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bind me like velvet dailymotion #shortfilms #drama
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00:03Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at the songs that were once widely
00:08mocked or criticized, but eventually became to be loved or nostalgically celebrated.
00:1820. Like a Prayer – Madonna
00:21This Madonna song saw a huge revival as part of the Deadpool and Wolverine soundtrack.
00:3120. However, its use of religious imagery, symbolism, and Madonna's own unapologetic
00:36stance had once ignited a massive uproar. The controversy was so strong that Pepsi backed
00:43off an endorsement deal after airing just one commercial. But the song's musical
00:48strengths have been far more appreciated as the years have passed, while the video came
00:53to be viewed more as performance art. Today, the song is credited for Madonna's ascension
01:05from pop star to artist, and is considered among the greatest tracks of all time. Life
01:10really is a mystery, after all.
01:2119. I'm Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
01:25Even if you're unfamiliar with the full version, odds are you've at least heard the lyrics from
01:31this catchy track. Initially dismissed as an eccentric or a novelty track by critics,
01:37it's now regarded as Right Said Fred's signature song. When first released,
01:42many weren't sure how to process its tongue-in-cheek lyrics or minimalist beats.
01:54However, its unforgettable hook caught on with audiences across decades. Listeners eventually
02:00embraced it as self-aware charm and dance club style. While the song might not be considered a game
02:06changer for the industry, it remains among the most memorable and well-known pop tracks from the
02:1190s. And let's be honest, who hasn't imagined walking down the ramp with the song playing in their heads?
02:2218. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
02:33Unlike many other disliked songs, this one initially enjoyed a remarkable run, credited by
02:39many as increasing hip-hop's reach to a mainstream audience. However, the song and its artist were
02:46widely mocked after controversy arose over uncredited sampling of Queen and David Bowie's Under Pressure.
02:52Soon after, the song was dismissed by some as derivative and a shallow, commercialized form of
02:58hip-hop, despite Queen and David Bowie receiving songwriting credits. But this image didn't last.
03:04Over time, the song experienced a revival in perception, with many seeing it
03:08as a nostalgic throwback to the 90s. Although it still has its critics,
03:13Ice Ice Baby is now largely seen as an early milestone that crossed hip-hop into pop culture.
03:19Take heed, cause I'm a lyrical poet. Miami's on the scene, just in case you didn't know it.
03:24My town, that created all the bass sounds. Enough to shake and kick holes in the ground,
03:28cause my style's like a chemical spill. Feasible rhymes, you can envision and feel.
03:32Conducted in form, this is a hell of a concept. We make it hype, and you want us to print
03:36this.
03:3717. Barbie Girl
03:45Honestly, it's hard to find a middle ground with this song. You either can't stand it,
03:53or you absolutely love it. Pure, unadulterated satire that knows it's as absurd as it comes across,
04:00Aqua's breakout hit was heavily ridiculed upon release. While the buzz ultimately helped it
04:07climb the charts, the song was seen as little more than a fad for young audiences. And yet,
04:13here we are, nearly three decades later, and we still want to head over to Barbie World.
04:19It's bubblegum, campy beat is almost impossible to resist, leaving most people singing along even if
04:25they can't help it. Now, say it with us, because we know you want to. Come on Barbie, let's go
04:32party.
04:3416. Red Solo Cup
04:37Toby Keith
04:38If your first reaction to this song was total confusion, then join the club. You aren't alone.
04:45Grab a seat, there's plenty of us here. It's hard to make heads or tails of this country song,
04:51lacking any traditional structure or hard-hitting chorus.
04:5416. Red Solo Cup
04:56I fill you up, let's have a party.
05:0117. Even Toby Keith himself called it,
05:04the stupidest song I've ever heard in my life. Despite appearing in most worst song lists at the
05:09time, Red Solo Cup has since defied the odds big time. Picking at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100,
05:16it was also covered on shows like Glee and entered pop culture as a legitimate hit.
05:22Over time, the song has come to embody carefree and laid-back vibes,
05:27living on as a beloved party track tribute to Keith after his passing in 2024.
05:32I get to hitting on them to help me get lucky.
05:3715. Crank That
05:39Soulja Boy
05:40Soulja Boy, tell em.
