Popular Music Has Lost Its Moral Compass
This is a list of the Top 10 songs of each year from 1960 – 2024 labeled for their effect on the human psyche. That effect is determined based on the rubric below. (Songs sourced from Wikipedia/Billboard.)
I wrote this list not to condemn, shame or censor, but to objectively point out that a moral and vibrational decline is actually happening. It’s also a way of analyzing the state of the collective consciousness since art is usually a reflection of reality. In making this list I remained as objective as possible with the intent to illuminate and agitate so those that wish to can make necessary changes.
My baseline for morality and positive/negative charge is based on the somewhat unspoken yet well known spectrums that humanity as agreed upon as to what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad. That said, I acknowledge that bad things can make people feel good, and vice versa. But is that healthy? That’s another issue, which is why, for the sake of this list, I am not taking into account the individual experience one may have, but rather the objective vibration of each song based on the absolute center of our agreed upon spectrums of positive and negative.
As humans, we go through both positive and negative experiences. Sometimes we do indulge in lower frequencies like sex and drugs, or make bad decisions like staying in a toxic relationship, seeking revenge or committing violence. It can actually be helpful to process those experiences if that there’s a song that we can relate to surrounding that topic. That’s typically what “red” songs did up until the 2000s. But when the song becomes the spark of lower indulgences and not the processor or extinguisher, that can lead to a host of negative outcomes like both individual and collective instability and unrest.
I believe we are witnessing and living a modern version of the fall of Rome. In Rome’s unprecedented success, they got lazy and greedy. They rested upon their laurels and over indulged. Those weakened areas turned into cracks in the foundation of their society. As their guard was low and priorities misguided, Rome was overthrown and crumbled into antiquity. Does that not sound similar to the state of our culture today? We’re indulging in pleasures like sex, junk food, mindless entertainment while squabbling with each other, rejecting spirit/metaphysical, nature, civil and clear communication, healthy interpersonal relationships, and other foundational qualities of a thriving society.
BRIGHT GREEN
Songs with an exceptionally positive charge.
Exceptionally positive uplifting, profound or encouraging message, expression or intention. Songs that are intentionally designed to uplift and heal.
GREEN
Songs with a positive charge.
Overall positive, supportive, uplifting or encouraging message, expression or intention. (Also assigned to songs of neutral charge.)
RED
Songs with a negative charge.
Overall negative, indulgent, discouraging, ego-driven or complacent message, expression or intention.
Rubric Terms
The message is what is being said. Is it describing healthy or productive thoughts, behaviors or actions? Or unhealthy, indulgent or destructive thoughts, behavior or actions?
The expression is how it’s being said. Is it said with kindness, understanding and compassion? Or is it said with malice, disdain, ego or aggression?
The intention is the why of the message or expression. is it meant to heal, empower or create? Or hurt, harm, minimize or destroy?
What about cursing/swearing?
I think it’s important to note that while a valid measure of its own, cursing/swearing does not influence the classifications on this list. It’s clear that there is an increase of cursing along with the increase of negatively charged songs, and I believe excessive cursing causes damage of its own, (by the very nature of the word “curse”,) but, cursing is not taking into account for this list.
About The Rubric
I am trying to illustrate the decline of positively charged energy in mainstream music, and to do that, it made sense to adopt a dualistic approach. Personally, like most of us, I operate within the gray areas of life. Rarely are things cut and dry. Most everyone and every thing is a combination of light and dark – not one extreme entirely. But in this case, it’s the fairest way to prove my point.
I put a lot of time and critical thought into how to label these songs. In the original post, I started out with three categories; positive, negative and neutral. I wanted to have the neutral classification as a place to drop songs that don’t objectively fall into positive or negative. Songs that are entertaining but don’t send a message. However, the truth is, when it comes to energy and emotions, there’s only up and down. No two energetic frequencies are the same, so no two songs are exactly the same. That said, songs that fall somewhere in the middle will be considered green in this case.
Make Your Own Decision
Being labeled red doesn’t mean a song isn’t good. All that exists is valid and even some red songs are masterpieces. Negatively charged songs are absolutely healthy for a well balanced society, but how much negativity and toxicity is too much? I prepared this list to ask:
- Is this what we collectively want as our benchmark in pop culture?
- Are the lower frequencies and negative emotions what we want to experience the most?
- What do we want to be the most prominent vibration running through the mainstream psyche?
- How much negativity, ego, indulgence and complacency is too much?
My premise is that if someone spends the majority of their listening time on “red” songs, it’s energetic fact that they’ll match those vibrations, which will likely lead them on a downward spiral, eventually hitting rock bottom. Continual listening may cause them to remain there, sputtering about, and not knowing what’s happening or how to get out of it. (It’s just music after all, right?)
On the flip side, I believe if one spends the majority of their time listening to green and exceptionally green songs, there’s a great chance they will spiral up – and there is no positive version of rock bottom, you’re just exponentially rising.
It’s worth it to point out that this assumption of pop music trending down into negative and darker areas is backed up by science. It’s also been reported on by one of my favorite Substacks, StatSignifigant, here.
I’ll leave it to you to make your own decision. Here’s the list:
Conclusion
The fact that many songs are red these days is a signal that society is unhappy and/or operating from a lower frequency. It’s my goal to use music to raise that frequency.
1960
#1: “Theme from A Summer Place” – Percy Faith
A song about life from a blatantly positive perspective that wraps up as a love song.
#2: “He’ll Have to Go” – Jim Reeves
A gentle song asking his lover to not cheat on or leave him.
#3: “Cathy’s Clown” – The Everly Brothers
A song about realizing the way you’re being treated and ending the relationship.
#4: “Running Bear” – Johnny Preston
Cultural appropriation aside, this song employs a beautiful and vivid metaphor to describe a forbidden love, something not seen these days.
#5 – “Teen Angel” – Mark Dinning
Age issues aside, this song tackles the deep emotions of losing someone in a car accident – something that was a growing phenomenon at the time.
#6 – “I’m Sorry” – Brenda Lee
A song from the perspective of someone that has made mistakes and hurt their lover, and yearns for forgiveness.
#7 – “It’s Now or Never” – Elvis Presley
A good old fashioned love song from The King.
#8 – “Handy Man” – Jimmy Jones
A sugary pop bop about a man that can fix a broken heart.
#9 – “Stuck on You” – Elvis Presley
You could read into it as overbearing and controlling, but I think it’s just a metaphor for love and attraction.
#10: “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
A good, old fashioned dance song with no sexual innuendo to be found! If people want to take it there, that’s on them. In this list, I’m only taking lyrics at face-value or obvious metaphors.
1961
#1: “Tossin’ and Turnin'” – Bobby Lewis
A light hearted yet descriptive song about yearning for someone you miss or want to be with.
#2: “I Fall to Pieces” – Patsy Cline
Gentle unrequited love song.
#3: “Michael“ – The Highwaymen
An emotional, hopeful and spiritually charged song. Racial issues aside, the timing of the song with the murder of an NAACP member gives it a social justice overtone.
#4: “Crying” – Roy Orbison
A breakup song about unrequited love. At least they did it with class and respect back then.
#5: “Runaway” – Del Shannon
Another breakup song. Interesting watching this trend unfold.
#6: “My True Story” – The Jive Five
Yet another breakup song about a love triangle.
#7: “Pony Time” – Chubby Checker
A contemporary song for the high school dance or sock hop.
#8: “Wheels” – The String-A-Longs
The first instrumental on the list. Imagine that, an instrumental going #1!
#9: “Raindrops” – Dee Clark
Alas, another breakup song!
#10: “Exodus” – Ferrante & Teicher
A hopeful, spiritually infused song about making a home with a committed partner.
1962
#1: “Stranger on the Shore” – Acker Bilk
Another song about longing for love. Yet, back then, we still had the utmost respect for the person we’re longing for. We didn’t shame or belittle them because they were causing us pain. not to mention the poetic imagery vs. today’s sterile narratives.
#2: “I Can’t Stop Loving You” – Ray Charles
Another song about longing for love. A heartbreakingly tender breakup song.
#3: “Mashed Potato Time” – Dee Dee Sharp
Just a fun, carefree dance song about a mashed potato.
#4: “Roses Are Red (My Love)” – Bobby Vinton
A beautifully written song with a respectful sentiment of a relationship that ended but hoping for the best to both parties. Keyword here is respectful. Not much of that in songs of the same topic these days.
#5: “The Stripper” – David Rose
Since there are no lyrics, this one’s not so cut and dry. If I’m being as critically objective as I am for every other song, after doing some research on it’s cultural use/understanding, it’s clear that it conjures up sexual ideas in the listener. At the time and until the song left the mainstream awareness, everyone knew what the song was suggesting and used for.
Why: Sexualization
#6: “Johnny Angel” – Shelley Fabares
A song about wanting someone to be their lover.
#7: “The Loco-Motion” – Little Eva
A wildly popular and ubiquitous dance song to this day.
#8: “Let Me In” – The Sensations
A song about hearing the music and being drawn to it.
#9: “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
The first time a song has been in the top ten more than once!
#10: “Soldier Boy” – The Shirelles
A song about committing to a partner that’s going off to war. I’m not endorsing war, but I don’t see this kind of deep commitment very often in popular music today.
1963
#1: Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
A feel-good party song without the sex and substance abuse! Not one single sexual or drug innuendo, even though that was certainly going on at the time with the listeners. Imagine that. Surfs up, dude!
#2: “The End of the World” – Skeeter Davis
A standard breakup song.
#3: “Rhythm of the Rain” – The Cascades
Another standard breakup song.
#4: “He’s So Fine” – The Chiffons
A flirty song about a crush.
#5: “Blue Velvet” – Bobby Vinton
A sensual breakup song.
#6: “Hey Paula” – Paul & Paula
A love song about wanting to get married. Subjectively, I want to label this neutral or negative because it encourages getting married right after high school which I think is part of the systematic enslavement of society, but objectively there’s nothing wrong with it.
#7: “Fingertips – Part 2” – Little Stevie Wonder
A feel-good soul-jazz song.
#8: “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” – Andy Williams
A breakup song. The difference between this time and now is that when people broke up – even if they didn’t want it – they accepted it, grieved, and at least tried to move on. Nowadays, it’s all blame and insults out the door. No respect.
#9: “My Boyfriend’s Back” – The Angels
A song about a man defending his woman from a unwanted advances from another man.
#10: “Sukiyaki” – Kyu Sakamoto
Though the song was written about a political issue, it’s a reflective breakup/lost-love song, and in Japanese!
1964
#1: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles
A lighthearted love song that depicts a deep attraction without making it sexual.
