5 Most Underrated and Overrated Songs since 1950
With summer zipping by so quickly, we at PR-Bridge are diverting from our normal public relations programming to present some popular culture thoughts that may spark further discussion.
As a proud Gen Xer raised in the hills of Western Pennsylvania, I am committing major violations by naming some of these songs in the “overrated” category. Growing up, such blasphemy would have erupted into fistfights. That’s okay – it is all in the name of fun.
Today’s features: The Five Most Underrated Songs since 1950, The Five Most Overrated Songs since 1950, and Five Bands I Never Want to Hear Again (but cannot escape because classic rock radio in Tampa plays horrible songs…)
The Five Most Underrated Songs since 1950
1. “Tangled Up in Blue” – Bob Dylan
Probably the greatest love song of all-time. Dylan’s cryptic lyrics drive a cross-country love affair encased in a snapshot of 1960s/1970s social history.
2. “Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen
The song has always played second fiddle to “Born to Run,” which is understandable. However, listen to them again – loud – and tell me that TR does not leave BTR in its dust.
3. “Downtown Train” – Tom Waits
Waits is a genius, a musical magician with a voice so beautiful and unapologetic that it blasts through the soul. His version of “Downtown Train” is filled with longing, anguish, and dashed dreams – all the emotion left out in Rod Stewart’s much more popular cover.
4. “Fight the Power” – Public Enemy
The first question someone could ask is how “Fight the Power” could ever be considered underrated given its exposure from Spike’s Do the Right Thing. My reply is that the song (and band, for that matter) has almost no influence on today’s rap and hip-hop, which is ludicrous and sad. The political nature of Public Enemy meant so much to listeners in the late 1980s and early 1990s. That spark is virtually nonexistent in today’s rap and hip-hop. The digs on John Wayne and Elvis are priceless!
5. “Raspberry Beret” – Prince
While the symbolic one got famous off the early hits on 1999 and accompanying videos, including Purple Rain, “Raspberry Beret” shows Prince at his playful best. The song just flat-out makes you feel good.
The Five Most Overrated Songs since 1950
1. “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
I love Led Zeppelin, but have not listened to more than five seconds of this song since being forced to at a bonfire keg party in 1985. Maybe it is the area I grew up in, since WDVE (102.5, Pittsburgh) played this song incessantly. Or, perhaps it is the way the football players and other gear head idiots in my high school worshipped Stairway that makes it impossible for me to listen to it. Either way, my finger can’t hit the preset button faster when I hear that first chord.
2. “Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones
Is it just me, or does the entire Rolling Stones act just seem like one long commercial? Yes, I understand that rock needed its edge back and Mick and Keith provided that dark side. I would bet a lot of money, however, that if a listener were completely honest with himself, he could find 25 better songs from the era. I respect the Stones, my wife and I saw them at RFK in about 20 degree weather in the late 1990s, I just don’t see the fascination – particularly now that they are in their sixties.
3. “Dream On” – Aerosmith
Aerosmith has so many better songs over its long career, yet “Dream On” is the one played most often. I feel the same way about Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.” If you like Aerosmith and “Dream On” is your favorite song of theirs, then you must be insane. I guess I would give someone a break from this if “Dream On” were their prom song or wedding song or something. Otherwise, it is just an overrated song.
4. “Losing My Religion” – REM
Yes, the song/video catapulted REM into a different musical stratosphere. However, the transformation subsequently led to some really bad albums and is a case of too much fame all at once, which sent the band off course.
5. “Born in the USA” – Bruce Springsteen
God, I feel like a turncoat putting a song by Bruce on this list, but in my defense, turning the song into an anthem enabled politicians and others to misinterpret the message, ultimately bastardizing it beyond all recognition. Anyone who sees Bruce’s recent stuff as too political should go back and re-listen to “Born in the USA.”
