I have seen story after story about how hard it is nowadays to separate the musical artist from the art. It really shouldn't be, hearing is a gift.
With that being said, these are the Top 10 Songs That I Should Hate, (But Still Really Like).
10. Fred Bear by Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent is a jackass. You say his politics shouldn't matter? Then google Ted Nugent and Courtney Love. His song Fred Bear reminds me of my friendship with Jason Campo when we used to work together at Taco Bell. God bless Jason's Soul. You say Jason's still alive?
9. Celebrity Skin by Courtney Love
Speaking of Ms. Love, not only did she hook up with Ted Nugent, but nearly every musician in the 90's alternative scene. You say that's her prerogative? Umm, her husband is dead. She, on some level, contributed to that. Every time he turned his head, his wife was gone. Where? She would counter that she was a good wife and Cobain had drug problems....
Man, we're only 2 songs into the list and I'm already getting into speculative trouble.
8. Thriller by Michael Jackson
It seems like a lifetime ago that Michael Jackson was the most popular performer on the planet. When Searching for Neverland came out in 2017, the public was split between detractors and defenders.
The best summation of Searching for Neverland came from a reporter who asked "ignore the settlements and assume the child molestation was untrue. Even though Jackson may have had stunted emotional growth, he was still a grown man. The fact that a grown man was having sleepovers with pre-pubescent boys in the same bed isn't even contradicted by the Jackson Estate. How would you feel if your kid was having sleepovers with the Dad next door in his bed?"
With all that being said, Thriller is arguably the best Halloween video of all time.
7. Anarchy in the UK by the Sex Pistols
Did Sid kill Nancy? Probably not. Does the question haunt me when I listen to one of the greatest punk songs of all time?
Uh, no.
6. Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd
When Pink Floyd broke up, I thought it was just another band that couldn't get along. Then, over the last 20 years, Roger Waters has said some really, really hateful stuff about the Jews.
Apparently, there's a tangible reason that the rest of the band hates Roger Waters.
Editor's Note: My wife says "I only like the David Gilmour songs."
5. Superfreak by Rick James
In death, Rick James has kind of become a cartoon character of himself. But when he was alive, Rick James had both an aura of darkness and insanity. That whole, kidnapping by the end of a hot crack pipe episode was funny because it didn't happen to us. But in real life, it was the tip of the iceberg for some serious criminal allegations.
4. Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja by the Lostprophets
Lead singer Ian Watkins was convicted of some horrific crimes against children in a court of law. The rest of the band, well, we'll let them speak for themselves, from 2013, "we're learning about the details of the (Watkins) investigation along with you." The band split up shortly after that statement.
With that being said, I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself singing this song in my head. It's like I can't extract it.
3. Rock and Roll Part II by Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is one of Rock's unrepentant scumbags. Rock and Roll Part II was one of the greatest arena anthems ever created.....well, until arenas were forced to stop playing it. Glitter still rots in jail as he approaches 80.
2. All About the Benjamins by Diddy
With that being said, this is still one of my favorite rap songs of all-time. (Did Diddy kill Tupac? Another good Question.)
1. Kickstart My Heart by Mötley Crüe
Kickstart My Heart is one of the greatest songs in rock history, there's no arguing that. When Mötley Crüe was callously throwing Mick Mars out of the band, he lashed out "you're all felons."
Ever since then, I've felt really bad listening to Mötley Crüe.
(But not bad enough to stop.)
You know who are a really good bunch of guys? Supposedly Bono and U2.
For the most part, I loathe U2's music, with Mysterious Ways being the closest song that I would consider tolerable.
Would I ever prefer the music of U2 over any of the songs on the above list?
Uh, no.
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