Popular bands or artists most people love...but you can't stand

[Docreed2003]

Ok folks...we all have some funky, music nerd, eclectic tastes. But let's be honest, this is a safe space, you know there's some artists and bands that are popular that you just can't stand.

I thought it would be fun to have a confessional, of sorts, and air out our dislikes.

I'll go first:

I'm embarrassed to say I cannot stand Rush. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me and I really don't know why. Maybe it's Geddy Lee's voice. Maybe it's because I was first introduced to them by a guy who thought he had better musical tastes than anyone else and that annoyed me. I don't know...

Ok, who's next.

[GemDigger]

1. Beatles and Stones.

And boy, do I get shit for it!

[2naSalit]

5. You poor thing!

Seriously. I have had spells where I didn't like either of those but I got over it some thirty years ago!

[Docreed2003]

6. Wow...ok.

Unexpected out the gate. Care to elaborate why? (I promise to be nice, lol).

[GemDigger]

21. My mother woke me up when I was sick and the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan and all I heard was

"I wanna hold your hand" again and again. Ran to the bathroom and threw up. I do realize it was the flu and not the music but for some reason I never really warmed up to the Beatles. There are a few songs I may like but off the top of my head I can't think of them.


Shrugs on why I dislike the Stones but if I grab my microphone (broom handle) I can do a mean Mick Jagger impression.

[Docreed2003]

25. That makes total sense

I can appreciate such a negative visceral reaction!

[Corvo Bianco]

104. Oh nice they hit you in the stomach too!

[unblock]

24. Don't think I've ever known anyone who like rock but "can't stand" the beatles

I've known plenty of people who don't care for them, find them boring, or just aren't into them.

But the only people I've known who "can't stand" them are people who only like classical music or show tunes, etc.

[Corvo Bianco]

103. Since I was 11 the sound of Beatles music makes me nauseous.

I see these eager faces around me and I say yeah it sounds good. But I have to leave the room.

[MontanaMama]

2. Rush, Styx

and Supertramp. Oh and most country music.

[Docreed2003]

3. Whew...I expected to catch hell over Rush

Glad I've got someone in my corner, lol

[Snotcicles]

20. IMO one of the best finishes. Go to 4:40. But I'm an old guy so.

[link:http://

|

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

127. +1

[LisaM]

34. Supertramp, Styx, and ELO.

Until recently, I'd have considered that most people didn't like any of them, but it's come to my attention recently that a disturbing number of my friends actually like ELO.

[Docreed2003]

45. Sheepishly raises hand

I like Jeff Lynn

[The Polack MSgt]

56. I do as well.

ELO has a lot of weak tunes but they also have a few real gems

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

128. ELO...

I raise a glass!! love that stuff. 1st real band to incorporate orchestra and make it hip. imho.

[spooky3]

79. ditto - and most country music. nt

[tymorial]

65. Styx I get but you should be sacrificed at the Temple of Syrinx

For daring to mention Rush in such a way

[2naSalit]

4. I have several

but I'll only tell a few.

Neil Diamond! WTF. Didn't like him in the early days, still don't.

Madonna

And I'll give you a second on Rush, never liked their sound.

[Docreed2003]

7. I never liked Neil Diamond either...

I think because his vocals sound constipated to me...that and my parents had a VHS recording of a concert he did on HBO in the 80's that they watched more times than I care to count.

[2naSalit]

14. Yeah

constipated is a good way to put it. I'm a vocalist and it actually makes my throat hurt to listen to him... and all my teenage friends loved him!

And I could never stand Melanie Safka or Stevie Nicks come to think of it... they sound like goats.

[Docreed2003]

26. Lol...I can do an incredible over the top Neil Diamond voice

It's totally forced and "comstipated", but it makes my wife laugh. Funny though, I have found myself doing so many silly vocal spoofs that people I interact with at work find it hard to believe I can actually sing.

[MontanaMama]

93. My spouse does a mean Neil Diamond.

It’s for real too. He stops people in their tracks when he sings Neil Diamond on karaoke.

