15 songs that had all-time potential until the chorus ruined it

Okay, so there’s this song… I wish I could remember the title, honestly. It’s driving me crazy! But trust me, you know exactly what I’m talking about – we’ve all been there, right? That feeling when a tune is stuck in your head but the name just won’t come?

We were in the car, listening to the radio – I think it was a Beatles station. A Beatles song was playing, and my wife said she didn’t recognize it during the first verse. But when the chorus started, she realized she did know it.

It’s common for pop songs to get stuck in your head. That’s actually how they’re made! Choruses are usually designed to be memorable with catchy tunes and repeating lyrics, so you naturally remember them.

Not every song has a great chorus, including these 15 could-have-beens

I’ve always thought song verses can be all over the place, but the chorus? That’s what sticks with you – it’s usually the song title for a reason! Take Fun.’s “We Are Young,” for example. Honestly, try singing the verse – it’s super quick and then slows down, it’s tough! But I’d bet anyone who’s heard that song even once knows the chorus by heart.

Sometimes, whether by design or accident, a song’s verse actually stands out more than its chorus. We’re exploring songs where this happens – the verse is simply stronger. The chorus might still be memorable, but in a frustrating way. Anything is better than a chorus that’s just dull, though – that’s the real problem.

Honestly, I don’t need to know why. I’m simply focusing on songs I enjoy, but only up until the chorus starts.

“Girl” by the Beatles (1965)

The song “Girl” wasn’t the one we were discussing before – I definitely would have recalled it. John Lennon shares a concise, emotional story in the song about a girl who visited. It has a catchy tune and well-written lyrics. However, the chorus doesn’t really offer a clear message or overall theme.

Instead of a real chorus, the song just repeats “Ahh Girl … Girl.” To make it even more irritating, the artist adds a hissing sound – it’s the part I actually remember most, despite the chorus being almost nonexistent.

“Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” by Neil Diamond (1967)

It feels a little awkward asking a young girl to “take my hand,” but considering two different versions of “Go Away Little Girl” were both popular hits, it’s hard to be too critical of Neil’s feelings. What really bothers me, though, is how the song doesn’t quite make sense musically.

Okay, so I really didn’t like “Go Away Little Girl” at all, but this song? It starts with a verse that just grabs you – it’s got this cool, driving energy. Then the chorus comes in and honestly, it kind of ruins the vibe with how sweet it is. But you know what? Looking back, I think Jim Diamond was smart to start the song with that chorus line. It almost warns you what’s coming, which is kinda clever, even if I don’t totally love the chorus itself.

However, nothing seems to improve the song, not even the ironic and nostalgic cover by Urge Overkill in Pulp Fiction.

“Julie, Do You Love Me” by Bobby Sherman (1970)

Just checking if you’re still with me! Let’s be honest, nobody publicly admits to enjoying this song anymore. But I do. It’s definitely a bit cheesy, but Sherman’s relaxed, almost-cool pop rock actually works pretty well during the verses. However, the overly sweet and repetitive chorus, with all the backing vocals and loud horns, completely throws off the song’s subtle vibe.

“Silly Love Songs” by Wings (1976)

I previously praised John for his song “Girl,” so I think it’s fair to compliment Paul for this one. However, this song is much stronger than Paul’s “My Love,” which has a weak verse and a really poor chorus. “Silly Love Songs” is a charming take on a topic Paul understood well, and while his verse isn’t as brilliant as “Penny Lane,” it’s still quite good.

The “I love you” chorus lets it down, even with the embellishments he adds as the song goes on.

“Victim of Love” by the Eagles (1976)

I enjoy a lot of Don Henley’s songs, but I often find his choruses aren’t as strong as the verses. “Dirty Laundry” is a perfect example – the verse is sharp and critical, but the chorus feels weak and whiny.

“Minute by Minute” by the Doobie Brothers (1979)

I enjoy the music of both the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald individually, but I don’t like the sound the Doobie Brothers had when Michael McDonald was a member. By 1979, it was obvious he had taken over creative control of the band from its original leaders, Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons.

