By Martin Sejas

Call them one hit wonders, novelty acts or simply outrageously ridiculous songs, there are so many wacky classic songs that we have all grown to ashamedly love. We know they’re stupid, we know they’re pointless, we know they’re meaningless, we know they’re ridiculous yet we never have second thoughts about putting it on our ipod today. It’s probably because of its wackiness that we love these songs.

Below are 5 classic songs for which you should hang your head in shame for liking.

“Kung Fu Fighting” – Carl Douglas

It’s been called the biggest one-hit wonder of all time. It’s also been called the most ridiculous song (and dance) ever made. Which is not surprising given that songs about martial arts are not something that happens every day. One of the earliest disco songs, “Kung Fu Fighting” was a resounding success commercially when released in 1974, selling over a million copies in the US and over 4 million worldwide.

Soon enough the whole world was dancing and singing “everybody was kung-fu fighting, those cats were fast as lightning, in fact it was a little bit frightening, but they fought with expert timing.” The fact that it came with a dance made it even more popular and addictive.

If you have never heard “Kung-Fu Fighting”, I warn you to be prepared for one of the worst songs you’ll ever hear. You’ll almost certainly hate it at first, but you will grow to love it. Guaranteed. And then you’ll hang your head in shame.

“Tarzan Boy” – Baltimora

Any song that uses Tarzan’s cry as the melodic line is nothing but outrageous. “Tarzan Boy” was a huge one-hit wonder for Italian electro-pop dance group Baltimora in 1985. Sung by frontman Jimmy McShane, it also comes with one of the worst music videos ever created. You can see it for yourself above.

The song deals with living in the jungle just like Tarzan Boy and about “monkey business on a sunny afternoon.” The lyrics are certainly some of the worst ever written, however, it is Tarzan’s cry that makes this song so memorable and so loved by many of us. We should really hang our heads in shame.

“Ice Ice Baby” – Vanilla Ice

Apart from being a big hip-hop one-hit wonder in the early 90s, it was also the subject of a plagiarism dispute. And to make matters worse (or more interesting), Vanilla Ice was a white rapper which was unheard of in the early 90s.

There are few phrases in music that are more addictive than “ice ice baby.” In fact, many of us still go crazy over the prospect of singing “ice ice baby” in a whisper-like voice. We’ve probably got this song on our ipods right now. Hang your head in shame if you love this song.

“Barbara Ann” – The Beach Boys

You’d be hard pressed to find another song that repeats its title so many times during the song. So many times that the Beach Boys themselves have made the mistake of singing “baa baa black sheep” instead “Barbara Ann” on some occasions. One wonders whether the kid’s nursery rhyme was the inspiration behind this song. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

I feel sorry for anyone named Barbara or Barbara Ann for that matter, this is certainly one song that you would not like to hear. You’re probably wondering why people have to sound like sheep to sing a song. Yet it’s probably because of this, that we all love to sing and dance to this song. Let’s hang our heads in shame.

“I’m Too Sexy” – Right Said Fred

A worldwide hit in 1992, “I’m Too Sexy” features some of the most hilarious and ridiculous lyrics ever used. In fact, I would classify this song to be more of a comedy skit than a pop song.

The song explores the feeling of being comfortable about your personal level of sexiness that you are too sexy for many things. The song goes through a list of things which the protagonist says he’s too sexy for. This includes being too sexy for “my love, my shirt, Milan, Japan, New York, your party, my car, my hat, my cat” and finally the song itself.

Men may not like to admit it, but they simply (and secretly) adore this song and dream of singing it every time they get up from bed. They can hang their heads in shame.

There are more wacky classic songs out there, but you will find it hard to beat the 5 songs presented here.

Feel free to comment on these songs and/or my review below.

by Martin Sejas

The 90s were certainly a strange period in the history of music. Perhaps this is due to the wide variety of genres and styles that emerged during the decade or perhaps it’s because not one artist or genre seems to define the decade.

The beginning of the 90s was characterized by the rise of grunge and alternative rock into the mainstream and the disappearance of classic rock. The lead band of this genre was by far Nirvana with their classic song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” becoming an anthem for a generation. While grunge would disappear from the mainstream, alternative rock would continue throughout the 90s until today with bands such as Green Day and Blink 182.

