Those results are presented below. The margin for error is Zero. Of passing interest, perhaps, it has been determined that the absolute worst year for music in America was 1974. Nearly as bad: 1973. Another conclusion: Disco backlash was still in effect.

We at B.A.D.D. urge enterprising young culture researchers to carry on this important work, because we suspect that in the intervening years, several more songs of a terrible nature have been released. We are thinking now of Miss Celine Dion and Mr. Michael Bolton, but these are hunches, and have not been verified scientifically.

We also encourage readers who agree or disagree with our findings to write to us and engage us in hearty debate. Nothing we like more than hearty debate. Letters and electronic mail may be sent to the addresses below. Thank you.

• 1. YMCA, The Village People
  
• 2. Macho Man, The Village People
  
• 3. You Light Up My Life, Debbie Boone
  
• 4. We Are the World, USA For Africa
  
• 5. To All the Girls I've Loved Before, Julio & Willie
  

• 6. In the Navy, The Village People
  
• 7. (You're) Having My Baby, Paul Anka
  
• 8. I Write the Songs, Barry Manilow
  
• 9. The Girl Is Mine, Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
  
• 10. Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree, Tony Orlando & Dawn
  

• 11. Ebony & Ivory, Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
  
• 12. Puttin' On The Ritz, Taco
  
• 13. Feelings, Morris Albert
  
• 14. Hello, Lionel Richie
  
• 15. Love Will Keep Us Together, The Captain & Tennille
  

• 16. The Candy Man, Sammy Davis, Jr.
  
• 17. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, Air Supply
  
• 18. Eye Of The Tiger, Survivor
  
• 19. Ben, Michael Jackson
  
• 20. Cherish, Kook & The Gang
  

• 21. Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, Wayne Newton
  
• 22. You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Neil Diamond & Barbra Streisand
  

• 23. Tragedy, The Bee Gees
  
• 24. Let Me In, John Travolta
  
• 25. Tie: Torn Between Two Lovers, Mary Macgregor
  

  Me And You And A Dog Named Boo, Lobo
  

• 26. Tie: Don't Give Up On Us Baby, David Soul
  Sweet & Innocent, Donny Osmond
  
• 27. Escape (The Piña Colada Song), Rupert Holmes
  
• 28. I've Never Been To Me, Charlene
  
• 29. Billy, Don't Be A Hero, The Heywoods
  
• 30. Tie: Seasons In The Sun, Terry Jacks
  Method of Modern Love, Hall & Oates
  

• 31. Saturday Night, The Bay City Rollers
  
• 32. Tie: Think Of Laura, Christopher Cross
  Islands In the Stream, Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
  
• 33. You Take My Breath Away, Rex Smith
  
• 34. Shaddup Ya Face, Joe Dolce
  
• 35. Half-Breed, Cher
  

• 36. Three Times A Lady, The Commodores
  
• 37. I Honestly Love You, Olivia Newton-John
  
• 38. Sometimes When We Touch, Dan Hill
  
• 39. Bad Blood, Neil Sedaka
  
• 40. Tie: The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Vicki Lawrence
  Fernando, Abba