Back in November 2003, Channel 4 asked the public to vote for what they considered the “worst singles of all time.”
The results, broadcast in January 2004, placed some of pop’s most recognisable hits among the so-called guilty offenders. While taste in music is subjective, the countdown revealed a fascinating mix of novelty tracks, bubblegum pop and even a record-breaking charity release.
Here’s a look back at the top 10 “worst songs of all time” as ranked by Channel 4 viewers, counting down from number 10 to the infamous number one.
Released in late 2002 as the lead single from her third studio album This Is Me... Then, Jennifer Lopez’s Jenny From The Block became one of her signature songs. The track, built on heavy samples from The Beatnuts and Enoch Light, was intended as a declaration of authenticity – reminding listeners that Lopez had not forgotten her Bronx roots despite her Hollywood stardom.
The single was a worldwide hit, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking inside the top 5 in the UK. However, its repeated refrain and glossy video, famously featuring then-partner Ben Affleck, drew widespread parody.
(Image: Getty)
Originally written by Don Von Tress, Achy Breaky Heart was first recorded by The Marcy Brothers before Billy Ray Cyrus made it a global hit in 1992. Featured on his debut album Some Gave All, the song shot Cyrus to fame, topping the US Hot Country Songs chart and reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Its simple, catchy lyrics and two-step dance rhythm sparked a line-dancing craze across America and beyond. While hugely popular, the song has often been criticised for its repetitive chorus. Nevertheless, it sold over a million copies in the US and became the first platinum-certified country single since 1983.
(Image: Getty)
Danish-Norwegian group Aqua released Barbie Girl in 1997, and it quickly became one of the defining novelty hits of the 1990s. With its plastic-fantasy lyrics, camp delivery and bubblegum Eurodance production, the single topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and was a worldwide number one.
The track also sparked controversy, with toy manufacturer Mattel suing Aqua’s record label for trademark infringement – though the lawsuit was dismissed. Despite its divisive reputation, Barbie Girl is still culturally relevant, referenced in countless parodies and even resurfacing in 2023 when Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice sampled it for the Barbie film soundtrack.
(Image: Aqua)
At just 15 years old, Billie Piper became the youngest solo artist ever to debut at number one on the UK Singles Chart with Because We Want To. Released in 1998, the single captured late-1990s teen pop energy, blending cheerleader-style chants with upbeat production.
Though critics were divided, the song was a commercial triumph and firmly launched Piper’s music career. She scored several more chart hits before eventually transitioning to acting, where she achieved further acclaim in Doctor Who and stage roles. The track’s youthful exuberance, however, also earned it a spot in Channel 4’s “worst songs” ranking.
(Image: Billie Piper)