#2: “She Loves You” – The Beatles
A song comforting a friend that his partner still loves him even though he made a mistake.
#3: “Hello, Dolly!” – Louis Armstrong
Subtle objectification of woman aside, a harmless and fun jazz song.
#4: “Oh, Pretty Woman” – Roy Orbison
Interesting that we’re seeing some subtle objectification of woman starting all the way back here. Aside from one single line about treating her right, the song is all about him and what he wants, not what she wants.
Why: Objectification and harassment.
#5: “I Get Around” – The Beach Boys
Part of me wants to find a way to make this about “getting around” sexually but it’s just not coming through the lyrics. A fun song about being popular in many towns.
#6: “Everybody Loves Somebody” – Dean Martin
A song about being in love and wanting everyone else to experience the same joy. That’s my kind of love song. Interpersonal and communal love all in one!
#7: “My Guy” – Mary Wells
A proclamation of love and commitment.
#8: “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” – Gale Garnett
A bittersweet love song.
#9: “Last Kiss” – J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
A heart wrenching song about losing a loved one in a car accident. Car accidents were an epidemic of sorts in these times, so it makes sense as to why there were songs about them, and also why there aren’t songs about them anymore.
Pearl Jam covered this song in 1999 and it became a smash hit again.
#10: “Where Did Our Love Go” – The Supremes
A warm song about losing love.
1965
#1: “Wooly Bully” – Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
A tongue-in-cheek dance song with, from what I can tell, no under or overtones beyond the funny idea of a bison wanting to learn to dance.
#2: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” – Four Tops
A classic R&B/soul bop that everyone knows and loves.
#3: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones
The first song I’ve come across on this list to address the holes in the “perfection” of modern society.
#4: “You Were on My Mind” – We Five
A song about wanting someone you don’t have.
#5: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” – The Righteous Brothers
A poetic and wildly popular (to this day) breakup song.
#6: “Downtown” – Petula Clark
A song about making yourself feel better by visiting the culturally exciting part of the city.
#7: “Help!” – The Beatles
A song about asking for help in a time of need; seeing the benefit of community, companionship or comradery rather than trying to do it all on your own.
#8: “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” – Herman’s Hermits
Classic young love song.
#9: “Crying in the Chapel” – Elvis Presley
Religious politics aside, a song about healing your woes through a higher power / spirituality.
#10: “My Girl” – The Temptations
A poetic and warm proclamation of love.
1966
#1: “California Dreamin'” – The Mamas & the Papas
A generally happy song. Interesting that most songs nowadays critical rather than praiseful of LA.
#2: “96 Tears” – Question Mark and the Mysterians
A breakup song. The first appearance of the theme of revenge. If you read into the history of this song there are more facts that support the message, expression and intention of the song.
Why: Revenge
#3: “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” – Jimmy Ruffin
A song about finding a way to heal from a lost love.
#4: “Last Train to Clarksville” – The Monkees
A song describing a involuntarily-short-term love affair.
#5: “Reach Out I’ll Be There” – Four Tops
A song about deep commitment and support in a relationship.
#6: “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” – Nancy Sinatra
A song about leaving someone who doesn’t respect you.
#7: “Cherish” – The Association
Longing for love that will never be.
#8: “Strangers in the Night” – Frank Sinatra
A song about the first time two lovers meet.
#9: “Kicks” – Paul Revere & the Raiders
An incredibly empowering song talking about “kicks” not being the answer to your problems. “Kicks” are vices or indulgences of any kind, e.g. sex, drugs or mindlessly consuming media.
#10: “The Ballad of the Green Berets” – SSgt Barry Sadler
While again I don’t endorse war, it’s a patriotic, poignant and unifying song.
1967
#1: To Sir, With Love – Lulu
This one’s a bit shaky if you read into it, as I always do, but besides it being a grown man having sex with a young girl, it’s a heartfelt message. A truly loving, divine masculine man, is good for a woman, as long as it’s legally and morally appropriate. (Same if the gender roles were reversed.) That’s what I believe this song is about. It’s certainly not recounting sexual abuse or unwanted advances.
#2: “The Letter” – The Box Tops
A song about dropping everything and returning to your lover.
#3: “Ode to Billie Joe” – Bobbie Gentry
One of the most poetically deep songs so far. A song about a teenage suicide and the weight on the supposed girlfriend he left behind. A great example of a discussing a sad topic in a positive, healing way.
#4: “Windy” – The Association
A song about someone living a carefree, hippie lifestyle.
#5: “I’m a Believer” – The Monkees
A smash hit to this day. A wildly positive and uplifting song. Popularized again in the 2000s by Shrek.
#6: “Light My Fire” – The Doors
A song about sex without saying anything explicit.
#7: “Somethin’ Stupid” – Frank & Nancy Sinatra
A “stupid” love song.
#8: “Happy Together” – The Turtles
A song about being in a romantic relationship with the right person.
#9: “Groovin'” – The Young Rascals
A love song about going through life with your partner.
#10: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
A tender love song. I will argue in later years that love songs that focus on the physical will start to become negative for society, and I will acknowledge that the title and some of the lyrics insinuate physical appearance*, but the overall tone is much deeper and more heartfelt than later songs I will assign as negative.
*Physical attraction is an important part of a relationship, but as we will see as the years go by, it begins to take over in an unhealthy way.
1968
#1: “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
One of the most iconic, uplifting and uniting anthems in recorded music history. A song about loosening up the “tough guy” and letting love in.
#2: “Love is Blue” – Paul Mauriat
Your standard yet beautifully poetic breakup song.
#3: “Honey” – Bobby Goldsboro
Another hugely popular song about death of a loved one. We don’t have many of these anymore, certainly not in the top 10.
#4: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding
An introspective song and somewhat of a commentary on the state of the world.
#5: “People Got to Be Free” – The Rascals
A song about humanity; about the loving and respecting others, not just romantic partners or blood family. The hippie movement is poking it’s head into the mainstream.
#6: “Sunshine of Your Love” – Cream
Probably (definitely) about sex but poetic and passionate.
#7: “This Guy’s in Love with You” – Herb Alpert
A song about having a crush and not knowing if they feel the same.
#8: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – Hugo Montenegro
Instrumental.
#9: “Mrs. Robinson” – Simon & Garfunkel
The song’s inclusion in The Graduate gave it the pop-culture meaning, but the song is not 100% about extramarital affairs. Even if it was, it’s not glorifying that, as it often done today. The song is about the state of the nation at that time.
#10: “Tighten Up” – Archie Bell & the Drells
A fun R&B/soul dance song.
1969
#1: “Sugar, Sugar” – The Archies
Slightly sensual but still portraying the woman of your dreams with the utmost respect.
#2: “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” – The 5th Dimension
A unapologetically spiritually charged song. These are the kinds of songs that activate higher consciousness.
#3: “I Can’t Get Next to You” – The Temptations
A song about unrequited love.
#4: “Honky Tonk Women” – The Rolling Stones
A song about alcohol, prostitution and/or casual sex and drugs.
Why: Sex and drugs.
#5: “Everyday People” – Sly and the Family Stone
A anthem of self-empowerment and acceptance of others not like you.
#6: “Dizzy” – Tommy Roe
An interesting take on the love song.
#7: “Hot Fun in the Summertime” – Sly and the Family Stone
A song about the most-fun season!
#8: “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” – Tom Jones
An honest and vulnerable song about losing faith in love.
#9: “Build Me Up Buttercup” – The Foundations
A song about inequality of respect in a relationship. Possibly the first appearance of a song talking about loving someone that isn’t good for them.
#10: “Crimson and Clover” – Tommy James and the Shondells
A poetic love song.
1970
#1: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel
A song about helping a friend or lover in need.
#2: “(They Long to Be) Close to You” – The Carpenters
A song with beautiful imagery about a crush.
#3: “American Woman” – The Guess Who
A fantastic example of healthy boundaries and not staying in a toxic relationship. Possible commentary of the beginning of the decline of values and morality in the USA.
#4: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” – B.J. Thomas
A fun and lighthearted song about the natural ups and downs of emotion.
#5: “War” – Edwin Starr
Do I have to say anything? Where are the songs rallying against war in today’s top 5?
#6: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Diana Ross
A proclamation of a love that endures anything.
#7: “I’ll Be There” – The Jackson 5
A song about commitment and support.
#8: “Get Ready” – Rare Earth
A song about “getting the girl” but no signs of disrespect or harassment.
#9: “Let It Be” – The Beatles
Philosophy in a pop song. Imagine that. I tear up just thinking about the time when this song was on the heart and mind of the mainstream.
#10: “Band of Gold” – Freda Payne
A crushing breakup song.
1971
#1: “Joy To the World” – Three Dog Night
A song celebrating the world we live in/on and wishing joy upon all humans an animals.
#2: “Maggie May”/”Reason to Believe” – Rod Stewart
Maggie May: A song about knowing a lover is bad for you and wanting to get away.
Reason To Believe: One of my core musical memories and the resolution of Maggie May; an introspective and hopeful breakup song.
#3: “It’s Too Late”/”I Feel the Earth Move” – Carole King
It’s Too Late: A gentle breakup song.
I Feel The Earth Move: An earth-shaking anthem of love.
#4: “One Bad Apple” – The Osmonds
An encouraging an hopeful song about finding love after being mistreated by a lover.
#6: “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)” – Paul Revere & the Raiders
Cultural issues aside, a political song roasting the US for its treatment of the Native Americans.
Backstory: He wrote the song after his car was snowed in by a blizzard and he was taken in by a small group of Cherokee Indians. (He was not stealing their identity for a bit or trying to speak for them, but rather reciting what he probably learned from his time with them.)
#7: “Go Away Little Girl” – Donny Osmond
Acknowledging temptation but not giving in to it.
#8: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
Another one that I don’t need to say anything about, but, it’s a song about and being in awe and reverence of nature. How rare is that these days?
#9: “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” – The Temptations
A song about falling in love with someone you’ve seen but never officially met.
#10: “Knock Three Times” – Tony Orlando and Dawn
An adorable and imaginative song about an apartment building love affair.
1972
#1: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” – Roberta Flack
A love song about a relationship whose “joy would fill the earth.” Sounds similar to the #1 of the previous year.
#2: “Alone Again (Naturally)” – Gilbert O’Sullivan
A deeply introspective song questioning God, faith and love.
#3: “American Pie” Don – McLean
A song that has stood the test of time. A song about the state of the country at that time.
#4: “Without You” – Harry Nilsson
A classic breakup song.
#5: “The Candy Man” – Sammy Davis Jr.