The song was a huge hit with everyone else, but I didn’t get the appeal. “Minute by Minute” has a strangely uneven rhythm in the verses, and the chorus feels repetitive and doesn’t really enhance the song.

“De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” by the Police (1980)

It’s pretty clear what I think of this song. Even when the Rolling Stones repeated “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo,” they had a strong energy – and at least included the word “Heartbreaker” in the song’s chorus and title. This one just doesn’t measure up.

“I’m Goin’ Down” by Bruce Springsteen (1984)

Bruce repeats the word “down” an astonishing 16 times in each chorus of the song. While there are three full choruses, he also repeats it frequently in the song’s outro. Even with some variation in the outro, I counted a total of 91 “downs” throughout the three-and-a-half minute track. That’s roughly one “down” every 2.3 seconds – a truly remarkable and unmatched frequency!

“Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison (1987)

Though Harrison didn’t write the song, his cover actually made it less appealing, despite its success. He took a charming, jazzy original by James Ray, released in 1962, and stretched the repetition to an extreme. Ray’s version is light and airy in the verses, with a subtle, almost ghostly chorus. Harrison, however, relentlessly emphasized the chorus, and somehow, it became a number one hit – a fact I don’t quite understand.

“Everybody Knows” by Leonard Cohen (1988)

Even incredibly talented artists like Leonard Cohen aren’t perfect – sometimes they write a weak chorus. It’s not about keeping things simple, though. In fact, his most well-known song, the one you’re probably thinking of right now, uses a chorus that just repeats one word four times.

The tune for “Hallelujah” is so powerful it turns the lyrics into a deeply emotional plea. However, “Everybody Knows,” while having arguably stronger verses, is let down by a simple chorus that doesn’t enhance the song’s impact.

“Wonderwall” by Oasis (1995)

This song is a prime example of what we’re talking about. While many people enjoy singing along to this Britpop hit, I personally don’t know anyone who does. The people I know are more confused – they keep asking what a ‘wonderwall’ even is, and why the song shifts from a mature, slightly dark verse to a chorus that sounds like something from a children’s story.

“A is For Andrew” by Attack Attack! (2010)

I typically focus on rock and pop when making lists like this, but I wanted to demonstrate that this problem can happen in any type of music. The song starts with Caleb Shomo powerfully screaming the verses, but then the chorus completely changes the feel.

Okay, so it’s not just that Johnny Franck suddenly starts singing cleanly – that could be cool. But the problem is, he goes from whatever the song was doing to this really high-pitched, whiny emo thing. It only lasts for two lines, with Shomo still screaming in the background, and then it disappears. It doesn’t come back until the next chorus, which feels really weird. Honestly, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think it fits.

“Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift (2017)

Looking back, it’s amazing how many songs Taylor Swift has written so quickly. This is the only instance I can think of where she didn’t really focus on creating a strong chorus. Of course, that doesn’t mean all her songs are good – you’re welcome to dislike them if you want.

There’s usually a clear strategy and thoughtfulness in their music, but this track feels different. While it starts with an energetic rap and a promising hyperpop build-up, it ultimately doesn’t lead anywhere. The chorus abruptly stops the song, which feels unintentional and disrupts the flow.

“make up” by Ariana Grande (2019)

It’s surprising that even with six songwriters—including Kaydence Krysiuk, Victoria Monet, and Ariana Grande—the song rhymes ‘make up’ with ‘makeup’ in the chorus. The chorus also has an interesting structure, briefly mimicking the feel of a verse before shifting, similar to a technique Taylor Swift uses in a previous song.

And finally, for our 15th entry…

The Jeff Lynne honorary award

Okay, so as a music fan – and a gamer who loves a good soundtrack – let me tell you, David Byrne is a genius at writing choruses that actually build on his already awesome verses. But Jeff Lynne? Not so much. I mean, I love ELO, seriously, but think about it: “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Do Ya,” all those hits… the verses are really interesting and unique, but the choruses just feel… repetitive and kinda boring. They don’t really go with the cool stuff happening in the verses, you know?

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2026-05-25 14:01