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7 Good Songs From Awful Bands

You Heard Me

By Matt KnightPublished 7 years ago 7 min read
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So, maybe I was a little too harsh on Alice Cooper. Maybe I was a little too harsh on Green Day. Oh, well. Now, I would like to focus on the opposite side of the spectrum, so on this list I will be taking a look at 7 songs that I personally feel are pretty good, if not great, from bands that, well... aren't. Like the last list I will attempt to avoid deep cuts and primarily focus on songs that were fairly popular. Also, like the last list this is again just my own personal opinion, so don't get your knickers in a twist... or something. A couple of these songs are even some of my favorites ever. Yes, really. So with that in mind, let's begin:

So Coldplay gets a lot of flack, and you know what, I get it. In fact, I would even say most of that flack is indeed well-deserved. Like Bono with U2, Chris Martin takes a lot of heat for going about with an insufferably pretentious demeanor, which contrasts poorly with the incredibly bland sound Coldplay uninterestingly puts forth. I mean if Coldplay were a food, they'd be Wonder Bread... just with a lot less wonder, and much more of the latter. While Coldplay certainly isn't the most interesting band out there, I do thoroughly enjoy their song "Fix You." Unlike just about every other song of theirs that tries to convey some deep emotional spirit, I feel like "Fix You" actually gets the point across. The build up works well, and the bittersweet melodies Martin dishes out are beautifully juxtaposed with the somber aesthetic of the instrumentation. For once, I actually feel something while listening to a Coldplay song. See, they can't all be bad.

Yeah, this might be a tough sell for some people, but man, do I love this song. The melodies are exquisite, the instrumentation is lush and full of life, and overall "Rain King" just makes me happy. While the vocal stylings of Adam Duritz usually annoy the hell out of me, his restraint on this track certainly manages to convey the passion that is is exhibited by the lyrics. And, speaking of the lyrics:

"When I think of heaven, deliver me in a black-winged bird. I think of dying. Lay me down in a field of flame and heather, render up my body into the burning heart of God in the belly of a black-winged bird"

Yeah, Duritz's lyrics on this track are gorgeous. On top of the actual content of the lyrics, Duritz performs them with a subtle crescendo throughout the track, one that passionately strikes with a sense of hope by its conclusion. Yeah, I love this track. My bad, I mean: YYYYYEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!

Now, I know what you guys are thinking. I can practically see the blood rushing to your heads as your fingers feverishly fly across your keyboard to demonstrate in under 1000 characters why I'm the wrongest wrong to ever wrong. But I have to be honest guys... The Jonas Brothers aren't THAT good.

I know, I know. I suck. However, I do believe this song is a 10/10 work of art. So, I guess we can all agree on something. As with John Lennon's murder, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the moment Mindy first told Josh she loved him on Drake and Josh, I'm sure we all remember where we were the moment "Love Bug" premiered on Disney Channel in 2008. Ah, nostalgia. Regardless, "Love Bug" is a great effing song, complete with a bounce-y, yet delicate guitar lead, beautifully harmonized vocals from Joe and Nick, and a climactic second half that rivals the likes of "Stairway To Heaven" and "Free Bird." You heard me.

Alright, it's time to get serious here. What I am about to say, I truly mean 100%. Zero hyperbole. "New Thing" by Enuff Z' Nuff, is maybe my favorite song of all time. If not favorite, it's definitely in my top 3. Like no joke, I have loved this song throughout the entirety of my life, and it hasn't worsened with age. "New Thing" is a song that, while dated as all hell, perfectly preaches the message of moving on from the past, in a way that doesn't take itself too seriously or come across as cliche. While Enuff Z' Nuff certainly wasn't the most innovative band in the hair metal genre, they definitely had some solid pieces that occasionally came together incredibly well. The guitar work from Derek Frigo masterfully utilizes pinch harmonics in a way that gorgeously accents the melodies put forth by Donnie Vie within the song, without overusing them in an overbearing way (Hey, Zakk Wylde, how are you?). While I can certainly understand why some would be unable to get behind this piece of dated glam rock, I definitely see it as a standout from the hair metal era and will almost undoubtably continue to love it for the rest of my life. **Fanboy, out**