A fun and bubbly song.
#6: “I Gotcha” Joe Tex
A bit surprised by these lyrics. A song about… forcing someone to love them?
Why: Revenge and force. Could go as far as to say it conjures up SA.
#7: “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers
A world famous classic about friendship and support.
#8: “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me” – Mac Davis
A song about not being ready for commitment. He’s honest and trying to protect the woman’s feelings.
#9: “Brand New Key” – Melanie
A song about a crush. Possible sex or drug innuendo but not blatant enough to warrant a red label.
#10: “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” – Wayne Newton
Now that is a song about commitment, (at least to a child,) and not giving up on a relationship too soon. That’s not to say one should stay forever if it’s not working, but the sentiment of the song is what counts here.
1973
#1: “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” – Tony Orlando and Dawn
A song about hoping for a sign of love and taking accountability to earn that love again.
#2: “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” – Jim Croce
A story about the baddest guy in town. Just telling a story, so no harm done. Now if the song were glorifying this bad person, that would be a red label.
#3: “Killing Me Softly with His Song” – Roberta Flack
A foundation of popular music culture.
#4: “Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
A love song about sex. It is possible to discuss sex in a healthy way; without being explicit, extreme or sensational.
#5: “My Love” – Paul McCartney & Wings
A heartfelt love song.
#6: “Why Me” – Kris Kristofferson
Specific religion aside, it’s a song about a higher power and wanting to live a better life. Awesome.
#7: “Crocodile Rock” – Elton John
A classic rock and roll dance song.
#8: “Will It Go Round in Circles” – Billy Preston
Not sure what to say about this song. Even with the “bad guy” lyric, it’s harmless.
#9: “You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon
A wonderful example of exposing a jerk without seeking revenge.
#10: “Touch Me in the Morning” – Diana Ross
Seems like a heartfelt song about the joy and pain of a one-night-stand. If not, then it’s still a loving breakup song.
1974
#1: “The Way We Were” – Barbra Streisand
A warm and heartfelt breakup song.
#2: “Seasons in the Sun” – Terry Jacks
A tearful song about the death of a girl or woman from multiple perspectives.
#3: “Love’s Theme” – Love Unlimited Orchestra
An instrumental of love.
#4: “Come and Get Your Love” – Redbone
A fun and sensual love song.
#5: “Dancing Machine” – The Jackson 5
When dancing wasn’t twerking.
#6: “The Loco-Motion” – Grand Funk Railroad
A classic dance song.
#7: “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)” – MFSB
A mostly instrumental song about my hometown!
#8: “The Streak” – Ray Stevens
A silly song about a streaker. See, we can talk about nudity without being sexual.
#9: “Bennie and the Jets” Elton John
Taken from American Songwriter:
“The song is a celebration of youth culture and how transcendent it can be to watch a popular band, no matter how bizarre they may seem to others, do their thing on stage.”
#10: “One Hell of a Woman” – Mac Davis
A song paying respect to “one hell of a woman.”
1975
#1: “Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille
A poetic and warm love song.
#2: “Rhinestone Cowboy” – Glen Campbell
Dreaming about living a bigger, richer life and/or being a celebrity.
#3: “Philadelphia Freedom” – Elton John
Wow, Philly really was a place to be! An anthem about living a free life.
#4: “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” – Freddy Fender
A tender breakup song.
#5: “My Eyes Adored You” – Frankie Valli
A song about never getting the chance to love the person you really wanted to.
#6: “Some Kind of Wonderful” – Grand Funk Railroad
A story that unfolds over the course of the song, ending up being a
#7: “Shining Star” – Earth, Wind & Fire
A song that empowers the listener. Can we get some of this in today’s music, please?
#8: “Fame” – David Bowie
A somewhat cryptic yet poetic song about fame.
#9: “Laughter in the Rain” – Neil Sedaka
A simple, pretty love song.
#10: “One of These Nights” – Eagles
There’s quite a bit going on here. Some sexual undertone, but overall a song about finding the right person to love.
1976
#1: “Silly Love Songs” – Wings
A “silly” love song about love being a nice thing to be in.
#2: “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Elton John & Kiki Dee
A bubbly love song.
#3: “Disco Lady” – Johnnie Taylor
A dance song about a woman who dances well. There’s a hint of objectification creeping in here.
#4: “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” – The Four Seasons
A groovy classic about an amazing night with a lover.
#5: “Play That Funky Music” – Wild Cherry
A 70s smash hit about music!
#6: “Kiss and Say Goodbye” – The Manhattans
A sad song about facing reality and ending a relationship that just can’t work.
#7: “Love Machine” The Miracles
“A huggin’ and kissin’ fiend.” I bet those wouldn’t be the verbs used if the song was written today.
#8: “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” – Paul Simon
The title says it all!
#9: “Love Is Alive” – Gary Wright
An empowering love song.
#10: “A Fifth of Beethoven” – Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band
You might not know that you know it, but you do.
1977
#1: “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” – Rod Stewart
A song about love-based sex and losing one’s virginity to a loving and respectful partner.
#2: “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” – Andy Gibb
Andy Gibb is a master of conveying deep passion without sexual innuendo.
#3: “Best of My Love” – The Emotions
This song is on of the “best” of the year!
#4: “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” – Barbara Streisand
A love song from the depths of her soul.
#5: “Angel in Your Arms” – Hot
A song about the hurt of infidelity.
#6: “Don’t Leave Me This Way” – Thelma Houston
Longing for your lover to return and missing the love they gave.
#7: “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” – Rita Coolidge
An incredibly powerful love song.
#8: “Undercover Angel” – Alan O’Day
I can’t tell if the song is about a real person that’s a dream, or an actual dream/fantasy. Either way, a great song.
#9: “Torn Between Two Lovers” – Mary MacGregor
A song tackling the real and relatable feeling of a love triangle.
#10: “I’m Your Boogie Man” – KC and the Sunshine Band
A dance song on the surface with some light sexual innuendo.
1978
#1: “Shadow Dancing” – Andy Gibb
A respectful, deeply passionate love song.
#2: “Night Fever” – Bee Gees
A song about nightlife.
#3: “You Light Up My Life” – Debby Boone
A lovely love song.
#4: “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
The epitome of the disco age.
#5: “Kiss You All Over” – Exile
Sensual and sultry but not overtly sexual.
#6: “How Deep Is Your Love” – Bee Gees
The Gibbs just keep on Gibbing. What a class act.
#7: “Baby Come Back” – Player
Asking for forgiveness after realizing you’ve done wrong by your partner.
#8: “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” – Andy Gibb
A song about “the overpowering nature of love.” (ref)
#9: “Boogie Oogie Oogie” – A Taste of Honey
Get up and boogie!
#10: “Three Times a Lady” – Commodores
Proclaiming your love even though the relationship or time together may be over. Great respect of women here.
1979
#1: “My Sharona” – The Knack
A lustful song. Heading into the 80s, we’re starting to lose the passion and focus on the sex, yet still not explicit in lyric like we are today.
#2: “Bad Girls” – Donna Summer
While the song is about prostitution or the sugar daddy lifestyle, it’s not glorying it.
#3: “Le Freak” – Chic
A disco-pop dance song.
#4: “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” – Rod Stewart
Sexualization starts creeping into the mainstream.
#5: “Reunited” – Peaches & Herb
Rejoicing because you’re back together!
#6: “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
A woman’s empowerment anthem about kicking him out of your life if he ain’t good to you.
#7: “Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
I know many are going to grumble, but this gets a red. The song is obviously about looking for casual sex.
#8: “Y.M.C.A.” – Village People
Religious undertones aside, this is a wonderfully empowering song for young men. Something like this is awful needed right now.
#9: “Ring My Bell” – Anita Ward
A song about love and sex.
#10: “Sad Eyes” – Robert John
A solemn song about a foreseen breakup.
1980
#1: “Call Me” – Blondie
A song about casual sex, yet poetic and subtle.
#2: “Another Brick in the Wall, Part II” – Pink Floyd
A song about abuse in boarding schools and larger overtones of how schooling affects society in general.
#3: “Magic” – Olivia Newton-John
A magical song about the magic of love.
#4: “Rock with You” – Michael Jackson
The king of pop flexes his solo chops.
#5: “Do That to Me One More Time” – Captain & Tennille
A song about sexual acts without saying said sexual acts.
#6: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Queen
It’s about being cool and relaxes when your heart is beating in the name of love.
#7: “Coming Up” – Paul McCartney
A positively encouraging song about the greater love.
#8: “Funkytown” – Lipps Inc.
A ditty that everyone knows.
#9: “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” – Billy Joel
A song about how things change but they also stay the same.
#10: “The Rose” – Bette Midler
A deeply moving ballad about cycles of love and loss.
1981
#1: “Bette Davis Eyes” – Kim Carnes
Sexually charged but with a foundation of female empowerment.
#2: “Endless Love” – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Well, it’s a song about endless love of course!
#3: “Lady” – Kenny Rogers
A respectful and loving love song.
#4: “(Just Like) Starting Over” – John Lennon
A song about taking the time to intentionally enjoy the person that you are with.
#5: “Jessie’s Girl” – Rick Springfield
The feeling of wanting something that someone else has.
#6: “Celebration” – Kool & the Gang
It’s a celebration! Nothing like this on the radio these days.
#7: “Kiss on My List” – Hall & Oates
A cute and heartfelt love song.
#8: “I Love a Rainy Night” – Eddie Rabbitt
A song laying respect to nature’s natural cleanser.
#9: “9 To 5” – Dolly Parton
A song that’s ended up both breaking the facade of the 9-5 but also strengthened it through the Law of Attraction.
#10: “Keep on Loving You” – REO Speedwagon
It’s the only thing he knows how to do.
1982
#1: “Physical” – Olivia Newton John
Attempts to be satirical but it’s a song blatantly about casual sex. That’s two years in a row that a sexually charged song is #1 of the year.
Why: Blatant casual sex
#2: “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
Thankfully this empowering anthem came in at #2. Goes to show the spiritual “battle” between light and dark seeping into pop culture.
#3: “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
A classic ode to rock.
#4: “Ebony and Ivory” – Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
A song about bridging the racial divide.
#5: “Centerfold” – The J. Geils Band
Sex sex sex.
Why: Sexualization and objectification, especially since the narrator refers to being a young age.
#6: “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League
A song about unrequited love.
#7: “Jack & Diane” – John Cougar
A classic tale of the youth of the USA.
#8: “Hurts So Good” – John Cougar
The truth about love.
#9: “Abracadabra” – Steve Miller Band
Teetering into sexualization but not enough to get a red.
