July 6, 2025

Terrible Number One Songs That Topped Charts in the 80's

Terrible Number One Songs That Topped Charts in the 80's

We count down the 20 most terrible songs that somehow hit number one in the 1980s, exploring what made these synthesizer-heavy, often cringe-worthy tracks so commercially successful despite their questionable quality.

• Starting with "We Built This City" by Starship, a song universally acknowledged as terrible despite the band's pedigree
• Discussing Falco's "Amadeus" and the horror of its Mozart-inspired synthesizer nightmare
• Examining how even legendary artists like Stevie Wonder produced questionable hits like "I Just Called to Say I Love You"
• Exploring the UK vs US chart differences with songs like Europe's "The Final Countdown"
• Debating why some songs like Christopher Cross's "Arthur's Theme" spent weeks at number one
• Analyzing the cultural factors that propelled songs like John Lennon's "Starting Over" to chart success
• Defending certain entries like Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" that we feel don't deserve to be on the worst list
• Looking at which 80s artists are still actively touring and making music today

Check out our new website at almostfamousradiopodcast.com where you can listen to all our episodes and learn more about the show. You can also join our email list and contact Jeffy at JeffyMcJ@almostfamousradiopodcast.com.


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00:00 - Show Introduction and Beverages

02:17 - Shittiest Number One Songs List Begins

06:13 - The Terrors of Synth-Pop Era

10:45 - One-Hit Wonders and Regrettable Ballads

18:17 - Hair Bands and Power Ballads

36:51 - 80s Music Legacy and Current Status

51:09 - Wrapping Up and Website Info