05:42Soulja Boy been here, why me lean that, why me rock?
05:45Superman that, oh, yeah, why me crank that Robocop?
05:48Public opinion can change quickly when a song becomes popular. When it comes to Crank That,
05:54the track was nearly unavoidable at its peak. Thanks to its viral dance and endlessly looped
06:00lyrics, it became one of the first examples of the internet's influence. Still, critics viewed it as
06:06a passing trend likely to fade, and many listeners grew tired once Crank That seemed like it was
06:12everywhere. For a while, the song was known more for overexposure than for entertainments, but once
06:20the saturation faded, it regained its status as a beloved part of its era. Today, it's both a fun
06:26throwback and a reminder of how social media and fan involvement can propel a track to Superman success.
06:4114. Macarena
06:43Bayside Boy's Remix Los Del Rio
06:46Not every song gets this famous with barely anyone knowing the lyrics, but while most people only
06:53remember just two words from this track, it has long immortalized itself into pop culture.
07:04It's simple dance steps and catchy tune caught the world by storm, quickly becoming a musical
07:09phenomenon. But with popularity came skepticism, with some accusing it of being one note and
07:16repetitive. For others, it simply became annoying to hear all the time.
07:27But as the industry evolved into different trends, Macarena's appeal grew again and audiences appreciated
07:34its straightforward entertainment value. Today, Macarena enjoys its place as a beloved piece of
07:40musical history, one where fans can unite, shake their hips, and belt out those two iconic words.
07:5013. Never Gonna Give You Up
07:53Rick Astley
08:02Although it isn't exactly despised, Rick Astley's signature song was considered too cheesy by some
08:08critics. Its polished pop sound was a hit with most, but not everyone was willing to accept it. Although a
08:15success at the time, the music's cultural impact truly exploded two decades later. As the subject of
08:22the Rick Rolling meme, it found new life on the internet, disguised as misleading links that led back
08:27to Astley's tunes. Rather than turning audiences against it, the meme helped bring Astley back into
08:34the spotlight. Whether ironically or not, fans have come to love Never Gonna Give You Up as a pop classic.
08:40And it's clear that
08:42none of us are strangers to love, none of us are strangers to love anymore.
08:46Never gonna give you up
08:48Never gonna let you down
08:51Never gonna run around and desert you
08:54Number 12. Eleanor Rigby
08:57The Beatles
08:59Eleanor Rigby
09:01Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been
09:06Lives in a dream
09:08Although never outright hated like Obla Di Obla Da, Eleanor Rigby didn't have the greatest reputation among
09:16the Beatles catalog either. It was criticized by some for being too experimental and lacking wide commercial
09:22appeal, with Ray Davies of the Kinks even calling it a song that would only please music teachers in
09:28primary schools. But over time, many came to appreciate its lonely, somber tone for touching on
09:35a different set of emotions. The song is now often seen as a key transition in the Beatles' artistic
09:41evolution, signaling a move from their rock and roll roots, with an emphasis on introspective storytelling.
09:48Eleanor Rigby has become a bigger hit with modern audiences, as a reminder of the band's lasting impact.
09:56All the lonely people
09:58Where do they all come from?
10:02Number 11. Sympathy for the Devil
10:04The Rolling Stones
10:06Pleased to meet you
10:08Hope you guessed my day
10:10Much of what might be considered harmless today was outrageous back when this song was released.
10:17Despite critical acclaim, the Rolling Stones faced accusations of devil worship by some conservative
10:23commentators. Sung from Satan's perspective and referencing various dark moments in human history,
10:29the song is designed to be provocative. Looking back, Heath Richards recalled the band's image went from
10:35just innocent kids out for a good time to being branded evil and accused of corrupting youth. The
10:42conversation eventually shifted from controversy to craftsmanship, with the Rolling Stones now seen as
10:48daring to be different. Listeners today consider it more of an exploration of humanity's capacity
10:55for darkness than a supposed endorsement of evil.
11:04Number 10. Baby
11:06Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
11:16You really had to be there to remember just how much buzz this song created back in the day.
11:21While Beliebers sang it loudly and proudly, others watched the video just to dislike it on YouTube.