#10: “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” – Chicago
A song about atoning for your shortcomings and misgivings.
1983
#1: Every Breath You Take – The Police
Despite it’s contemporary assignment of being stalker-y, a deeply passionate and introspective breakup song about wanting to protect one’s ex-lover.
#2: “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
The king of pop strikes again. The song is about casual sex and fatherless children, but it’s so poetic you don’t really know unless you try.
#3: “Flashdance… What a Feeling” – Irene Cara
What a feeling this song brings to the listener.
#4: “Down Under” – Men at Work
A song about the land down under, mate!
#5: “Beat It” – Michael Jackson
This song hits many topics, mainly about exposing the toxicity and danger of the macho-man attitude, the rising prevalence of gangs, and the desire for overall peace and avoiding violence at all costs. Michael is the king of exceptionally positive pop music.
#6: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
A heart-wrenching love/breakup song.
#7: “Maneater” – Hall & Oates
When the tables turn and the woman is the one calling the shots, in this case, to the detriment of the man.
#8: “Baby, Come to Me” – Patti Austin and James Ingram
A gentle love song.
#9: “Maniac” – Michael Sembello
Remember when dancing was a positive expression of self & spirit and not a precursor to sex?
#10: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” – Eurythmics
A smooth and sexy song, yet a dismal topic about not being able to trust anyone.
1984
#1: “When Doves Cry” – Prince
A song about a failing relationship. This one’s deeper than I expected – I had to do some research. As much as I thought I would be labeling it red, it seems overwhelmingly positive in intention. Look up the meaning behind “doves crying,” separate from the song.
#2: “What’s Love Got to Do with It” – Tina Turner
I hate to do it but this gets a red. It’s about not being able to trust your emotions and going for casual sex because you’ve been hurt and now have a fear of true love and commitment.
Why: Indulging in casual sex
#3: “Say, Say, Say” – Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson
Trying to convince your lover that you’re fully vested in them but they aren’t there yet.
#4: “Footloose” – Kenny Loggins
Cut loose!!
#5: “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” – Phil Collins
A stratospheric heartbreak song.
#6: “Jump” – Van Halen
A happy go lucky glam rock song.
#7: “Hello” – Lionel Richie
A song about wondering where your destined-to-be lover is.
#8: “Owner of a Lonely Heart” – Yes
A prog-rock breakup anthem.
#9: “Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.
A song about something totally out there! I love songs about “something else.”
#10: “Karma Chameleon” – Culture Club
If you don’t treat me right, expect karma to take care of you later.
1985
#1: “Careless Whisper” – Wham!
An introspective song about feeling guilty about cheating or somehow hurting a partner.
#2: “Like a Virgin” – Madonna
I was expecting to give this a red but after deliberating for a bit, it’s actually not because it’s a positive expression of love through sex.
#3: “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” – Wham!
A song about not wanting to miss the last moment.
#4: “I Want to Know What Love Is” – Foreigner
It’s all in the title.
#5: “I Feel for You” – Chaka Khan
A feel good song about love and commitment.
#6: “Out of Touch” – Daryl Hall & John Oates
About the disorientation that can come with love.
#7: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears for Fears
This song is more and more applicable to the times we’re living in. This song says so much about where society was heading and is firmly planted now. It’s about self interest above all else, even if that self-interest is misguided.
#8: “Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
The song actually has a deep meaning touching on capitalism and the us vs. them attitude developing in the workplace/society.
#9: “Crazy for You” – Madonna
A song about love and connection.
#10: “Take On Me” – a-ha
The meaning of this song is cloudy, and it’s better that way. But it’s likely about taking a chance on the narrator.
1986
#1: “That’s What Friends Are For” – Dionne and Friends
A song about genuine, reliable, platonic friendship! Imagine that.
#2: “Say You, Say Me” – Lionel Richie
An empowering and enlightening song about commitment and support.
#3: “I Miss You” – Klymaxx
An teenage/first love heartbreak anthem.
#4: “On My Own” – Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
A song about making it through the pain of a breakup onto the other side where a new you is waiting.
#5: “Broken Wings” – Mr. Mister
A song about making it work through the struggles.
#6: “How Will I Know” – Whitney Houston
A bubbly pop/dance anthem about the joy and anticipation of a budding love.
#7: “Party All the Time” Eddie Murphy
A song about both the growing party/club scene and the despair of the narrator watching their partner take part, despite the narrator not wanting to.
#8: “Burning Heart” – Survivor
I’m going to venture a guess to say this is a song was inspired by interpersonal conflict but it’s wrapped in a story of war/rivalry for the movie Rocky IV.
#9: “Kyrie” – Mr. Mister
A deeply introspective and reflective song about life and possibly death.
#10: “Addicted to Love” – Robert Palmer
An aggressive love song.
1987
#1: “Walk Like An Egyptian” – The Bangles
A song about “something else” as I like to say. Just a fun, out-there topic.
#2: “Alone” – Heart
A gut wrenchingly uplifting song about a crush.
#3: “Shake You Down” – Gregory Abbott
A song alluding to sex but keeping it above bar.
#4: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
I want another song like this in today’s music.
#5: “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – Starship
A song about an enduring relationship.
#6: “C’est La Vie” – Robbie Nevil
A song about rolling with the punches of life.
#7: “Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake
A song about proudly going through life alone (or at least for a period of time after a breakup.)
#8: “The Way It Is” – Bruce Hornsby and the Range
A socially conscious song about racism. I would have added a final lyric that says “that’s the way it is… but the way can change.”
#9: “Shakedown” – Bob Seger
A song about glitz and glamour, crime, and the law that surrounds it all.
#10: “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
Living life through faith and with the support of another by your side.
1988
#1: “Faith” – George Michael
A song about carefully discerning whether someone is good for you; not staying just because the sex is good; and having faith that the right person will come along.
#2: “Need You Tonight” – INXS
Intense and sexually charged, yet not explicit.
#3: “Got My Mind Set on You” – George Harrison
Determined to win the affection of a partner.
#4: “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley
Maybe the most famous song about commitment, and that ain’t a Rick-roll!
#5: “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
A deeply poetic song about childhood memories and being reminded and them by a lover.
#6: “So Emotional” – Whitney Houston
A song about missing a love once had.
#7: “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” – Belinda Carlisle
Heaven is a place on Earth when you have a great love.
#8: “Could’ve Been” – Tiffany
A good ole’ breakup song.
#9: “Hands to Heaven” – Breathe
Unrequited love strikes again.
#10: “Roll with It” – Steve Winwood
A song about making it through the tough times in life.
1989
#1: “Look Away” – Chicago
A solemn yet heartfelt and vulnerable breakup song. The singer even respects his ex’s happiness with someone else. Try and find that sentiment these days.
#2: “My Prerogative” – Bobby Brown
Lots going on here. Interesting that he talks about ego trips not being his thing, when the song is one big ego trip. Also, all of this “I do what I want” coming from a domestic abuser. This is a peek into what’s to come in the next few decades.
Why: Glorifying objectification of woman and money because “I can.”
#3: “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
A beautiful classic rock song about the naturality of taking the good with the bad.
#4: “Straight Up” – Paula Abdul
Asking for commitment!
#5: “Miss You Much” – Janet Jackson
It’s all in the title.
#6: “Cold Hearted” – Paula Abdul
A song between girlfriends, telling the other that her man isn’t good for her.
#7: “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler
Deep, moving, classic.
#8: “Girl You Know It’s True” – Milli Vanilli
Despite their catastrophic end, it’s a great song!
#9: “Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley” – Will to Power
An medley cover of two uplifting, classic hits.
#10: “Giving You the Best That I Got” – Anita Baker
A touching song about a strong relationship.
1990
#1: “Hold On” – Wilson Philips
A self-empowerment anthem and one of my personal favorite songs of all time.
#2: “It Must Have Been Love” – Roxette
Mourning a lost love.
#3: “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
You’re the best! Nothing compares to you.
#4: “Poison” – Bell Biv DeVoe
To my surprise, nothing jumps out as truly toxic. It’s just an aggressive way of saying to be careful while dating.
#5: “Vogue” – Madonna
Quite an empowering anthem, actually. Idolizing and glorifying grace and style over sex and material.
#6: “Vision of Love” – Mariah Carey
A song about things going well -quite amazingly actually – in a relationship.
#7: “Another Day in Paradise” – Phil Collins
Profound messages on the state of society.
#8: “Hold On” – En Vogue
Healthy relationship rules to live by.
#9: “Cradle of Love” Billy Idol
No surprise that Billy Idol is creeping into debauchery territory. Still, that’s part of life and it’s not overtly explicit.
#10: “Blaze of Glory” – Jon Bon Jovi
Declaration of strength through imagery of violence, but still respectable.
1991
#1: “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams
A passionate love song of faith and commitment.
#2: “I Wanna Sex You Up” – Color Me Badd
1991 coming in strong with the sex-focused lyrics.
Why: Sex-focused
#3: “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” – C+C Music Factory
A classic 90s club hit!
#4: “Rush Rush” – Paula Abdul
A standard pop love song.
#5: “One More Try” – Timmy T
Asking for a second chance.
#6: “Unbelievable” – EMF
There’s more than meets the sonic eye in this song. This one is the only bright green so far that’s a tad subjective.
#7: “More Than Words” – Extreme
A beautiful way of asking for commitment or acknowledgement.
#8: “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)” – Hi-Five
A young love song.
#9: “The First Time” – Surface
A song about a deep and long-lasting love.
#10: “Baby Baby” – Amy Grant
A nice love song bop.
1992
#1: “End of the Road” – Boyz II Men
A gut wrenchingly poignant song about the hurts-to-accept ending of a relationship.
#2: “Baby Got Back” – Sir Mix-a-Lot
May be single handedly responsibly for the mainstreaming of sexualization and the objectification of women.
#3: “Jump” – Kris Kross
Cute kids doing a cute rap. Leaning towards “fightin’ words” but still reserved enough.
#4: “Save the Best for Last” – Vanessa Williams
A song about finally choosing the right partner.
#5: “Baby-Baby-Baby” – TLC
Sex is important, but it isn’t everything.
#6: “Tears in Heaven” – Eric Clapton
A heartbreaking song about the loss of a loved one.
#7: “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” – En Vogue
A song about not being fooled by an ex who wants you back.
#8: “Under the Bridge” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
A song about drug addiction and lonely city living.
#9: “All 4 Love” – Color Me Badd
A warm bubblegum R&B love song.
#10: “Just Another Day” – Jon Secada
A song about not wanting this relationship to end and searching for what can be done to save it.
