Songs never to listen to before bed
We all get earworms — that much is undeniable. Arguably the worst time to get one (or perhaps more — the horror!) is before you fall asleep. Much of the time it’s only little hooks and riffs that seem to take hold. It’s a common affliction for an audiophile like myself; music often feels like a driving force in my life, so it’s only fitting that my mind wanders to its tune as I doze off most nights.
- Herbie Hancock, “Watermelon Man”
Released in 1962, “Watermelon Man” has spiked in popularity since the recent release of Jonah Hill’s new film, Mid90s. It’s an awesome jazz track. The part of the song that really sticks is the incessant whistles and shrieks, most of which is actually just pan flute. Nonetheless, this comprises all of the six-minute song’s intro and much of its final minute. Whether due to the eerie human-ness of it or just the repetition of a short phrase, it’s sure to cause some auditory log jam.
2. Hot Chip, “The Warning”
All told, this one’s just really annoying. Hot Chip released this track in 2006, early in their discography — this explains for all the name dropping in lines like “Hot Chip will break your legs,” however absurd that sounds. Still, its initial appeal is in its scant instrumentation and background vocal accents. They’re pretty cool the first few times.
3. Paul Desmond, “Bossa Antigua”
If you like saxophone solos, “Bossa Antigua” will be a treat for you (as it is for me). If not, I’d say steer clear. The bossa nova beat strung throughout will most certainly make you want to dance no matter your taste, and whether or not you take up the challenge the groove may still root itself in your ears.
4. Foster the People, “Waste”
Mark Foster, lead singer of Foster the People, wrote jingles for advertisements before his music career, so it comes as no surprise that many of his band’s songs are catchy. Some, like “Waste,” combine an introductory theme with an irresistible chorus for a one-two punch of instant earworm status.
5. Charli XCX, “Boys”
In the same vein as “Waste,” “Boys,” released in 2017, expands on a simple premise — the lyric “I was busy thinking ‘bout boys,” followed immediately by two notes on a keyboard. It’s cute and fun and insistant enough to drive the remainder of the song, verses and all; by the same token, the verses won’t stay with you at the end of the day, only that guiding phrase. It can get tired, but I highly recommend watching the music video on loop (embedded here for your convenience).
6. Lesley Gore, “The Old Crowd”
“The Old Crowd” from 1963 continues a long tradition of early pop and doo-wop melodies that hang around in the ears of audiences. It’s fast-paced and repetitive, particularly throughout its percussive accompaniment — meant to allow listeners to clap along. Lesley Gore’s signature saccharine tone makes it a really pleasant and fun listen (as was generally the intention in her era), even as you turn it over in your head hours after hearing the song.
7. MF Doom, “One Beer”
Much of Doom’s album MM FOOD features samples ripe for sticking in a listener’s head for days on end, and “One Beer” is no exception. It samples “Huit octobre 1971” by French experimental jazz ensemble Cortex, with a shrill soprano voice buzzing with a simple and memorable tune. Above that, Doom is such a clever rhymer and lyricist that you’re practically going to want to keep thinking about all the wisecracks “One Beer” offers.
8. The Belmonts, “My Sweet Lord”
In a similar vein as “The Old Crowd,” the Belmont’s rendition of “My Sweet Lord” (which came in 1988, years after George Harrison) uses classic doo-wop sounds that create a captivating, layered effect; however, when isolated, all the “doo”s and “dulang”s make the song a terrible earworm. Even so, the big kazoo solos are too infectiously fun to pass up. ❑
