Not all pop songs are created equal, and some unfairly receive more criticism than they deserve. Join us as we explore the misunderstood hits that have been unjustly dragged through the mud, uncovering the hidden depths and unexpected brilliance behind these catchy tunes.
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00:00Welcome to MissMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the pop songs that
00:07deserved more love than they initially received from critics and fans alike.
00:1110. All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor
00:20Sometimes, even art with the best intentions can come across wrong. Meghan Trainor
00:24wrote All About That Bass with the goal of promoting body positivity, but unfortunately,
00:29it didn't land well. Many felt that her unapologetically confident lyrics were tearing
00:41down one group in order to uplift another, contradicting her point. It was also lambasted
00:46for its 1960s-inspired sound, even resulting in her being accused of cultural appropriation.
00:52While some of the critiques are valid, no one can deny its importance,
01:00especially since it had come out amidst a sea of harmful dieting advice.
01:04Its message, coupled with its truly unique sound, has made it a truly underrated bop,
01:09and with its self-love culture continuing to flourish, we can only hope it can escape
01:13its previous reputation.
01:239. Mbop, Hanson
01:25You should never judge a book by its cover, or a song by its catchy chorus.
01:35With its nonsensical chorus and bright instrumental, Mbop seems to be the very
01:40definition of a vapid pop track. This has, unfortunately, earned it an unfair image
01:44within certain circles, with many music fans even considering it to be one of the worst
01:49released songs during the 1990s. All it takes is one look at the lyrics to realize it's much
01:54deeper than it appears to be. Its surprisingly mature, existential views on the fleeting nature
02:06of relationships completely separates it from the usual boyband fare. It serves as a perfect
02:11reminder that even the happiest-sounding tunes can have much more going on beneath the surface.
02:208. Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
02:23Featuring Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock, music that puts more focus on vibes than content
02:28often gets a bad rap. However, there's something to be said for art that can provide a sense of
02:34escapism during turbulent times. LMFAO's smash-hit party rock anthem may have been
02:47beloved in clubs, but critics weren't so kind. It was lambasted for its provocative lines
02:53and intense house production. Many even accused the artist of being bad influences
03:05on young generations at the time, yet the track offers much more than it appears to.
03:09Its carefree attitude and unapologetic love for partying make it perfect for briefly forgetting
03:14your problems and dancing the night away. Just goes to show that not every song needs
03:19to have deep lyrics to be considered good. 7. Baby, Justin Bieber Feat. Ludacris
03:34Looking back, it's hard to believe that such an inoffensive track
03:37was able to cause a global uproar. Although it's nothing truly new,
03:48Baby by Justin Bieber isn't nearly as bad as some have made it out to be. It's been
03:52harshly criticized since it dropped and has been ranked across the coals online. It was so
03:57disliked at one point that it even became the most disliked video on YouTube, a title it maintained
04:02for years. Despite the intense reaction, it never lost its luster. The saccharine lyrics
04:16and signature early 2010 sound make for the perfect puppy love bop. It's clear to see why
04:21this was so beloved amongst fans, and hopefully the public's perception of it will begin to turn
04:27as well. 6. Barbie Girl, Aqua
04:37There are some songs you either love or hate, and few have been as divisive as this one. It
04:42was considered a novelty tune upon release, giving it an upward hill to climb in terms of respect.
04:54Although its unique instrumentation and comedic line delivery caused it to be written off as
04:59nothing more than an earworm, it actually has much more substance than it lets on.
05:03It critiques the more unsavory qualities of the iconic doll and what she represents,
05:08offering a previously unheard perspective. Now, decades later, it's still just as relevant
05:20lyrically, and the unforgettable sound has remained just as fresh. It's a perfect microcosm
05:26of the kitschier aspects of the 1990s, serving as a time capsule to a truly different time.
05:385. Firework, Katy Perry
05:42One man's favorite is another man's flop. Or something along those lines.
05:54Despite its overall positive message, many still weren't convinced by Katy Perry's hit
05:58Firework. Some felt that the lyrics were too cheesy to truly be impactful,
06:02while others felt it came across as a hollow attempt at promoting self-love.
06:06It may not be complex, but it's still an effective piece that has touched millions
06:10of people across the world. Its lesson of radical self-acceptance is admirable,
06:22helping fans and casual listeners realize their full potential. Even now, over a decade after
06:27it's been published, it still has the ability to rouse and inspire. At its core, it's a feel-good
06:33comfort track, and that's all it really needs to be. 4. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
06:46Even though she's one of the current reigning queens of pop,
06:48she's still had her fair share of unfairly judged songs.
06:525. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
06:59She saw a fair amount of flack in her youth, such as the overanalysis of the
07:03literary references in Love Story. She truly saw the brunt of it following the
07:07publication of Shake It Off. 6. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
07:15It was met with immense criticism, with many considering the writing and overall message
07:19to be shallow. While it doesn't necessarily offer as much depth as her other work,
07:23it's still pure pop perfection. 7. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
07:33It marks a turning point, showing the exact moment she transcended into superstardom.
07:37The saxophone-infused backing track and rousing chorus
07:40have ensured that it can be enjoyed by everyone, Swifty or not.
07:533. Shape Of You, Ed Sheeran
07:55This is unfortunate proof that constant airplay doesn't always translate to widespread love.
08:01Between its poppier sound and more simplistic lyrics,
08:03Shape Of You was unlike anything Ed Sheeran had released before.
08:14Although it was immensely popular on the charts, its overexposure soon led to its own downfall.
08:20Both he and his track were relentlessly mocked, causing it to be placed on several
08:24worst-of lists at the end of 2017. However, the hate has been overblown. It's a far cry
08:37from his usual acoustic work, but the unique production helps it stand out amongst other songs
08:42that came out around the same time. Its true potential comes out during live performances,
08:47where Sheeran can flaunt his chops and present it in a more artistic light.
08:542. TikTok, Kesha
09:00When it comes to indulgent party tracks, no one does it better than her.
09:04During Kesha's heyday in the scene, she and her work were often lambasted.
09:13The response to her debut, TikTok, made this incredibly evident, with some critics attacking
09:18the morals and the song itself. Despite their thoughts, it still has several positive qualities.
09:23It's perfect for pumping yourself up for a night out on the town,
09:26with an earworm chorus that's nearly impossible to forget.
09:37It's the very definition of a carefree summertime anthem,
09:40one that still sounds fresh well over a decade later.
09:43In recent years, the tide has begun to finally turn,
09:46and the lyric changes now denouncing P. Diddy made it all the more beloved.
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10:141. Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen
10:17This was the very definition of inescapable. Between its incessant airplay and its earworm
10:22qualities, Call Me Maybe quickly became one of the most talked-about pieces of its time,
10:26but not always for the best reasons. It's been written off by some detractors as nothing more
10:38than bubblegum pop, with its production and bubbly lyrics being dragged. Its shiny veneer
10:44may seem egregious, but beneath it is one of the best-crafted pop songs of the modern era.
10:52Its infectious and sentimental vibe make it nearly impossible to not sing along and dance to it,
11:02particularly once the chorus kicks in. While Jepsen hasn't recaptured the same success,
11:06she can rest easy knowing she's behind one of the most memorable tracks of the 21st century.
11:18Which pop song do you think gets more hate than it deserves? Let us know
11:21in the comments below.