1993
#1: “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
No explanation necessary.
#2: “Whoomp! (There It Is)” – Tag Team
A rowdy sports anthem.
#3: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – UB40
A beautiful rendition of a classic love song.
#4: “That’s the Way Love Goes” – Janet Jackson
Showcasing the pros and cons of love.
#5: “Freak Me” – Silk
Depictions of raunchy sex. I’ll even fly you around the world to have sex with you.
#6: “Weak” – SWV
Talking about love from a passionate perspective.
#7: “If I Ever Fall in Love” – Shai
Choosing someone that’s actually good for you instead of just good for your body.
#8: “Dreamlover” – Mariah Carey
Wishing for a better lover to come around.
#9: “Rump Shaker” – Wreckx-n-Effect
Rap party song about sex.
#10: “Informer” – Snow
An autobiographical song about living in the ghetto, watching police activity or brutality, being targeted by the police, and not snitching on friends.
1994
#1: “The Sign” – Ace of Base
A song about overcoming and leaving a narcissistic relationship.
#2: “I Swear” – All-4-One
A passionate love song about commitment.
#3: “I’ll Make Love to You” – Boyz II Men
About sex but with love.
#4: “The Power of Love” – Celine Dion
An epic love ballad.
#5: “Hero” – Mariah Carey
A song about the true heroes of love.
#6: “Stay (I Missed You)” – Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories
A song about the confusion of a crumbling relationship.
#7: “Breathe Again” – Toni Braxton
Being crushed by the potential loss of a love.
#8: “All for Love” – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting
A song about the depth and strength of real love.
#9: “All That She Wants” – Ace of Base
A story about a woman who wants to trap and use men.
#10: “Don’t Turn Around” – Ace of Base
She’s telling them that if they’re gonna leave, just do it and leave me with my dignity.
1995
#1: “Gangsta’s Paradise” – Koolio
A song expressing the oppression of the black community in the USA.
#2: “Waterfalls” – TLC
This song is about not getting in over your head and getting into bad situations, especially just for sex or the hope of love.
#3: “Creep” – TLC
Almost Shakespearean in it’s tragedy of two lovers cheating on each other.
Why: Condoning infidelity.
#4: “Kiss from a Rose” – Seal
Incredibly poetic love song with stellar metaphoric imagery.
#5: “On Bended Knee” – Boyz II Men
A song about trying again.
#6: “Another Night” – Real McCoy
A dance song loosely about casual sex but mostly about dreaming of a lover to be.
#7: “Fantasy” – Mariah Carey
Strangely similar to the previous song’s topic.
#8: “Take a Bow” – Madonna
If I had to guess, this song has a deeper meaning about Madge and her life of fame, but on the surface it’s a breakup song.
#9: “Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)” – Monica
This gets a bright green because it’s discussing a mental health topic rarely touched upon in popular music – needing space!
#10: “This Is How We Do It” – Montell Jordan
A party song that hits all the party topics without indulging too much or being explicit.
1996
#1: “Macarena” – Los del Río (The Bayside Boys Remix)
A song that’s straight up about sex and infidelity, but hidden in a foreign language dance song. Is this a turning point in accepting “dirty” lyrics and topics? I love everything about the famous remix version. The production, the vocals, the groove, everything. I even won a Macarena dance contest at my summer camp.
Alas, it’s disappointing that the message in the lyrics is so raunchy and promiscuous. And to think, I and millions of others were ignorantly singing along to the lyrics. Little did we know… I’m not even saying to “cancel” the song – it’s not that bad because it was an outlier in its time. It just may have set precedent for future songs that are much more lyrically depraved (see 1998).
Why: Sex and infidelity
#2: “One Sweet Day” – Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
A bittersweet song about the loss of a loved one.
#3: “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
A soft rock anthem of love.
#4: “Nobody Knows” – The Tony Rich Project
A song about remorse for not doing or saying what was necessary to keep a love intact.
#5: “Always Be My Baby” – Mariah Carey
The ultimate “if you love it let it go” song.
#6: “Give Me One Reason” – Tracy Chapman
It’s in the title. If you can’t give me a good reason to stay, I’m gone.
#7: “Tha Crossroads” – Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Quite a conscious song touching on existentialism, the AIDS epidemic and murder.
#8: “I Love You Always Forever” – Donna Lewis
A sticky pop anthem about love.
#9: “You’re Makin’ Me High” / “Let It Flow” – Toni Braxton
Leaning into visually explicit lyrics here. Also touches on knowing this isn’t right but doing it anyway.
#10: “Twisted” – Keith Sweat
A breakup song.
1997
#1: “Candle in the Wind” – Elton John
The world pays tribute to the loss of a global icon of peace and hope. If we hadn’t lost Diana, the #1 would still have been a genuine, heartfelt song.
#2: “You Were Meant for Me” / “Foolish Games” – Jewel
A soft love song.
#3: “I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy and Faith Evans featuring 112
A beautiful dedication to a lost comrade.
#4: “Un-Break My Heart” – Toni Braxton
A heart wrenching heartbreak song.
#5: “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” – Puff Daddy featuring Mase
I didn’t know for sure before I read the lyrics, but this ended up being red.
Why: Sex, drugs, violence, ego
#6: “I Believe I Can Fly” – R. Kelly
An exceptionally positive ballad of self-empowerment.
#7: “Don’t Let Go (Love)” – En Vogue
Are we doin’ this love thing or what?
#8: “Return of the Mack” – Mark Morrison
The Mack is back!
#9: “How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
A song asking how life will go on after a breakup.
#10: “Wannabe” – Spice Girls
Good rules to apply to a romantic relationship.
#12: “MMMBop” – Hanson
I’m throwing this in here because of it’s massive cultural significance. and profound and philosophical lyrics.
1998
#1: Too Close – Next
The first lyric is “I wonder if she could tell I’m hard right now.” What did I tell you about Macarena setting precedent for explicitly sexual references in popular music? The descent begins again.
Why: sex
#2: “The Boy Is Mine” – Brandy and Monica
A song about two women fighting and verbally attack each other over a man.
Why: Us vs. them attitude and drama
#3: “Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
A deeply passionate love song.
#4: “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
A soft pop song about enduring love.
#5: “How Do I Live” – LeAnn Rimes
In the top 10 again!
#6: “Together Again” – Janet
A heartfelt song about a lover or loved one who passed.
#7: “All My Life” – K-Ci & JoJo
An overwhelmingly positive love song. I rarely consider love songs exceptionally positive but this one gets it.
#8: “Candle in the Wind” – Elton John
Another one in the charts again!
#9: “Nice & Slow” – Usher
Not explicit but it’s only about having sex and where and when and how we can do it.
Why: sex
#10: “I Don’t Want to Wait” – Paula Cole
A song about generations and whether we are going to make the same mistakes they did.
1999
#1: “Believe” – Cher
A energetic self-empowerment anthem about triumph after an unwanted breakup. Not to mention the groundbreaking and most iconic use of autotune in a pop song.
#2: “No Scrubs” – TLC
We don’t mess with people that aren’t a positive influence.
#3: “Angel of Mine” – Monica
A loving love song about love.
#4: “Heartbreak Hotel” – Whitney Houston ft. Faith Evans and Kelly Price
Facing and feeling the heartbreak of betrayal.
#5: “…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears
A stark tale of the regret from leaving someone she maybe shouldn’t have.
#6: “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer
A lovely alt-pop soft-rock song about love.
#7: “Genie in a Bottle” – Christina Aguilera
It has sexual overtones while not explicit or graphic. Actually, she even says “maybe not tonight,” indicating that sex isn’t the immediate goal.
#8: “Every Morning” – Sugar Ray
A song about a dysfunctional relationship.
#9: “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” – Deborah Cox
Even after heartbreak, there’s always someone that break through your wall and love you right again.
#10: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” – Ricky Martin
A song about that crazy woman!
2000
#1: “Breathe” – Faith Hill
An uplifting and heavenly love ballad.
#2: “Smooth” – Santana featuring Rob Thomas
Because you’re so smooth. A song about giving your all to a lover.
#3: “Maria Maria” – Santana ft. The Product G&B
About the Latinx experience in the USA. Also touches on social and economic issues.
#4: “I Wanna Know” – Joe
Classic R&B love song with a focus on the love vs. sex.
#5: “Everything You Want” – Vertical Horizon
Incredibly deep, poetic and introspective lyrics about being a bit wayward and not quite seeing what’s right in front of you.
#6: “Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child
A song discussing the possibility of a lover cheating.
#7: “I Knew I Loved You” – Savage Garden
A deep, deep love song. Savage Garden is right behind Michael Jackson for exceptionally positive lyrics.
#8: “Amazed” – Lonestar
An anthemic country-crossover love song.
#9: “Bent” – Matchbox Twenty
A song about being self-aware of your faults.
#10: “He Wasn’t Man Enough” – Toni Braxton
A song from the perspective of the first lover.
2001
#1: “Hanging by a Moment” – Lifehouse
A head-over-heels deep-in-love “will you love me too” song.
#2: “Fallin'” – Alicia Keys
A song about being jerked around in a relationship.
#3: “All for You” – Janet Jackson
If I did it for “Too Close,” I have to do it for Janet. It pains me to label this song red, but getting people to sing “got a nice package alright, guess I’m gonna have to ride it tonight” is encouraging people to have casual sex.
Why: Glorifying casual sex, sexualization.
#4: “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” – Train
A song describing a woman leaving her town and her lover to try and find a bigger and better life, but returning and the narrator asking if it was actually better.
#5: “I’m Real (Murder Remix)” – Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule
Aggressive and explicit, but the overall message is about making a commitment to follow true love and stop playing around with others.
#6: “If You’re Gone” – Matchbox Twenty
Missing your lover.
#7: “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” – Eve featuring Gwen Stefani
This song does a good job of walking the line between confidence and an ego trip.
#8: “Thank You” – Dido
A song about being grateful.
#9: “Again” – Lenny Kravitz
Wondering if you’ll ever see that person or meet the right person again.
#10: “Independent Women Part I”- Destiny’s Child
The song is a female empowerment anthem, but it’s only skin deep because it’s 90% about money and material objects. Green for now but you better believe it’s red in certain ways.
2002
#1: “How You Remind Me” – Nickelback
Maybe the first song with nihilistic and sarcasm-infused lyrics that simply laments and complains with no resolution or respect for either party involved. Also, mentions of alcohol as a way to cope. This received a neutral rating on my initial list but in the context of this list, it’s still green. But you better believe I want it to be red.
#2: “Foolish” – Ashanti
Asking and wondering why your partner is treating you badly.