For the first time ever, urban pop began to constantly dominate the charts, at least in North America. Artists such as Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey and TLC were almost a constant presence on the radio, and continue to inspire today’s RnB artists with songs such as “One Sweet Day” or “No Scrubs”. Urban pop arguably dominates the charts today more than ever before.

Hip-hop also made its mainstream debut in the 90s and today has a permanent place in contemporary music. The pioneers from this period include the Notorious B.I.G., MC Hammer, 2Pac and Snopp Dogg. Notable classic songs from this era include “Changes” from 2Pac and “Gangsta’s Paradise” from Coolio.

Teen pop made a comeback in the late 90s, bigger than it ever was in the late 80s and early 90s. Bands such as the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls and singers such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were an undeniable presence on the airwaves and charts. Such artists defined the late 90s while all other genres took a backseat. Classic songs from this genre include “Baby One More Time” from Britney Spears, “Wannabe” from the Spice Girls and “As Long As You Love Me” from the Backstreet Boys.

I like to define the 90s like a fruit and vegetable salad, it was essentially a mix of so many genres and styles never seen before, but which did produce some memorable and classic songs.

by Martin Sejas

Some people say that the 80s are like a blur to them, however, given the number of classic songs and bands from this era, it’s an era that is recent enough for most people to remember and reflect back on.
Probably the most famous genre from this era is new wave, which was the descendant from the punk rock of the 70s and incorporated the use of synthesizers. It was essentially a reaction to the music of the late 70s and it eventually became the sound of the 80s. Artists such as the Eurythmics, Culture Club and Duran Duran dominated this genre during this era. Some of the emblematic songs include “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and “Karma Chameleon” from the Eurythmics and Culture Club respectively.

The 80s also saw the rise of alternative rock to the mainstream. U2 and R.E.M were probably the lead bands of this genre. In addition, the power ballad also became mainstream, which were rock-oriented ballads. Bands such as Chicago, Foreigner and Mr. Mister are just some of the bands that had tremendous success with power ballads. Some of the classic songs of this genre include “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago and “I Wanna Know What Love Is” from Foreigner.

Urban pop, or modern Rnb, gained its modern form in the 80s through the emergence of the King of Pop Michael Jackson and the voice of Whitney Houston. Without doubt, Jackson dominated this genre throughout the decade and became one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. “Billie Jean” is an absolute classic and is arguably the greatest song of this decade, which continues to be a staple at parties today. On the other hand, Whitney Houston made history by having her first 7 singles reach number 1 in the US and as a result she became a superstar in her own right.

The teen pop movement from the late 90s had its origins in the 80s with the rise of artists such as Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and bands such as New Edition and New Kids On The Block. They were a new concept in the 80s but these artists became pioneers of later teen pop artists. “Lost In Your Eyes” by Debbie Gibson is probably the most famous song from this genre.

The other day one of my friends classified the 80s music as being something in between today’s contemporary music and the music of yesterday. I have to agree and it’s because of this that the 80s and its classic songs are so fondly remembered.

by Martin Sejas

I’m sure you’d agree that there is no better way to get a party started than by someone belting out a great karaoke song in front of everyone. It certainly lightens up the mood and can even ignite a karaoke competition between people and this can certainly make any party both enjoyable and memorable. So what are the best karaoke songs to get a party rolling? This article features 3 songs which are guaranteed to rock a party.

“I Will Survive” – GLORIA GAYNOR

As well as being one of the gayest songs of all time, it is also a long-time favorite on the karaoke circuit. In fact, it’s a song that is always present during karaoke principally because it is guaranteed to animate an audience. In addition, it’s a song about female empowerment and the song of choice of many female karaoke singers out there. It’s hard to top this song at a party.

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – THE ROLLING STONES

The instantly recognizable opening riff to this song is guaranteed to get everyone in the room rocking their chairs. Even more so, a man who can imitate Mick Jagger’s vocal range. One of the greatest classic rock songs of all time, “Satisfaction” has crossed over to the karaoke scene and has become one of the favorites especially for the male audience.

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – ELTON JOHN & KIKI DEE

One of the most recognizable and loved duets, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” is guaranteed to get both men and women fighting to sing the song. A simple love song with a catchy yet easy to follow tune means that there will be nobody that cannot sing and follow the rhythm of this great karaoke song.

