Songs you didn't like the first time you heard them, but Now Love?

[Wallingford]

> > > then something happened.

Pat Benatar: Hell is for Children.

The first time I heard this song, I thought, "what the?"

But then I heard the meaning of the song, and how she sings the song at every event. Once I knew the true meaning of the song, and her charitable work with children, I listened to the song from a different perspective. Now I like it.

America: Magic

What a slow tempo, synth pop, boring song this is. The lyrics don't tell an exciting story. The music is not dramatic. And this song was played several times a day to the point of overexposure. So not good.

But then a friend of mine bought a new stereo and he was demonstrating some of the balance functions. Magic came on the radio, and at a much higher volume that I usually listen, there are layers of music and instruments that you can't even hear at low volume. Listen to this song; but listen to it loud.

Tavares: Penny For Your Thoughts

A penny for your thoughts, a nickel for a kiss. What is this, low level prostitution? At the very best, it is slow and boring.

But then a classmate was singing this song quietly before first class one morning. That morning I had a "growing up" moment. Rather than beg her to stop singing that boring song that I hate, I simply let someone do something she enjoyed doing.

I still don't like the song; but every time I hear it now, I think of her and the 22 of us that went first through twelfth grade together. And with that in mind, the song is not completely unpleasant.

Natalie Merchant: Carnival

Usually, I enjoy some ambiguity in songs. But this song is so disjointed and bounces from thought to thought. Or so I thought.

Twenty years later, I have a good understanding of the vendors and the dealers and poverty and wealth and what my eyes have seen. What have they seen?

[Karmafan]

Ever have a song that you hated when it 1st came out and yet now years later you really like it? Back in 1972 I was a kid and when Todd Rundgren's "Hello Its me" came out I hated that song. Now years later whenever the song plays on the radio or my iphone I really like listening to it. The same thing happened with Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out".

Have you ever really hated a song in your youth but now enjoy hearing it?

[rbn]

When the song "Walking On The Sun" came out, I thought it was too, jingly sounding, and a while later, I actually listened to the words and I was like "Damn! that's kinda crazy." and I've liked it ever since.

[NoTrouble]

This one is sure to elicit a few jeers but here goes.

I hated "MacArthur Park" the first few times but it has founds it's way into my brain ...

Someone left the cake out in the rain
I don't think that I can take it
'Cause it took so long to bake it
And I'll never have that recipe again

[zoan06]

I wasn't a fan of The Beatles' song "Fool on the Hill". Then I heard a live version by Yellow Matter Custard and I was like "Ok, why did I hate that song?" Now it's one of my favorites.

[stevenkres]

when i first heard "Downeaster Alexa" by Billy Joel, i did not like it, but after hearing it a few times, i fell in love with the song :-)