New Friday feature
I’m putting off my followup post on Sam Harris’s The End of Faith until next week, so that I can inaugurate a new Friday feature: arbitrary but fun value judgments!
We’ll kick this off with an easy one. Nick Lowe’s “Cruel to Be Kind” is the most perfect pop song ever written. Agreed?
I suppose that some of you will want to know the parameters of this here value judgment before chiming in. Reasonable enough. First and foremost, this blog does not recognize any firm distinction between “rock” and “pop.” We do not think that the former category is inhabited by edgy artists and assorted Culture Heroes whereas the latter is inhabited by Tommy James and the Shondells. In fact, our eyes roll back in our heads (yes, we have plural heads) at the mere mention of “rockism.” Still, it remains true that if a song has too much fire and/or grit and/or passion in it, it exceeds the “Cruel to Be Kind” standard in obvious ways. “Cruel to Be Kind” is airtight: there are no hidden emotional depths, no sudden bursts of instrumental virtuosity, no startling production quirks, no compositional seams. Just a simple C-E minor-F-G chord progression (up to A minor in the choruses), a preternaturally catchy melody, and a clever little (but not too clever! – this is crucial) rhyme on “bona fide/ coincide” in the first verse (and no, of course Nick doesn’t pronounce it “bona feeday.” That wouldn’t work).
So, for instance, applying these standards to some of the Beatles’ finest, “Nowhere Man” is clearly in this league (and Paul’s bass line is brilliant without being distractingly brilliant), but those mildly supercilious lyrics give it just a hint of Social Content, and you lose points for Social Content. “And Your Bird Can Sing” would work too, except for its semi-opaque, almost Steely Danian lyrics. “She Loves You” is just about right. And “I Should Have Known Better” is nearly indistinguishable from “Cruel to Be Kind,” when you think about it. C-G7-A minor-F, though what’s that cute E7 doing in the bridge? That’s extra.
Or, back to the New Wave/ pure pop for now people genre, Elvis Costello’s “Lip Service” is a nearly perfect pop song. “Lipstick Vogue,” by contrast, is way too intense. The Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang” is a great pop song with a fabulous bridge on “making us part.” But X-Ray Spex’ “The Day the World Turned Day-Glo” is way too intense. Blondie’s “11:59” works, the Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime” . . . yep, you got it, too intense (though we’ll take “Pulled Up,” from Talking Heads 77). The surface of the perfect pop song is clear and untroubled; and below the surface . . . there is no below the surface. See “no emotional depths,” above.
Other possibilities, from random decades: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, “Goin’ to a Go-Go”; the Replacements, “I Will Dare”; Shocking Blue, “Venus”; Londonbeat, “I’ve Been Thinking about You.” Sugar’s “Believe What You’re Saying” and Prince’s “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” are two of my favorite songs in the world – don’t hum them, now, or you won’t be able to stop for hours – but for some reason Bob Mould and Prince decided to write about a painful breakup and a woman who’s been abandoned “with a baby and another one on the way,” respectively. Songwriters. Go figure. See also, under this heading, the Lemonheads’ “It’s a Shame About Ray” and Ted Leo, “Me and Mia.”
As always, suggestions welcome. Keep ‘em arbitrary – and fun!
This deserves further reflection, but I agree “Cruel To Be Kind” is a worthy contender. One thing you didn’t mention, it has the greatest key change head fake ever heading into Dave Edmunds’ downright anthemic (but in a pop way) guitar solo.
Another possibilty of the top of my head - Paul McCartney’s “Come and Get It” as done by Badfinger.
Posted by corndog on 04/22 at 10:50 AMI’ll throw out Matthew Sweet’s “I’ve Been Waiting” ("Girlfriend," the next song on the album might have made it, but Quine’s twisting wreck of a solo is makes it way too intense) and, staying on the “wait” tip Steve Earle’s “I can Wait.”
Both beautifully one-dimensional, short, and satisfying.
Posted by on 04/22 at 10:59 AMHard to beat “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Or pretty much anything from the Replacements.
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:11 AMSqueeze, “Pulling Mussels From a Shell.”
Posted by Patrick Nielsen Hayden on 04/22 at 11:13 AMBuddy Holly, “Oh Boy.” I’ve loved his stuff since I was a kid, and this song just plain resonates on many levels. Nothing better than being surprised to hear it somewhere. “Stars appearin’/the shadows are falling/you can hear my heart a-callin’.” If I had a second choice, it would be Lucinda Williams, “Essence.” But I like your Lowe choice too. There’s got to be a bounce—hard to describe, but I’ll bet everyone knows what I mean.
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:23 AMMy favorite in the can’t stop humming category is the Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man”, but I suppose by the stated standards those pesky lyrics get in the way… How about Split Enz with “I Got You”?
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:27 AMHelp. 2:16 minutes of pure pop for now people. Best pop singer ever; best beginning of a song, ever; driving relentlessly forward, not to complicated, and ends at just the right time. Lowe had several that could qualify--Marie Provost or So It Goes for instance. Mussels and Tempted by Squeeze also considered. But I must stick with Help.
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:31 AMHow about the La’s “There She Goes”
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:37 AMThe Who, “The Kids are Alright” or most anything by XTC or maybe some Utopia or hell, “Billie Jean” off MJ’s “Thriller.”
The lesson, grasshopper, is that there is no perfect pop single. There is only the perfect single for the moment. It is also impossible for a single to be perfect unless it is heard while you are driving a car. Merely being a passanger is insufficient.
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:44 AMIt’s hard to argue with many of these suggestions, especially _Pulling Mussels from a Shell._ Wow.
Still, I’ll add my 2 cents (uh, songs):
XTC’s _Dear Madam Barnum_ and _The Mayor of Simpleton_. Geez Louise, it’s wonderful to hear perfection, no?
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:47 AMBob Mould’s work with Sugar is some of the most astounding power pop I’ve heard. The “campfire version” of “Believe What You’re Saying” is just stellar. Good stuff.
Posted by John King on 04/22 at 11:47 AMBlondie, “Dreaming.” For sheer drum-generated energy. But yes, “Pulling Mussels from a Shell.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:52 AMHow about 867-5309?
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:54 AMTemptations- Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
Crowded House- Don’t Dream it’s Over
Jackson 5- ABCPosted by Matt on 04/22 at 11:56 AMExcept for the reference to “Oh Boy” above, y’all been barking up the wrong tree:
The Cardigans “Lovefool”
Bobby Fuller “Let Her Dance”
The Del-Vikings “Come Go with Me”
The Gin Blossoms “T’ill I Hear It from You”
The Who “Mary Ann with the Shaky Hands”
The Left Bank “She May Call You Up Tonight”You’re welcome.
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:01 PM"If It Don’t Work Out” by the Zombies. Not so much as song as a tractor beam of joy. And it has one of the best bridges ever.
(Nice cover by Dusty S, but the original has the better arrangement).
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:02 PMCome on! XTC’s “Mayor of Simpleton”! That 12-string Rick arpeggio provides a thematic backbone that’s reflected in every other phrase in the song—a compositional trick that’s just about Bach-ian in its fiendish cleverness. But that’s just muso jibber-jabber—how about that middle eight, which nods naughtily at the Fabs’ _Misery_ (another contender, dontcha think?), how it just tumbles magnificently back into the verse ("I can’t put on an act/It takes brains to do that anyway (and anyway...)”
As for lyrical content, how much more brainless (in a good way) can you get than a shameless cop of Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World”?
But “Cruel to be Kind“‘s pretty good too.