[unblock]

102. i rather like the monkees' "i'm a believer".

credit to neil diamond for writing the song, though i don't care for his version.

mrs. unblock loves him but to me he sounds like a bad vegas act.

[2naSalit]

106. And the Monkees!

What a cringe-worthy lot! A Gerry Goffin outlet, as were the Bangles who later rehashed a bunch of Gerry Goffin stuff including "Walk Like An Egyptian" which contains an identical lead line from a past Monkees song. Guess he ran out of ideas. And the Monkees made me feel embarrassed when I saw or heard them for some reason.

[unblock]

110. yeah the monkees as a group were just another assembled, produced, product.

can't think of another monkees song i particularly care for, just that one.

backstreet boys, partridge family, etc.

some producer's idea of marketable music product rather than a genuinely popular act.

[Croney]

8. Adele. Mariah.

[Docreed2003]

10. Oh man...this is a good one for discussion

(My opinion...Mariah at New Years a few years ago was a joke, Adele is only good when she's heartbroken..her newer stuff is meh)

[Merlot]

12. I almost added Adele

don't care for her music in the least but decided I didn't actually hate it.

I actually like Mariahs voice, just wish she'd pick some better songs because they are all pretty awful.

[unblock]

19. Mariah is to singing what Eddie Van Halen is to lead guitar

proof that even undeniably massive technique is not enough to make good music.

For me, technical flourishes havevto fit with the music, mean something, be part of the story or fit the musical journey of the song. It doesn't work for me if it's just showing off.

[Merlot]

9. Agreed, Rush is like fingernails on a chalkboard

Neil Young.

Beach Boys. Ug, how was this barbershop quartet ever considered to be rock and roll?

Lynyrd Skynyrd - didn't they sign a love song to gun, or was that someone else?

[Docreed2003]

11. If you ask Mike Love....

"The Beach Boys" were on the verge of being huge, if it weren't for those mop top dudes from Liverpool.

[Merlot]

15. You mean the 4 lads with sex appeal, a sense of humor, and a new take on music?

All the things the beach boys lacked? Poor Mike Love.

[Docreed2003]

41. Right???

Maybe that's why Love is so disgruntled and is a right wing asshole

[NBachers]

28. I once read where someone described the Beach Boys as Singing Golf Caddies.

[lunasun]

82. Actually if you're thinking Saturday nite Special that was really an anti handgun song

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Special_(Lynyrd_Skynyrd_song)

[The Polack MSgt]

98. In fairness to Skynyrd

The only song about guns the original band did was about pistols and advocated "why don't we dump 'em to the bottom of the sea?"

The next generation Skynyrd are group of low talent hack RWNJs.
They may gave a gun love song but the original band did not

[Merlot]

99. Ignoring the gun song, I don't like Skynyrd music at all, just find it annoying.

[The Polack MSgt]

100. I loved those guys in the 70s

But Southern Rock isn't everybody's cup of tea.

And then it collapsed into this complete bullshit "Country Rock " and BRO Country.

Gaah

[Merlot]

101. Southern Rock can be great....tho this thread is about worst

Allman Brothers and SRV are two of my favorite bands...

[The Polack MSgt]

105. Since Greg left us the best band in America is

right here...

[TygrBright]

13. Neil Young. His voice just grates on me. n/t

[2naSalit]

17. I don't care for his voice but I love many of the songs he's written.

[Docreed2003]

30. My wife shares that same sentiment about Bob Dylan

Which, as a huge Dylan fan, has been a breakthrough for us after many many years, lol

[alwaysinasnit]

16. Shakira, and sometimes Christina Aguilera. I admit that they are both extremely talented but

the nails on the chalkboard sensation is precisely what I feel when I hear Shakira.

[Duppers]

122. Agree

[Glamrock]

18. Agree.

Rush, Styx, Supertramp (although, what a great fucking band name.Amiright?)

And now for my personal flame fodder.......
U2, REM, and.........fucking Springsteen. If he's the boss,I quit!

[Docreed2003]

37. I love you bro...

But I'm regretting that safe space comment...lol

Love Springsteen, but I could see how some folks don't care for him. At least he's a legit writer and rocker and, by most accounts, a genuinely good dude.

