Have you ever heard a song that just stood out in a positive way, only to discover that the artist behind it has done songs you didn't like before. That is what this list is for. Keep in mind, this is my opinion. If an artist you like is on this list, don't get offended. It won't change my opinion and it will only ruin your day. Also, these songs were released as hits, so no fan favorite unknown song from the album, I don't own an album from any of these artist. I am also adding links to YouTube for anyone curious to listen to them. With that out of the way, lets dive in with something a bit more obvious.
#10- Savages by Theory of a Deadman- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRKBGBSSaYg
Theory of a Deadman is a poor man's Nickelback... Which is a poor man's Rock music. I will give Theory of a Deadman one thing, at least they made a song I legitimately like. Savages feels less like Nickelback and more like Godsmack. I don't know if it is the haunting guitar work, the guitar solo, or the fact that Alice Cooper contributes to this song. Lyrically, it is nothing special, but the tone sets up a mood for adrenaline, aggression, and hints at a good time. While the rest of the songs feel like something a drunk guy would sing at a karaoke night, Savages feels like a song that should be enjoyed at a Rock concert.
#9- Ghost of Beverly Drive by Death Cab for Cutie- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srvcc8izHSU
I have never been a fan of Death Cab for Cutie. I have found the mellow feeling and acoustic work they are known for to be boring. People have tried to get me to like them, but failed. Until Ghost of Beverly Drive came out. I did not believe they were the ones behind this song when I heard it. I thought it was a new Pop Punk band or an Indie singer. This the smart use of being mellow, but also being interesting with the electric guitar instead of acoustic and a very effective drum rhythm backing the whole thing up. It is not lyrically different from Death Cab for Cutie's other work, but I can relate to it a little more since it goes into always going back on your mistakes. It is a song I didn't think could exist, but happy it does.
#8- Rollin' by Limp Bizkit- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnFIRc0k6E
The early 2000s were not the best times for Metal. While we did get Korn and Papa Roach, we also got the Limp Bizkit and it is really the only time they could have been popular. They were vulgar, over the top, and more violent then they should've been. They did a reunion tour, but that is all I have heard. However, this song was fun when you found the edited version (which is the version I am sharing) and the riff work is actually good. Not to mention, it is the only song that showed the band did have potential to do more than they did. It is a song to just move along and not get in a fight... At least not with Limp Bizkit... Wow! Who taught Fred Durst how to spell? ... Moving on...
#7- Where Is the Love by The Black Eyed Peas- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc
Good Grief! The Black Eyed Peas were just awful, weren't they? Well, almost the worst, but still glad they are gone. This song does still have a level of relevance. It is not the strongest in terms of a tune, but I feel it was made to focus on the lyrics. It is a song about love, and shows how all sides are guilty of that. Why is that bad? It isn't, but we do ignore it at times. Before getting any more potential, Justin Timberlake saves the song like Alice Cooper saved Savages. His chorus for the song helps it stand out and it hasn't been forgotten since I have first heard it in my younger years.
#6- Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agrXgrAgQ0U
Speaking of The Black Eyed Peas, Will.I.Am has had an awful solo career and Fergie has been almost just as bad. Fergie is basically the Michael Bay of music, she only had one strong song and even my Rock and Metal buddies agree, Big Girls Don't Cry is a beautiful song. If this was the first song I have heard from Fergie, I would think she was a genius, then instantly regret it after hearing the rest of her uninspiring garbage. The song mostly highlights how hard it is to break off a relationship, from the perspective of the person breaking off the relationship, not the person with the broken heart. HOW MANY SONGS DO THAT? Not a lot, at least not at the emotion Fergie gives us. Seriously, I wanted more of this from Fergie, NOT FERGALICIOUS!!!
#5- Sound of Madness by Shinedown- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGt-8adyabk
Shinedown is kind o heartbreaking for me to talk about. When I first heard them, I liked them. Then I heard more and more and liked less and less. Nowadays I view them as a one trick pony, except the Sound of Madness album. During that time, they had a lead guitarist that was very heavy on blues playing and adding that style to a heavy tone is what made the entire album stand out, but Sound of Madness (the title song) is the best song on the album, hands down. Imagine if Metallica did a song with Eric Clapton, that is Sound of Madness. This creates a very dark tone and smart us atmosphere around it, making it a great song for either stress relief or working out. Not to mention the guitar work and riff. I learned it on guitar and it does get people excited when they hear it.
My top 4 are not songs I like more than the rest of the songs listed, some I may like less. I did the order based on the quality of the songs, and my opinion of the artist in question. With that in mind, my top 4 are all going to hurt to admit.
#4 Style by Taylor Swift- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CmadmM5cOk
5 years ago, I made a list of least favorite artist of all time and Taylor Swift was number 1 on that list. I found her whiny, annoying, and repetitive. Since then, other artist have come out that proved me wrong and it could be worse, because Taylor Swift released Style. Style is a song about just looking about a cute couple. Taylor Swift went from a girl crying about heartbreak to just enjoying the good moments and looking nice with your significant other. People tried to tell me she matured when she went to Pop music, but I didn't believe it until Style came out. I would endure We are Never Getting Back Together, Mean, Love Story, and Bad Blood again if she released another song with the level of maturity she showed with Style.
#3- Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT2_F-1esPk
I am not and EDM fan. If you have told me the guys behind #Selfie was still making music and popular, I would have laughed and punched you in the throat for telling such a lie. While songs like #Selfie and Don't Let Me Down are lifeless, they did release Roses and Paris which are both okay... But I can't help but love Closer. I have no idea why! Lyrically, it is over complicated and the music behind it is boring. Not to mention I am not a fan of Halsey and the member of The Chainsmokers can't sing at all. The message is one thing I was attracted to though. It is a song about enjoying the moment. Don't think about the future too hard, enjoy where you are now. Don't focus on getting older. It is a song that shouldn't work, but does. I did share the lyric video, because it is better. Trust me.
#2- Best Song Ever by One Direction- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz8nbL6iKT4
One Direction was not the New British Wave we needed. They were uninspiring and boring over all. I am happy they are breaking up, but by the end of it all, I couldn't help but hope someone other than Zayn tries a solo work or does more in music, because this song was good for all the best reasons. It is telling a story about a specific event, it has great music for dancing, and it was vague in all the right areas. I am even having a hard time writing while listening to it because I want to start dancing. It was a toss up between this and Perfect, but Perfect is basically their version of Style and I like it less than this one.
#1- The Feeling by Justin Bieber feat. Halsey- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYj4l5Xntt0
I NEVER wanted to like a Justin Bieber song! From his beginning with Baby to the current day, he has only shown how much of an immature little $#!* he is. So, why is The Feeling such a mature song? Did he writes this? Someone tell me he didn't write this! It wasn't as big as his other songs on the album he produced, but this is the best song he has ever released. Hello again, Halsey, and welcome back to a song I didn't want to like, but do. This is a song about the internal debate on whether you love a person, or just love being with someone. The same kid that release Sorry and What Do You Mean the same year, released this. This song ask the question we all need to ask when a relation is in trouble and needs to be evaluated. It is a depressing tune with the song ,but it fits the message. Asking yourself that question is hard and puts you in a tough situation, I speak from experience. I didn't think I would ever like a song from an unlikable source, but I was surprised and I do enjoy it... Sorry...
More Top 10s to come. If you have any suggestion, let me know.