Karaoke is a time for great fun and great memories with the ones you love and there’s nothing better than starting with some great karaoke songs like the ones presented in this article.

by Martin Sejas

I know it’s been a long time coming but here is the second part of the Top 30 Classic Love Songs of All Time. Just like Part 1, Part 2 presents another 5 songs each with a short description. Enjoy!

6.    “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Michael Bolton

Michael Bolton’s most famous song from 1989 comes with an emotional and hard-felt performance. The lyrics express a man’s anguish and sadness at his separation from his lover. While the verses may not be too inspiring, it is the memorable chorus that transforms this song into a classic ballad, not to mention Bolton’s voice.

7.    “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders

“I’ll Stand By You” expresses the loyalty of someone supporting their lover in times of personal darkness. The singer states throughout they will “stand by you”, “never let anybody hurt you” and “never desert you.” They are powerful, touching lyrics capped off with a flawless and memorable performance from lead singer Chrissie Hynde.

8.    “I Finally Found Someone” by Bryan Adams & Barbra Streisand

This classic ballad explores the elation that someone feels when they have met someone special who they think may be “the one” they’ve been searching for all their lives. This moment is described as giving them a feeling of completeness in their lives which is exactly what everyone feels when they find their true love. It’s a song that stays with you for a while after you’ve listened to it.

9.    “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

A classic power ballad penned by legendary songwriter Jim Steinman, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is one epic of a love song. At more than 7 minutes long, it explores the highs and lows of someone’s love life. There are the highs of falling in love and the lows of separating from your love, all of which is described as a ‘total eclipse of the heart.’ There’s no doubt that this song will always feature best love songs lists for a very long time.

10.    “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago

Undeniably one of the greatest love songs ever composed, “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” is a classic in every sense of the word. Chicago’s most famous and most successful song deals with the pain someone feels at being separated from the one they love. However, the singer recognizes that it won’t be easy and that it will hard to say he’s sorry. The highlight of this song is Peter Cetera’s voice which is both unique and irreplaceable.

Stay tuned for next article in this 6 part series which will feature another 5 of the greatest classic love songs of all time.

by Martin Sejas

The 70s were another memorable decade of classic songs from many legendary singers and bands with most of them following up with the innovations made in the 60s. As a result, new genres were invented in this decade, all of which are featured in the following article.

At the beginning of the 70s, progressive rock was certainly the order of the day as it followed on from the psychedelic rock movement from the mid to late 60s. Artists such as Pink Floyd and Genesis dominated this genre during this period with the most famous song being “Another Brick In The Wall” by Pink Floyd. Progressive rock was also sometimes referred to as art rock and one of its major exponents was the British band 10CC whose song “I’m Not In Love” is a must-listen timeless classic.

The punk movement also has its origins in the middle of the 70s with major bands such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash becoming idols for an entire generation. Punk music continues today and it’s largely due to these pioneers who continue to be held in high esteem by modern punk artists.

The 70s also saw many Southern and country rock bands have tremendous commercial success. The Eagles were the dominant band of this genre conjuring up 5 number 1 hit singles in the US during this period. Their signature song “Hotel California” remains one of the all time classic rock songs. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” also symbolizes the 70s for a whole generation while other bands such as America enthralled audiences with their simple yet catchy songs.

Hard rock and heavy metal truly arrived in its more well-known form in the 70s led by bands such as AC/DC, Queen and Led Zepellin. Songs such as “Highway To Hell” and “We Will Rock You” became anthems of hard rock fans the world over. Other rock bands chose a slightly different direction with their music. For example, Electric Light Orchestra mixed conventional rock with classical music with amazing results. Songs such as “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” and “Livin’ Thing” are also emblematic of the rock genre of this era.

Disco is probably the genre which dominated the 70s and which best defines the decade. It seems as if the word ‘disco’ is intrinsically and eternally tied to the 70s. It was so dominant that at the height of its popularity in the late 70s, the only way that artists could have a hit was to sing a disco tune, which many of them did with varying levels of success. At the height of the disco movement, the Bee Gees and ABBA dominated the charts and worldwide sales. However, the most famous song from this era was probably “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People which has since become one of the most popular anthems for the gay community. The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack from the Bee Gees is essentially what symbolizes all things disco in the 70s.

There’s absolutely no doubt that the 70s will be remembered for its wide range of genres and classic songs that defined a generation.