(Look at that: Some addlewit’s gone and posted a drooling, worshipful paean to <a href ="http://byneddiejingo.blogspot.com/2005/02/how-to-write-earworm.html"> Andy Partridge’s effortless songwriting skillz.</a>
Posted by Neddie Jingo on 04/22 at 12:03 PMthe Spinners, I’ll Be There
Pete Townsend, Let My Love Open the DoorPosted by julia on 04/22 at 12:11 PMI love reggae, so I’m going to mix things up by throwing in a couple of reggae tunes:
Sweet Sensation - The Melodians
You Can Get It If You Really Want - Jimmy Cliff
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Dream Land - Bunny Wailer
It’s tough because this “perfect pop” category doesn’t have much room for anything “dreader than dread,” and you have to accept a slower pace for sweetness of reggae (and rocksteady, if you want to be picky about the first song), but there you have it.Posted by on 04/22 at 12:20 PMIf we’re venturing into Gin Blossoms territory, i think “Hey Jealousy” and “Found Out About You” far outstrip “Til I Hear It From You.” I also think Soul Asylum’s “Somebody To Shove” is worth mention, as are Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefiend,” Journey’s “Separate Ways,” The Pixies’ “Wave of Mutilation,” and “Tony’s Theme.”
That said, my vote goes to The Replacements’ “Can’t Hardly Wait.”
Posted by other zach on 04/22 at 12:23 PMBrimful of Asha - Cornershop
Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth
Keeping the Faith - Billy Joel
Cannonball - The BreedersPosted by Paul on 04/22 at 12:25 PMI’d defer to John Peel on that one: the perfect rock/pop song is clearly “Teenage Kicks” by the Undertones, with “Lover will tear us apart” by Joy Division a close second and “New England” by Billy Bragg tied.
Posted by Steinn Sigurdsson on 04/22 at 12:26 PMDitto on “There She Goes” and XTC’s “Mayor O’ Simpleton”, to which I’ll add their sublime “Ten Feet Tall”.
More greats from that super fab ‘78-82 new wave pop period:
Bangles - superb cover of “Going down to Liverpool”
Soft Boys - “Queen of Eyes”, possibly disqualified by the usual Hitchcock lyrical biology professor-isms.
Costello - “New Amsterdam” or “Accidents”
Buzzcocks - “Love You More” and a dozen others.
Cure -"Boys Don’t Cry” - big dumb great riff.
Pretenders - “Kid” - chorus-ed guitar heaven.
Records - “Starry Eyes”, best pop song with least-pop-songy lyrics.My own humble attempt at the genre:
The Jennifers - “You’re My Star”: http://www.thejennifers.com/youremystar.mp3-John I
Posted by John I on 04/22 at 12:43 PMWe’ll kick this off with an easy one. Nick Lowe’s “Cruel to Be Kind” is the most perfect pop song ever written. Agreed?
It’s right up there with “Save It For Later” by the English Beat. :=)
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:44 PM> “Teenage Kicks” by the Undertones
double-agree. Follow-up with anything off of “Singles Going Steady” by the buzzcocks. which isn’t pop, but who cares?
Yo La Tengo’s “Sugarcube” is my heart the perfect pop single.
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:51 PMAs long as we’re discussing XTC, I’d throw in a vote for “Life Begins at The Hop.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:53 PMdmh, did you know that on “One” they cut the intrumental into off of “Help”. I was so disappointed.
My entry for perfect pop tune is “My Little Red Book” performed by The Rumour, written by Burt Bachrach.
What about dancibility? Can you dance to “Cruel to be Kind”? I know you can dance to “My Little Red Book” because I saw Peter O’Toole do it in “What’s New Pussycat?” Ya gotta be able to dance to it for a pop tune to be perfect.
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:56 PMThis ("if a song has too much fire and/or grit and/or passion in it, it exceeds the ‘Cruel to Be Kind’ standard in obvious ways") is a bit of a cheat, designed to put Nick Lowe at the top of the list (not that I’m against a vote for “Marie Provost"). Nonetheless, I’ll nominate:
“I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.
Posted by Steven Rubio on 04/22 at 12:56 PMgrr, “into” above should be “intro”.
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:57 PMI second the “Mayor of Simpleton” nomination, but when it comes to voting, Velvet Underground’s “Rock n’ Roll” gets my vote for the perfect pop song.
Posted by apostropher on 04/22 at 12:57 PMBeachboys, California Girls
Jan and Dean, Dead Man’s CurvePosted by on 04/22 at 12:57 PMToo Intense?? Too Intense?? Lipstick Vogue is clearly the best Pop Song ever written....
I am also a big fan of “The Good Life” by The Urban Verbs, but thats not a group people outside of DC may have ever heard.
Nick Lowe is always at the top of my list, though, so its hard to argue with your selection too much.
Posted by on 04/22 at 12:59 PMI nominate “We Got The Beat” by the Go-Go’s and “What I like about you” by the Romantic’s-both perfect little pop gems from my HS glory days.
round and round and round, whooo...
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:05 PMI would vote for “Cannonball” as well, but apparently the lyrics are about the Marquis de Sade. Does that imply some sort of social context?
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:07 PMThe Who, “Can’t Explain.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:08 PMWell, duh, the perfect pop song is “Sex Bomb Baby” by Flipper. I thought everyone knew that…
But in the spirit of this, your terms essentially disqualify anything by Big Star, Chris Bell, Badfinger so…
“I Hear a Symphony” Supremes
“So Sad About Us” The Who
“Surrender” Cheap Trick
a bunch of buzzcocks songs but I’ll choose “You Say You Don’t Love Me”
“California Girls” Beach Boys
“Ohm Sweet Ohm” KraftwerkPosted by on 04/22 at 01:08 PMBasher, god love ‘im, is certainly at the top of the list, though I give the nod to “I Knew the Bride” (Dave Edmunds Get It version) for the even-more-slightly clever theme and that “jumpin’ up an’ down to her favorite song” after the 8-bar break. Might have to have a run-off with “Summertime Blues”, though. Teenaged angst, killer backbeat, and a punchline.
Lots of good choices above, per usual. For the Fabs, how about “We Can Work It Out”? And is the chart for “Allison” too complicated?
Posted by Doghouse Riley on 04/22 at 01:12 PMNo, no, no! How can so many smart people be wrong?
In the world of most perfect pop song ever written, who can you deny “Good Lovin’” by The Rascalsits rightful place?
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:15 PMXTC’s “Mayor O’ Simpleton” is the gold standard of pop songs. Ear candy if you don’t analyse it; brain candy if you do.
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:25 PMThe all time, no argument, greatest pop song ever:
Joni Mitchell—You Turn Me On (I’m a Radio)
Runner-up:
Al Green—Love & Happiness
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:30 PMOoh, I have to backup bstraub on Good Lovin’ - that has definitely been under-represented here!
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:31 PMMore XTC: “Earn Enough for Us”. Sure, it’s about a young couple’s money problems . . . but they make it sound so fun!
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:31 PMI graduated from high school in 1981 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, so I would be remiss not to give a shout-out to the Romantics’ “What I like About You.”
Also supremely succeptible to early ‘70s radio that seeped into my consciousness at a young age, for example:
“Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again,” by I don’t remember whom.
“Hitchin’ a Ride” by ditto.
“I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”—Dionne Warwick.
“Midnight at the Oasis” (put your camel to bed!!!!—can there be a better pop line? especially in these contentious times?) by I forget.
“Wedding Bell Blues”—5th Dimension.
Though some of these probably have too many chords to make it past Michael’s filter. But not the Romantics!
Posted by John S. on 04/22 at 01:34 PMMy first thought was “Pulling Mussels from a Shell,” too, but come on, it can’t be the perfect pop song if you can’t understand the lyrics.
So instead I’ll be the first to nominate Joe Jackson: “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” Lucid, catchy, and it has a great bridge (which, if not a prerequisite, should garner at least 20 extra perfect-pop points). Second choice: either “Kid” or “What Keeps Mankind Alive?” (Waitsian version).
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:43 PMTotally agree with y’all on “Teenage Kicks” and would add “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker,” by the Ramones. Gotta agree with “Starry Eyes” (although is getting ripped off by your manager suitable material for a perfect pop song?), and Chrissy Hynde’s singing on “Kid” are swoon-worthy. And speaking of vocals, The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around” is one of the all-time finest male vocal performances, in my estimation. (I heard that song a couple of days after the election last year, and damned if it hasn’t become John Kerry’s theme song for me.)
