20 Most Annoying Songs of All Time

Last updated on December 13th, 2022 at 04:30 pm

Let’s be real – some popular radio hits make most people immediately change the radio station or press skip on a playlist. Find out the worst offenders on our list of the most annoying songs of all time.

Keep in mind that this is all obviously subjective. Don’t get perturbed if your favorite song is on here. Hell, even I’m kind of partial to the Veggie Tales theme song.

“Moves Like Jagger” – Maroon 5

As is often the case, the catchier the song, the worse it is. Combine that with an obnoxious hook and music video and you have one of the most annoying songs of all time.

“Moves Like Jagger” is simply boring, and it’s the auto-tuned chorus is all the worse for trying to compare the band to perhaps the greatest ever, the Rolling Stones.

“good 4 u” – Olivia Rodrigo

“Good 4 U” is irritating largely because of its catchy and repetitive chorus. Some may say that it has an infectious beat and simple-yet-clever lyrics, but for those of us with an operational prefrontal cortex, the damn song is extremely irritating.

“Thank You” – Dido

For some reason, you can often hear Dido’s 1995 love anthem “Thank You,” which is easily one of the most annoying songs of all time, on many film and tv soundtracks. This is, of course, in addition to its never-ending plays on the radio. The awful track was originally written as a dedication to Dido’s then-boyfriend Bob Page, a lawyer she met that year. If it inspired a love song this insipid, it’s no wonder why the relationship didn’t last.

“All Star” – Smashmouth

“All-Star” by Smash Mouth is a song with an underlying message of inspiration to be the best version of oneself. Its simple and straightforward message of self-betterment is something that anyone can relate to.

All this mushy stuff aside, it is still one of the most annoying songs ever. It’s one of the rare songs where the verses are worse than the chorus.

“Photograph” – Nickleback

“Photograph,” a huge hit for infamous Canadian band Nickleback, elicits immediate eye-rolls from music fans of all ages. It is one of the most hated songs by perhaps the most hated band ever.

“You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt

Understatement of the year: the message of romantic admiration in James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” has been met with more than a few groans in the years since its release. Like all the songs on this list, it’s stupidly simplistic, stupidly catchy, and certainly one of the most annoying songs of all time.

“Gasoline” – Halsey

Halsey‘s single “Gasoline” is notoriously known as one of the worst songs ever. It’s even more saccharine than the other songs on this list, from the intense hook to her pleading lyrics.

“Don’t Trust Me” – 3Oh!3

The bouncy pop beats and catchy refrain of 3Oh! 3’s “Don’t Trust Me” will get stuck in your head forever. That, of course, is reason enough for it to make this list. MAKE IT STOP!

Oops! I Did it Again – Britney Spears

“Oops! I Did it Again” by Britney Spears is arguably one of the most grating pop songs of all time. Its sugary tones, repetitive chorus, and irritating whistling have challenged people’s patience since its release in 2000. Many viewers today ironically watch the song’s music video online and make jokes about it, which is about all it’s good for at this point.

“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion

“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion is one of the most enduring yet annoying modern love songs. It’s as obnoxiously repetitive as it is overplayed.

“Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

Like “Moves Like Jagger,” the music video and vibe of Taylor Swift’s megahit “Shake It Off” are as annoying as the song itself. Let’s be honest, though: any Taylor Swift song could have made this list of the most annoying songs of all time. Sorry, Swifties. Even my songwriting friends who love her can’t convince me otherwise. It’s like she has the whole world under some hex or something.

“Paper Planes” – MIA

“Paper Planes” by MIA was a global hit single in 2008. Its carefree celebration of guns, drugs, and money alarmed parents across the world.

Disapproval aside, the song became a celebratory anthem for those who agreed with her message, with fans screaming out the addictive chorus along with her at concerts: “All I wanna do is [BEEP] bang bang and piece vonne-vonne.”

I cringe just typing those words. Ugh.

“The Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran

“The Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran is one of those earworms that gets stuck in your head for hours and won’t go away. While catchy tunes are an important part of a good song, excessive repetition can make it unbearable after the first few listens. That’s certainly the case with “The Shape of You.”

“The A Team” – Ed Sheeran

If only this song were about the popular 80s TV show starring Mr. T.

The lilt in Sheeran’s voice as he croons about different stories from his life, coupled with the overly upbeat melody, make it nearly unbearable. Even if you are a fan of the singer-songwriter, this particular track does not capture his musicality and talent the way other songs do.

“Vitas” – The 7th Element

From the catchy “oh-eh-oh” sounds of its chorus to the squeaky high notes of its soloist, Vitas’ “The 7th Element” is memorable in all the wrong ways. Even diehard fans of this Ukrainian singer’s complex vocal techniques and theatrical stage presence cringe at the thought of this track.

“Crazy Frog Song” – Axel F

The 2005 hit song “Axel F” by Crazy Frog, known for its highly annoying screeching frog sounds, has become an internet meme in the years since its release.

It received mixed reviews from critics, who found it either catchy and cheerful or simply unlistenable. Despite being widely criticized, the song became a commercial success throughout Europe and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.

“I Like To Move It” – Alvin & The Chipmunks

In fact, I don’t like to move it, move it.

“Veggie Tales Theme Song”- Veggie Tales

This high-energy, rock-infused tune has given parents countless headaches since its release in the 90sin the . Despite its annoyingly catchy chorus, there’s no denying its influence on a generation of kids who grew up watching Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber bumble their way through life’s lessons.

“Friday” – Rebecca Black

“Friday” became an instant viral hit among teenagers when it was released. Many artists have since parodied it, and deservedly so, as the track isn’t just one of the most annoying songs of all time, it might be the very worst.