[Glamrock]

61. Love the man,respect the talent.

Hate his music. I'm sorry. Something about his music has bothered me since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Don't know what it is. Not calling him a hack,and his lyrics are great,but man......

[Docreed2003]

64. Nah I get it bro...

We've had that discussion before I think!

[Glamrock]

66. Musical tastes have no reason.

What moves ya moves ya, what doesn't doesn't.

[ProfessorGAC]

130. Got Your Back, Glam

I've never got the Springsteen thing either.

I had a guy tell me i just HAD to see him live and it would change my mind. Problem is, since i don't like the songs, and i don't like the arrangements, it would be a long, boring show from which i couldn't wait to leave.

[Glamrock]

131. Thanks!

I didn't get beat up as bad as I expected. Glad to know I'm not alone!

[unblock]

22. Bob Dylan

Brilliant songwriter, but can't stand his whiny voice.

I like Tom petty, whose singing style is heavily derivative of Dylan (never realized that until I saw them together in concert. Then it suddenly was so obvious.)

[luvs2sing]

69. Totally agree. n/t

[violetpastille]

23. The Grateful Dead.

I was also never a fan of No Doubt or anything Gwen Stefani. It's not about the vocal either. It's just way too arhythmic for me.

[The Polack MSgt]

27. JOURNEY

The most contrived fakest arena schlock rock ever foisted on America

When I hear a Journey song I get angry - Angry that really talented bands are broke and these dipshits are stacking Pallets of cash in their basement

[Docreed2003]

33. They literally got a random dude to fill in on vocals

And they're still rolling in the cash...incredible!

[Ohiogal]

48. Tell us how you REALLY feel, Polack MSgt!!

[JDC]

29. Bon Jovi

[Docreed2003]

38. I'm not a huge fan either...

But my wife loves humans I actually had to suck it up and take her to a concert a couple years ago. It was...ok. His voice is not what it once was

(Edit...humans should be "him so"

[The Polack MSgt]

52. Best part of Bon Jovi was Richie Samborra

The Jon Bon Jovi part of Bon Jovi was the weakest link

[ProfessorGAC]

132. Terrific Voice On Richie

High clear harmony singer, and he's an adventurous guitar player.

[LisaM]

31. Billy Joel.

I just want to throw my tonic and gin in his face sometimes. I don't like his voice, but his lyrics are generally excruciating.

[violetpastille]

46. Which is worse for you?

Piano Man Billy Joel or 80's Billy Joel?

[LisaM]

96. Oh God

It would be Piano Man but "We Didn't Start the Fire" sets my teeth on edge.

[unblock]

108. billy joel is a mixed bag for me.

i really like his piano work, he puts some real talent into his rock songs.

too many rock piano players, like elton john, are actually quite talented but the piano playing in their songs are nothing impressive.
billy joel has some songs like that as well, of course, but he also has some songs that really show off his talent (root beer rag, e.g.)

his songs are generally a bit to schmaltzy for me, and the more rocking songs sound like he wants to be a tough, rough, bruce springsteen rocker but it just doesn't fit.

then again, there are a few gems in there, especially if you like composition. billy joel learned classical music and it shows in his songwriting.

root beer rag
and so it goes
goodnight saigon
if i only had the words (to tell you)
tell her about it -- great song, though it got way overplayed
the longest time
shameless
the downeaster "alexa"
this night (the melody in the chorus is from beethoven's pathetique)

[The Polack MSgt]

135. Re-reading old threads in MA is a weakness of mine

I too have mixed feelings about Billy Joel, but you left off his (IMHO) best song

"Summer Highland Falls"from the Turnstiles record. I can't say anything about the vocals- Billy is Billy after all but this piano work and arrangement is great.

[unblock]

136. that's a good one -- he said it's composition is based on his bipolar disorder:

the left hand plays a plodding, depressive bass line while the right hand plays the bright, manic, busy sequence.

... it's either sadness or euphoria....

