Entertainment

11 '90s Bands With Songs So Bad They're Good

by Caitlyn Callegari

We wistful millennials often get nostalgic when we think back to the '90s, and the reason why makes sense. After all, the '90s was the decade that encompassed most (if not all) of our childhoods. But let me be the first to say that while rife with pop culture goodness, the era didn't always bear the ripest of fruit. Don't deny it — the '90s had its flaws just like all the other decades. I could sit here and write up a list of grievances, but I'll start with what's probably foremost on a majority of millennial minds: all the '90s bands with songs so bad they were actually good.

Listen, they all have their own specific pitfalls as to why they aren't the most amazing tunes to ever pass through our sensitive ear drums, and I'll get into all that below. But, first, let's focus on the fact that there were enough of these bands with quirky songs for this to even be a thing. It's OK, we were too young in the '90s to make any of these big decisions regarding the entertainment industry and higher musical standards for bands. But, we are guilty for listening to them... and, worse, loving them. So, let's just take our lumps, shall we? Here are 11 songs from '90s bands that are so bad they're actually good.

1. Dream Street: "It Happens Everytime"

It's so sweet it makes my teeth hurt. But I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't just sing it and hit all the right notes while doing so.

2. The Spice Girls (Sans Ginger Spice): "Goodbye"

Listen, I was more a Baby and Posh fan than I ever was a Ginger fan, but even I could recognize that the group lost its "oomph" when Geri Halliwell left. But this song was cathartic in a way.

3. Vengaboys: "We Like To Party! (The Vengabus)"

I just know that I'll be hearing the Vengabus tooting its horn in the afterlife.

4. Eiffel 65, "Blue (Da Ba Dee)"

Just... why? Why, why, why, why, why?

5. Aqua: "Barbie Girl"

My mother should sue me for emotional distress for making her listen to this irritating song as much as I did as a child. Alas, I'm not going to not sing it whenever the DJ decides to play a throwback.

6. Limp Bizkit: "Nookie"

They scare me. In fact, they have scared me since I was old enough to realize that they butchered the spelling of the word "biscuit." Also, "Nookie" gives me the heebie jeebies.

7. Chumbawamba: "Tubthumping"

Hey, it is what it is.

8. Smash Mouth: "All Star"

It's cheesy, yes. But cheese is delicious.

9. S Club 7: "S Club Party"

There ain't no party like an S Club party. That's for sure.

10. Hanson: "Mmm Bop"

I honestly can't understand a word they say. Like, at all. That said, this song does have a great beat.

11. TLC: "No Scrubs"

This was a bit... on the nose. We were told what a scrub was, what he did, and that the subject of this song was one. But damn it if I haven't belted this during my angstier relationship moments.

See? The '90s weren't all they were cracked up to be.

Images: Lorenzo Cortés/Vimeo