#3: “Hot in Herre” – Nelly
Singing about taking off all our clothes couldn’t possibly be detrimental to the psyche of listeners, especially children (like myself as the time.)
Why: Flagrant sexualization and objectification.
#4: “Dilemma” Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland
While this song get a green, it was here that the collective cultural and societal shift to the worship of physical and material became crystal clear.
#5: “Wherever You Will Go” – The Calling
A love song about following, well.. wherever you will go.
#6: “A Thousand Miles” – Vanessa Carlton
Going any distance to just see you.
#7: “In the End” – Linkin Park
At the same time materialism is on the rise, anger in mainstream is poking its head out too. A nihilistic song about nothing mattering.
#8: “What’s Luv?” – Fat Joe ft. Ashanti
An homage to the Tina Turner song from a decade ago? Another song about bypassing love and doing it just for the sex. Literally attempts to redefine love at the end of the first verse.
Why: Casual sex.
#9: “U Got It Bad” – Usher
A song denouncing the physical & material and saying there’s more to it than that.
#10: “Blurry” – Puddle of Mudd
A breakup/heartbreak song. Anger and confusion manifest.
2003
#1: “In Da Club” – 50 Cent
A dramatic dip into the hedonistic normalcy to come. A song about partying in the club. “I’m into havin’ sex, I ain’t into makin’ love.” Sets the tone for the future – to this day.
Why: Commodification of sex and dismissal of true connection.
#2: “Ignition” – R. Kelly
A song using a car/driving metaphor for sex.
Why: Glorifying sex, drugs and alcohol.
#3: “Get Busy” – Sean Paul
A song about the way women dance and having sex until the early morning.
Why: Objectification of woman and sexualization of dancing.
#4: “Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
A song about a love so great it makes you crazy.
#5: “When I’m Gone” – 3 Doors Down
A song about cherishing the times we have together.
#6: “Unwell” – Matchbox Twenty
A healthy way to expressing mental health issues.
#7: “Right Thurr” – Chingy
A song about that girl right there and what she does with her hips right there.
Why: Objectification of women.
#8: “Miss You” – Aaliyah
A song about dealing with the end of a young love.
#9: “Picture” – Kid Rock ft. Sheryl Crow
A deeply introspective and reflective song about making good or bad decisions.
#10: “Bring Me to Life” – Evanescence
A gothic yet positive take on being supported and awakened by a trusted friend or partner.
2004
#1: “Yeah!” – Usher, Lil John, Ludacris
A song recounting or premonition of a night at the club.
Why: Ego trip and casual sex.
#2: “Burn” – Usher
A song about accepting and grieving the end of a relationship.
#3: “If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys
A love song about not having anything if you don’t have your partner.
#4: “This Love” – Maroon 5
This song is about saying “no” when a toxic ex keeps trying to get back with you.
#5: “The Way You Move” – OutKast
A song about a danceable beat and dancing in the club. Tasteful enough lyrics with limited sexualization.
#6: “The Reason” – Hoobastank
A moving anthem about acknowledging faults and mistakes and offering to do better.
#7: “I Don’t Wanna Know” – Mario Winans ft. Enya and P. Diddy
A song about not wanting to know about cheating. Personally, I think the sets precedent for cheating to be ok as long as it’s kept secret, but this notion is toxic. Still, it gets a green.
#8: “Hey Ya!” – OutKast
The song itself is about casual sex, but the way it’s presented doesn’t elicit a red label.
#9: “Goodies” – Ciara featuring Petey Pablo
This was a bit tough. The song is sexual in nature and even references what seems to be a very young woman but the lyrics tell a story of not giving it up just for the money. Yet, all she wants is sexy and independence in a man. Not much deeper than the money…
#10: “Lean Back” – Terror Squad ft. Fat Joe and Remy Ma
A song describing what they do at the club.
Why: Violence, materialism, toxic masculinity, ego trip.
2005
#1: “We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
A warm, sensual breakup song.
#2: “Hollaback Girl” – Gwen Stefani
A song about fighting another (probably girl) and being the winner. This leans heavily on ego, violence and us vs. them, but does escape the red label.
#3: “Let Me Love You” – Mario
A sweet and sensual R&B love song.
#4: “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
A celebratory power pop anthem about being free from a toxic relationship.
#5: “1, 2 Step” – Ciara ft. Missy Elliott
A far cry from “The Twist” but still a harmless dance song.
#6: “Gold Digger” – Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
An oddball of a song that actually isn’t that bad in the overall message. It’s about women that take advantage of wealthy men.
#7: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
A song about isolation and loneliness.
#8: “Candy Shop” – 50 Cent ft. Olivia
A candy shop metaphor for sex.
Why: Sexualization
#9: “Don’t Cha” – The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes
A song about wanting someone other than the one you’re with. While sexually explicit in a few lines, the overall song is about not making hasty decisions.
#10: “Behind These Hazel Eyes” – Kelly Clarkson
A song describing the torment of a breakup.
2006
#1: “Bad Day” – Daniel Powter
The song is about making it through a bad day.
#2: “Temperature” – Sean Paul
Another song about sexualized dance.
Why: Sexualization
#3: “Promiscuous” – Nelly Furtado ft Timbaland
It’s in the title… and was a close call but, its green, because it doesn’t fully dip into anything toxic or explicit.
#4: “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt
A beautiful love song about love at first sight but knowing it will never happen.
#5: “Hips Don’t Lie” – Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
We’ve strayed away from the more subtle and ethereal essence of the songs about dancing in the 70s and 80s. It’s clearly focused on the physical body and full of innuendo. Not enough to deem red but it’s close.
#6: “Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
An empowering pop anthem about writing your own life story.
#7: “Crazy” – Gnarls Barkley
After reading the lyrics, I’m going crazy to determine what the song is about! Many ideas but all introspective.
#8: “Ridin'” – Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone
A song about not getting caught with weapons or drugs by the cops.
Why: Crime, drunk driving, sex, drugs, violence, us vs. them.
#9: “SexyBack” Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland
Clearly sexually charged, but the song is just talking about being sexy, not actually telling of anything sexually explicit.
#10: “Check on It” – Beyoncé ft. Slim Thug and Bun B
A song about talking about what it would take to have sex. Sidenote: We’re entering into an era of female empowerment by way of teasing the man. We’ll see how this backfires into today’s cancel-culture world.
2007
#1: “Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
A song scorning an ex lover in the aftermath of a breakup.
Why: A clear dip into what has become the dominant attitude in today’s music, incorporating sarcasm with belittling an opposing party. This is now called “bad bitch” attitude. Here we’re also taking the compassion out of breaking up and igniting the “me vs. you” and “I have value and you’re worthless” trend that’s thriving today.
#2: “Umbrella” – Rihanna featuring Jay-Z
Offering your support and comfort to another and being there for them in the hard times.
#3: “The Sweet Escape” – Gwen Stefani ft. Akon
Recounting the dynamics of a somewhat dysfunctional relationships.
#4: “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie
An introspective song about being strong on your own.
#5: “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” – T-Pain ft Yung Joc
Using alcohol to get a girl to have sex with you.
Why: Sex and substance abuse.
#6: “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood
A song about getting back at a cheating lover. An eye for an eye.
Why: Revenge.
#7: “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s
A beautiful sentiment about a long distance relationship.
#8: “I Wanna Love You” ft. Akon featuring Snoop Dogg
We all know what the real lyric is.
Why: Blatant sexualization.
#9: “Say It Right” – Nelly Furtado
Exceptionally poetic for the time period – a song about being caught between the good and bad traits of a lover.
#10: “Glamorous” – Fergie ft Ludacris
A song saying if you don’t have money you’re not valid. If the song focused more on not letting broke men take advantage of you, as the final verse touches on, it would be a different story.
Why: Ego-trip and worship of material.
2008
#1: Low – Flo Rida and T-Pain
A song about watching and encouraging women to dance provocatively.
Why: Materialism, objectifying women and sexualized dancing.
#2: “Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis
This one is difficult to label. It’s about toxic relationships, but hard to tell if it’s glorifying them or promoting complacency or overcoming past abuses. Because it gets the listener to think and doesn’t wholly decide for them, it’s a green.
#3: “No One” – Alicia Keys
A song about finding your true love and sticking to it amidst onlookers trying to poke holes in it’s truth.
#4: “Lollipop” Lil Wayne ft. Static Major
Another sexually explicit song. I have a tough time with this because I love this era of Wayne. The Carter III is my favorite rap album ever, and it’s objectively one of the greatest post-classic rap era albums ever. But, the pop-single is not lyrically healthy for the psyche.
Why: Hypersexual lyrics.
#5: “Apologize” – Timbaland ft. OneRepublic
A song about not going back to someone that’s cut you too deep to make amends.
#6: “No Air” – Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown
A song describing their love as being as important as the air they breathe.
#7: “Love Song” – Sara Bareilles
Calling out a lover and saying she won’t idolize them like they expect or want to be.
#8: “Love in This Club” Usher ft. Young Jeezy
A song about wanting to have sex in the club and using alcohol to make it easier. A disturbing and common tactic found in many negatively charged songs is when they masquerade as higher consciousness when they use lyrics like “sexually, mentally, physically, emotionally” in an attempt to make this seem a whole lot more wholesome than it is. Even using the term “making love” is misleading. You’re not making love to someone if it’s casual sex.
Why: Substance use and sex.
#9: “With You” – Chris Brown
A young love song about being in love.
#10: “Forever” – Chris Brown
In 2008 I had my first real boyfriend and this was our song. It’s a cute and uplifting bubblegum love song. (No pun intended with the bubble gum. IYKYK.)
2008
#1: Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
A tirade on why we’re better than everyone else. An ego-trip disguised by cutting edge production.
Why: Ego and us vs. them mentality.
#2: “Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
A song about playing the field and dating. This is a great example of poetry delivering a sexually charged message without being explicit. I’m going to be lenient and go with the fact that most of the world had no idea of the extremely explicit lyric during the height of the song’s popularity.
#3: “Just Dance” – Lady Gaga ft. Colby O’Donis
A rousing club anthem about the club.
#4: “I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
I gotta feeling that this song’s a celebratory anthem about having a good night out partying. This song may have been novelty when it came out, but the “party every day” mentality slowly became a norm over the next decade.
#5: “Love Story” – Taylor Swift
A cute and honest young love song.
#6: “Right Round” – Flo Rida ft. Kesha
A song about oral sex, gawking at and fondling women.
Why: Hypersexualization and objectification of women.
#7: “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
A warm and heartfelt song about love and commitment.