Now for my picks: “Smile A Little Smile For Me,” by Flying Machine is a little maudlin, but it fits the bill for simplicty and catchiness. “Be My Baby,” by the Ronettes, hardly needs introduction, and its twin, The Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby,” is no slouch.
But, for my money, the most perfect and efficient pop song of all time is Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Two minutes, five seconds of insouciance, verve and sass—with not one wasted moment—and you’re humming it right now.
Posted by on 04/22 at 01:46 PMI’ll second the Zombies, but it’s clear that the greatest pop hit of the Zombies is “Care of Cell 44.”
And if we’re going with the Pixies, either “Head on,” “Debaser,” or “Gigantic.” Probably “Gigantic,” since “Debaser” is slightly about “Un Chien Andalou.”
Posted by Stu on 04/22 at 01:49 PM"Sunny Afternoon” or “Where Have All the Good Times Gone”—The Kinks.
See, it’s post-grinding guitars and proto-punk, but pre-Village Green introspection. Fertile pop territory.“Hey Ya”—Outkast.
Simple as hell, except for those tricky extra two beats.“You Can’t Judge a Book By It’s Cover”—Bo Diddley.
Big Star’s entire oeuvre is, unfortunately, marred by complexity and slurred vocals… so I nominate
“The Letter”—The Box Tops“Color of Her Eyes”—Gear Daddies
“Cut Your Hair” or “Gold Soundz”—Pavement
Posted by Alex on 04/22 at 01:58 PMThe Smithereens, “A Girl Like You”.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:06 PMI can’t believe I forgot about “Hey Jealousy” and “Save it for Later”! That’s what I get for blogging on the run while Jamie (who’s home from school today) plays computer pinball. Dunno about “Dreaming”—Clem Burke just doesn’t shut up on that one, and I say this with love, Clem, m’fren’. But a big yes to “Help!” And “I Knew the Bride,” check. Great transitions, cheeky lyrics, light touch throughout. Also a shout out to “Surrender,” “Good Lovin’,” “We Got the Beat,” “I’ll Be Around,” “Sheena is a Punk Rocker,” “Don’t Dream It’s Over.” Great suggestions all.
But if it’s reggae you want, mroberts, how about “Wait in Vain”? It’s got both bounce and lilt, and it’s drop-dead gorgeous. As for Joe Jackson, he came kind of late to the “how come I’m not getting laid even though I’m clearly the smartest guy in the room” branch of new wave, after Elvis and Graham Parker had done most of the heavy lifting, so I’d go with “One More Time” instead. And as for the Buzzcocks, it has to be “Ever Fallen in Love” or nothing else. Whereas the Ramones also qualify for “Rockaway Beach” and “I Wanna Be Sedated,” the latter of which brings up the question of whether songs with infectiously repetitive syllables (ba ba bamp ba/ ba ba ba bamp ba/ I wanna be sedated) deserve their own category.
And no, Badfinger is not disqualified. Who said they were?
But John S., I can’t believe you dredged up “Here Comes that Rainy Day Feeling Again,” by the Fortunes (who didn’t do “Hitchin’ a Ride”—that was Vanity Fare). It was my favorite song was I was nine, for the whole summer of 1971. Right up there with “Brandy” (Looking Glass) for early-70s AM classics. Indeed, there are those who claim that all modern music stems from “Brandy.” But they are loons.
Two more while we’re at it: “Needles and Pins.” All hail Sonny Bono (and Jack Nitzsche) for that one. And “I Fought the Law,” Bobby Fuller Four.
And finally, a metacomment in response to JDC’s
The lesson, grasshopper, is that there is no perfect pop single. There is only the perfect single for the moment.
This defense of an antifoundationalist conception of pop perfection is completely inappropriate to this thread, devoted as it is to discovering the one objectively perfect song. But as it happens, JDC, you’ve anticipated my Sam Harris post nicely.
Posted by Michael on 04/22 at 02:10 PMNone of you heretics have mentioned Saint Bob?
“Glad Girls” by Guided By Voices is up near the top of my list.
Also, let’s toss “Blue” by The Jayhawks up there as well.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:12 PMI love all the Andy Partridge/XTC props here, but his masterful and complex craftmanship doesn’t seem to fit Michael’s parameters very well. Following those parameters, I’m surprised Marshall Crenshaw hasn’t popped up yet. He has plenty of candidates, but I would nominate “Whenever You’re On My Mind.” Steve Lillywhite may have butchered the production, but there has never been a better, more gloriously ecstatic bridge.
My other candidate is quite obscure but exquisite ear candy from The Rubinoos - “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.” The only radio station it probably ever played on was WBRU-AM from 1983-1985, spun by your truly as part of “The Ralph, Bill, and Sam” show. But it has all the ringing guitars, sweet harmonies, romantic yearning and rockin’ propulsion you’d ever want in a power pop song.
Posted by corndog on 04/22 at 02:19 PM"Cruel to Be Kind is the most perfect pop song ever; I agree 100% with you.
Here are my other picks that come close.
Posted by mat on 04/22 at 02:19 PMAbba’s “Fernando” is the best pop song ever written, followed closely by “Dancing Queen.”
Honorable mentions go to:
Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”
Take That’s “Back For Good”
The Jam’s “Liza Radley”Kylie Minogue’s “I Could Be So Happy” is in the Astley stable (same writers and producers) and is also brilliantly poppy.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:21 PMMichael, I have to say that, despite my utter indifference to “cruel to be kind,” this post is a model for all would-be critics of pop-cultural artifacts. Rarely does anybody who acts as custodian of pop-culture coolness actually bother to articulate the criteria for establishing said coolness.
In fact, you may be breaking a key, but outmoded, rule, by doing so, in the same way that Wolfe’s *Right Stuff* test pilots would have been breaking the rules by actually talking about “the right stuff.” Note, in fact, that none of the American studies faculty in *White Noise* ever bothered to say *why* it was cool to drive with your eyes closed, brush your teeth with your finger, or urinate in a bathroom sink. Props to you, though, for doing precisely--especially given the cult of personality that has, whether you wanted it to or not, sprung up around you in the last several years.
Charismatic people who also vocalize their tastes in all things pop-culture should remember from time to time to make their evaluation criteria explicit, if for no other reason than to keep those of us who do like, say, Abbey Road, from wondering what the hell is wrong with us. Now, just to ensure that you all will be wondering what the hell is wrong with me, let me say that I did, and do, like perhaps the popppiest song of all, “Mmmm Bob,” by Hanson.
Let the shelling begin.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:21 PMthe husband wants to put in a bid on Blue Swede’s Hooked on a Feeling
Posted by julia on 04/22 at 02:24 PMThe Pretenders’ “Back on the Chain Gang” is a great pop song with a fabulous bridge on “making us part.”
Eh...it doesn’t hold a candle to “Brass in Pocket,” which I’ve always considered one of the most perfect pieces of pop songwriting ever.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:25 PMI guess we’re all showing our age, because I totally agreed with every one of those late 70s-early 80s picks (_I_ was going to nominate “Starry Eyes,” dammit!).
Some other period favorites:
“Number on the Back of My Hand”—The Jags
“Almost Saturday Night”—Dave Edmunds covering John FogertyHey, shouldn’t the perfect pop song winner be a one-hit wonder? If not, can we institute that rule?
Also, speaking of constraints, what sort of emotional range is permissible? I would say love and hope and sex and dreams, and that’s about it.
Does anyone remember “Heart in the Street” by the Brains? (I am _so_ showing my age here.)
Also: is there an embargo date for nominations? Anything fifteen years or older?
