00:00Welcome to MissMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the pop songs that
00:07deserved more love than they initially received from critics and fans alike.
00:1110. All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor
00:20Sometimes, even art with the best intentions can come across wrong. Meghan Trainor
00:24wrote All About That Bass with the goal of promoting body positivity, but unfortunately,
00:29it didn't land well. Many felt that her unapologetically confident lyrics were tearing
00:41down one group in order to uplift another, contradicting her point. It was also lambasted
00:46for its 1960s-inspired sound, even resulting in her being accused of cultural appropriation.
00:52While some of the critiques are valid, no one can deny its importance,
01:00especially since it had come out amidst a sea of harmful dieting advice.
01:04Its message, coupled with its truly unique sound, has made it a truly underrated bop,
01:09and with its self-love culture continuing to flourish, we can only hope it can escape
01:13its previous reputation.
01:239. Mbop, Hanson
01:25You should never judge a book by its cover, or a song by its catchy chorus.
01:35With its nonsensical chorus and bright instrumental, Mbop seems to be the very
01:40definition of a vapid pop track. This has, unfortunately, earned it an unfair image
01:44within certain circles, with many music fans even considering it to be one of the worst
01:49released songs during the 1990s. All it takes is one look at the lyrics to realize it's much
01:54deeper than it appears to be. Its surprisingly mature, existential views on the fleeting nature
02:06of relationships completely separates it from the usual boyband fare. It serves as a perfect
02:11reminder that even the happiest-sounding tunes can have much more going on beneath the surface.
02:208. Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
02:23Featuring Lauren Bennett and Goon Rock, music that puts more focus on vibes than content
02:28often gets a bad rap. However, there's something to be said for art that can provide a sense of
02:34escapism during turbulent times. LMFAO's smash-hit party rock anthem may have been
02:47beloved in clubs, but critics weren't so kind. It was lambasted for its provocative lines
02:53and intense house production. Many even accused the artist of being bad influences
03:05on young generations at the time, yet the track offers much more than it appears to.
03:09Its carefree attitude and unapologetic love for partying make it perfect for briefly forgetting
03:14your problems and dancing the night away. Just goes to show that not every song needs
03:19to have deep lyrics to be considered good. 7. Baby, Justin Bieber Feat. Ludacris
03:34Looking back, it's hard to believe that such an inoffensive track
03:37was able to cause a global uproar. Although it's nothing truly new,
03:48Baby by Justin Bieber isn't nearly as bad as some have made it out to be. It's been
03:52harshly criticized since it dropped and has been ranked across the coals online. It was so
03:57disliked at one point that it even became the most disliked video on YouTube, a title it maintained
04:02for years. Despite the intense reaction, it never lost its luster. The saccharine lyrics
04:16and signature early 2010 sound make for the perfect puppy love bop. It's clear to see why
04:21this was so beloved amongst fans, and hopefully the public's perception of it will begin to turn
04:27as well. 6. Barbie Girl, Aqua
04:37There are some songs you either love or hate, and few have been as divisive as this one. It
04:42was considered a novelty tune upon release, giving it an upward hill to climb in terms of respect.
04:54Although its unique instrumentation and comedic line delivery caused it to be written off as
04:59nothing more than an earworm, it actually has much more substance than it lets on.
05:03It critiques the more unsavory qualities of the iconic doll and what she represents,
05:08offering a previously unheard perspective. Now, decades later, it's still just as relevant
05:20lyrically, and the unforgettable sound has remained just as fresh. It's a perfect microcosm
05:26of the kitschier aspects of the 1990s, serving as a time capsule to a truly different time.
05:385. Firework, Katy Perry
05:42One man's favorite is another man's flop. Or something along those lines.
05:54Despite its overall positive message, many still weren't convinced by Katy Perry's hit
05:58Firework. Some felt that the lyrics were too cheesy to truly be impactful,
06:02while others felt it came across as a hollow attempt at promoting self-love.
06:06It may not be complex, but it's still an effective piece that has touched millions
06:10of people across the world. Its lesson of radical self-acceptance is admirable,
06:22helping fans and casual listeners realize their full potential. Even now, over a decade after
06:27it's been published, it still has the ability to rouse and inspire. At its core, it's a feel-good
06:33comfort track, and that's all it really needs to be. 4. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
06:46Even though she's one of the current reigning queens of pop,
06:48she's still had her fair share of unfairly judged songs.
06:525. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
06:59She saw a fair amount of flack in her youth, such as the overanalysis of the
07:03literary references in Love Story. She truly saw the brunt of it following the
07:07publication of Shake It Off. 6. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
07:15It was met with immense criticism, with many considering the writing and overall message
07:19to be shallow. While it doesn't necessarily offer as much depth as her other work,
07:23it's still pure pop perfection. 7. Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
07:33It marks a turning point, showing the exact moment she transcended into superstardom.
07:37The saxophone-infused backing track and rousing chorus
07:40have ensured that it can be enjoyed by everyone, Swifty or not.
07:533. Shape Of You, Ed Sheeran
07:55This is unfortunate proof that constant airplay doesn't always translate to widespread love.
08:01Between its poppier sound and more simplistic lyrics,
08:03Shape Of You was unlike anything Ed Sheeran had released before.
08:14Although it was immensely popular on the charts, its overexposure soon led to its own downfall.
08:20Both he and his track were relentlessly mocked, causing it to be placed on several
08:24worst-of lists at the end of 2017. However, the hate has been overblown. It's a far cry
08:37from his usual acoustic work, but the unique production helps it stand out amongst other songs
08:42that came out around the same time. Its true potential comes out during live performances,
08:47where Sheeran can flaunt his chops and present it in a more artistic light.
08:542. TikTok, Kesha
09:00When it comes to indulgent party tracks, no one does it better than her.
09:04During Kesha's heyday in the scene, she and her work were often lambasted.
09:13The response to her debut, TikTok, made this incredibly evident, with some critics attacking
09:18the morals and the song itself. Despite their thoughts, it still has several positive qualities.
09:23It's perfect for pumping yourself up for a night out on the town,
09:26with an earworm chorus that's nearly impossible to forget.
09:37It's the very definition of a carefree summertime anthem,
09:40one that still sounds fresh well over a decade later.
09:43In recent years, the tide has begun to finally turn,
09:46and the lyric changes now denouncing P. Diddy made it all the more beloved.
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10:141. Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen
10:17This was the very definition of inescapable. Between its incessant airplay and its earworm
10:22qualities, Call Me Maybe quickly became one of the most talked-about pieces of its time,
10:26but not always for the best reasons. It's been written off by some detractors as nothing more
10:38than bubblegum pop, with its production and bubbly lyrics being dragged. Its shiny veneer
10:44may seem egregious, but beneath it is one of the best-crafted pop songs of the modern era.
10:52Its infectious and sentimental vibe make it nearly impossible to not sing along and dance to it,
11:02particularly once the chorus kicks in. While Jepsen hasn't recaptured the same success,
11:06she can rest easy knowing she's behind one of the most memorable tracks of the 21st century.
11:18Which pop song do you think gets more hate than it deserves? Let us know
11:21in the comments below.
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