[NBachers]

32. Foreigner, Michael Bolton, Michael McDonald, and, yes- Janis Joplin. Big Brother yes, Janis no.

And let me edit to throw in Joni Mitchell.

Are the Bee Gees screeching in hell yet?

What about that guy who sang the Pina Colada song? He still deserves exile.

[Docreed2003]

50. The 70's must have been a different time

Because Rupert Holmes was one goofy looking mofo and there's no way he was scoring points with ladies singing a song about piña coladas whose premise is literally based on having an affair.

[Ponietz]

35. The Beastie Boys agonizing

[LW1977]

36. Twenty One Pilots...

Oh wait.. You’re talking about actual “music”, not that horrible noise I have to stomach through on a “rock station.”

[Docreed2003]

49. Lmao...well played

[Docreed2003]

39. I'll add another...Rod freaking Stewart

[Adsos Letter]

51. This!

[Stargleamer]

40. Maroon Five n/t

[Docreed2003]

44. Nice modern act addition to the list

Not a huge fan either, mainly because my kids play them all the damn time

[RainCaster]

42. The three whiners: Neil Young, Bob Dylan & Tom Petty

They sounds like bagpipes to me.

[pnwest]

109. Funny thing about Tom Petty - I wasn't ever

a big fan either , kinda neutral, until I happened to see him in concert. He was so warm, fun and engaged with the audience that I became huge fan! Started really paying attention to the songs and musicianship, and liked him from then on - since mid 80’s.

[RainCaster]

43. The BeeGees ... yeah and Rush too

[Ohiogal]

47. The Beach Boys

I just can't stand them.

[unblock]

112. i love their harmony, but they always seem so bored.

even when singing upbeat songs. where the beatles just ooze happy excitement, the beach boys made you think they were all depressed.

that said, the vocal arrangements are musical genius.

[ProfessorGAC]

133. What Ohiogal Said

Back in around 1974 at the stadium in our city, there was a big jam.

Head East (big heat in the midwest), BTO, and Beach Boys. The first two bands blew them off the stage.

Every time i hear someone talk about how great Pet Sounds was, all i can think is "Huh?"

[The Polack MSgt]

53. I've been pretty clear about my disdain for what passes as "Country Music" these days

But there is one "Artist" that stands out as the least talented jingoistic simpleton in a VERY crowded field

That meat faced truck salesman from Oklahoma -Toby effin' Keith

[Beaverhausen]

54. The White Stripes

Just...no

[The Polack MSgt]

57. stares aghast

The color drains from my face, mouth agape

The horror, the horror

[Docreed2003]

60. Second that...love the white stripes

But I guess I could see how some don't

[Beaverhausen]

70. Can't stand Meg's drumming

And I fully support female musicians being one myself.

But playing behind the beat as she does makes me cringe.

And then there’s that guys voice...

[The Polack MSgt]

72. i understand that

Jack literally made her to play that way to make the White Stripes sound the way he wanted

I think it's brilliant but - They make smooth and crunchy because people can't even agree about peanut butter

[lunasun]

83. It's been Carla Azar for the last three solo albums . She is drumming with him now on tour

[cemaphonic]

95. I did not see what everyone else was so enamored by when they were current

I've since gained an appreciation for Jack White, but mostly for his post-White Stripes music.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

55. Velvet Revolver.

[rusty quoin]

58. The Right Brothers

[The Polack MSgt]

59. I guess if I included Toby Keith I can't tell you that only real musicians count. NT

[rusty quoin]

94. Just my sense of humor.

[tymorial]

62. Stones and the Eagles.

[2naSalit]

63. and...

Pardon my language...









Frank fucking Sinatra! For every reason there is.

[Armymedic88]

67. Beatles

Hands down! Can't take it

[luvs2sing]

68. Michael McDonald..

Joni Mitchell. Her voice sounds like a nervous breakdown to me.

Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and just about every other so-called country singer over the last twenty years or so. I love pre-Garth country.

The Police. Just..no..

I was a huge Neil Diamond fan until 1978 when I bought his new album and it was..ugh.. Now I think most of his stuff is annoying and overly dramatic.

