Crazy Town's 'Butterfly' Ranked 13th Worst Song of All Time by WatchMojo

During the early 2000s, there was a highly memorable song that seemed to be everywhere for quite a while. In fact, the track became a huge hit, and it still represents that era for many people. Despite how completely embraced it was by listeners many years ago, that song has now been labeled as one of the worst in music history.

From 2000s Radio Juggernaut to Modern 'Worst Songs of All Time' Lists

On May 16, 2026, WatchMojo released its list of the "Top 20 Worst Songs of All Time." The ranking was topped by novelty tracks like "Baby Shark (Doo Doo)" by Pinkfong, "It's Everyday Bro" by Jake Paul, "Friday" by Rebecca Black, and "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" by The Buckwheat Boyz. After those songs and others, "Butterfly" by Crazy Town was ranked as the 13th worst song ever recorded.

The outlet's explanation for the nu-metal band's most famous song being included so high in its ranking was fascinating. Instead of instantly unloading on the song, it began by noting that the sample from the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song "Pretty Little Ditty" provided the "perfect backdrop" for "Butterfly." Additionally, it noted that rap rock was a music genre that people "either loved or hated."

However, the outlet moved on to list some very stiff critiques of "Butterfly." It called out the song for having "surface-level appeal," "incredibly awkward lyrics," an "inauthentic message," and feeling like "a relic that most listeners would rather forget."

There have been other criticisms leveled at "Butterfly" by Crazy Town that WatchMojo never mentioned. For example, some have accused the track of being a cynical cash grab because none of the band's other music sounded like that. Some have also argued that sampling such a gentle guitar riff from the Red Hot Chili Peppers track for a rap-rock song is jarring. Aside from the song's often nonsensical and arguably embarrassing lyrics, the biggest criticism it has faced focuses on how poorly it has aged.

The Two-Week Peak at the Top of the Billboard Charts

Originally released in October 2000, Crazy Town's "Butterfly" wasn't an immediate success. Weeks later, in January 2001, the track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, where it would stay for an impressive 23 weeks. The song eventually hit No. 1 on March 24, 2001, and it stayed on top for a second non-consecutive week.

In addition to becoming a major hit on the charts, "Butterfly" was such a big deal that it also began showing up in movies and TV shows. According to What-Song.com, the track could be heard in a 2001 episode of Undergrads and a movie from the same year, Saving Silverman. It would later appear in films like Orange County, Something's Gotta Give, and Sing.

Next: 52 Years Ago Today, a 1974 Track Voted One of the ‘Worst Songs of All Time' Hit No. 1

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 6:45 AM.