#8: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé
A song from the perspective of the one that got away.
#9: “Heartless” – Kanye West
A song describing the pain of a turbulent breakup.
#10: “Gives You Hell” – All American Rejects
People are going to be mad about this one but this is a clear case of sarcasm-laced insults and revenge-speak. The song is about wishing misfortune on someone. Again, this was a novel idea when it came out, but it’s become all too common these days.
Why: Revenge and ill-wishes.
2010
#1: “Tik Tok” – Kesha
A song about partying, casual sex and getting blackout drunk.
Why: Glorified debauchery.
#2: “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum
A song about being lonely and calling your ex. I wanted to make this red so bad but it doesn’t glorify or endorse the actions it’s recounting and as long as those actions don’t become a habit (which the song does not indicate) this is just an expression of pain and guilt.
#3: “Hey, Soul Sister” – Train
A fun portrayal of a good relationship.
#4: “California Gurls” – Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg
A pop anthem about California girls.
Why: Sexualization and materialism.
#5: “OMG” – Usher ft. will.i.am
A song about gawking at a woman dancing.
Why: Sexualizing women and confusing sexual attraction with love.
#6: “Airplanes” B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams
This song discusses the truth behind the music industry and the dark side of success.
#7: “Love the Way You Lie” Eminem ft. Rihanna
A song about a dysfunctional relationship.
Why: Violence, glorifying toxic, dysfunctional relationships. Even though the narrator knows he’s doing wrong and somewhat wishes to change it, the song does not resolve in a positive way. Same with Rihanna’s character – she knows it’s wrong but she stays in the relationship.
#8: “Bad Romance” – Lady Gaga
A song about taking the good with the bad in a relationship.
#9: “Dynamite” – Taio Cruz
An all-out club anthem about the club!
#10: “Break Your Heart” – Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris
When you know you’re a toxic person but you don’t even care, and you’re even proud of it.
Why: Glorifying narcissism and disrespect.
2011
#1: Rolling in the Deep – Adele
While not sexual (thankfully), it’s a breakup song filled with disdain for the opposing party, something becoming more common now than ever before in popular music. Not enough to make it red, but it leans that way.
#2: “Party Rock Anthem” – LMFAO
Debauchery manifest. A song about partying.
Why: Everything. Sexualization, misogyny, materialism, substance abuse
#3: “Firework” – Katy Perry
An empowering anthem that builds up the listener’s self esteem.
#4: “E.T.” – Katy Perry
A trippy take on a song about a crush or a lover.
#5: “Give Me Everything” – Pitbull & friends
A high-powered club anthem about seizing the night because “we might not get tomorrow.”
#6: “Grenade” – Bruno Mars
An imaginative song about an imbalanced relationship.
#7: “F*** You (Forget You)” – CeeLo Green
No need to explain. When I heard this on the radio I knew we were heading into uncharted moral territory.
Why: Glorifying aggressive verbal abuse and an us vs. them mindset.
#8: “Super Bass” – Nicki Minaj ft. Esther Dean
A song describing the type of guy Nicki likes and the type of girl she is.
Why: Casual violence, glorifying drug dealing, materialism. (How many little girls are singing along to a song that references dealing cocaine in the first verse?) The song did not need those explicit terms to be a hit.
#9: “Moves like Jagger” – Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
Bordering on an ego trip and little reference to real love but a modern love song nonetheless.
#10: “Just Can’t Get Enough” – Black Eyed Peas
Not much love to be found here either. Is this what the “crush song” is turning into?
2012
#1: “Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye”
A deeply honest but harsh breakup song.
#2: “Call Me Maybe” – Carly Rae Jepsen
Maybe the world’s most popular digital-age crush song.
#3: “We Are Young” Fun ft. Janelle Monáe
A song documenting the nightlife lifestyle of the modern age and going through it with friends or partners.
#4: “Payphone” Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa
A want-you-back breakup song.
#5: “Lights” – Ellie Goulding
A poetic pop song about nothing in particular, which makes it great because it can be about almost anything.
#6: “Glad You Came” – The Wanted
A song about being together with someone you like or love. The mentions of alcohol are subtle messages of substance abuse and certainly were not needed but it’s not quite enough to deem it red.
#7: “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson
An empower power-pop anthem.
#8: “We Found Love” – Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
A song about finding love through the darkness of life.
#9: “Starships” – Nicki Minaj
A song about careless living masquerading as empowerment and freedom.
Why: Endorsing alcohol use, casual sex, careless money habits.
#10: “What Makes You Beautiful” – One Direction
A fun loving song about a girl that’s beautiful just the way they are. I love the references to “no makeup” because that is the only beauty agenda we should be pushing.
2013
#1: “Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis”
A materialistic song about buying thrift clothes and glorifying/normalizing being broke. (Likely due to an oppressive economic system, but the song doesn’t discuss that.) Thrifting isn’t bad, neither is this song, and it’s just entertainment so it’s green, but it paves the way for what is now acceptable to talk about in popular music.
#2: “Blurred Lines” Robin Thicke ft T.I. and Pharrell Williams
A song of sexual innuendo. The song would be green if it weren’t for TI’s rap.
Why: Objectifying women, materialism, sexualization.
#3: “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons
An anthemic observation of the changing times.
#4: “Harlem Shake” – Baauer
A sign of the coming slide into debauchery via EDM and party lifestyle creeping from the fringes into the mainstream.
#5: “Can’t Hold Us” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton
A pump-up song about greatness and chasing dreams. It’s not quite enough to be exceptional but it’s up there.
#6: “Mirrors” – Justin Timberlake
A beautiful modern love song.
#7: “Just Give Me a Reason” – Pink ft. Nate Ruess
A song pondering the complications of a relationship.
#8: “When I Was Your Man” – Bruno Mars
A song acknowledging what the narrator could have done better in a past relationship.
#9: “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly
A feel-good song for driving down the highway. Mentions of alcohol and sex are standard at this point, but not enough to warrant a red.
#10: “Roar” – Katy Perry
Katy Perry had some of the most empowering pop music of our time – some of the most materialistic/sexualized as well – but this is a song about strength and belief in one’s self.
2014
#1: “Happy” – Pharrell
Objectively this gets a positive but personally I think it’s neutral. It’s always felt like the ultimate “ignorance is bliss” ditty. This is the best we can do these days for a positive, uplifting song?
#2: “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry ft. Juicy J
This song is a bit of an ego trip warning a future lover that once they’re with you, “there’s no going back.”
#3: “All of Me” – John Legend
A beautiful love song about loving someone with their imperfections and all.
#4: “Fancy” – Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
A song about being the best at life.
Why: Ego trip, materialism, irreverence, nihilism.
#5: “Counting Stars” – OneRepublic
A song proclaiming there are more important things in life than money.
#6: “Talk Dirty” – Jason DeRulo ft. 2 Chainz
A song about sex and money.
Why: Hyper sexualization, materialism, objectification of women.
#7: “Rude” – MAGIC!
This is an interesting song because it’s at the crossroads of dissent and self empowerment. The narrator wants to marry a girl but her father says no, but the narrator says he’s going to marry her anyway. We don’t know anything about the narrator, so it’s up for personal interpretation, but if he were to say “I’m a bad boy and I’m gonna do what I want to your daughter.” this would be red. But because we don’t know, it’s green.
#8: “All About That Bass” – Meghan Trainor
A song about that bass. A shame that they had to work sex into a song that’s attempting to be empowering. Saying that “mama” says guys like a bigger butt is not sweet and is notempowerment.
#9: “Problem” Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea
It seems that the song resolves to say, “You’re no good for me,” and that leaving is the right thing to do.
#10: “Stay with Me” – Sam Smith
A now classic song about knowing this isn’t love but not knowing how to let go.
2015
#1: Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson / Bruno Mars
An egotistical, materialistic party song.
#2: “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
A beautiful acknowledgement of love.
#3: “See You Again” Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
It’s been a while since we’ve had a top 10 song about death. Good vibes here. Especially because it’s talking about male/male compassion and friendship.
#4: “Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap
A song about the girl that rides with the homies in the trap.
Why: Objectification of women, sexualization, materialism, ego trip.
#5: “Sugar” – Maroon 5
Could it be? An ode to the classic bubble gum love song? I think so! I genuinely like this song.
#7: “Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
Another song warning a potential lover about the narrator’s ways. This leans into “narcissistic anthem” territory. I’ll leave it alone for now but even Taylor isn’t safe from my label maker.
#8: “Watch Me” – Silentó
A good old fashioned, fun-loving, all-ages dance song.
#9: “Earned It” – The Weeknd
A song about being right for each other. But I have to ask: earned what? His sex? His love? What exactly did she earn? Subjectively this is red because it has misogyny, power and control all over it, but because it’s deeply set behind the intention of the lyrics, objectively it’s green.
#10: “The Hills” – The Weeknd
Ah yes, the true essence of The Weeknd comes out. A song about an intoxicated booty call. This is one of the most dangerous songs of the decade. How many people these days are actually living the life of “When I’m f***ed up that’s the real me”? Millions.
Why: Glorifying casual sex and substance abuse.
2016
#1: “Love Yourself – Justin Bieber”
A song that says “you should go and f*** yourself.” (Everyone knows this is the real lyric.) Well done, society.
Why: Verbal abuse, retaliation.
#2: “Sorry – Justin Bieber”
A song asking for forgiveness.
#3: “One Dance” – Drake ft. Wizkid and Kyla
A song about connecting with a lover one more time before you leave. The lyrics are tame enough I suppose.
#4: “Work” Rihanna ft. Drake
A song about trying to work out problems in a relationship.
#5: “Stressed Out” Twenty One Pilots
An introspective song about the artist’s journey and commentary on moving from childhood to adulthood in this modern world.
#6: “Panda” – Desiigner
The song’s title refers to a colorway of a BMW X6 (according to the artist.)
Why: Materialism, violence, drugs, objectifying women.
#7: “Hello” – Adele
Reflecting on a past relationship and attempting to apologize to an ex-lover but to no avail.
#8: “Don’t Let Me Down” The Chainsmokers ft. Daya
A song calling out for a lover in times of need.
#9: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
A fun-filled and uplifting song about love and dancing.
#10: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
A song about an ex-lover or fling that wasn’t the healthiest choice but you’re engaging with them again in an attempt to cling to the past. The kicker is in the first line “I was doing just fine before I met you.”
Why: Complacency, glorifying casual sex.
2017
#1: “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran
It’s nice to think this song is innocent but the story is driven by alcohol and sexual attraction.
Why: Sex and substance use.
#2: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
I’m basing this on the translated lyrics.) This is a lust-filled song about desire.