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:25 PMI have maintained for years that the most complete and perfect pop song ever recorded is “Vanishing Girl” by Dukes of Stratosphear. I stand by my claim, yet am willing to concede that other possible contenders might include “The Mayor of Simpleton”, “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)” and, yes, “Cruel To Be Kind”. The Hollies’ “Bus Stop” might be in there, too. I’ll also throw out there for consideration Marshall Crenshaw’s “Someday, Someway” and “Whenever You’re on My Mind”. I LOVE these kinds of debates, especially on a Friday...They cleanse the psychic palate of the week’s awful events/news and prepares the soul for the weekend. Wonderful idea!
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:35 PMCome now folks, Frank Zappa’s “Broken Hearts are for Assholes” _owns_ the top spot.
PenGun
Do What Now ??? ... Standards and Practices !Posted by PenGun on 04/22 at 02:36 PMOh, duh… “Tainted Love,” by Soft Cell. Even metalheads’ll sing along to that. Singing is key.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:39 PMInfectiously repetitive pop: The Bay City Rollers’ “Saturday Night”.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:44 PMA cult of personality? Cool. But I wish someone had told me before now, so that I could revel in the full-blown megalomania of it all. And I can’t wait for my reclusive paranoid hermit phase! That’s gonna rock.
And TravisG is right—singing is key. Much more important, for this Friday only, than danceability (to answer Njorl’s question above).
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:50 PMDid I read to fast, or has “I’ll Stop the World and Melt with You” by Modern English not yet been dropped in the hat? If the humming bit doesn’t register it popworthy, then surely its prominent place in the totally awesome (no, *really*) VALLEY GIRL soundtrack should send it sailing through the goalposts of Pop Songdom.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:53 PMDamn, I thought I’d be the first to bring up “Mmm-Bop.”
How about “Seasons in the Sun”? I believe that would also fulfill one-hit-wonder status.
And then there’s the disco-ish “I Was Made for Loving You” by KISS. I’m joking, I’m joking (… sort of)
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:53 PMBugger--I didn’t read “to fast,” but I sure wrote too fast. Sorry for the cringe.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:54 PMOK fine. I will strive to stay on topic.
Those high school songs are killer. Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” springs to mind.
? and the Mysterians’ “96 Tears” is a great track.
“Time Won’t Let Me” by The Outsiders. (Bands begining with a “The” have a definite advantage.)
And my favorite apparently forgetten gem, Marshall Crenshaw’s “Someday, Someway.”
Excuse me, I must go sing now. How I wish I were back in Madison for Gomeroke.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:56 PMBelle and Sebastian- “I’m A Cuckoo”
Blur- “Coffee and TV” (one of the best sogs ever, no question)
Of Montreal- “Lysergic Bliss”
The New Pornographers- “The Laws Have Changed”and, of course, the Shins’ “Know Your Onion!”
All of the above are near-perfect pop songs. I don’t have the AM radio background, but I challenge anyone to find a more irresistably wonderful song, or music video, than “Coffee and TV.” All of the others have their own little faults-- a slightly questionable saxophone insertion on “I’m a Cuckoo,” and utterly indecipherable lyrics on “Lysergic Bliss,” but all in all, each one is more than worth everyone’s time.
And you should all download all of the songs listed above immediately. DO IT!
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:59 PMIf you are consistent in your definition of pure pop as being, like, a smooth surface and no depths beneath, then you must rule out any song which:
--never was “#1” on the charts of Organizations which take the “#1” ranking in All High Seriousness [since tranquil surface with no depths is also an apt depiction of the Very Top of the Bell Curve; thus, a “#1” tune must have tickled the alpha-states of the greatest number of fellow citizens who seek to reify their alpha-state experience by actually purchasing and privately playing recordings of pop tunes—the resounding success of which also includes the abetting and massaging of “industry pros” such as DJs, record label execs, etc etc, who have always in mind this Holy Grail of Pure Popness from the git go]
--never was slurringly anthemized by a mid-Saturday-night crowd of drunkenly swaying college-mixer sikhs [the very epitomization of “the hook” amongst society’s most publicly vociferous alpha-state ticklees]
Since, curmudgeon-like, I actually only pay strong attention to, and “love,” the outmoded and hopelessly twee type of tunes “crafted” by the likes of Cole Porter and his “clever” cronies, I’m completely disinclined to dust off my old Billboards and memories of Bad Mixer Encounters reeking of Bad Beer, in order to actually look up/recall a Worthy Pure Pop Candidate Or two for y’all’s edification—but “Louie Louie” and the “yeh yeh yeh yeh yeh” part of the aforementioned “Good Lovin’” “pop” up immediately to the forebrain, along with accompanying Bad Beer Odor-memories.
IMProfessionalO, any song nominated as Quintessential Pure Pop without having attained “#1” status reveals that its nominator is hopelessly elitist, thus, sadly but necessarily, disqualifying said nomination. Of course, something of that ilk can be said about me, judging from the wordlike construction kicking off this paragraph.
Posted by on 04/22 at 02:59 PM"As for Joe Jackson, he came kind of late to the ‘how come I’m not getting laid even though I’m clearly the smartest guy in the room’ branch of new wave, after Elvis and Graham Parker had done most of the heavy lifting”
So you want originality as well as pellucidity? It’s not like Jonathan Richman hadn’t exhausted the subject long before McManus quit writing code for Elizabeth Arden. Speaking of which: “Astral Plane”; “Roadrunner” has too much emotional complexity.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:00 PMCorndog
Is the Rubinoos’ “I Wanna be Your Boyfriend” the original of the Ramones?
See http://www.onechord.net/hundred_million_martians.htm for some oddness.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:09 PM"--never was slurringly anthemized by a mid-Saturday-night crowd of drunkenly swaying college-mixer sikhs [the very epitomization of “the hook” amongst society’s most publicly vociferous alpha-state ticklees]”
If this is a key criterium, wouldn’t “I Touch Myself” by the DiVinyls be the hands down winner? A decade-plus past its release, and you still can’t put it on the jukebox in a bar full of college kids without sparking a singalong. Also does well in the one-hit-wonder category. Not sure it ever hit #1 though…
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:13 PMMichael, sure, Waiting in Vain is a fine reggae choice! My list was the best I could come up with in 5 minutes…
For Joe Jackson, I think I would opt for Kinda Kute or I’m the Man… Kinda Kute is even parenthetically title (A pop song), if I remember correctly - I don’t have it here at work.
How about Picture Book by the Kinks, or the whole freaking Village Green Preservation Society album? Or Apeman, the Kinks have whole heaps and stacks of great pop songs.
And I love a million Elvis Costello songs and the whole album of the Clash’s London Calling could just about be thrown in, but their attitudes just aren’t quite right for this… sigh.
I also like Travis G’s suggestion for Tainted Love - that song was pretty hard to escape for several years because, for what it was trying to do, it hit the nail on the head. As long as we’re in the neighborhood, how ‘bout Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode?
And mat had plenty of good choices on his list (at his site).Posted by on 04/22 at 03:17 PMsian, you’re right that I Melt with You should make the discussion. But that song lived WAY too long. I really enjoyed it when it first came out in ‘82, but they were still playing it at parties in college when I graduated in ‘90. And it lives on at weddings… I’ve had enough of it. No, way too much of it. Next time I hear it, I’monna bus’ a cap in de dj’s behind!!
Sorry. Just had to get that out.Posted by on 04/22 at 03:21 PMHow about, for pure infectiousness (and drunken anthemic chanting) Chumbawumba’s “I Get Knocked Down...”?
I know, I know, we’re be verging on “social content” here, with it being a cautionary tale and all.
But it *moves*, and for the rest of the afternoon it will be at war with “Someday, Someway” and “One More Time” as battling earworms--even though it’s nowhere near the song the others are.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:21 PMOh come now I like XTC but they are far too arch to fit this category.
Marshall Crenshaw’s There She Goes Again and Someday, Someway. Two perfect pop songs, great melody, a little kick, not too ‘lite’, not too deep…
Posted by Michaelw on 04/22 at 03:22 PMAs for “Tainted Love” a decent argument could be made if ubiquity equals transcendancy. I’m not sure that’s true. Of course, without hard and fast objective criteria anything goes. Maybe a song that everybody waiting in line at the Post Office can sing embodies pop perfection. So “Tainted Love”? Sure, why not.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:27 PMI can’t argue with “Cruel to Be Kind”. And “Mayor of Simpleton” may have a disqualifying hidden depth, but you can ignore it if you want to and just tap your toes.
