Madonna, Elton and Other Legends Appear on List of Worst Albums Ever
Here comes another list from Rolling Stone. They’re back with another one of its infamous and controversial lists, but this is one you don’t want to be included on. It’s called 50 Genuinely Horrible Albums by Brilliant Artists, and includes legendary acts like Madonna, Billy Joel, and Elton John.
The premise of the list is that there are very few artists, no matter how iconic, who haven’t released a clunker of an album over the years. For example, Billy Joel comes in at #49 with his 1986 album, The Bridge, which by the way, is an album that I loved when it was released. It features great and fun songs like “Modern Woman” “Baby Grand” (with Ray Charles) “This is the Time” and “A Matter of Trust.” But Rolling Stone says the rest of it is “largely lifeless filler,” they specifically point out his duet with Cyndi Lauper, “Code of Silence.” Billy has admitted that he wasn’t “that enthusiastic” about it, because he was focused on his family at the time.
Another album from 1986 by Elton John lands at #13 on the list with his: Leather Jackets. Rolling Stone brutally attacks it with, “There isn’t one memorable melody or hook on the entire record, and the production is horrid even by the feeble standards of 1986.” Even Elton agrees it’s his worst album, blaming his cocaine addiction at the time. I have to agree with this one, only “Heartache All Over the World” is mildly listenable.
Meanwhile, Madonna’s 2003 album, American Life, comes in at #26. Rolling Stone calls it “hopelessly muddled when it wasn’t downright embarrassing.” They say one of the embarrassing parts comes from Madonna’s attempts at rapping. Again, I can’t argue, but “Die Another Day” isn’t horrible.
Even Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon are on the list, plus Prince, David Bowie, and Elvis Presley. Kanye is at number one and Bruce, as you’d suspect, does not appear of this list of infamy.
I disagree with some of this, but I have to admit that most of the list is absolutely spot on.
Check out the full list here.
25 Best Sports Anthems, Ranked
Sports Anthems: It’s amazing how they can move thousands and thousands of people all at once. Without a doubt, at least some of these songs on this list will be played at some point during MLB’s Opening Day.
Most sporting events without music nowadays just fall flat. An appropriate soundtrack is practically essential. Now, different sporting events often have different vibes. This can vary by the sport itself, the level of said sport or the region in which the sport is being played.
With this in mind, this list was crafted to have some surprises, yet also be overall universal. It’s trying to walk a very particular line of mass appeal and unexpectedness. Truth be told, this list of the best sports anthems walks that line rather brilliantly.
A general view during the 2023 Opening Day game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on April 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
How This Best Sports Anthems List Was Determined
This author has been to her share of sporting events over the years. Regardless of the sport, there are just certain songs that are ubiquitous at sporting events. Whether it’s high school, minor leagues or the pros, these 25 songs deliver on at least one over more of these levels:
-Does the song help hype up a crowd?
-Does the song add a new, appropriate level of emotion to a sporting event?
-Does the song have a unique tie to a team/athlete, but can also transcend it?
-Does it have a universally recognizable hook?
-Has it been used in a sports movie, thus, increasing its reach to the general public?
Look, this list is far from scientific, but it sure is a lot of fun, which is the whole point of any list like this. Frankly, it was a lot of fun to put together. It’s even more fun to revisit when major sports events appear on the calendar, from Opening Day to the Super Bowl and everywhere in between.
From rock to hip hop to EDM to pop, here are the 25 best sports anthems, ranked.
