9 awful songs by great artists that can still make you cringe

As a music fan, I’ve always believed there are amazing songs all around us, but let’s be real, there’s a lot of stuff that just doesn’t hit the mark too. When an artist nobody knows releases a disappointing song, it’s not a huge shock. But when a true legend, someone you really respect, puts out something bad… that’s when you’re genuinely surprised and a little let down!

Even the most talented creators sometimes make mistakes. There are countless reasons why someone brilliant might produce something subpar – a momentary lapse in focus, a need to quickly create content, or simply an attempt at humor that falls flat. It happens to everyone, regardless of skill.

Okay, so some songs just don’t hit the same way as the artist’s other stuff. Sometimes it feels like they weren’t really inspired, or the song just wasn’t well-made – maybe the lyrics are weak, or it just doesn’t sound like *them*. It could be one of those things, or a bunch of them all at once. I’ve picked out nine songs by usually amazing artists that, honestly, just don’t live up to the hype.

These musical artists might have been good, but these songs are terrible

David Bowie – “The Laughing Gnome” (1967)

Honestly, this song didn’t make much of a splash when it first came out. But then, around 1973 when everyone was getting used to the constantly evolving David Bowie, it suddenly became popular! It’s a pretty cheesy, bubblegum pop tune with vocals that sound all sped-up and high-pitched, like he used helium. And you know what? Bowie himself always seemed embarrassed by it, like he knew it wasn’t his best work.

Elvis Presley – “Confidence” (1967)

Elvis Presley’s films weren’t meant to be serious art – they were made to be enjoyable. While a few were actually good, *Clambake* definitely wasn’t one of them. The movie’s soundtrack was just as poor, and a particular song – a remake of a Frank Sinatra tune featuring a chorus of child actors from the film – was particularly awful.

The Beatles were all incredibly talented songwriters, creating a vast number of memorable songs. While each member had moments they weren’t proud of, this particular McCartney song is among the very best. It was a hit single in many countries, but surprisingly wasn’t released as a single in either the U.S. or the U.K.

Chuck Berry – “My Dong-a-Ling” (1972)

Chuck Berry, a hugely influential rock artist, surprisingly only had one song reach number one, and it was this rather silly tune – which he didn’t even write himself. Originally likely intended as a lighthearted track, the song sounds even more awkward today than it did back in the 1970s.

Neil Young – “We R in Control” (1982)

Neil Young has explored nearly every genre of modern music, and his album *Trans* was a notable experiment with electronic sounds. While his intentions were good – the album aimed to address the dangers of misused technology – the result unfortunately suffered from technical issues. Ironically, *Trans* ended up being a prime example of technology *gone* wrong.

Paul Simon – “Cars are Cars” (1983)

After his collaboration with Art Garfunkel fell apart, Paul Simon removed Garfunkel’s vocals from existing recordings and began working on new material that would become the album *Hearts and Bones*. The album largely focused on the end of his marriage to Carrie Fisher, but it also featured a strangely repetitive line – “cars are cars all over the world” – suggesting he was stuck creatively at the time.

Frank Zappa – “Jazz Discharge Party Hats” (1983)

It’s impossible to know exactly how much music Frank Zappa created – even those currently managing his extensive archive are unsure. Among all his recordings, both published and unreleased, there are definitely some tracks that probably shouldn’t have been heard. Zappa had a fantastic sense of humor, but, like anyone, it wasn’t always perfect, and that’s particularly noticeable in these instances.

Bob Dylan – “Wiggle Wiggle” (1990)

Dylan is well-known for incorporating blues influences, and this opening track from *Under The Sky* is full of them. However, the lyrics are simply incoherent and don’t live up to the standard of his Nobel Prize-winning writing. While all artists are entitled to experiment, this song feels overly nonsensical, even as a playful attempt.

Brian Wilson – “Smart Girls” (1991)

Okay, so this is a weird one. The guy known for making some seriously beautiful music decided to try his hand at rap on a solo album called *Sweet Insanity*. It never officially came out, but copies floated around. Honestly? It wasn’t *terrible*, but it definitely wasn’t one of his best works. Looking back, it feels like a total misstep – I’m not sure what he was thinking!

2025-09-21 13:00