When I was writing my dissertation years ago, I listened to almost nothing but Joe Jackson; I’m not sure why. So I’ll give a shout out to “Got the Time” and “Happy Loving Couples”.
And Elvis Costello’s version of “I Can’t Stand Up”.
And it may not qualify, but what’s not to like about JCMellencamp’s “Cherry Bomb”.Posted by on 04/22 at 03:27 PMi think Kit’s got a point or two there...although i am defining “a mid-Saturday-night crowd of drunkenly swaying college-mixer sikhs” somewhat more liberally than some might…
so, with the above in mind, i’m going to toss in:
VENUS, Bananarama
WEST END GIRLS, The Pet Shop Boys
HOLDING BACK THE YEARS, Simply Red-L.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:29 PMBeing #1 has more to do with promotion/payola than with intrinsic pop perfection-ness
XTC’s genius is taking bizzare dirgy/jerky/jazzy bits and throwing in a V-V-IV chorus or bridge fooling you into thinking the whole thing’s a hummable pop song:
Senses working overtime: check
Take this town: check
Life Begins at The Hop: check
Ball and Chain: check
... I could go on…-John I
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:30 PMI think we’re approaching the point where the best pop songs are the ones we listened to when we were having the most fun. This is always what happens when friends start debating the relative merits of pop stuff. Fortunately, no one is wrong and everyone is right!
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:33 PMProf. Personality can correct me if I’m wrong here, but I don’t think a song has to have perched atop the charts to be THE perfect pop song. It doesn’t hurt, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Even better are songs like “What I Like About You” and “I Melt With You,” which weren’t all that popular on their release (I don’t think either one ever charted), but have slowly entered the collective consciousness, and now most everyone knows them and likes them (your results may vary). “Turning Japanese,” by the Vapors, and Violent Femmes’ debut record also fit that criterion. So does “Boys Don’t Cry.”
Dancing—at least a little ass-wagglin’, toe-tappin’ or head-bobbin’-- is definitely crucial, and anyone who knows the song (whether that’s everybody or just a specific subculture) must know enough of the words to sing along—loudly so—even if they make stuff up phonetically (a la, “Sitting Still,” by R.E.M.).
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:34 PMBy defintion a song can’t be an exemplar of pop if most of us haven’t heard of it or, at least, heard it, alot. Some of these songs have me scratching my head.
Here is a song which I have played in my head at least once a week for the past 28 years: Smokey Robonson’s “I second that emotion”. No edge to it and nothing frothy. Just perfect. Pure fun.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:41 PMthank you, jdc, for mentioning “Someday Someway.” i was scrolling down madly to see if anyone had listed it.
some other pop gem picks (heavy southern bias to follow): “what can i do,” the rosebuds (and most of the rest of *make out*); “every word means no,” let’s active; “me and the bean,” spoon; “no culture icons,” the thermals; and, uh, “what is life,” g. harrison.
side question to michael: is it true you were once in a band with jon d’errico? i’ve heard rumors.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:43 PMYes, mg, I was in a band, or two bands, with Jon D’Errico (a terrific bassist, I should add), and we covered—among other things—“One More Time.” Much fun.
I second Daniel’s “I Second that Emotion.” See, Smokey really does transcend political differences. And Sian, I’m sorry I forgot about “I’ll Stop the World and Melt with You.” TravisG is quite right about its history, too. And no, the song doesn’t have to be popular to be pop.
Nick, stop advising people to break the nation’s sacred copyright statutes on this law-abiding blog.
Posted by on 04/22 at 03:57 PMYeah, “Needles and Pins” is pretty good. But if memory serves, it’s actually called “Needles and Pinzuh.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 04:00 PMGreat tune and my personal favorite NL; wish I’d surfed by earlier. As a music addict, I’m necessarily agnostic on the question of the absolute best-of-the-best, but I think Robyn Hitchcock’s “Madonna of the Wasps” is as good a nom as any, seeing as it’s been stuck on repeat in my head all day.
Posted by on 04/22 at 04:02 PMJDC
The Rubibnoos’ “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” is a different song than the Ramones’ of the same name. It was however covered a few years back by a UK group called Farrah. Hope that helps.
Here’s another one, very meta. “That Thing You Do” from the Tom Hanks movie of the same name. Written by Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne to be a kind of re-creation of Merseybeat magic. In my mind it was a rousing success, even if in part it was just a marketing tool.
Posted by corndog on 04/22 at 04:47 PM"Cruel to be Kind” seems more vapid than perfect. “Oh Boy” seems like a good reason to belive that Buddy Holly was/is overrated. Brandy? The Fortunes? As a 9 year old, I preferred Motown & the Beatles. As a 3 year old, “I Got a Woman” was one of my favorites. Granted, the 70s were low ebb, but you could have impressed us with being a fan of Ziggy Stardust.
OTOH: My elaborations on other picks:
“Come Go with Me” by the DelVikings is sublime. As is its contemporary “So Fine” by the Fiestas. And the Falmingos rendition of “I Only Have Eyes for You” is just beautiful, as is Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea” (and Bobby probably raises that question of is it pop or is it rock).“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” also is perfect, as well as proto-feminist (one of the 1st girl group hits, esp. by an African American group and one of the first pop or rock records from a truly female perspective). Roberta Flack does a killer cover, as does the all male Michael Stanley Band.
“The Kids Alright"--definitely, probably “Substitute”, as well. Most of Lennon & McCartney hits probably qualify, as would Motown hits from about 64-65: “Dancing in the Streets”, “Where Did Our Love Go”, “My Girl”, “Can’t Help Myself” all that Holland-Dozier-Holland stuff. The Kinks have many great sons but their circa ‘64 material is the only stuff that’s perfect rock: “All Day and All of the Night”, “Tired of Waiting”. In the one or two hit wonder department: “You were on my Mind” (We Five), “Walk Away Renee” (The Left Banke).
“Time Won’t Let Me” by fellow Clevelanders Sonny Geraci & the Outsiders (who still perform!). Take Me Back to the River” by Damnation of Adam Blessing also perfect and by a Cleveland band (which, thankfully, broke up and stayed that way). Not a hit but a perfect song.
From the 80s: “Accidents will Happen” and a better Crenshaw pick, “Whenever You’re on My Mind”. “A Girl Like You” by the Smitereens, definitel---timeless elements, plus a edgy sound for its day. Any definitely, “I’ll Stop the World and Melt with You” by Modern English.
From the 90s: “I’ve Been Waiting"."It’s a Shame About Ray”. Give me time and I’ll think of more.
The Zappa reference made think you should add “The best anti-pop (and probably rock) song”. My nominee is “Brown Shoes Don’t make It” by Frank Zappa and the Mothers. Even “progressive” FM stations wouldn’t play it and it was his choice for inclusion at the Rock Hall of Fame (perhaps for that very reason). Stories about pedophile small town mayors and little lolitas probably won’t be making the pop charts in the near future either, although more generic “adult” misogyny does.
Posted by on 04/22 at 04:57 PMIs “When U Were Mine,” by Prince, too sexually complicated to be perfect? Should “Itchycoo Park” be disqualified ‘cause it’s about tripping? Is Todd Rundgren’s “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” popular enough to be considered? And “Jessie’s Girl:” good song or highly enjoyable guilty pleasure?
I’d strongly agree with “I Second That Emotion,” “Needles and Pins-uh,” “Good Lovin’” and “Cruel To Be Kind,” and I was just planning to nominate “The Kid’s Are Alright.”
I don’t think it’s fair to not bring “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” to a vote just because Christmas is a religious holiday. Don’t make me take away your filibuster powers.
