I Listened to Every #1 Hit of the 2010s: A Brutal Ranking (Worst to Best)
My journey through the 2010s charts started with the worst: the novelty dance songs. They were like a sugar rush from cheap candy—fun for a moment, but quickly became annoying and left you feeling sick. The absolute best #1 hits, however, were the timeless pop masterpieces. With their clever songwriting, incredible production, and a universal, emotional core, they were like a perfectly crafted gourmet meal that you still remember years later. They didn’t just top the charts; they became a part of the soundtrack to our lives, proving that true quality never goes out of style.
Ranking the Most Overrated and Underrated Bands of All Time (Worst to Best)
My deep dive into music history revealed that fame isn’t always a measure of greatness. The most overrated bands are the ones who had one massive, legendary album but a career of otherwise forgettable filler; they were a one-trick pony. The most underrated bands, however, are the quiet, consistent geniuses. They may not have the best-selling album, but they have a flawless discography where every single record is a masterpiece. They are the versatile character actors of the music world, and their incredible body of work is a treasure waiting to be discovered by those who look beyond the charts.
I Tried to Learn Guitar, Piano, and Drums in 30 Days: The Easiest to Learn Ranked (Worst to Best)
My 30-day musical challenge had a clear winner for beginners. The hardest instrument to get a good sound out of was the guitar; the painful, calloused fingertips and buzzing strings were a frustrating barrier. The easiest and most instantly gratifying instrument, by far, was the piano. The visual layout of the keyboard made understanding basic chords and melodies incredibly intuitive. It was like the difference between learning to write in a new alphabet versus typing on a familiar keyboard. On the piano, I was playing a recognizable song within the first hour, a triumphant feeling the other instruments couldn’t match.
Ranking the Most Disappointing and Incredible “Comeback” Albums (Worst to Best)
A comeback album is a high-stakes gamble. The most disappointing are from artists who try to recreate the exact sound that made them famous decades ago; it’s like a middle-aged man wearing his high school letterman jacket, a sad and awkward attempt to relive the glory days. The most incredible comeback albums, however, are from artists who evolve their sound with grace and wisdom. They don’t try to be who they were; they create a new, mature masterpiece that reflects who they are now, proving that the best artists never stop growing.
I Used 5 Different Music Streaming Services for a Month: The Discovery Algorithms Ranked (Worst to Best)
My music streaming experiment was all about the algorithm. The worst service had a discovery feature that was like a lazy DJ playing the same 20 popular songs on a loop. It never took a chance. The absolute best streaming service, however, had an algorithm that felt like a mind-reader. It was like a cool, music-obsessed friend who knows my taste so well, they can make me a perfect, personalized mixtape every single week. It consistently introduced me to my new favorite artists, proving that a great algorithm isn’t just a feature; it’s a gateway to a world of new music.
Ranking the Most Common and Annoying Misheard Lyrics (Mondegreen) (Worst to Best)
Misheard lyrics can be a source of confusion or comedy. The most annoying are the ones that are just a jumbled, nonsensical mess that makes a great song feel like gibberish. The absolute best and most legendary misheard lyric, however, is a masterpiece of accidental poetry, like Jimi Hendrix’s “‘Scuse me while I kiss this guy.” It’s so iconic and so much more memorable than the actual lyric (“kiss the sky”) that it has become a part of the song’s folklore. It’s a beautiful, unintentional collaboration between the artist and the audience.
I Compared the Sound Quality of Vinyl, CDs, and High-Res Streaming (Worst to Best)
My sound quality showdown was a treat for the ears. The worst, for pure audio quality, was a standard, low-bitrate stream, which sounded thin and compressed, like a blurry, pixelated photograph. The best and most technically perfect sound came from the high-resolution digital stream. However, the most enjoyable and engaging listening experience was the vinyl record. The warm, rich sound, the subtle crackles, and the physical act of dropping the needle on the record created a tangible, intentional connection to the music that the sterile perfection of digital simply couldn’t match.
Ranking the Most Legendary and Forgettable Music Festival Performances (Worst to Best)
A music festival performance can be a footnote or a legend. The most forgettable are from the bands who just go through the motions, playing their songs exactly as they sound on the album. They are a human jukebox. The most legendary and unforgettable performances, however, are the ones where a true, transcendent moment of magic happens. Whether it’s Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock or Beyoncé at Coachella, these are the performances where the artist elevates the music into a cultural event, creating an iconic, “you had to be there” moment that will be talked about for generations.
