‘Autotuned atrocity’: The worst songs of 2022 from Jennifer Lopez to Kanye West

Even superstars such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna — not to mention the genius formally known as Kanye West — can make us rethink how we ever loved them.

Here are the five worst songs of 2022 by artists who we know could — and should — do better.

1. RuPaul, “Smile”

We love you, Ru — as much as you have taught us to love ourselves — but this autotuned atrocity is so not worthy of you. We’d rather put “Supermodel (You Better Work)” on repeat for 24 hours straight than listen to this grimacing disgrace.

2. Jennifer Lopez, “Love of My Life”

Cheers to The Bronx’s own J.Lo for getting hitched to the love of her life, Ben Affleck, in 2022 — but there simply must be better songs that money can buy for a diva of her stature. This dismal ditty from the “Marry Me” soundtrack is enough to make you stay single for good.

Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez has found love again with new husband Ben Affleck, but the hunt for good new songs continues.
Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

3. Rihanna, “Born Again”

While “Lift Me Up” was the kind of left-curve comeback that had us excited for the next chapter of Mama Rihanna’s career — to be continued at the Super Bowl halftime show in February — this “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” ballad was a pale imitation when we wanted beats, Ri-Ri!

Kanye West
On top of all his controversy in 2022, Kanye West failed to deliver any good music.
AFP via Getty Images

4. Kanye West featuring Alicia Keys and Fivio Foreign, “City of Gods”

Let’s be real — it was hard to listen to anything by Ye in 2022. Separating the artist from the art was pretty much impossible. But the fact that this “Donda 2” track wanted to be another “Empire State of Mind” just makes it hurt even more. 

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga failed to hit her highest heights for her “Top Gun: Maverick” tune “Hold My Hand.”
Getty Images for Live Nation

5. Lady Gaga, “Hold My Hand”

It’s not that “Hold My Hand” — the “Top Gun: Maverick” ’80s power ballad that is probably the frontrunner to win the Best Original Song Oscar next year — is so terrible. But whoa, it sure makes “Shallow” — Gaga’s Academy Award-winning “A Star is Born” tune — look way deeper. And it most definitely fails to take our breath away like Berlin did on the original “Top Gun” soundtrack in 1986.

You May Also Like

Florida completes epic comeback to beat Houston for first March Madness national championship since 2007

After pulling off a stunning comeback in the Final Four, Houston was…

Mets continue pitching dominance in shutout win over Marlins

On a chilly April night during which several players donned ski masks…

A cop killer’s possible parole: Letters to the Editor — April 8, 2025

The Issue: David McClary facing a Parole Board that has recently sprung…

GOP Senate Squishes Standing by to Snatch Trump's Tariffs

Who needs enemies with stalwart friends like this? As stock markets…