Music Fans Have Finally Found Something They Can All Agree They Hate...

In 2004, Blender called this Starship song "We Built This City" the worst song ever. It is usually revilled whenever its heard, especially by my girlfriend Sara, who herself has claimed it to be "terrible."

Now, I love the song. Part of the charm is how bad it is. But dammit is it so catchy, and 80's, and other things I love, mainly ironic and contradictory.

The band Starship began as Jefferson Airplane, a psychedelic rock band from San Francisco formed in the late 60's. They were as anti-corporate and innovative as you could get. The irony in this song is the fact that its so corporate and non-innovative. Their follow-up to this song, also a song I like, was even worse; a love song called "Sara" and had a video that starred then Hollywood It-Girl Rebecca De Mornay as the titular Sara character. (Then again, both videos are kind of trippy: "We Built This City" features large dice bowling over people on the Vegas strip, while "Sara" seems to be more about an oncoming tornado in the Midwest than about a girl.)

What's my point? Well despite the hatred this song gets, people out there either liked or still like the song. And I know I'm not alone, I have stats to prove it: 591,000 YouTube hits, and most importantly, it was Number 1 on the Billboard charts the week of November 16-November 23, 1985.

For the most part, that describes music. Some people will love it, some will hate it. Music will never make you ambivalent, and even the truly great ones get a polarizing reaction for their music alone.

So what does it take for someone to release a song that everyone seems to agree on sucks? Honestly, I this was it.

Dear Pittsburgh...this totally wipes out any goodwill with me you built by giving us Dan Marino. That is all.

Sorry I had to go on a tangent, but, I mean do you HEAR THIS CRAP? This is why people don't like hip hop and continue to dismiss it. For every 2pac, Biggie, Bone Thugs, Jay-Z, Eazy-E, and Snoop, theres a clown like this.

If you don't "already know what it is" this is Wiz Khalifa, part of "Taylor Gang." What is this song about? Well its just about being repetitive and just saying Black and Yellow over and over again while sneaking in some trite lyrics about driving a black and yellow car, smoking weed, and making money. To me, this song is TERRIBLE, in fact, I hate Taylor Gang because of the "Taylor Gang or DIE" mentality, which has since been adopted by Los Angeles Lakers fans who scream "Team Lakers or DIE!"

So of course, this song is a hit.

No, THIS is the song that has united a country in hatred of a song.

Hold on, let me get this straight: a 23 year old can write a song that just repeats his two favorite colors over and over again, and everybody seems to love it, we've accepted the Jonas Brothers for five years (and counting), we've accepted (to a point) Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and whomever Disney feels like shoving down our throats this week, yet THIS song is the tipping point where everyone unanimously hates it? Really? What did I miss.

I'm not saying its good, its not. Its shallow, vapid manufactured pop music for the masses with no soul, which gives it something in common with everything else mentioned above.

So why is this girl getting all the crap and yet we give Wiz, the JoBro's and others a free pass (yes I know, no one gets a free pass per se, but I mean in the unanimous "this is crap" decision.)

I think I know why: guilt. I hate to bring this up, but since Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "Wardrobe Malfunction," music has been sliding more towards the end of shallow, vapid and safe. The 80's were like that too, but at least it was shallow vapid and safe with a soul, if that makes any sense.

Recent music has lacked soul. The best bands are indie bands, and rappers stopped rapping about real life the way that Pac, Biggie and Eminem used to. By 2011, we had Dr. Dre releasing "Detox" which so far sounds like it should be a Flo-Rida album (nothing wrong with Flo-Rida, just I want Dre), Eminem doing Chrysler ads, and one of the top rappers of today hailing from Canada and being famous for starring in "Degrassi."

To add to that, Nickleback passed for "Great Rock" when it should've just been "decent party rock." They're just great in comparison with everything else.

Collectively we're starting to wake up from that, even though I've been seeing this and warning people about it since 2005. But now, we're awake as a whole, and Rebecca Black, the singer of "Friday" is getting the brunt of the abuse.

I don't think its deserved though. Yes, its horrible, shallow, soulless, manufactured, and, well bad. But here's the thing: she's 13. If a 13 year old future pop star needs a song, this is the song to give her. It is catchy, and when making pop music, especially to appeal to her demographic, catchy is all thats important. And yes, I HATE the song, but there are songs that I hate more that are worse.

But my heart goes out to her, she's only trying to live a dream, and just as she has a chance to do it, you have these internet tough guys telling her to die. Now as someone who's dealt with such people on Bleacher Report, I can empathize with the poor girl on this one. Someone who left me a death threat and told me to die over something I wrote is an asshole. However the people who said this to her, well, if they're over the age of 18 (yes its possible) then may God have mercy on their souls.

Rebecca, keep your head up and keep doing what you're doing. I hope you get that duet with Justin Bieber. Yes, it will probably be the most hated song in the history of pop music, but here's something else I know: it will also get a lot of iTunes downloads, a lot of YouTube views, and will be #1 on the charts.