I Tried to Write and Record a Song in 24 Hours With No Experience (Worst to Best)
My 24-hour songwriting challenge was a creative whirlwind. The worst part was the beginning: the terrifying tyranny of the blank page, where every idea felt stupid and clichéd. The absolute best and most magical part was the moment, hours in, when a simple chord progression and a mumbled melody suddenly clicked into place. It felt less like I was writing a song and more like I was discovering one that was already there. That jolt of pure, creative lightning was an incredibly addictive and satisfying feeling that made all the initial frustration worth it.
Ranking the Best and Worst One-Hit Wonders of the 90s (Worst to Best)
The 90s were a golden age of one-hit wonders. The worst were the annoying, cringeworthy novelty songs that were fun for about five minutes and are now unlistenable. They are the musical equivalent of a pet rock. The absolute best one-hit wonders, however, are the songs that are a moment of accidental pop perfection. They are so incredibly catchy, well-crafted, and iconic that they have transcended their “one-hit” status and become a permanent, beloved part of our cultural soundtrack. They are a perfect snapshot of a moment in time.
I Analyzed the “Feuds” Between 10 Famous Musicians: A Drama Ranking (Worst to Best)
Musical feuds range from petty drama to artistic inspiration. The worst are the modern, social-media-fueled feuds that feel like a calculated marketing stunt, all sizzle and no steak. The best and most legendary feuds, however, were the ones that pushed the artists to their creative peaks. The friendly, competitive rivalry between The Beatles and The Beach Boys in the mid-60s, for example, resulted in some of the most innovative and beautiful pop music ever created. It was a rivalry where the real winner was the audience.
Ranking the Most Important and Useless Music Theory Concepts for Beginners (Worst to Best)
Learning music theory can be empowering or overwhelming. The most useless concept for a beginner is trying to memorize all the different modes and complex scales. It’s like trying to learn advanced calculus before you know how to add. The most important and fundamental music theory concept, however, is simply understanding how basic chords are built and how they relate to each other. This is the simple, foundational grammar of almost all popular music, and learning it is the key that unlocks the ability to write your own songs and understand the ones you love.
I Attended a Concert in 5 Different Types of Venues (Stadium, Club, Theater, etc.) (Worst to Best)
The venue can completely change a concert experience. The absolute worst, for me, was the massive stadium. The sound was a muddy, echoing mess, and the artist was a tiny, ant-like figure on a distant stage. I spent the whole time watching the video screens. The absolute best and most powerful concert experience, however, was in a small, historic theater. The sound was crystal clear, the atmosphere was intimate, and I felt a genuine, electric connection with the artist. It was a shared experience, not a distant spectacle.
Ranking the Most Common and Overused Pop Song Structures (Worst to Best)
Pop music is built on a foundation of formulas. The most overused and boring structure is the predictable verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus pattern, especially when it’s combined with a “post-chorus” hook. It’s the musical equivalent of a paint-by-numbers picture. The best and most interesting pop songs, however, are the ones that play with that formula. They might have an unconventional structure, a surprising chord change, or a dynamic shift that keeps you on your toes. They use the familiarity of the pop structure to set up your expectations, and then they cleverly subvert them.
I Compared the Original Versions of Songs vs. Their Famous Covers (Worst to Best)
A great cover can be a revelation. The worst covers are the ones that are just a karaoke-style imitation of the original, adding nothing new to the conversation. The absolute best and most powerful covers, however, are the ones that completely re-imagine the song and make it their own. Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” is a perfect example. He transformed a song by an industrial rock band into a heartbreakingly beautiful and deeply personal folk ballad, proving that a great song can have many different, equally powerful lives.
Ranking the Best and Worst Music Videos Ever Made (Worst to Best)
A music video can be a commercial or a work of art. The worst are the lazy, low-budget performance videos where the band just stands in a warehouse and pretends to play their instruments. The absolute best and most iconic music videos, however, are the ones that are legendary short films in their own right. Videos like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” or A-ha’s “Take On Me” are so creative, groundbreaking, and perfectly matched to the song that they have become an inseparable part of the music’s legacy. They don’t just accompany the song; they elevate it.