[RazBerryBeret]

71. Fleetwood Mac

I blame my older sister who listened to the Rumors album constantly.

also not a fan of Rush. haha.

[Cousin Dupree]

73. The voices of Geddy Lee and Neil Young.

If you ever wanted me to confess to ANYTHING, lock me in a room and pipe in the "singing" of Neil Young. I'd be singing like a bird in 2 minutes.

[MichMan]

119. Neil is my all time favorite for 40 yrs

[mainstreetonce]

74. I never liked Frank Sinatra

Sorry

[The Genealogist]

75. A couple

Neil Young and Bob Dylan...just don't like their voices. I like many of the songs they wrote, though.

[ProfessorGAC]

134. On Board With Neil

Don't care for him, and i question the knowledge and taste of anybody who says he's a good guitar player. His playing is dreck.

[Grasswire2]

76. Kenny G. nt

[dameatball]

77. Chicago. That's all I've got.

[Guppy]

78. Let me quote the dude

I hate the fucking eagles

[Docreed2003]

88. This!

[Duppers]

123. Holy shit!

[exboyfil]

80. Aerosmith and ZZ Top

I am still in shock about the hate for two of my favorites: Rush and Neil Young. I guess everybody has different tastes.

[The Polack MSgt]

87. I love all the people/bands you list

For or against...

But Aerosmith fell into a hole after "Done With Mirrors" and ZZ Top after "De Guelo" but as an old guy in his late 50s, I remember the golden age Aerosmith and ZZ Top. The mid to late 70s for both of those bands were amazing.

I also love most Rush and Neil

[tparrett62]

81. Such an interesting thread

For me:
Rolling Stones
Grateful Dead
Bob Fucking Seger

[argyl]

84. Billy Joel, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen. And Dylan's last really great LP was Highway 61 Revisited

Won't say I absolutely hate Dylan but his mumbling lyrics are more clever constructs than brilliant revelation or prophecy. The reverence he's held in baffles me.

And Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing may be proficient but is soulless and boring. Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits hit around the same time as Van Halen. Him I can listen to for hours.

[unblock]

114. agree with knopfler vs. van halen 100%

knopfler conveys emotion and depth and sensitivity. he makes the guitar sing and shout and wail and cry.

van halen mostly just shows off how fast he is. and no denying it, he sure is fast. but it's not a race, it's supposed to be music....


give me "telegraph road" over anything van halen any day.

[hibbing]

85. The Eagles

If I hear Hotel California even in an elevator, it is like nails on a chalkboard. I've heard that song enough for 20 lifetimes. That goes for most of their other songs.


Peace

[underpants]

86. Pat Benatar (not sure if she's "loved"). I was tired of the Eagles until I saw them in concert

The summer before Glenn Frey died. It was a bucket list thing for my wife and we got seats right behind the sound board. I gained a new appreciation of their songs.

Can't stand Benatar. Madonna too - she was a perfect example of the ability to market just about anything.

[pansypoo53219]

89. long list. country(NO TWANG!), eagles, neil diamond, the fucking grateful dead, the stones,

most oldies, elton john, ......lemme think. oh yeah, beach boys. oh yeah chicago.

[Jake Stern]

90. Two Words: Pearl Jam

Besides the fact that I just can't stand Eddie Vedder's voice, he apparently hasn't got the memo that it's okay to sing about nice things once in a while.

Writing a Pearl Jam/Eddie Vedder song is easy - it's basically singing about how much your life, especially your childhood, sucks major ass:

"My daddy beat me and my momma wiped my ass with sandpaper,
So I hate you, you skank for having brown hair like my mom
And my sister who ran off with a Republican from Spokanaaaaaaaaaaaane".

Get Eddie to sing it with that cat-being-tossed-in-a-paint-shaker warble of his, slap on a title and you have Pearl Jam's latest single.

[Ohiogal]

91. Cher

sounds like a bleating sheep to me.

Love her, otherwise.

Barbra Streisand sounds like a caterwauling cat to me.

Celine Dion - ugh! - like fingernails on a chalkboard! Her tone just grates on my nerves.