Composed by: David Foster
Released: 1985

US Charts: #15
UK Charts: N/A
Other Charts: N/A

Possibly one of the most memorable scores of any film, “Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire” is also one of the most forgotten scores when discussing the greatest scores ever composed in music history. Composed by David Foster for the classic 80s movie St. Elmo’s Fire, the score grabs your attention from the first second and does not ever let you go. In fact, its beauty and grandeur means that it stays with you for some time.

As the winner of 15 Grammy Awards, the name David Foster is synonymous with musical greatness. As music composer and producer, he is up there with the very best, and some people even argue that there has been no one better in the industry. Out of the scores he has composed, the score from St. Elmo’s Fire is probably his most well-known.

After viewing the above video, you will most likely be willing to watch the film (especially if you have never seen it before). I had the same experience in that after hearing this song for the first time, I could not but help watching the film. It’s only after you know what the movie is about, that you can see how suitable this score is. It also attaches images to what you listen and makes the music sound even more beautiful.

As you can probably now see, I’m a lover of theme music used in films. You might not classify these songs as classic songs because they are not typically “songs” as such. Nevertheless, they evoke emotions and thoughts and that’s all that is needed for a piece of music to be labeled a classic song.

It’s also not every day that a piece of music without lyrics is commercially successful. This song reached number 15 on the US charts demonstrating that music does not need lyrics to touch people hearts. I sincerely hope you enjoy the song in the above video and go ahead and watch this wonderful film.

Chords can be accessed here.

Feel free to comment on this song and/or my review below.

Subscribe to the All Time Classic Songs newsletter today and you’ll receive a FREE copy of my brand new e-book “The 30 Greatest Love Songs of All Time.” Limited time only!

So many classic songs have been written about the subject of love. In fact, it would be safe to say that more than 95% of all songs have been written about this topic. Some would even argue that the percentage is even higher. The question remains, why are most songs about love? Why can’t they be about something else? The answer is simple: love is universal and it’s the one thing that guarantees happiness and gives meaning to life. Love touches us on many occasions and in very different ways. For this reason, there are so many songs written about it.

I’ve decided to create a list of what I believe to be the 30 greatest love songs ever written, so that many everyone may be able to listen and embrace the best of the best. I have also given short explanations of each of the songs in a series of 6 articles. Keep in mind that the songs are in no particular order.

1.    ”Woman” by John Lennon

The first single released following Lennon’s shock death in December 1980, “Woman” is a song that expresses a man’s gratitude for the woman in their life. It’s a timeless theme, with wonderful lyrics and an easy, memorable rhythm, which makes it one of the great love ballads of all time.

2.    ”When I Need You” by Leo Sayer

Leo Sayer’s classic ballad from 1975 still remains as beautiful as ever. “When I Need You” expresses how a person is always close to their lover no matter where they are. Even if they’re separated by large distances, they can feel and be next to each other by simply closing their eyes and reaching out their arms. The slow, memorable melody is probably the highlight of this classic love song.

3.    ”The One That You Love” by Air Supply

Probably the best song from the Australian-British duo from Air Supply, “The One That You Love” is about a person reminding their lover that they are there for them, whenever they need them. The fact that this song reached number 1 in the US demonstrates how this song struck a chord with people in 1981 and still does today.

4.    ”How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees

While the Bee Gees are mainly for their significant contribution to the soundtrack of the film Saturday Night Fever, they were also creators of great ballads. “How Deep Is Your Love” is probably their greatest ballad and explores a person’s desire to find out how much their lover truly loves them, given that they are many bad things in the world. The great combination of the Bee Gees’ voices is the highlight of this outstanding ballad.

5.    ”Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” by Bryan Adams

Any song that is able to remain at the top of the US charts for more than 7 weeks is truly a classic song. “Everything I Do” is about how a person loves someone so much that they are willing to do anything for them, even die for them. The song’s lyrics could easily fit a Romeo & Juliet-style storyline. The highlight of this song is the song’s melody making it extremely memorable while remaining one of the truly great love songs of all time.

Keep an eye out for the next article which will feature another 5 classic songs about love.

Wanna write a love song yet know absolutely nothing about music? This may be what you’ve been looking for.

Subscribe to the All Time Classic Songs newsletter today and you’ll receive a FREE copy of my brand new e-book “The 30 Greatest Love Songs of All Time.” Limited time only!