We all have an affinity for songs that make us feel embarrassed. A perfect example of this is displayed in Tommy Boy when Chris Farley and David Spade are hesitant to sing along to “Superstar” by The Carpenters during their road trip.
Looking back at 2014, a number of songs caught my attention that a 25-year-old man should probably not enjoy. Therefore, I’m sharing a few that I still listen to despite catching grief from my friends, which is warranted. Some are more embarrassing than others but I say if you like a song, shout it from the mountaintops and never mind what anyone else thinks.
- Charli XCX – “Boom Clap”
One of my good friends is an avid golfer and I accompanied him to the driving range a few times this summer. I gave him advice about his swing with the understanding he knows way more about the game than I do. I told him to think about Charli XCX – “Boom” on the backswing and “clap” on making contact with the ball. I don’t think my advice was helpful.
- Chainsmokers – “#Selfie”
I was in a car the first time I heard it and I thought the radio station was playing a joke. It turned out I was wrong and whatever this is qualifies as music now.
My favorite memory of “#Selfie” came in May when I was at a bachelor party. The DJ was playing all the “slam jams” of the year but I had not heard “#Selfie,” and became worried. Surely, everybody loved this stupid song as much as me, right? When it finally came on I was at the bar, so I fled to the dance floor where I proceeded to lose my mind (in a good way).
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- Jennifer Lopez – “Booty”
Aside from the music video, “Booty” has some great qualities. Number one being a lesson: if you are on the back nine of your career, make a song about your once glorified derriere with a younger pop star.
Similar to this year’s MLB All-Star Game where Derek Jeter passed the torch as “the face of baseball” to Mike Trout, Jenny from the Block honors Iggy as the “best ass in music” with this tune.
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- Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”
Iggy had to think the honor of “best ass in music” would be met with some resistance, but I don’t think anybody was expecting this song and video. Yes, Nicki definitely outdid herself with “Anaconda,” and I admit that I found myself nodding along to it on the radio. My biggest shame regarding this song is knowing the younger generation will be more familiar with Nicki Minaj as opposed to Sir Mix-a-Lot.
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- Pitbull – “Fireball”
The reason I enjoy this song so much is because I like to think of how it was created. The way I see it, somebody came to Pitbull and said, “Hey, man. All the kids are taking shots of this whiskey called ‘Fireball.’ You need to make a song about it.” What we are left with is another rap with the only audible words being “It’s Mr. Worldwide.” My sincere compliment goes to the use of trumpets on the track.
- Iggy Azalea – “Work”
I got sick of listening to “Fancy” repeatedly on the radio so I decided to see what else was featured on the Australian rapper’s album. Naturally, I came across “Work” and spent many mornings walking to the train, listening to Iggy’s inspiring words. I was sure to “work on my shit” each and every day and continue to do so. Thanks, Iggy!
- Calvin Harris – “Summer”
I am not too ashamed to like this song, which is why I put it at the end. However, I like to poke fun at the vocals and lyrics, as the singing style makes me laugh. One afternoon, I spent a fair amount of time on WhatsApp singing the lyrics, “And then the leaves turned brown” into my phone. My friends reciprocated on the group message until we had the whole song down.
Cheers to many more fun songs we have to look forward to in 2015.
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