Guilty Pleasures: Why there’s nothing wrong with loving cheesy pop

Music is a funny thing.

On the one hand it's a deeply personal pleasure that transports you to your own private universe. On the other, it helps define you to the outside world. The latter means we're not always honest about the former. When reputation is at stake, you don't always want to admit to secretly liking Taylor Swift. It's why students and middle-aged men alike wear t-shirts displaying their love for Joy Division or the Ramones, in spite of never owning one of their albums. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqK-i6KSY88 For men especially, music is one of those ice-breakers - like football or favourite TV shows - that helps forge groups and galvanise friendships. Fundamental to that is the importance of credibility. You don't want to seem uncool or be *that* d**khead who listens to the wrong radio station. The thing is, you can't help what you enjoy. And the kind of bubblegum pop that you're meant to dismiss as the scourge of 'proper' music can be f**king excellent. The chances are each of your mates has their secret favourite too. Not all music requires you to rock out with our c**k out, or sit there in quiet contemplation at the complexities of life. Sometimes, it can just be...well, fun. That's why we're having a pop amnesty in the JOE office. There's nothing wrong with loving Morrissey and MMMBop; sometimes we're in the mood for NWA, others we love a bit of Britney. Here are a few of our guilty pleasures. Join us in removing the cloak of pretension and admitting yours...

Ben:

Miami Sound Machine/Gloria Estefan - Dr. Beat (1984) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAEil3_D03k

Kevin:

B*Witched - C'est La Vie (1998) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvjLgjtJKsc

Kristian:

Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy (1989) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sw54Pdh_m8

Lia:

Mariah Carey - Dreamlover (1993) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqBtS6BIP1E

Matt:

Backstreet Boys - Everybody (Backstreet's Back) (1996) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M6samPEMpM

Noz:

'N Sync - Gone (2001)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbRwSI8yi1o

Simon:

Five - Keep on Movin' (1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbWJVult-9M

Tom:

The Ataris - The Boys of Summer (2003) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt6Lkgs0kiU