I Tried to Get My Own Song on Spotify Playlists: The Brutal Reality (Worst to Best)
Getting my song on Spotify was a lesson in humility. The worst part was the brutal, deafening silence. I spent hours submitting my song to playlist curators through official channels and cold emails, and I received absolutely zero response. It felt like sending a message in a bottle into the middle of the ocean. The best and only successful method was to start small, by sharing the song with friends and having them add it to their own personal playlists. This created a tiny, organic ripple that was far more effective than shouting into the void of the official channels.
Ranking the Most Important and Overlooked Albums That Defined a Genre (Worst to Best)
Every genre has its foundational texts. The most overlooked and important albums are often not the best-selling ones, but the ones that were a creative lightning strike, influencing a generation of musicians who came after. An album like The Velvet Underground’s debut sold poorly but is now considered one of the most important albums ever made because it laid the groundwork for all of alternative rock. It was less of a commercial product and more of a secret, coded message that was received by all the right people.
I Tested 5 Different Brands of Noise-Canceling Headphones at a Live Concert (Worst to Best)
My concert headphone test was an ear-saving experiment. The worst pair were the cheap, “noise-reducing” headphones that just muffled the sound, making the music sound muddy and distant. The absolute best, however, were a high-quality pair of active noise-canceling headphones. They didn’t just muffle the sound; they intelligently filtered out the deafening roar of the crowd and the distorted bass, allowing me to hear the music with a stunning clarity that was actually better than with my naked ears. It was like having a personal sound engineer for my own head, protecting my hearing while enhancing the show.
Ranking the Most Common and Frustrating Things About Going to Concerts (Worst to Best)
Going to a concert is a battle against annoyances. A common frustration is the ridiculously long line for the bathroom. More frustrating are the exorbitant “service fees” that can add 30% to the ticket price. The most common and frustrating thing about concerts, however, is the sea of cell phones. The person in front of you who holds up their phone to record the entire show not only obstructs your view but also creates a distracting, second-hand viewing experience that pulls you out of the magic of the live moment.
I Compared the Discographies of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones (Worst to Best)
My deep dive into the Beatles vs. the Stones revealed two different kinds of genius. The Rolling Stones were the masters of a single, perfect formula. They found their groove in raw, blues-based rock and roll and have spent a career perfecting it with incredible consistency. The Beatles, for me, were the “best” because they were relentless innovators. Their discography is a breathtaking journey of constant evolution, from simple pop songs to psychedelic masterpieces and studio experimentation. One was the world’s greatest rock and roll band; the other was the world’s greatest musical artists.
Ranking the Best and Worst Movie Soundtracks of the 21st Century (Worst to Best)
A soundtrack can be the soul of a movie. The worst are the ones that are just a forgettable, generic orchestral score that feels like royalty-free background music. The absolute best movie soundtracks of the 21st century are the ones that are perfectly curated mixtapes that become a character in the film itself. The soundtrack to a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy or Drive is so integral to the film’s mood, style, and identity that you can’t imagine the movie without it. It’s a perfect marriage of sound and vision.
I Tried to Identify 20 Famous Songs by Just Their Opening Second (Worst to Best)
My “name that tune” challenge was a test of iconic intros. The hardest songs to identify were the modern pop songs that often start with a generic synth sound. The easiest and most instantly recognizable songs, however, were the ones with a truly unique and iconic opening, like the guitar riff of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” or the drum fill of “In the Air Tonight.” These intros are not just the beginning of a song; they are a powerful, immediate, and unmistakable musical signature that has been burned into our collective consciousness.
Ranking the Most Common and Cringeworthy Things Aspiring Musicians Do (Worst to Best)
The path of an aspiring musician is paved with cringe. A common but forgivable act is the overly dramatic band photo where everyone is trying to look serious and mysterious. The most common and cringeworthy thing, however, is when a musician corners you at a party and makes you listen to their demo on their phone’s tiny, tinny speaker. It’s an awkward, uncomfortable hostage situation that does a complete disservice to their music and is a guaranteed way to make someone not want to listen to it.
I Analyzed the Evolution of a Major Artist’s Sound Over Their Career (Worst to Best)
Analyzing an artist’s career is like watching a person grow up. The most interesting artists are the ones who are constantly evolving. My favorite example is an artist who started as a simple folk singer with just an acoustic guitar. As they got more successful, they embraced a full band and a rock and roll sound, and then later in their career, they experimented with electronic music. Each phase was a distinct and authentic reflection of who they were at that time, creating a rich, diverse, and fascinating body of work that tells a life story.