Posted by on 04/22 at 05:05 PMJohn said:
“XTC’s genius is taking bizzare dirgy/jerky/jazzy bits and throwing in a V-V-IV chorus or bridge fooling you into thinking the whole thing’s a hummable pop song”
Andy Partridge has said his life’s work was to marry the Monkees to Captain Beefheart.
But (to apply a few more lashes to this moribund equine) that’s what’s so especially appealing about “Mayor of Simpleton” (and also why Andy disparages it): It’s _all_ candyfloss; there’s none of the usual sneaky (and, some would say, self-sabotaging) dissonance or scratchiness or off-kilterness that makes XTC such a favorite of people who like their pop with a grain of salt.
Posted by Neddie Jingo on 04/22 at 05:10 PMthus spake Our Charisma-Laden Leader:
“And no, the song doesn’t have to be popular to be pop.”
and so i change my nomination to,
The Affordable Floors
“Long Winter” 1986(So many things I never said,
I had so many things to say.
It was always so easy just to pretend,
There’d always be other days.)test listen here--
http://www.theaffordablefloors.com/sounds.htmvery dance-worthy, also.
-L.
Posted by on 04/22 at 05:28 PM"Senses Working Overtime” probably captures XTC’s pop brilliance the best; its weird and asymetric time changes, snappy chorus, and sheer joie de vivre are in full effect here. This was one of the best pop songs of 1982.
Posted by mat on 04/22 at 05:33 PMOne more work of sheer brilliance:
“September Girls” by Big Star. Oh my, what a great pop song! Alex Chilton really was amazing.
Posted by mat on 04/22 at 05:46 PMWhat about Big Star, “September Gurls”?
Perhaps the melancholy undertow disqualifies it, but for my money there’s nothing more pop-perfect than the backing vocals . . .
Posted by Alex Chilton on 04/22 at 05:51 PMDefinitely “September Gurls.”
(Confession: I’ve always been pretty underwhelmed by XTC, which is sure to be a popular position around here. I like a few of their songs—e.g., “Senses Working Overtime”—but I think they’re wildy overrated. Apparently I’ll write the dissenting opinion on this.)
Posted by on 04/22 at 05:56 PMDamn, someone beat me to a Let’s Active song—though I’d nominate “Fell” and maybe “In Little Ways” (though it might be too musically complex). And as for the Records, what about “Teenarama”? Or does its vague ickiness disqualify it? And the Jayhawks’ “Blue,” also mentioned once above, is definitely the most heartbreakingly beautiful song ever, but it might be too musically and lyrically complex to qualify here. For the Jayhawks, I’d nominate “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.” Simple. Not deep. And once featured on Dawson’s Creek!
Here are couple more nominations not yet mentioned:
Travis - “Driftwood” (Travis are pretty excellent at the perfect pop song and definitely not deep)Wilco - “Heavy Metal Drummer” (some bells and whistles which may count as ‘startling production quirks,’ but at heart a pure power pop song about pure power pop songs—and about drummers!)
Rufus Wainwright - “California” (too ironic?)
Cat Stevens - “Here Comes My Baby”
Apples in Stereo - “Mystery” (a sweet, simple, pop love song...if you don’t know them, they’re all about pop perfection, with a little touch of fuzz a la The Jesus and Mary Chain)
And I really want to nominate Squirrel Nut Zippers’ “Hell,” which figures in the drunken-sing-along/frat-party category, but obviously there’s too much fire there!
And I’d say that any song that’s been covered ad nauseum by Ivy League a capella groups is probably a perfect pop song.
Anyway, this thread has made me very, very happy. I’m making a playlist with all of these songs! Thanks Michael and everyone else!
Posted by on 04/22 at 06:18 PMWhile we’re on the subject of deconstructive ant-pop, how about The Pixies’ “La La Love You”
Posted by Zach on 04/22 at 06:20 PMYes, yes, “September Gurls”!! And maybe “In the Street,” too—if it can be a TV theme song, it must be pop enough.
Posted by on 04/22 at 06:24 PMPetula Clark’s 1965 “Downtown” is near perfect, or was. (Walmartization and gentrification have recontextualized its modest get-away-from-the-folks ‘Social Content’.)
Posted by on 04/22 at 06:26 PM"Indeed, there are those who claim that all modern music stems from “Brandy.” But they are loons.”
They certainly are, since everyone knows that modern music is built on the twin pillars of “Louie Louie” and “Wild Thing”.
In the realm of straight-forward, peppy, only-an-asshole-wouldn’t-like-it, pop songs, how about:
“People Got to Be Free”, by the Young Rascals;
“Look of Love”, by ABC;
“Hard Days Night”;
“Hey Ya”, by Outkast;
“That’s the Way”, by KC and the Sunshine Band;Posted by on 04/22 at 06:28 PMPerhaps in the Bolton kissup kick down manner of diplomatic posting, i support the Cruel to be Kind nomination, but for one other reason. More than a decade ago, i saw several of the Little Village tour concerts. Each night they would, at Nick’s insistence, perform a song intentionally without structure, key, chords, or much rhythmic unity. I saw “Cruel to be Kind” performed this way, and inspite of the effort by some great musicians to trash the song, it still came off well, full of its pop characteristics.
Posted by on 04/22 at 06:43 PMSo many good songs mentioned above...I second (third,whatever) VU’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll” ("Sweet Jane” also deserves mention, btw) and Big Star’s “September Gurls” (sheer perfection).
Jonathan Richman has been mentioned a few times, but he deserves to mentioned more (in general, not just in this thread). Some examples of JoJo’s pop perfection (in no particular order): “Corner Store,” “Just About Seventeen,” “New England,” “That Summer Feeling,” “Back in Your Life.”
And how about some Billy Bragg? “A New England” (a totally different song from Jonathan’s), for starters. But also “To Have and Have Not,” “Lovers Town Revisited” and about half of the “Worker’s Playtime” album.
Something by Beat Happening (for its sheer minimalism) deserves mention...."Indian Summer,” maybe? Or is it too rough ‘n’ tumble?
Fountains of Wayne also deserves an entry, beyond “That Thing You Do.” Picking fairly arbitrarily, how about “Leave the Biker”?
Posted by on 04/22 at 06:43 PMAgreed on the Crenshaw, Smithereens, and Sugar picks. My problem is some of the catchiest tunes I can think of also (sneakily) happen to be about something: “I’m Alright” by Kim Richey, “Until You Came Along” by Golden Smog , “One Step Over the Line” by John Hiatt and Roseanne Cash on NGDB’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 2 (well, those three are relationship songs, with the second having the added dose of former alcoholic Cured by Love), “Monkey Wrench” by the Foo Fighters, “Auberge” by Chris Rea (not that the preceding two are really about much), and just about anything by the Beautiful South and the Housemartins.
And Nick Lowe is still writing catchy, great stuff.
D
Posted by Murph on 04/22 at 06:55 PMPerfect Pop:
“Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Selena.
“Along Comes Mary” by the Association
“Incense & Peppermints” by Strawberry Alarm Clock
“I Think I Love You” by, yes, the Partridge Family
Anything by the Go-Gos and almost anything from the Ramones first two albums.
“Mellow Yellow” by Donovon.
“Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.
“Love Child” by the SupremesPosted by on 04/22 at 07:28 PM"Hungry” by Paul Revere & the Raiders
Posted by on 04/22 at 07:53 PMTwo more and I promise I’ll stop.
“Heatwave” - Martha and the Vandellas
“Walking on Sunshine” - Katrina and the Waves
One of these days we’ve got to throw a party. Between the beer comments from a few months back and these great songs, it would be a seriously good time.
Posted by corndog on 04/22 at 08:04 PMMy vote would have to go to the ever-endearing Swedish rock/pop song “Sommartider” by the legendary band Gyllene Tider. It’s enduring legacy over the last 25 years should put it at least in the top 50 of all time. (Besides which, Gyllene Tider’s whole catalog is what Lennon & McCartney would have sounded like had they come of age in 1970s Sweden—that alone should make them worth checking out, eh?).
