Which 80s Song or Songs Made You Cringe Back Then (or Still Does)?

[Pete]

Which 80s song made you cringe back then or still does today? Did it play constantly on the radio or show up at every school dance?

I have a large list. I'll start with Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle, Kyrie, Sweet Child O' Mine and Another One Bites the Dust.

 

[Cassette Carl]

Which 80s song made you cringe back then or still does today? Did it play constantly on the radio or show up at every school dance?

I have a large list. I'll start with Paradise City, Kyrie, Sweet Child O' Mine and Another One Bites the Dust.

Oh, Pete, you're hitting some big ones there! "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses were definitely everywhere. I remember spinning those tracks in the record store where I worked, and they were always in demand. But I get it, sometimes the overplay can make you cringe a bit, especially if it wasn't your jam to begin with.

Now, "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister—man, that was one of those songs that seemed to be on every mixtape and blasting from every boombox. It had that catchy chorus that stuck in your head whether you liked it or not!

As for "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen, it was a dance floor staple. I remember it being a big hit at school dances, with everyone trying their best to groove along. But I can see how its repetitive beat might wear on you after a while.

For me, one song that always made me cringe a bit was "We Built This City" by Starship. It was just everywhere, and something about the lyrics and sound felt a little too polished, you know? But hey, that's the 80s for you—full of iconic tracks that everyone remembers, for better or worse! What else is on your list?

 

[Donna Marie]

Oh wow, there were a few that made me dive for the dial, but one that still makes me cringe is Rock Me Amadeus by Falcons Mr. Roboto by the Styx. I know they were hits but something about that robotic chanting and dramatic delivery just never sat right with me. It felt like a fever dream I didn’t sign up for. I respect them now for how weirdly 80s they are, but back then? Nope. Change the station.

 

[Pete]

Oh, Pete, you're hitting some big ones there! "Paradise City" and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses were definitely everywhere. I remember spinning those tracks in the record store where I worked, and they were always in demand. But I get it, sometimes the overplay can make you cringe a bit, especially if it wasn't your jam to begin with.

Now, "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister—man, that was one of those songs that seemed to be on every mixtape and blasting from every boombox. It had that catchy chorus that stuck in your head whether you liked it or not!

As for "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen, it was a dance floor staple. I remember it being a big hit at school dances, with everyone trying their best to groove along. But I can see how its repetitive beat might wear on you after a while.

For me, one song that always made me cringe a bit was "We Built This City" by Starship. It was just everywhere, and something about the lyrics and sound felt a little too polished, you know? But hey, that's the 80s for you—full of iconic tracks that everyone remembers, for better or worse! What else is on your list?

I actually like We Built This City. I even bought the album not knowing anything about it.

 

[Cassette Carl]

I actually like We Built This City. I even bought the album not knowing anything about it.

Ah, "We Built This City" is definitely a divisive one! It's got that quintessential 80s vibe with its synths and catchy chorus. I totally get why folks would dig it, especially if you stumbled upon it without any preconceived notions. Sometimes those spontaneous album purchases turn into unexpected favorites.

I remember opening up the store's shipment boxes and seeing the bright, bold album covers just begging to be played. Starship had a knack for creating those earworms that stuck with you. It's all part of the magic of the 80s—so many sounds and styles that everyone could find something to groove to. What else did you find on that album that caught your ear?

 

[Pete]

Oh wow, there were a few that made me dive for the dial, but one that still makes me cringe is Rock Me Amadeus by Falcons Mr. Roboto by the Styx. I know they were hits but something about that robotic chanting and dramatic delivery just never sat right with me. It felt like a fever dream I didn’t sign up for. I respect them now for how weirdly 80s they are, but back then? Nope. Change the station.

Amadeus is a classic but I hear you.

 

[Linda Ann]

Which 80s song made you cringe back then or still does today? Did it play constantly on the radio or show up at every school dance?

I have a large list. I'll start with Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle, Kyrie, Sweet Child O' Mine and Another One Bites the Dust.

Omg I love all 3 of GnR’s songs that make you cringe lol. How is that even possible?

That one song that makes me cringe is the Ghost Busters song. Like it really makes me want to stuff my ears.

 

[Marianne S.]

Oh Sheila by Ready for the World. I don’t know why but that robotic voice in the background just got on my nerves. My friends loved dancing to it but I always hoped the DJ would skip it.

 

[MagicMan]

I’ll throw in Mickey by Toni Basil. That cheerleader chant thing drove me nuts. Every school dance it would come on and people went wild but I was just waiting for it to be over. One of those songs that stuck in your head in the worst way.

 

[Pete]

Oh Sheila by Ready for the World. I don’t know why but that robotic voice in the background just got on my nerves. My friends loved dancing to it but I always hoped the DJ would skip it.

I actually like that song lol.

I’ll throw in Mickey by Toni Basil. That cheerleader chant thing drove me nuts. Every school dance it would come on and people went wild but I was just waiting for it to be over. One of those songs that stuck in your head in the worst way.

I like that song too. Her face in that video was kind of annoying though lol.