Ranking the Best and Worst Songs to Ever Win a Grammy for Song of the Year (Worst to Best)
The Grammys have made some questionable choices. The worst Song of the Year winners are the safe, boring, and often sappy ballads that feel like they were scientifically engineered to win an award but have zero lasting cultural impact. The absolute best winners are the songs that were not only beautifully crafted but also defined a moment in time. A song like “Bridge over Troubled Water” is a masterpiece of songwriting that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, a truly timeless piece of music that deserved every accolade it received.
I Compared the Experience of a DJ Set vs. a Live Band Performance (Worst to Best)
A DJ set and a live band are two different kinds of energy. For me, a live band is the “best” because it’s a raw, dynamic, and uniquely human experience. There’s a powerful, tangible energy in watching a group of musicians communicate and create something together in real time. A great DJ set is like a perfectly engineered rollercoaster, a seamless, high-energy journey with no breaks. It’s a fantastic party, but the live band experience, with all its beautiful, unpredictable, and human imperfections, is where the real magic happens.
Ranking the Most Important and Overlooked Producers in Music History (Worst to Best)
Behind every great artist is often a great producer. The most overlooked and important producers are the sonic architects who create the entire soundscape of an album. A producer like Brian Eno is a perfect example. He didn’t just record the band; he was an active collaborator who introduced new ideas, textures, and technologies that completely transformed the music of artists like David Bowie and U2. The artist might be the face on the cover, but the producer is the invisible hand that shapes the entire world you hear.
I Tried to Start a Band With Strangers from the Internet: The Chaos Ranked (Worst to Best)
My internet band experiment was a lesson in human dynamics. The worst part was the logistical nightmare of trying to coordinate the schedules of four strangers with jobs and lives. It was like trying to herd cats. The absolute best and most magical part, however, was the first time we all plugged in and played together, and for a fleeting moment, a sloppy, chaotic jam session transformed into a cohesive piece of music. That moment of shared, spontaneous creation was a powerful and addictive feeling that made all the frustrating scheduling emails worth it.
Ranking the Most Common and Annoying Autotune Fails in Pop Music (Worst to Best)
Autotune can be a subtle tool or a blunt instrument. The most annoying and amateurish use of it is when it’s cranked up so high that the singer’s voice becomes a robotic, glitchy mess that warbles unnaturally between notes. It’s the uncanny valley of music. The best and most creative use of autotune, as pioneered by artists like T-Pain, is when it’s used as a deliberate, stylistic effect, turning the human voice into a new and interesting synthetic instrument. One is a failed attempt to hide a flaw; the other is a confident artistic choice.
I Compared the Cost and Experience of a Major Music Festival vs. Several Small Concerts (Worst to Best)
My concert budget comparison had a clear winner for my money and sanity. The major music festival was a chaotic, exhausting, and incredibly expensive marathon, where I spent a fortune to see a handful of my favorite bands from a mile away. For the same amount of money, I was able to see a dozen of my favorite bands at small, local venues over the course of a year. Each small show was an intimate, affordable, and high-quality experience. It was a clear case of quality over quantity, a series of gourmet meals versus a single, overpriced, and overwhelming buffet.
Ranking the Best and Worst Songs Used in Commercials (Worst to Best)
A song in a commercial can be a perfect marriage or a cynical cash grab. The absolute worst is when a beloved, emotional, and counter-cultural song is used to sell a soulless product like a car or a bank. It feels like a betrayal of the song’s original meaning. The absolute best use of a song in a commercial is when it’s a lesser-known track that perfectly captures the mood of the ad and introduces a great new artist to a massive audience. It’s a rare and beautiful moment of commercialism and art creating a true win-win.
I Tried to Learn a Tik-Tok Famous Dance as a 30-Year-Old: My Dignity Ranked (Worst to Best)
My attempt to learn a TikTok dance was a humbling and hilarious disaster. The worst part was the initial shock of seeing myself in the camera, a flurry of uncoordinated, flailing limbs that bore no resemblance to the smooth, effortless movements of the teenager in the tutorial. The best and most liberating part was when I finally gave up trying to be perfect and just embraced the ridiculousness of it all. The final video was a mess, but I was laughing so hard I was crying. My dignity was at an all-time low, but my mood was at an all-time high.
