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?
"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.
"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.
jenniferlinneaphotography, 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.
Raph_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?
"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".
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.
Bruce Alan Bennett, Shutterstock
"Copacabana (At the Copa)" (Barry Manilow)
Just like Lola and Tony—when we heard this song we "fell in love".
"History" (One Direction)
We're suckers for a good acoustic harmony.
"What Is Love" (Haddaway)
We blame Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan for this one.
"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.
Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
"The Bad Touch" (Bloodhound Gang)
To this day, we still can't watch the Discovery Channel without giggling.
"Complicated" (Avril Lavigne)
Nothing complicated about it. The song is ridiculously catchy.
Frederic Legrand - COMEO, Shutterstock
"I Love It" (Icona Pop)
We don't care. We love it!
"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.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
"Karma Chameleon" (Culture Club)
Any other 80s lovers out there? Raise your hands.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham)
We didn't say to put your hands down yet.
Louise Palanker, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
"Toxic" (Britney Spears)
Try telling us this song doesn't rock.
"MMMBop" (Hanson)
Don't laugh. It's really catchy. And speaking of "mmmm's"...
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" (Crash Test Dummies)
Anyone else remember this one?
SPKx, 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.
"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.
Schorle, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
"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.
"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.
"Yummy" (Justin Bieber)
Sure, it's ridiculous. But yes, this one is yummy to our ears.
"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?
"The Way" (Fastball)
VH1 called it one of the 100 best songs of the 90s. So, we aren't alone.
Cortney 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.
Jamiecat, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
"Believer" (Imagine Dragons)
First things first—we like this song.
"Pour Some Sugar On Me" (Def Leppard)
Anyone else sweet on this one?
Featureflash 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.
"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!