11:28Either way, Baby propelled Justin Bieber to global fame. Still, the younger singer became the target of
11:35online ridicule, and the music video spent years as the most viewed and most disliked video on the
11:42platform. Yet, the backlash didn't stop its reach, and as the hype faded, many came to like Baby for
11:49being catchy, rhythmic, and fun. Today, hating on the song isn't nearly as cool as it once was, with
11:56many listeners more than willing to admit they actually enjoy it.
12:09Number 9. The Sound of Silence
12:12Simon & Garfunkel
12:13This folk duo probably weren't anticipating a pop hit to open with.
12:18Hello, darkness, my old friend.
12:22Simon & Garfunkel's breakout single originated as an acoustic ballad on the unsuccessful album
12:28Wednesday morning, 3am. The Sound of Silence was just another track dismissed as dreary and pretentious.
12:35Then-producer Tom Wilson had the idea to overdub rock instrumentation for a single release.
12:47Folk traditionalist Paul Simon was not happy about this unauthorized remix. The public, however,
12:54embraced the new hook's juxtaposition with profound lyrics. The Sound of Silence launched Simon & Garfunkel to
13:01stardom, especially after its iconic use in the film, The Graduate. It is now considered a folk rock
13:08masterpiece, with few even knowing that it started as acoustic filler.
13:22Number 8. We Built This City
13:25Starship
13:26It doesn't get more 80s than We Built This City. At least to critics of that pop rock sound,
13:31say you don't know me. I'll recognize my face.
13:37Ironically, Martin Page and Bernie Taupin originated the lyric to criticize the decline
13:43of Los Angeles' live music scene. After rewrites and creative conflicts,
13:48Starship delivered the very corporate cheese they were condemning. This infuriated critics,
13:54especially given the band's distant roots in protest rock pioneers' Jefferson Airplane.
13:59All I see responsible, write us off the page.
14:05Several major publications would list the song among the worst of all time. However,
14:10its undeniable hook made for an instant commercial hit. The day to ditty survived on its campy
14:16reputation before gradually becoming a genuine gem of nostalgia. There's plenty to tear down with
14:22We Built This City, but it still speaks to the people.
14:32Number 7. Achy Breaky Heart
14:35Billy Ray Cyrus
14:36The Marcy Brothers didn't quite hit with Don't Tell My Heart, but as a retitled cover by some little-known
14:44singer, Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart became a multi-platinum hit.
14:55Still, critics like Travis Tritt saw it as the worst kind of crossover between country and pop
15:01that was emerging in the 90s. Three Grammy nominations didn't save Cyrus from heavy backlash
15:06over his corny breakout, but that didn't stop its success with audiences or the acclaim for its
15:12music video. This was associated with line dancing becoming a modern mainstream phenomenon.
15:25The song itself is now considered a classic and popular influence within country pop.
15:30As much as it may break a hater's heart, Achy Breaky Heart is still blowing up.
15:37And if you tell my heart, my Achy Breaky Heart, he might blow up and kill his man.
15:43Number 6. Creep – Radiohead
15:46Before their groundbreaking experiments, Radiohead was one of Britain's few successes in 90s grunge.
15:53This was both made and broken by the breakout single Creep.
16:04It wasn't exactly a breakout in the UK, partly because the BBC banned it for its
16:10dour tone and profanity. The angsty anthem didn't fare much better with critics and audiences.
16:16America's alternative scene embraced Creep, but it charted at number 78 back home.
16:29This helped to push Radiohead into the stylistic shifts that made them one of the most acclaimed
16:34bands of the 21st century. Meanwhile, their first international hit was reappraised as a unique,
16:40evocative twist on outsider rock. Radiohead may even consider Creep as an outsider in their catalog,
16:48but it's found its place as a classic.
16:52I don't belong here
16:54Number 5. Hotel California – Eagles
16:58Early critics of the Eagles regarded them as bland California fantasists.
17:03Not even Hotel California changed everyone's mind.
17:06On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my head
17:11The band's departure from country with guitarist Bernie Ledden led to more generic,
17:16arguably ill-fitting rock elements. Many still consider the ballad over-arranged in its music,
17:23and pretentious in its abstract lyrics. Nevertheless, the album Hotel California became
17:29one of the all-time best-selling works in rock. Welcome to the Hotel California.