Ranking the Most Common and Frustrating Aspects of Music Copyright (Worst to Best)
Music copyright is a confusing and frustrating minefield. The most frustrating aspect is the aggressive, automated copyright claim system on platforms like YouTube, where a five-second clip of a song in the background can get your entire video taken down or demonetized. It’s like having a hyper-sensitive, robotic security guard that can’t tell the difference between a real thief and someone who accidentally brushed up against the wall. It creates a chilling effect on creativity and fair use, and it’s a constant headache for content creators.
I Analyzed the “Secret Meanings” Behind 10 Famous Song Lyrics (Worst to Best)
My dive into lyrical analysis revealed that sometimes, a blue curtain is just a blue curtain. The worst and most far-fetched interpretations are the wild, unsubstantiated fan theories that involve secret societies or hidden messages that are clearly not there. The best and most insightful analyses are the ones that are confirmed by the artist or are supported by a deep understanding of their life and the historical context of the song. These can reveal a beautiful, hidden layer of meaning that can completely change how you hear a song you’ve loved for years.
Ranking the Best and Worst Breakup Anthems of All Time (Worst to Best)
A good breakup anthem is a powerful form of therapy. The worst are the whiny, self-pitying songs that just make you want to wallow in your sadness. The absolute best and most empowering breakup anthems are the ones that are full of righteous anger, defiant independence, and a triumphant sense of self-worth. Songs like “I Will Survive” are not just about a breakup; they are a declaration of resilience and a powerful reminder that you are not just going to be okay, you are going to be better than ever.
I Compared the Audio Quality of 5 Different Bluetooth Speakers for a Party (Worst to Best)
My party speaker test separated the boom from the buzz. The worst speaker was a small, cheap model that produced a thin, tinny sound that distorted horribly the moment I turned up the volume. It was completely useless for a party. The best Bluetooth speaker, however, was a true powerhouse. It delivered a rich, full sound with a deep, punchy bass that could fill the entire room without any distortion. It wasn’t just louder; the quality of the sound was so much better that it completely transformed the energy and atmosphere of the party.
Ranking the Most Important and Overlooked Debut Albums (Worst to Best)
A debut album is a band’s first statement to the world. The most overlooked but important debuts are often the ones that were not huge commercial hits but were incredibly influential, planting the seeds for a whole new genre. The best and most legendary debut albums, however, are the rare and magical ones that arrive as a fully-formed, flawless masterpiece. An album like Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses was not a hint of a great band to come; it was a confident, explosive, and perfect declaration that one of the greatest bands in the world had just arrived.
I Tried to Busk on a Street Corner for an Afternoon: My Earnings Ranked (Worst to Best)
My afternoon of busking was a brutal lesson in public indifference. The worst part was the first hour, a constant stream of people walking by and actively avoiding eye contact. The feeling of being completely invisible was soul-crushing. The absolute best and most redeeming moment was when a single person stopped, listened to an entire song with a smile on their face, and dropped a few dollars in my guitar case. That one, small moment of genuine human connection was more valuable than all the money I made that day. My earnings were terrible, but my appreciation for that one person was immense.
Ranking the Most Common and Annoying Things About “Music Snobs” (Worst to Best)
Music snobs can suck the joy out of any conversation. A common annoyance is when they dismiss an entire genre of music as “not real music.” The most common and annoying thing about music snobs, however, is their love of the phrase “I liked them before they were cool.” It’s a condescending and insecure statement that frames music not as a source of joy to be shared, but as a form of social currency to prove how cool and unique they are. It turns a beautiful, communal art form into a petty competition.
I Compared the Catalog of 5 Different “Classic Rock” Radio Stations (Worst to Best)
My week of listening to classic rock radio was a journey into a very small room. The worst station seemed to have a playlist of about 30 songs that it played on a constant, maddening loop. It was like being trapped in a Groundhog Day of classic rock. The best station had a slightly deeper and more adventurous catalog, occasionally playing a deep cut or a lesser-known artist. But even the best station was a powerful reminder that the incredible, diverse universe of “classic rock” has been condensed by corporate radio into the same few hundred songs.
Ranking the Best and Worst “Guilty Pleasure” Songs We All Secretly Love (Worst to Best)
The concept of a “guilty pleasure” in music is a strange one. The “worst” guilty pleasures are the ones that are genuinely, objectively bad songs that we love for purely nostalgic or ironic reasons. The “best” guilty pleasure songs, however, are the ones that we shouldn’t feel guilty about at all. They are the incredibly catchy, well-crafted pop songs that are often dismissed as being “cheesy” by music snobs. There is no guilt in loving a song that is an undeniable, joy-inducing banger.