Oh, and to everyone else, if you truly hate something, don't watch the videos, change the station when its on the radio, and don't discuss it. Remember, in entertainment, any reaction is a good reaction, the best way to make crappy music go away is to just ignore it. The first time I looked up the "Black and Yellow" song on YouTube was to do this article, and it will also be the last, same with "Friday."

But because of idiots like me who wrote a blog about it, and more importantly everyone else, both of these songs have legs. In other words, we have no one to blame for crap but ourselves.

If You're Happy And You Know It Write A Blog!!

I'm having what some may consider a super dee duper awesome day.

Did I get a promotion? Nope!

Did the Heat win? They didn't play, Bosh is hurt, and LeBron is still iffy for Tuesdays' game which I'll be covering for Bleacher Report and they're on a three game losing streak.

Did the Jets lose? No they won, convincingly.

Did I win money gambling? Nope, I only bet a buck on the Seahawks so that the Bears could advance since everytime I pick against the Bears they win.

So why am I happy? I'm sure you can figure it all out. Maybe it was just a great day. How do you celebrate a great day?

Happy Music!

I said, HAPPY MF'ING MUSIC!

Let's get this party started with some selections that helped me write the book, which has a new title.

Not exactly a "happy song" but it does have a nice vibe to it. One of my favorite songs of my teenage years. Sugar Ray's "Someday"

You HAVE to be happy when listening to this one. BTW, this song was on heavy rotation while I was writing. The positivity that radiates through Mangione's "Feels So Good" will get your mind right to write or create something great!

If you're down, this song will cheer you RIGHT UP! Thank you Chase Bank, you gave me another potential title to a book, what book I don't know, but a book.

True story: I just learned today that Matthew Wilder, who performed this version of the song, was white. And I'm the guy that knew at six years old that George Michael was gay when everyone thought he was in the words of Ben Affleck in Jersey Girl a "Stone Cold Pimp." So I'm usually good at identifying races and sexual orientations. Plus, he looks like Mario before he eats the first mushroom. I don't know if that made the song better or worse in my opinion.

"Some call me crazy, and they wonder why...I'm such a baby yeah the Dolphins make me cry!"

But this song doesn't. I don't care what you say, but I liked Hootie and The Blowfish.

Were Huey Lewis And The News the Hootie And The Blowfish of the 80's, or vice versa? Here we have two groups that releases some great pop-rock songs that are much maligned by many, yet somehow both sold five million plus albums. Why are they much maligned?

Oh and about Back To The Future...I have to write something about this trilogy sometime right? I will.

When all else fails...just play this song!

Talkin' Music Part 2 Mashup Edition

As you can probably tell by now, music is a passion of mines that rivals sports, well, almost.

Except I'm not too big a fan of today's music, which I'm trying to figure out, is it a reflection of me, or the state of music right now?

I consider myself musically open-minded, so I'm blaming the music. I've heard a few good songs this year, but have only purchased one album released this year (Eminem.)

I consider Justin Bieber to be pretty good. Don't judge me, but the kid has talent. And he's a Miami Dolphins fan.

Bruno Mars has his moments, can't say I'm a huge fan but the guy has talent. Same goes with BoB.

And if I hear that Taio Cruz song one more time, I think I'll strap some dynamite to someone.

But what I do listen to, other than older music, and what has become my new thing, mashups.

The first real mashup I had heard of was DangerMouse's "The Grey Album" which was a mashup of Jay-Z's "Black Album" and The Beatles "White Album." I expected the worst, but it sounded pretty good.

Since then I've loved listening to these crazy mashups, so I thought I'd share them with you, consider it a soundtrack to my latest NFL picks article and to my Randy Moss article.

Outkast vs. The Clash: Rock The Roses

Come on, isn't the beat to "Rock The Casbah" just screaming to be sampled to an awesome song? I still can't believe it hasn't. This wouldn't have happened if Diddy was still Puff Daddy.

Dr. Dre f/Snoop Dogg vs. Grease: You're the One That I Want In The Next Episode

Almost a perfect mix, they synch up well, even from the verses until the hook. This is a crowd pleaser because everyone knows at least one of these songs, I happen to know and like both.

Jay-Z vs. Nena: 99 Problems But A Balloon Aint One

Jay-Z is the most mashed-up artist of all time. But that's because his flows are that smooth that they can synch up to anything, especially on this song, which numerically comes together very well.

Devo vs. Soulja Boy Tell'em: Crank Dat Whip It

I can't stand Soulja Boy, he represents everything wrong with music today. I mean, other than twelve year old boys who want to be dancers, who the hell listens to this shit? Yeah, Crank Dat was cute when it came out but by now, seriously, its time to go. But this song does make him sound decent.

Scary Musical Transition Cue:

Did that freak you out?

Michael Jackson vs. Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland: Be Promiscuous With You

This makes the song sound classier...and they sound so seamless together. If they play this at a club or party, who's sitting down?