Let's get this out of the way: Falling In Reverse is awful. To quote YouTube's Crash Thompson (a.k.a "The Rock Critic"), "They're what a millennial Mötley Crüe would sound like if they were worse behind their instruments, and were fronted by the biggest twat in the universe." While their instrumentation can be serviceable at best on occasion, the vocal stylings of Ronnie Radke are beyond atrocious. His bizarre, operatic whining makes almost all of Falling In Reverse's catalog completely intolerable... However, their song "Chemical Prisoner" isn't half bad. It's not the best thing in the world, but for once Radke seems to string together a set of lyrics that actually tackles a subject that doesn't involve being misunderstood or complaining about the haters. "Chemical Prisoner" deals with Radke's own personal struggles with drug addiction, realizing his need to veer away from such influences while citing the unfortunate fates of some his close friends who carried the same addictions. Musically, the song is one of the best in Falling In Reverse's catalog as it doesn't simply attempt to mimic the stylings of dated glam rock music, and instead utilizes a metalcore sound that works well given Radke's attempt to actually sing instead of howl like a misunderstood scene kid. Don't get me wrong, this band still sucks. However, this song is certainly something that I wouldn't feel too embarrassed to be caught listening to.

You know who sucks? Fred Durst. You know who doesn't suck? THE REST OF EFFING LIMP BIZKIT!!!

Let's be honest, when it comes to discussing who the worst bands of all time are, Limp Bizkit sure does come up often. And you know what, that's probably fair. However, underneath the deluge of flaming garbage that was/is Fred Durst was a band that actually wasn't that bad. Wes Borland especially is probably one of the more underrated guitarists of the nu metal genre, and his talents certainly show on this track in particular. Sure Durst's vocals are still awful on this track, but his loud, amateurish whining takes a back seat to a much less annoying, monotone performance that doesn't offend as immensely. Honestly, Durst's restraint is probably the best part about this song next to Borland's lead work. Once the rhythm section kicks in, the track actually becomes something that, like with the Falling In Reverse track, I wouldn't be too embarrassed to be caught listening to. C H O C O L A T E S T A R F I S H.

Ah, we're here. You know, this was probably the toughest call I made when putting this list together. We all know this song is awesome (I hope), but are A Flock Of Seagulls really that bad of a band? Well, besides their self-titled debut, yeah, I'd say they're pretty bad. Regardless, "Space Age Love Song" is a magnificent piece of 80s synth-pop, one that is beautifully accented by a set of new-romantic-tinged lyrics. The lead work from Paul Reynolds is downright GORGEOUS, as well as the synths that so radiantly gloss over the track. Is this track cheesy? Sure, that's pretty hard to deny. However, the lush instrumentation perfectly accompanies the gushy lyrics in a way that makes this track a true standout from the rest of the music to come out of the new wave genre. I love this song, you love this song, what more is there really to say? Well I guess there is one thing... I SAAAAW YOUR EYYYYYEEEES... (do do do do, do do do do) AND YOU MAAAADE MEE SMIIIIIILLE... (do do do do, do do do do) FOR A LIIIIITTLE WHIIIILE... (do do do do, do do do do) I WAS FALLING IN LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!!%!^@*!97!JL>?{'

See, wasn't that fun? Not everything sucks apparently. However if this list didn't upset you enough, feel free to check out my 7 Terrible Songs From Great Bands list linked below. Now I don't know about you, but I'm gonna go listen to some Jo-Bros now cause I'M HOOOOT, YOU'RE COOOOLD, YOU GO AROU- alright, alright I'll stop...

https://beat.media/7-terrible-songs-by-great-bands

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About the Creator

Matt Knight

I anything can't do right since because pickles

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