Aparna Nancherla hates the creepy vibes of “Sweat (A La La Long)”

In HateSong, we ask our favorite musicians, writers, comedians, actors, and so forth to expound on the one song they hate most in the world.
The hater: A comedian who blends dry absurdism with a little bit of social awkwardness, Aparna Nancherla just released her debut stand-up LP, Just Putting It Out There, on Tig Notaro’s new label, Bentzen Ball Records. Though she was a correspondent for Totally Biased With W. Kamau Bell, Nancherla isn’t so much a political comedian as she is one who’s interested in all aspects of life.
Nancherla is currently on the road in support of Just Putting It Out There, and her tour dates can be found on her website.
The hated: Inner Circle, “Sweat (A La La Long)” (1992)
The A.V. Club: Why is this the song you picked? It’s one of those tracks that you might not know the name of, but you’ll know the music.
Aparna Nancherla: First of all, I always forget that this song exists. I feel like I first heard it maybe in middle school or high school? It’s kind of catchy. I feel like they play it at parties. But then, if you actually listen to the words, it’s fairly disturbing, because it just feels like the guy is creeping on this woman, and then is just weird and aggressive in his pursuit. It’s the whole “push it, more if you cry out” part. I think that’s the part where I think, “I don’t know if that sits well with me.”
AVC: Actually listening to pop lyrics can really sour you on a song.
AN: Right. And I feel like with some songs, it’s like everyone is dancing. No one is really paying attention.
I don’t think it’s a song where people are necessarily always singing along, but I feel like if you do, you’re like, “Ugh, this is kind of weird,” at least if you actually say the lyrics to yourself.