#3: “That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars
A song proclaiming love and commitment but doing it through materialism and sex.
Why: Materialism and sex.
#4: “Humble” – Kendrick Lamar
A raw but true beef-with-everyone track on the surface but with societal commentary and a personal mantra underneath.
#5: “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
A song about finding what you’ve been looking for. A tale of not needing super powers or heroic might to love and be loved.
#6: “Bad and Boujee” – Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert
A braggadocious ego-trip and example of what has become a normal occurrence in popular music.
Why: Ego-trip, violence, drugs, materialism.
#7: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey
A song about an ex-lover or fling that wasn’t the healthiest choice but you’re engaging with them again in an attempt to cling to the past.
Why: Complacency, glorifying casual sex.
#8: “Body Like a Back Road” – Sam Hunt
A song obsessing over the body of a woman and comparing it to a winding back road. Nice.
Why: Objectification of women, glorifying a relationship based on sex.
#9: “Believer” – Imagine Dragons
A reclamation of one’s power and value.
#10: “Congratulations” – Post Malone ft. Quavo
This song has the bones of an anthem about overcoming adversity and reaching one’s goals but it descends into an ego-trip and materialistic worship. The song is training the masses that unfettered materialism and sex is what it means to “make it” in today’s world.
Why: Heavy ego trip, materialism, objectification of women.
2018
#1: “God’s Plan” – Drake
From my analysis of the lyrics this seems to be an ego-trip pity party for a rap superstar.
#2: “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
A true love song with no sexual over or undertones.
#3: “Meant to Be” – Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line
I actually quite enjoy this song. It’s about exploring a potential partner and letting the relationship take a natural course.
#4: “Havana” Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
A song about meeting someone in a foreign city and having a casual encounter. If it weren’t for the lyrics in the rap, it would be green.
Why: Objectification of women, sexualization, materialism.
#5: “Rockstar” Post Malone ft. 21 Savage
The first line says it all. A braggadocious anthem recounting an extreme version of the rock star lifestyle.
Why: Glorification of substances, objectification of women, sexualization, us vs. them, ego trip, violence.
#6: “Psycho” Post Malone ft. Ty Dolla Sign
A song about having lots of money and fame.
Why: Materialism, objectification of women, sexualization, ego trip.
#7: “I Like It” Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
A song about nothing but everything below.
Why: Materialism, objectification of men, us vs. them, ego trip.
#8: “The Middle” – Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
An uplifting anthem about relationships needing effort from both parties to make it work.
#9: “In My Feelings” – Drake
I was hoping that by some miracle this wouldn’t be red, but the song is about nothing but sex and materialism.
Why: Objectification of women, sexualization, materialism, confusing sex and materialism with love.
#10: “Girls Like You” Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B
A light hearted song about being right for each other. (Even though both sides admit they have toxic qualities and the relationship has deep issues. This is the complacency that has settled in to our culture.)
2019
#1: “Old Town Road” – Lil Nas X
It could be extrapolated that the song is about taking your fancy car to Rodeo drive and shopping until you run out of money or energy. A song that mentions cheating, substance use, materialism and an “I’m better than you” ego trip all in the span of less than two minutes.
Why: Infidelity, substance use, materialism, ego trip.
#2: “Sunflower” Post Malone & Swae Lee
This song is about a relationship that isn’t going well. There is one blatant sexual reference but I can’t bring myself to label it red, though it probably should be.
#3: “Without Me” – Halsey
Reflecting on someone that took advantage of your love and attention.
#4: “Bad Guy” – Billie Eilish
This song probably unleashed the flood of “villain era” sentiment and made being bad and not giving a F trendy.
Why: Glorifying disrespect, cheating.
#5: “Wow” – Post Malone
Every Post Malone song from this era is about the same thing.
Why: Ego-trip, objectification of women, materialism, substance use.
#6: “Happier” – Marshmello and Bastille
A truly introspective and thoughtful song pondering the realities of a relationship and what’s best for both parties. The narrator puts his soon to be ex partner first, knowing that leaving is the best thing, even if it will hurt. BRA-VO!
#7: “7 Rings” – Ariana Grande
A song that brags about being able to buy whatever you want.
Why: Materialism and ego-trip masquerading as self-esteem, sexualization.
#8: “Talk” – Khalid
A song that asks to discuss and identify where a relationship is going.
#9: “Sicko Mode” – Travis Scott
This song doesn’t have a topic other than…
Why: Sexualization, materialism, ego-trip, substance use, us vs. them, violence.
#10: “Sucker” – Jonas Brothers
This song may seem innocent, and it could have been, but it talks about going back to a bad habit, often because you were under the influence of a substance.
Why: Glorifying substance use and unhealthy/co-dependent relationships.
2020
#1: “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
A song about being so messed up mentally or overstimulated by our modern world that you need someone to have sex with to feel better. I want to make this red but objectively it’s not quite there.
#2: “Circles” – Post Malone
A song bordering on complacency and discussing a bad relationship. There is no resolve, but it’s not quite glorifying anything.
#3: “The Box” Roddy Ricch
A song about the following.
Why: Sexualization, objectification of women, glorifying violence & crime.
#4: “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
A song about not giving in when a less-then-savory lover comes around again.
#5: “Rockstar” DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch
No comment.
Why: Extreme violence.
#6: “Adore You” – Harry Styles
It’s been a while since we had a good old fashioned love song! I can see why Harry stuck out during this time.
#7: “Life Is Good” Future ft. Drake
An ego-trip about having a “good” and “better” life than others.
Why: Ego-trip and materialism.
#8: “Memories” – Maroon 5
Quite the sentimental track about memories. Don’t know why they had to include a reference to alcohol but that’s mainstream culture for you these days.
#9: “The Bones” – Maren Morris
A truly uplifting and meaningful message about having a relationship that has a solid foundation, instead of one built on sex or materialism.
#10: “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
Been a while since we’ve had a good old break up song here, too!
2021
#1: “Levitating” – Dua Lipa
A dance song that could easily be distilled into being about casual sex. Objectively I don’t think I can mark this negative but it teeters on the brink of mindless hypnotism.
#2: “Save Your Tears” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande
Two lovers discussing how they hurt each other and how hard it is to move on. I can’t quite pin this down to being red but it carries a complacent and self-sabotaging attitude.
#3: “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd
A song about being so messed up mentally or overstimulated by our modern world that you need someone to have sex with to feel better. I want to make this red but objectively it’s not quite there.
#4: “Mood” – 24kGoldn ft. Iann Dior
A song about avoiding emotions and only looking for sex in a relationship.
Why: Glorifying emotional avoidance and casual sex.
#5: “Good 4 U” – Olivia Rodrigo
This song laments over an ex that treated them poorly. It’s a self empowerment anthem built on sarcasm and eye for an eye mentality.
Why: Normalizing extreme sarcasm.
This is where it gets sticky. Only a small fraction of people will understand why this is red. It’s because this song combines 1) taking your anger out on someone through 2) passive aggressive sarcasm, which is not mature or healthy and is essentially retaliation. It glorifies taking the low road of stooping to their level and complaining and blaming, not rising above it. She doesn’t mean “good for you,” she means “f*** you.” This is an example of double speak, which is a plague on modern communication and society.
#6: “Kiss Me More” Doja Cat ft. SZA
A song about wanting more kisses and “corny,” “gushy,” intimacy, but it doesn’t actually amount to that by the end. Also, kissing with tongue, as verbalized in the song, is a sexual act.
Why: Confusing sex with love, hyper sexualization.
#7: “Leave the Door Open” – Silk Sonic
Now we’re reaching saturation. This song is about “love” (i.e. the lyric “coming from the heart”,) but it’s not about love, it’s about physical attraction and sex.
Why: Substance use, sexualization.
#8: “Drivers License” – Olivia Rodrigo
A warm yet bittersweet teenage breakup song. Feels like we haven’t had one of these since the turn of the century or earlier.
#9: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” – Lil Nas X
A song about nothing but below.
Why: Drug abuse and HYPER sexualization. I mean HYPER.
The one line about “ain’t living right” does nothing to balance the glorification of the rest of the content of the song.
#10: “Peaches” – Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon
A song talking about the women in the singers’ lives.
2022
#1: “Heat Waves” – Glass Animals
A creative and alternative song about a breakup.
#2: “As It Was” – Harry Styles
A cryptic yet artistic song about a relationship and/or life post-pandemic.
#3: “Stay” – The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber
The narrator is asking his lover to stay even though he knows he’s toxic and will never change. Nice. A textbook narcissist’s anthem.
Why: Glorifying substance abuse, toxic relationships and narcissism.
#4: “Easy on Me” – Adele
A song about compassion, grace and understanding.
#5: “Shivers” – Ed Sheeran
I guess you could call this a modern love song since it’s above love but that love is heavily based on physical qualities and actions.
#6: “First Class” – Jack Harlow
A song about nothing but below.
Why: Ego-trip, materialism, sexualization.
#7: “Big Energy” – Latto
Pornography in song form.
Why: Hyper sexualization, ego-trip.
#8: “Ghost” – Justin Bieber
A song about missing someone.
#9: “Super Gremlin” – Kodak Black
A song about promising revenge on a traitor.
Why: Revenge, violence.
#10: “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” – Elton John and Dua Lipa
A introspective song pondering thoughts about oneself. Hard to pin down an exact topic, which makes it great!
2023
#1: “Last Night” – Morgan Wallen
A song about drinking hard liquor which unveiled a toxic relationship but deciding to stay anyway.
Why: Alcohol abuse, glorifying toxic relationships.
#2: “Flowers” – Miley Cyrus
A self-empowerment song about treating yourself better than you ex did.
#3: “Kill Bill” – SZA
A song about killing your ex.
Why: Extreme violence.
#4: “Anti-Hero” – Taylor Swift
A song proclaiming you are the problem. The first lyric describes it all.
Why: Deflection of responsibility, nihilism, not caring that you damage others.
#5: “Creepin'” – Metro Boomin, the Weeknd & 21 Savage
A song about cheating. The song actually resolves on the last line and says to not come back if you’re going to cheat.
#6: “Calm Down” – Rema & Selena Gomez
A modern song about a crush. Heavily focused on the physical, but somewhat harmless in lyric, at least from what I could perceive.
#7: “Die for You” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande
A modern song about not wanting to breakup.
#8: “Fast Car” – Luke Combs
We all know this song.
#9: “Snooze” – SZA
An aggressive and distorted way of proclaiming of commitment.
#10: “I’m Good (Blue)” David Guetta & Bebe Rexha
A song about not much.