(Others receiving consideration: “Hey Jude” – The Beatles, “Give It Away” – The Red Hot Chili Peppers, “I Shot the Sheriff” – Bob Marley and Eric Clapton versions, “Purple Haze” – Jimi Hendrix, “Candle in the Wind” – Elton John, and everything by Bon Jovi, Poison, and all the other 1980s hair bands)
Five Bands I Never Want to Hear Again
1. Boston
2. REO Speedwagon
3. Duran Duran
4. Dio
5. ZZ Top
6. [I had to add this one] Rush
July 29th, 2008 at 14:43
Hey Bob:
First I have to tell you that I used to work at FH in NY(although I am not in PR)! Small world! Second I have to tell you that I found this blog through Expecting Rain, a Dylan website.
Third, I completely agree with you about Tangled Up In Blue. I was also very pleasantly surprised you picked up on Thunder Road. I’m not a huge Bruce fan, but that is my favorite song of his. In fact, it is one of my favorite songs of all time. The opening lines are nothing short of poetry!
July 29th, 2008 at 17:39
Give ZZ Top’s earlier stuff another spin. I would have added a band like Foreigner to my “Five Bands I Never Want to Hear Again” list and added something from one
of Little Feat’s earlier songs to “The Five Most Underrated Songs since 1950″ list.
July 29th, 2008 at 17:58
Kudos for labeling “Raspberry Beret” one of the most underrated songs. I’m a little upset that a Beatles song received a “dishonorable mention” of sorts… although it might be overplayed, I think McCartney’s intentions behind writing “Hey Jude” (comforting Lennon’s son after his parents’ divorce) made it deserving of its lengthy stay atop the pop charts.
Oh, and I’d also like to nominate Journey as a band I never want to hear again.
This post is a great discussion starter!
July 29th, 2008 at 19:43
How uncanny - I agree with you on EVERYTHING — EXCEPT Raspberry Beret. I am from Minneapolis and am one of Prince’s biggest fans, but this song is a bore. He has many far better songs. Hundreds. What about “Adore,” “Alphabet Street” or “Pink Cashmere?”
July 29th, 2008 at 20:15
Hi everyone, thanks for the comments. What I thought would be fun about posting something like this how much I would learn about music in the process of discussing the songs/bands.
I think I could have named about 50 other bands that I no longer want to hear…ever, including most of the stuff I listened to so devotedly in the mid-1980s, like Motley Crue, Ratt, etc.
I also wondered where Van Halen should fit in on these lists. I love some of their lesser known songs, like “Drop Dead Legs,” but think that their cover of “Pretty Woman” is horrible. In light of space issues, I left them off.
Thanks to Kim, Walt, Meg, and Gin for enlightening me and providing their own thoughts!
July 30th, 2008 at 14:06
I would also add R.E.M. to the bands list. I hate Michael Stipe’s whining voice.
August 11th, 2008 at 15:00
As fun as it is, this is a discussion that is doomed to never be resolved.
Music is an art form and as such it is measured subjectively with each of us being able to offer different opinions on the matter.
What works for one person - or for the majority - won’t necessarily work for other people. A friend’s son is an opera singer. By and large he’d argue that virtually all the songs/bands mentioned in this discussion are all overplayed and overhyped. Doesn’t mean he’s right… nor is he wrong. It’s just what he thinks.
As the saying goes… “You can have your opinion and I will have mine. But I’m still right!”
September 10th, 2008 at 00:36
Alright Alright - let’s talk….
In what world do you live in that Raspberry Beret is underrated and not overplayed?
And really I don’t care to agree with any of your overrated choices :p
Whereas I will agree some of them are overplayed I would never say that any of them are overrated. I mean really? You are going to touch Stairway to Heaven? I am standing by that one.
Songs that should be on the list:
Sweet Home Alabama (just stick a needle in my eye)
Welcome to the Jungle (Good for an Orlando Predators game - that is about it)
The Unforgiven (Just not right for Metallica and a little boring)
I Want to Rock N Roll All Night (no explanation needed)
And I might get crap for this one but Smells Like Teen Spirit (I really think Nirvana is overrated as a band. Don’t get me wrong I think Dave Grohl is extremely talented but that is about it…)
Oh, and stop hating on Rush (If anything after seeing them live last year I would say they are underrated)