These songs are so outrageously bad, they’ll have you questioning your ’70s playlist—and loving it anyway.
You know that weird, wonderful moment—you’re cruising down the road, windows cracked, and a song from the ’70s hits the radio. The beat kicks in, nostalgia washes over you, and before you know it, you’re singing every word out loud… while simultaneously laughing at how absolutely absurd it all is. There’s a certain magic in those ridiculous tracks, the kind that make you cringe and grin in the same breath.
The 1970s gave us rock legends, disco infernos, and folk ballads—but nestled among those classics are songs so bizarre, they defy logic. Some are theatrical, others are just plain nonsensical, and yet every one of them carved a place in pop history. These aren’t just bad songs. They’re guilty pleasures you can’t quit. Ready to embrace the weird? Let’s revisit the wonderfully awful hits we secretly adore.
1. This song has the most annoying chorus you’ll ever hear—but you’ll still sing along.
“Muskrat Love” by Captain & Tennille is a song so strange, you’ll swear it’s a parody the first time you hear it, according to Why Evolution is True writers. But no—it’s real. The track tells the unlikely tale of two muskrats, Susie and Sam, who fall in love and make high-pitched squeaking noises while doing so. As odd as it sounds, the song was genuinely intended as a romantic ballad, complete with dreamy keyboard effects and that unforgettable, cringe-inducing muskrat mating audio.
Even if you find yourself scoffing at the absurdity of it all, good luck getting it out of your head. The melody has a sneaky way of sticking with you, and before long, you’re humming it against your will. You might even catch yourself defending it in conversation—“It’s kind of cute, right?” Nope. It’s nonsense. Glorious, awkward, unapologetic nonsense that only the ’70s could pull off.
2. The lyrics to this song make no sense—but it still became a hit.
“MacArthur Park” by Richard Harris is one of those songs that makes you pause mid-listen and ask, “What did he just say?” A cake left out in the rain? Lost love immortalized by melting frosting? It’s a dramatic, orchestral epic drenched in metaphors that don’t quite land—but it leans so hard into its own grandiosity that you almost believe it’s deep.
Despite the baffling imagery, the song somehow struck a chord. Harris sings with the kind of theatrical flair more fitting for Shakespeare than pop radio, and that’s probably part of its strange charm, as stated by writers at the Financial Times. The chorus builds like a storm, and you can’t help but belt it out, fully invested in that poor, soggy cake as if your own romantic future depended on it. It’s absurd—and kind of unforgettable.
3. This ‘sexy’ song is so awkward it’s painful.
“Afternoon Delight” by Starland Vocal Band tries to be a cheeky ode to midday romance, but ends up sounding more like a giggle-fest between awkward teenagers. With its clean harmonies and perky melody, the track feels oddly wholesome considering it’s about sneaking off for a nooner. The juxtaposition between suggestive lyrics and bubblegum delivery is what makes it so delightfully terrible.
Even if it makes you squirm, there’s no denying its earworm power. The chorus is light and airy, floating on sweet harmonies that burrow into your brain whether you like it or not. It’s the kind of song you’ll mock out loud—then catch yourself singing when nobody’s watching. Like a sitcom laugh track, it’s clumsy but oddly comforting in its cringe.
4. The chorus of this song repeats so much you’ll wish it would stop.
“Seasons in the Sun” by Terry Jacks is a musical contradiction if ever there was one. It’s a farewell song about dying, yet it’s delivered with the kind of upbeat melody you’d expect from a children’s cartoon. As if that weren’t strange enough, the chorus repeats so many times that you feel trapped in a melancholic loop—one you can’t seem to escape.
But here’s the thing: you’ll still sing it. Even as the lyrics tiptoe between maudlin and melodramatic, there’s something hypnotic about the tune. Maybe it’s the simplicity. Maybe it’s the sheer overuse of “we had joy, we had fun.” Or maybe it’s that deep-down, we all kind of love a good, cheesy weep-fest. Whatever the reason, it sticks with you longer than you’d like to admit.
5. This anthem sounds epic—until you listen to the words.
“In the Year 2525” by Zager and Evans starts with a bang, sounding like the intro to a science fiction epic. But once the lyrics kick in, you realize it’s less profound prophecy and more rambling paranoia. The song tries to cover thousands of years of human evolution in a few verses, jumping from genetic engineering to emotionless existence like a dystopian fever dream.
And yet, you can’t stop listening. The apocalyptic tone combined with the duo’s somber delivery gives it an eerie allure. You might not believe a word of it, but you’ll still chant along, pulled into the drama of a future that makes absolutely no sense. It’s bad sci-fi set to music—and somehow, that’s exactly what makes it work.