Jay-Z vs. Justin Timberlake: Song Cry Me A River

See what I mean about Jay-Z? And to think, both songs talk about the same thing. This won't be the last time you'll see Justin either.

Huey Lewis And The News vs. 50 Cent: The Power In Da Club

If in thirty years they remake Back To The Future and set the 50's scenes in 2000, then you know for sure that the new Marty McFly would probably perform "In Da Club" at the dance where his parents are supposed to fall in love.

Rick Astley vs. DMX: Where The Hood At? (Never Gonna Give You Up remix)

Very surprising how well these go together.

Justin Timberlake vs. Eminem: Cry Me A River, Superman

This one is a better treatment of Mr. Timberlake and Mr. Mathers. Goes very well together.

Notorious B.I.G. vs. Miley Cyrus: Juicy In The USA

If you know me then you'd know that I die a little bit inside as I listen to it. But its actually a good mix. Now would Biggie work with Miley if he were alive? Believe it or not, yes. Remember, he's signed with Bad Boy, Diddy would've made him do it!

2pac vs. Big L vs. Jay-Z vs. Miley Cyrus: Freestyling In The USA

This however I know would never HAPPEN! And DJ that made this, how could you not put on "And The Jay-Z song was on" after Jay-Z's verse?

LL Cool J vs. Dexy's Midnight Runners: Knock Out Eileen

And this one is the best one by far.

Now listen to these songs and tell me you don't feel like dancing! Thanks for reading and have fun jamming out. Leave me some of your favorite mashups in the comments!

Talkin' Music

There's no "Bleacher Report" for music, so this will have to suffice.

Ah yes, the break-up song, or even the FU song inspired by the breakup. Its as old as music itself. It was around in the 70's:

The 80's, which was chalk full of break up songs, not so much with FU songs though:

Then the 90's, where some of the FU edge came back:

The 00's gave us this classic, more FU, less breakup, however a clear indication that the guy isn't totally over the girl

Hell even Miley Cyrus *kinda* got into the swing of things:

(is this a breakup song? Is it dedicated to a Jonas Brother? If one of them thinks it is about them, I have another song that could probably describe them better that's way before their time, I also dedicate this to anyone who might get the wrong idea about this post)

Now why write about break-up songs? Good question. To show how far music has gone in the last few years.

According to some reports, Disney starlet Demi Lovato left a tour she was on with the Jonas Brothers for to enter treatment-not rehab, no, no, no, but treatment in order to deal with "physical and emotional issues."

Now taking that at face value I was thinking "great, another Disney starlet on drugs, say hello to the Lindsay Lohan of the 2010's." However, upon further review, it really is treatment for physical and emotional issues.

How sad is it that the first thing you think of when a star enters treatment is automatically drugs or alcohol? Can't people just be going through some shit and need time off? Its a greater reflection of how cynical we've become as a society than anything.

So anyways, I took an interest in this to see what's up, and apparently Demi Lovato used to date Joe Jonas, who's now dating some other girl. Whom he happened to take on tour with them!

You stay classy Joe Jonas. Just wondering but, is it possible that maybe the whole virgin gimmick they have is just a gimmick, no more true than Mark Callaway being "The Undertaker" or Matt Bourne being "Doink The Clown?" Because it seems like these guys, specifically Joe, are actually John Mayer type playboys. And speaking of John Mayer, how come he hasn't written a song yet called "I tapped that?"

Now being that Demi Lovato is still a baby pretty much, I could imagine that this would cause some type of internal strife on her. On top of that, Disney does run their stars through sweatshop type schedules. Don't believe me? Turn on your TV and flip the channels, you can't go 30 seconds without seeing Selena Gomez somewhere.

Now of course, had she been in her 20's, odds are Demi continues the tour, and while on tour seeing Joe and his new beau suck face she crafts a biting breakup FU song to him. And if she's really vicious she'll do what Gwen Stefani did and make him play a guitar solo. (Listen to don't speak again, that guitar solo is actually played by the guy that the song is about!)

But in the world of Disney I guess you can't write nasty FU breakup songs. In fact I'm almost certain that its against Disney rules to go into FU mode, which is sad because FU mode also gave us Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, one of the greatest albums of all time. (Google Fleetwood Mac if you don't know the story behind that album, its crazy.)

So instead, she gets treatment. Hopefully she pulls through and does well, and for her sake hopefully Ms. Lovato writes a kicking breakup FU song while in there. History will tell her that its the best thing she can do commercially. All of the songs I posted were Top-10 hits with massive radio airplay, and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" is the fourth best selling album of all time.

And just to cap it off, while not a break up nor an FU song, here's a favorite song of mines that does have an interesting and rather macabre story behind it

Thanks to billboard.com for the references, and thanks to youtube for having the songs.

Thomas Galicia writes for Bleacherreport.com. You can find his archive here. He is currently working on a book which for right now is untitled.