Posted by Dr. G. in Urbana on 04/22 at 08:15 PMGreatest pop song ever: Evil, as sung by Howlin’ Wolf. Nothing else comes close, except his Smokestack Lightnin’.
Posted by tristero on 04/22 at 08:49 PMMy Girl - the Temptations
Posted by Patrick ONeill on 04/22 at 08:52 PMthe rules were obviously designed to prevent The Only Ones Another Girl Another Planet from reaching top spot.
Posted by on 04/22 at 08:56 PMthe Badfinger song for this list is clearly Day After Day.
Posted by julia on 04/22 at 09:03 PMMichael,
thanks for remembering the bands that did “Rainy Day Feeling Again” and “Hitchin’ a Ride.” And for mentioning “Brandy”! Which I thought of too, immediately after posting my comment.
Partridge Family (including arty Andy): yes!
Once long ago I fantasized a 1970-ish jam session between Keith Partridge and Ornette Coleman on “I Think I Love You,” after which Danny was always getting in trouble for taking to heart Ornette’s dictum that “you can play sharp in tune and flat in tune,” which stern Mother Partridge was having none of! “I don’t care what your friend Mister Coleman says! You’re going to sing in tune!” Seriously, 4 or 5 of the P. Family hits, I adore.
“That Thing You Do”—yes! Another missed chance at beautiful collaboration—The Wonders (post-One-ders) “That Thing You Do” in medley with Lauren Hill’s “That Thing.” Remember, in pop music, Love is always a Thing.
And Petula Clark—if you get the chance, you gotta hear her French language cover of “Please Please Me.” Come on over to my house sometime, I’ll play it for you. (Let’s have that party, Corndog!)
One more to add: “Good Morning Starshine” from the original Hair Broadway soundtrack. “Gliddy glup gloopy nibby nabby noopy”! It’s the cheerful mellow quasi-hippie version of the ‘50s rock’s “a wop bop a loo bop” and punk’s “gabba gabba hey.”
Frothy. Not frothing. That seems to be the order of the day.
Posted by John S. on 04/22 at 09:03 PMI love Cruel to be Kind, but since people are offering up Motown, I have to go with Tears of a Clown: it’s got the intro (that’s a full orchestra, isn’t it? and can somebody tell me if those aren’t oboes in there somewhere?; it’s got the cool (Al Green? pop? now really...); and most of all, it’s got Michael’s rhyme: “Just like Pagliacci did/I try to keep my feelings hid.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 09:07 PMI agree that “Tainted Love” deserves to be near the top of anyone’s list, and I would also suggest Dead Or Alive’s “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record).”
But the absolute #1 most perfect pop song of all time is “Common People” by Pulp.
Posted by on 04/22 at 09:16 PMGreat infectious pop song - Head over Heels by Tears for Fears
Nick Lowe - All Men are Liars which has a great smackdown to Rick Astley’s atrocious hit.
Posted by on 04/22 at 09:17 PMA few suggestions:
Kiss - Prince
Little Red Corvette - Prince
This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide - The Kings
Time - Joe JacksonMy favorite pop song of all time is:
Substitute - The Who
Posted by on 04/22 at 09:38 PMI’m glad someone brought up Motown, because I for one think “One Fine Day” (written by Carole King, I think, but performed by The Chiffons) is brilliant.
Posted by Paul on 04/22 at 09:38 PMNick, I agree with you about B&S’s *I’m a Cuckoo,” but because it’s very much a tribute to Thin Lizzy, let’s pair it up with TL’s “The Boys Are Back In Town” (which is the best Springsteen song ever, even if Bruce neither wrote nor performed it).
In the end, though, I think of “pop” like candy. The idea of “one great” pop song is like “one great” piece of candy.
In that spirit, I’ll nominate the Nuggets compilations (both the original, American, set, and the British/world set). As Lester Bangs once wrote, “Psychotic Reaction” is the essence of rock/pop. Also, the DIY/Rhino American Power Pop comps are fab. And the recent Yellow Pills comp is non-stop power pop bliss.
Posted by on 04/22 at 10:12 PMElvis Costello, “Every Day I Write the Book.”
Posted by on 04/22 at 10:29 PMRecords - “Starry Eyes”
Not familiar with this one. Is it the Roky Erickson “Starry Eyes”?
Posted by on 04/22 at 10:38 PMIf this is a key criterium, wouldn’t “I Touch Myself” by the DiVinyls be the hands down winner?
For some reason, the “hands down” part of this remark just about killed me.
Anyway, in the “perversely happy to hear on the car radio even though it’s on the oldies station oh god I’m practically dead” sense:
a-ha, “Take on Me”
Posted by on 04/22 at 10:58 PMJohn S.,
In your dream collaboration who would pay bass: Danny or Charlie Haden? Maybe they could both play, one on each speaker, a la “Free Jazz”.
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:04 PM"Our House” Madness
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:28 PMThea Gilmore, “Benzedrine”
Matthew Sweet, “Evangeline”
U2, “One Tree Hill”
Tori Amos, “Past the Mission”
Television, “Marquee Moon”
Warren Zevon, “Mohammed’s Radio”
Elvis Costello, “Green Shirt”
Grant McLennan, “Girl In a Beret”
Vienna Teng, “Homecoming”
Charles Mingus, “Better Get It In Your Soul”
The Carpenters, “Goodbye to Love”
Joe Jackson, “Is She Really Going Out With Him”
That Fabulous Big Beat Combo, “Day Tripper”The Holy Spirit is promiscuous.
Posted by Patrick Nielsen Hayden on 04/22 at 11:40 PMAlso, anything on Nick Lowe’s Pure Pop for Now People (known in the UK as Jesus of Cool).
Posted by Patrick Nielsen Hayden on 04/22 at 11:41 PMBlondie’s cover of “Denis"(e) comes close to pure pop perfection.
And how about Dylan? One doesn’t think of him as a purveyor of pure pop, but some great Dylan songs might qualify, including “I Threw It All Away,” “Girl from the North Country,” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” (among others).
Posted by on 04/22 at 11:57 PMI also can’t believe that Warren Zevon hasn’t shown up more often in this discussion. How about “Excitable Boy” (or is that too grim?) and “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”?
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:00 AM(Sha-la-la-la) Live for Today, by the Grassroots. It never ages.
For the Beatles, well, there are so many, but Anytime At All is my current favorite.
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:00 AMPatrick, I’m saving the Carpenters’ “Goodbye to Love” for a future Friday Feature. Just so you know.
Posted by Michael on 04/23 at 12:05 AMSku,
Well, Danny was *there*, clearly, but it’s darned hard to ask Charlie Haden to sit, so I’m sure your suggestion that it was a 2-bass session is right. I don’t think any tapes have turned up, even on bootleg.
Has anybody mentioned Harry Nilsson? “Me and My Arrow”—pure cotton candy—spun sugar.
Posted by John S. on 04/23 at 12:15 AMShake Some Action - Flamin’ Groovies
A Million Miles Away - Plimsouls
There She Goes Again - Marshall Crenshaw
Heart of the City - Nick LoweLinked my friend John to this, he may be here to give us all a lesson in The Kinks.
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:27 AM"I’m glad someone brought up Motown, because I for one think “One Fine Day” (written by Carole King, I think, but performed by The Chiffons) is brilliant.”
This isn’t “Motown”. The Chiffons were a New York girl group and the sound is totally different. They’re Phil Spector, not Barry Gordy and definitely Brill Building, not Holland-Dozier-Holland. Different genre entirely and closer to pop, generally. Pre-Spector, the Chiffons unsuccessfully tangled with the Shirelles (the Shirelles’ “Tonight’s the Night"--easily the sexiest girl group song of the 60s and by then contemporary standards, even more risque than “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"---was the one that made the charts, not the Chiffon’s version).