6. This ‘romantic’ song makes you want to roll your eyes, not your hips.
“Feelings” by Morris Albert is an emotional roller coaster with exactly one emotion: melodrama. The entire song is basically one word—“Feelings”—repeated with increasing levels of theatrical anguish. It sounds like someone was trying to write a breakup anthem but ran out of vocabulary halfway through and just kept groaning “whoa, whoa” instead.
Despite its laughably limited lyrics, “Feelings” became a hit. Why? Because somewhere in that over-the-top delivery, people felt something. It’s the kind of song that’s just begging to be sung off-key at karaoke, arms outstretched and eyes closed. Sure, it’s cheesy. But it’s also kind of fun to feel things that hard—even if you’re not exactly sure what the feelings are.
7. This disco hit is so cheesy, it belongs on a pizza.
“Disco Duck” by Rick Dees is arguably the most absurd thing ever played in a dance club. The song features a man doing duck impressions over a funky disco beat, and somehow, that combination was enough to make it a chart-topping hit. It’s one part novelty song, one part dance track, and all parts ridiculous.
Still, it’s hard not to tap your foot once that bassline kicks in. It’s got that unmistakable ’70s groove, complete with synthesizers and swagger. Even if you’re embarrassed, you’ll be tempted to bob your head—or worse, bust out your best duck move. Just don’t let anyone catch you. Some guilty pleasures are better enjoyed in solitude.
8. This love song feels more like a soap opera plot.
“Run Joey Run” by David Geddes is like a mini soap opera set to music. The plot involves a forbidden teenage romance, a violent father, and a tragic ending worthy of a daytime drama. The spoken word intro and overly dramatic screams only add to the theatrical chaos.
Despite its Lifetime-movie vibe, there’s something gripping about it. Maybe it’s the way it draws you in with its narrative, or maybe it’s just that nostalgic soft spot for melodrama we all have. Whatever the case, it’s impossible to listen without picturing the entire scene unfold in your mind. Bad? Yes. But also strangely compelling.
9. This sugary pop song is so sweet it might give you a cavity.
“Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies is the musical equivalent of eating a giant lollipop. It’s bright, bubbly, and overflowing with so much sweetness that your teeth hurt just thinking about it. The lyrics are as basic as a candy heart message, and the melody is so simple it’s almost hypnotic.
Still, you can’t deny its charm. It’s pure pop perfection in the most innocent, over-the-top way. Even if you roll your eyes at the lyrics, you’ll be singing them minutes later. It’s kitschy and cringe-worthy, but also kind of delightful. And that, in the end, is why it’s lasted decades.
10. This song tries to be sexy but ends up awkward instead.
“Chevy Van” by Sammy Johns tells the story of a chance encounter and a one-night stand in the back of a van. While it’s meant to be wistful and romantic, the whole thing ends up feeling more uncomfortable than charming. There’s something vaguely unsettling about the nonchalant tone used to describe such a fleeting, intimate moment.
That said, the song has a warm, mellow groove that makes it easy to listen to—at least until you really focus on the lyrics. It’s like a soft rock lullaby with a sleazy undercurrent. You want to like it for the vibe, but you can’t help but squirm a little. Still, for all its awkwardness, it’s undeniably memorable.
11. This novelty song is so bad it’s good.
“Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas is pure camp from start to finish. The lyrics are silly, the vocals are exaggerated, and the attempt to fuse martial arts with disco feels like a parody—but somehow, that’s exactly what makes it so irresistible. It’s the kind of song that makes you laugh before you’ve even hit the chorus.
And then, despite yourself, you start dancing. There’s something joyfully infectious about it. Even if you’re rolling your eyes, your feet are tapping. It’s impossible not to join in—karate chops and all. It’s a joke, sure, but one that’s aged into a lovable relic of a stranger, funkier time.
12. This anthem to freedom is just plain weird.
“Convoy” by C.W. McCall celebrates the freedom of the open road—but does so in the strangest way possible. The entire song is built around CB radio lingo, with spoken verses and trucker jargon that sounds more like code than poetry. If you’re not in on the joke, it’s borderline nonsensical.
Still, it’s got a kind of quirky charm. There’s a rhythm to the nonsense, and the storytelling has a cinematic flair that pulls you in. It’s like stepping into a niche world you didn’t know existed—and kind of enjoying it while you’re there. Weird? Definitely. But weird in the best way.