LibraryCin--no points for this because it is too short - Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs 4 stars

[Karin]

Overall this book was funny, and yes, I didn't heed his warning to not read it and have been plagued with some rather annoying ear worms since reading this earlier this week, but if you are familiar with popular music from 1962-1992 this book should resonate with you.

As a young teen I loved the metaphors of the song voted worst by more people than any other song (view spoiler)[MacArthur Park, although not the disco version by Donna Summers which I didn't like as much. (hide spoiler)] While reading this book I had only good memories of that song but when I came to defend it I put it on and all I can say is what the heck was I thinking? It really is bad!

I have to say that I was shocked that no one, including women, appears to have voted for the Police on what should have been called The Stalker Song. Surely you know it Every breath you take/every move you make/I'll be watching you/Baby can't you see/You belong to me... There is a very dark parody of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upL9t... that I pesonally couldn't finish listening, but it seems apropos and you might be made of tougher stuff.

Most of the songs voted bad really are bad, but I want to note that not one comment was made pointing out that some of these songs were excellent for their target audience of 12 year old girls. How can anyone forget who was gaga over the pre-voice break Donny Osmond when he sang "Puppy Love?" It was when I was still 11 that friends of mine introduced me older things like "Love in My Tummy" (played at a school dance for 12 year olds) as well as "Teen Angel" and "Leader of the Pack" and of course the teen male singers Michael Jackson, Donny Osmond and Tony DeFranco. Not sure who DeFranco is? You must be American! Or really young! He was Canadian content. If Americans had heard him, this song would have made it into this book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Iw2.... See how cute he was? Right up there with Michael and Donny, don't you think so? And, yes, my childhood friends liked him too.


But not all of the songs voted bad really are bad! Let's get real--John Denver may not have written all stellar songs, but none of his deserve to be on this list! There are a few others who don't belong here, either.

However, don't blame Dave Barry because--wait for it--these are based on the votes of his readers. Blame them.