17:35A Grammy win for Record of the Year sure struck down contemporary critics of the title track.
17:41Discussions about its complex themes and guitar duo have made it more renowned through the years.
17:46Though some resolute critics may only be more irritated by the incessant airplay,
17:52hardly anyone wants to leave Hotel California.
17:55You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.
18:01Number 4. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
18:04A seminal mix of blues and hard-driving rock set Led Zeppelin apart from everyone else.
18:10It's no wonder certain fans were taken aback by Stairway to Heaven.
18:16This lady's shoe, all the clitor's is gold.
18:21The eight-minute folk prog epic was polarizing for its mostly slow pace and whimsical lyrics.
18:28There were even rumors of occult themes.
18:30For Zeppelin to have actively developed the song as a concert centerpiece,
18:35bassist keyboardist John Paul Jones recalled an unenthusiastic response to its live debut.
18:50Since then, Stairway to Heaven has been celebrated for its sophisticated composition
18:55and eventually explosive musicianship.
18:58Many consider it the magnum opus not only of Led Zeppelin, but of all rock epics.
19:04It was a slow build, but this unlikely anthem has ascended to greatness.
19:09When all is one and what is all
19:13To be a rock, I'm not to roll
19:16Never roll, people
19:19Number 3. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
19:23It may be one of the most romantic lyrics of its day, if you're open-minded enough.
19:28There was a time you let me know
19:34What's really going on below
19:36After several years and countless rewrites, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah was rejected by Columbia Records
19:43alongside the album Various Positions. A gospel serenade with sexual and religious overtones is
19:51certainly touchy. But even critics dismissed the moody track when it was finally released.
19:59It was still embraced and covered by the likes of Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley.
20:04After John Cale's version made the Shrek soundtrack, Hallelujah experienced a popular resurgence.
20:10Love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah.
20:18It has also become subject to many musical and academic interpretations.
20:22The big controversy now is that the song is heavily overplayed.
20:26Otherwise, Hallelujah has paid its dues to become one of Cohen's most exalted works.
20:32Number 2. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
20:36At first, it seemed that Queen pushed the boundaries of popular music too far.
20:41Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
20:48A Night at the Opera was reportedly the most expensive album ever produced,
20:52with the lead single being a six-minute tragedy suite.
20:55Critics weren't much kinder to Bohemian Rhapsody than record executives.
21:00Many found it abrasive and overblown,
21:03complete with an opera section that featured made-up words.
21:06I see a little silhouette of a man.
21:09Scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the pandango?
21:13But a radio preview campaign raised enough interest for the single to be an unthinkable commercial hit.
21:19While the album was altogether hailed as a triumph, Bohemian Rhapsody was a phenomenon.
21:24Audiences came to embrace its complex structure, emotional depth, and groundbreaking production.
21:30Now, one of rock music's greatest and most implausibly successful singles is a radio staple.
21:37Nothing really matters to me
21:50Before we continue, check out this single from Sound Mojo's Audio, Songs from Iran,
21:55re-imagining Persian melodies as modern rock, metal, and pop songs.
22:00Check out the full track and album below.
22:16Number one, like a rolling stone, Bob Dylan.
22:21While electric anthems took over the rebellious sound of the 60s,
22:25Bob Dylan remained an important voice in acoustic poetry.
22:28Once upon a time, you dressed so fine, through the bumps a dime, in your prime,
22:34in you!
22:36Then, like a rolling stone, changed everything for the better.
22:39Eventually, Columbia Records was reluctant to release the long, slow, and cynical ballad about
22:44disillusionment. They were especially nervous about Dylan using an electric band. Fans were even more
22:50upset over the song's infamous live debut at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
23:03Dylan going electric became synonymous with selling out. Over time, however, everyone accepted that the
23:10iconoclastic songwriting was still there. Dylan had just developed a sound to revolutionize folk rock
23:16and important mainstream music. Once considered a quintessential letdown, like a rolling stone is
23:22now considered Dylan's defining masterpiece. Can you think of any other songs that belong on this list?
23:31Let us know in the comments!
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