[Jake Stern]

92. I enjoy Celine Dion's French songs but can't stand her English ones

Honestly don't know why.

[JHan]

97. Beatles, Steely Dan, Led Zeppelin, Jamiroquai, damian marley, frank sinatra

eagles albums ( I like joe walsh tho) , the cure, rage against the machine, snoop doggy dog, ( no.. adding izzle to everything is not cute, but I like how he cusses Trump tho) 90's navel-gazing grunge bands.

[pnwest]

107. Beatles & Jimmy Buffet. Both mostly due to

their rabid, over-the-top fans, especially Beatles fans. You’d think they invented sunlight, FFS. We’ve all engaged in long, heated discussions about the Beatles, it’s as polarizing - and insolvable - as arguments about religion and politics, so I won’t rehash it here. Suffice to say, the surest way to get me to walk away from you is to tell me that today’s rock music would not exist if not for the Beatles.

Jimmy Buffet is harmless and entertaining enough, but Buffetheads are so annoying they’ve turned me off of him.

And Lenny Kravitz - completely overrated hack.

Alright, flame away....

[unblock]

115. interesting that the main objection seems to be the fans rather than the music or the artists.

i can certainly see thinking that the beatles are overrated or overplayed or given too much credit for the music that followed.

i like the beatles, but agree that it's ridiculous to think that subsequent rock wouldn't exist were it not for them. mostly they were just the most popular version of what a number of groups were doing at the time.

sgt. pepper's is often cited as the first album that really showed how studio technology could be used to help craft rock music, but it's not as if no one else would have figured that out were it not for the beatles. had it not been the beatles, it would have been someone else.


i do like how some songs actually stand up even 50 years later. much of the early beatles does seem dated, but songs like helter skelter or hey bulldog? if you heard them for the first time today, you'd never guess they were from the 60s.

[thucythucy]

111. Frank Zappa

I like his lead guitar playing, but his songs always sound snide to me. Seriously, I think his main feature is snark. Not to mention misogyny--"Dinah Moe Hum" "Camarillo Brillo"--there's even a song wherein a woman is raped, and the takeaway is that the woman victim is just too hung up about sex to enjoy it. "What's the ugliest part of your body..."

I saw him in concert once, and he actually insulted the audience. Some comment about how "You're probably all too unsophisticated to appreciate this..."

Pretentious, juvenile, snarky.

[The Polack MSgt]

124. His last live albums are called

Shut up and play yer guitar parts 1 and 2.

For all the reasons you state.

Brilliant musician but his snooty asshole art major jerk persona was grating

[solara]

113. Musical spleen venting is fun

I hardly ever listened to Rush.. not even sure what they sound like..

Cher always drove me crazy...bleating queen of the diphthongs
Neil Diamond
CCR
Kenny G
Diana Ross
Celine Dion
David Lee Roth
ABBA
Barry Manilow
KISS
Michael Bolton
Rod Stewart

[Docreed2003]

117. Lol...I agree with a lot of your list.

Musical taste is a funny thing. Speaks to the individuality of all of us!

[TeapotInATempest]

116. I, too, was introduced to Rush by a guy who thought he had better musical tastes than anyone :)

For me, I can NOT tolerate:

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Boston, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5 and most Fleetwood Mac. I think the only Fleetwood Mac songs worth listening to are the ones written by Stevie Nicks but I can't stand her voice, so...

There are probably more on my list that I can't think of right now; I'm awfully picky.

[dameatball]

118. Chicago. They have been described as very talented, but I just didn't like the music.

[MichMan]

120. Rolling Stones, Foreigner, Joe Walsh

[The King of Prussia]

125. A fair few London / Southern England bands

The Rolling Stones. The Kinks. And above all Eric Clapton - talentless racist scum.

[DBoon]

126. Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin 4 was the worst excuse for a blues album ever

[Jane Austin]

129. Doobie Brothers

It's like noodling around on the piano, which also drives me crazy, as in that Prevagen ad. I have to fast forward past it.

Non musical "music" affects me viscerally.