I Tried to Teach Myself How to DJ Using a Beginner Controller for a Month (Worst to Best)
My month of learning to DJ was a frustrating but rewarding journey. The absolute worst and hardest part was learning how to beatmatch by ear. Trying to perfectly align the tempos of two different songs felt like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach while running a marathon; it was a humbling, mind-bending exercise in coordination. The absolute best and most euphoric moment was the first time I executed a seamless, perfect transition between two songs. The feeling of creating that smooth, continuous flow of energy was a powerful and addictive jolt of creative satisfaction.
Ranking the Most Common and Frustrating Realities of Being in a Local Band (Worst to Best)
Being in a local band is a labor of love. A common frustration is arguing over the setlist. The most common and frustrating reality, however, is playing a show to a nearly empty room after spending weeks promoting it. The feeling of pouring your heart and soul out on stage for the bartender and three of your friends is a uniquely humbling and soul-crushing experience. It’s a rite of passage for almost every band, and it’s the moment that separates the people who are in it for the glory from those who are in it for the love of the music.
I Analyzed the Samples Used in 10 Famous Hip-Hop Songs (Worst to Best)
My deep dive into hip-hop samples was a masterclass in creativity. The least impressive samples are the “loops,” where a producer just takes a well-known, four-bar section of a song and puts a drum beat over it. The most impressive and brilliant sampling, however, is the “chop.” This is where a producer takes a tiny, unrecognizable snippet of a song—a single drum hit, a vocal inflection—and re-contextualizes it, building an entirely new and original piece of music. It’s not just copying; it’s a form of musical alchemy, transforming old sounds into new gold.
Ranking the Best and Worst Carpool Karaoke Episodes (Worst to Best)
Carpool Karaoke is all about the chemistry. The worst episodes are the ones where the celebrity guest is clearly uncomfortable and “too cool” for the format, resulting in an awkward, low-energy singalong. The absolute best episodes, however, are the ones where the guest completely buys in and is having the time of their life. When an artist like Adele or Paul McCartney is belting out their hits with genuine, infectious joy, it transcends the silly format and becomes a truly heartwarming and unforgettable piece of television.
I Compared the Setlists of the Same Band at the Beginning and End of a Tour (Worst to Best)
Analyzing a band’s setlists over a long tour reveals a clear evolution. The setlist at the beginning of the tour is often the “worst” in that it’s a bit rigid and experimental, with the band still figuring out the flow and which new songs connect with the audience. The setlist at the end of the tour, however, is a lean, mean, perfectly paced machine. The band has honed the show into a well-oiled, crowd-pleasing spectacle, with a dynamic flow that takes the audience on a true emotional journey. It’s the difference between a dress rehearsal and a flawless opening night.
Ranking the Most Important and Overlooked Music Documentaries (Worst to Best)
Music documentaries can be a simple biography or a profound cultural document. The most overlooked but important are the ones that are not about a famous superstar, but about the unsung heroes of music, like “The Wrecking Crew” or “20 Feet from Stardom.” These films shine a light on the incredible session musicians and backup singers behind the hits, giving them their long-overdue moment in the spotlight. They are not just stories about music; they are powerful and often heartbreaking stories about the passion, sacrifice, and anonymity of a life dedicated to art.
I Tried to Create a “Perfect” Workout Playlist Using Music Science Principles (Worst to Best)
My scientific workout playlist experiment had a noticeable effect. The worst part of my workout was when I let my playlist shuffle randomly, and a slow, low-energy song came on in the middle of a hard set, completely killing my momentum. The best and most effective part was when I intentionally structured the playlist to match my workout, with a gradual warm-up, a peak of high-tempo, high-energy songs for the hardest part of my workout, and a cool-down. The right song at the right time was like a powerful, legal performance-enhancing drug that genuinely helped me push harder.
Ranking the Most Impactful and Overrated Music Genres of the Last 50 Years (Worst to Best)
Looking back at the last 50 years, not all genres have had the same lasting impact. The most overrated, for me, were some of the subgenres of 80s hair metal, which were hugely popular for a moment but left very little lasting influence on the broader musical landscape. The most impactful and important genre of the last 50 years, without a doubt, has been hip-hop. It has not only become the dominant force in popular music, but its influence on fashion, language, and culture is so profound and widespread that it has fundamentally changed the entire world.