Guilty Pleasures: 5 cheesy pop classics that we hate to love

The best guilty pleasure songs out there.

Even the hardest of hard bast*rds nod their head to the cheesiest tunes out there. Usually, we would request that you hang your head in shame, but f**k it - it's Christmas week. This list is very subjective of course, but we're aiming for the catchiest songs that are highly uncool to like as a man. Here are just five of the best.

Relight My Fire - Take That

You couldn't get less cool than liking Take That in the mid 90s, this was the era of Oasis and Blur for heaven's sake. However, we defy any man not to be taken by this cracker. We're not mad about Lulu's contribution, but the rest is pop cheese at its finest. Is it just us who are reminded of The Premiership Years every time we hear this? Some tune. https://youtu.be/40Od45DjCA4 Clip via YouTube/TakeThatVEVO

Toxic - Britney Spears

Britney's greatest triumph, in this writer's eyes - a classic from the first second. Released in 2003, this was played repeatedly for weeks on end. We resisted it for ages because it wasn't on for any self-respecting chap to like Britney's music. It got the better of us in the end, though. A belter of a hit, with a handy video to boot. https://youtu.be/LOZuxwVk7TU Clip via YouTube/BritneySpearsVEVO

Stars - Simply Red

We only really properly listened to the lyrics of this song recently; they're a bit mad to be honest. But, my word, what a hook. This song is so of its time it's almost criminal, and that's why we love it. Fun game; picture the most moody and serious person you know singing this passionately - always cracks a smile. Sing it for us one more time, Mick. https://youtu.be/izOdvBmTDh0 Clip via YouTube/Simply Red

Careless Whisper - George Michael

Oh George, you really cut to the core of us with this number. We hope he was able to dance again, guilt-free, because he deserves to after this effort. To be honest, this song is made about 27% better due to that killer hairstyle. Who's does your hair, Michael? It's terrific. https://youtu.be/izGwDsrQ1eQ Clip via YouTube/georgemichaelVEVO

More Than Words - Extreme

This is on the border of being okay to like, it's just that its credibility takes a hit because the tune is on the tender side of "feelings". Still though, we'll turn this up to 11 anytime we hear it on the radio (which is rare enough) and the more we listen the more we like. By the way, we don't know if you've tried it, but singing along to the whole tune is a struggle on the ol' vocal chords. Try it out this Christmas! https://youtu.be/UrIiLvg58SY Clip via YouTube/ExtremeVEVO