Just For Fun: “Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction?”

Have you ever had those songs where you question why in the world you like that song? Well, I have plenty of those; the infectious, relentless earworms, either have next to no real musical value or are from a source most unexpected. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself find out whether you’re dreaming about actually liking it, but you can’t seem to wake yourself up.

Also, not to look at the glass half-empty after seeing it half-full, but the truth can mess with your reality in the opposite direction.  Groups that have been releasing golden song after golden song can hit a wall and crash and burn your perceptions of them.  What I mean is, there are those moments in the musical world that remind you that even the best…can be the worst.

(I don’t know whether to tag this one the way I do the other “weekly” music offerings, because this list is just weird.)

Epik High “UP (feat. Park Bom)”

Ah yes. The song nearly everyone wants to forget ever happened.  I don’t think I need to elaborate much on why this song…sucked, because “UP” was as un-Epik High as it gets without crossing genres entirely. The choice of featuring Bom was probably all YGE’s decision, and kind of a bad one. She has a questionable voice (interesting but not necessarily the most well bred), and to make her sing out of her comfort zone is probably not smart. Just saying.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EIYWmRkeRE]

MYNAME “What’s Up” and “Hello & Goodbye”

In my book, MYNAME is definitely an underdog on all counts. It’s a group that doesn’t have much going for them from the personality standpoint (they have none) and their live performances are as boring as they can get due to lack of stage presence. The singing itself isn’t bad, but it sits in banality. Despite this, they have their shining moments. Songs like “What’s Up” caters to their vocal strengths without being utterly boring, as does “Hello & Goodbye.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0It28fEa50s] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adPQEoVQdW0]

Cross Gene “La-di Da-di”

Everything about this song screams “bad idea” but there’s something catchy about the chorus that grabs hold and doesn’t let go. The verses,  although embody the “I have heard this before” vibe, are smooth and transitional, giving perfect platform for the the pretty chorus. I wouldn’t assert that “La-di Da-di” has anything to give itself or the group identity—nothing in the song feels original—yet it’s enjoyable enough that you forget that you were supposed to not like the song.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTCXEQ3zmUY]

JYJ “Ayy Girl”

This song didn’t happen. It didn’t. I swear it didn’t. I’m just imagining this whole MV.

No…you’re imagining me imagining this MV.

…Right?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULHKuRhC9Kk]

F(x) “Electric Shock”

I didn’t want to like “Electric Shock” when I first heard it, because there was too much chanting and I used to hate chanting because I thought it was a lame cover-up for an inability to sing. Then I clicked replay, then once more, and soon enough, I really liked the song.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8I8QGFA1oM]

Shinee “Why So Serious?”

There are songs that fare better in performance, and when it comes to Shinee, almost any song of theirs fares better in performance, including this one. But that’s no excuse for this. (No Jonghyun probably makes things worse.)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgeAmF7bgoE]

Bang Yong-guk and Zelo “Never Give Up”

Coming from the guys of B.A.P. who did “Warrior,” “Power,” and my personal favorite, “One Shot,” this song is certainly a head-scratcher. “Never Give Up” isn’t inherently awful, it’s the presentation and the people singing it that don’t make any sense. Also, watching BYG lip-sync to a female voice is incredibly awkward.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd4s1aVXKpU]

Exo “Growl”

Exo is probably the king of bad life decisions. When the universe tells you to avoid them like the plague, you go and find every song they’ve ever released and buy it all. (Not that I’ve done that yet…) “Growl” is one of those songs that makes quitting Exo all the more unlikely.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEuycNv_UPM]

What are some crazy songs that you never thought you’d like, or songs from artists you like that you hate? I skewed towards male groups, so let me know of any surprising female group offerings.

(Youtube credits to respective owners)