKx, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

"Opposites Attract" (Paula Abdul)

We'll admit that our love for this one is inexorably tied to that classic video with MC Skat Kat.

Paula Abdul attends the Saks Celebrates World Emoji DayOvidiu Hrubaru, Shutterstock

"Tubthumping" (Chumbawumba)

We may or may not literally fall to the floor and get back up again whenever this track comes on. It's also just really fun to say "Tubthumping"—and "Chumbawumba" for that matter.

Members of  the band Chumbawamba perform on stageSchorle, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

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"Friend Like Me" (Robin Williams)

We couch it in nostalgia, but the truth is we legit listen to the whole original Aladdin soundtrack—and this one is our fave.

Screenshot from the animated film Aladdin (1992)Walt Disney, Aladdin (1992)

"It's Gonna Be Me" (NSYNC)

Like with the Spice Girls, this might not be the obvious NSYNC guilty pleasure song—but as catchy as "Bye Bye Bye" is, "It's Gonna Be Me" is the one we add to playlists first.

Pop group *NSYNC at the 2002 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.Jaguar PS, Shutterstock

"Yummy" (Justin Bieber)

Sure, it's ridiculous. But yes, this one is yummy to our ears.

Singer Justin Bieber performs on NBC's 'TODAY Show'Debby Wong, Shutterstock

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"I Will Buy You A New Life" (Everclear)

Anyone else have a soft spot for late-90s alt rock? Well, then you're also with us on this next one....right?

Everclear perform to a sold-out crowd at first annual Summerland tourHarmony Gerber, Shutterstock

"The Way" (Fastball)

VH1 called it one of the 100 best songs of the 90s. So, we aren't alone.

American band Fastball performing on stage in 2008Cortney Martin, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

"To Be With You" (Mr Big)

For some of us, Mr Big isn't just a popular Canadian chocolate bar.

Photo of the American rock band Mr. Big in 1992Jamiecat, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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"Believer" (Imagine Dragons)

First things first—we like this song.

Imagine Dragons at the American Music Awards 2017Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock

"Pour Some Sugar On Me" (Def Leppard)

Anyone else sweet on this one?

Rock group Def Leppard at the VH1 Big in 05 AwardsFeatureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock

"Sweet Caroline" (Neil Diamond)

Good times really do never seem so good as when we're blasting this one nice and loud.

Neil Diamond performs at the San Diego Sports Arenam. superstein, Shutterstock

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"Paradise By The Dashboard Light" (Meat Loaf And Ellen Foley)

And we're talking the full eight-minute-and-28-second album version, thank you very much!

Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley at a DIR Awards PartyEbet Roberts, Getty Images


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