For literary a type, I’m not impressed with Hayden--- Tori Amos is not rock or pop and she was really annoying to many who lived in DC during the 90s (WHFS adopted her; I think she mostly grew up someplace like Arlington, which is something best left forgotten by anyone who aspires to be in rock). U2 has far more “perfect” songs than “One Tree Hill” ("With or Without You” from the same LP , for example) and the The Carpenters cover of “Ticket to Ride” (better than the Beatles in some ways, if too “torchy") and the bank commercial inspired “We’ve Only Just Begun” are closer to “perfect” than “I Say Good-Bye to Love” which is simply insulin coma material.
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:41 AMGreat infectious pop song - Head over Heels by Tears for Fears
Good song, but not even the most infectious pop song released in the ‘80s called “Head Over Heels,” which goes to the Go-Gos.
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:43 AMSo much good pop and semi-pop, if I may dare bring a Christgauian term into this thread, and why did it take so long for somebody to say “September Gurls”?
A few others as yet unnamed:
At least the first 10 songs of 69 Love Songs by Magnetic Fields, if not most of the album. Plus “Strange Powers” for what might get disqualified as the too clever/arch rhyme of Coney Island with prostitutes in Thailand.
Ben Vaughn, “Jerry Lewis in France” or “Shingaling with Me” (It’s not a band, it’s a combo.)
Lucinda Williams, “Passionate Kisses” (Mary Chapin Carpenter had the hit, but didn’t nail it)
The Pooh Sticks, “Sex Head” or “Young People”
Old 97’s “Rollerskate Skinny” (isn’t the ache of every pop song “I believe in love, but it don’t believe in me”?)
The Mekons, “Millionaire” (Sally Timms so slyly sexy you might not even realize it’s a kind of capitalist critique)
And, at the least, although they might be too clever for their own good, TMBG’s “Birdhouse in Your Soul”
Posted by George on 04/23 at 12:43 AMYes, let’s hear more about the Kinks.
BTW, two more perfect songs that always get airplay in the Spring despite their age: “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young---plenty of late 60s/early 70s screaming guitar and “Lay, Lady Lay” by Bob Dylan, which also is an autumn favorite on the radio. “Lay Lady Lay” is probably the closest thing to conventionally listenable Dylan from his semi-early years.
Posted by on 04/23 at 12:46 AMSister Ray is obviously it. Surprised no one else has mentioned it. Or else “Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell”. Or maybe “Seasons in the Sun”.
Posted by John Emerson on 04/23 at 01:33 AM"When U Were Mine” could be the perfect pop song.
Nobody’s mentioned “The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey’s Grave,” which is also perfect in its own way.
Posted by on 04/23 at 01:49 AMWell, I’ve seen some outstanding choices in the comments above, including the Spinner’s “I’ll Be There” and Fifth Dimension’s “Wedding Bell Blues”. I also love “Midnight at the Oasis”, but I’m betting it exceeds the “passion” limit for this exercise.
Two other fantastic mentionables that no doubt also exceed the “passion” stipulatin:
Tower of Power’s “So Very Hard To Go” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”.My pop choice that I think meets all the criteria: “Be My Baby” by the Ronettes.
Posted by on 04/23 at 03:12 AMHey Michael -
A post like this seems like easy fishing for comments. Reminds me of when a performer on the road tells the audience, “It’s so great to be in (fill in name of city)” - a guaranteed applause line. Not that that’s bad or anything, I’m just sayin’.
Posted by on 04/23 at 03:21 AMMaybe I missed it, but I’m beginning to think that there is some sort of a conspiracy of silence going on here by the fact that Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” has not been mentioned yet. This is one of my favorite pop songs of all time. It’s one of those songs that make you turn up the car radio every time it comes on, no matter how many times it comes on. And the fact that it has been near-criminally overused on so many mediocre Hollywood soundtracks in recent years has done little to weaken its power for me.
Also how about the Jim Croce songbook? “Bad, bad Leroy Brown” anyone?
Also, I’ve always had a soft spot for Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” even though its intense subject matter may disqualify it. Though part of its genius comes from the way it makes all its transgressive subjects sound light and superficial.
Posted by on 04/23 at 03:52 AMIt’s so great to be in Oaktown! How’s everybody feeling tonight?
Posted by Michael on 04/23 at 05:39 AMWhat’s the html tag for lighting your cigarette lighter and holding it aloft?
Posted by on 04/23 at 07:12 AMBen
Please - no mention of Terrorist Weapons herePosted by Patrick ONeill on 04/23 at 07:31 AMAbout half of Dave Edmunds’s Repeat When Necessary: “Crawling from the Wreckage”, “Sweet Little Lisa”, “We Both Were Wrong”. Maybe the guitar work is a little too hot for pure pop goodness, but what could be less “heavy” than a song about the creature from the black lagoon’s rotten love life?
And Todd Rundgren: “I Saw the Light” for heaven’s sakes, “We Gotta Get You a Woman”, producer for Badfinger, whose “No Matter What” is just one glorious hook…
That settles it: “I Saw the Light”, Todd Rungren, 1972.
Posted by on 04/23 at 07:55 AMMan, I got me some listening to do this weekend.
Strangely, I was listening to The Mayor of Simpleton at the exact moment I saw it’s nomination.
Posted by Platosearwax on 04/23 at 09:14 AMHoping to avert the coming Carpenters apocalypse by offering Going to Take Some Time as a compromise candidate - not just the Carpenters, but a Carole King song. Gotta love it.
Also, good to see Van Morrison and Todd Rundgren, even if someone’s fingers slipped when they were trying to type in Moondance and I Saw the Light (or maybe Hello, It’s Me. No, I Saw the Light. Never mind.)
Posted by julia on 04/23 at 09:22 AMOh, and Aaron Neville’s cover of Crazy Love
Posted by julia on 04/23 at 09:23 AMMy first song might be considered to have a certain Social Content or a certain Weighty Metaphorical Meaning, but it’s not what the song says, but how it makes you feel and what it makes you do that matters. Therefore, since Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger” makes me want to dance bobbing up and down while doing little circles with my hands, empirically known as the perfect pop dance, it must be the perfect pop song.
Others:
“Rubber Band Man,” by The Spinners
“Girl Inform Me” by the Shins
“New Life” Depeche Mode
“Camarillo Brillo” by Frank Zappa (rhyming steps and castanets, remember)
“Papa Was a Rodeo” by The Magnetic Fields
“Trailer Bride” by Trailer Bride
“The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats (yes, I know, libertarian political philosophy AND has been criticized on this very blog, but again, the dance: hopping from one foot to the other while doing expressive paranthesis on alternate sides? Who can imagine more Pure Pop Movement?)Posted by on 04/23 at 09:48 AMI would second “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison.
Also, “Red Rubber Ball” by the Cyrkle. Was there ever a more dour subject set to a catchier tune? The lyrics are great ("I’ve bought my ticket with my tears and that’s all I’m going to spend.")I think Paul Simon wrote the song?
I think “It’s a Shame” by the Spinners is great, but probably too intense. What about “60 minute man”? “I’d like to get to know you” or “Lazy Day” by Spanky and Our Gang are too lyrical?
IMHO, many of the songs suggested above have too much “below the surface content” to qualify for Michael’s original criteria. But I think some Prince tunes are good candidates: Little Red Corvette or even Manic Monday (sung by the Bangles).
Posted by on 04/23 at 10:03 AMLike the Good Professor has to pander for comments. Isn’t “Oaktown” Eddie Bracken’s hometown in Hail the Conquering Hero? The one whose motto is “Business as Usual?”
Posted by Doghouse Riley on 04/23 at 10:08 AMSo many great recommendations here; so many I had forgotten about.
I’m afraid Outkast, “Hey Ya”, has to be discounted, however. Does meta-pop or pop parody count?
I came of musical age in the beautiful days of early Grunge, when Chapel Hill stood at its height in musical influence. Superchunk wrote some great ones. And there were a whole bunch of other bands that never made it out, including the Greatest Band You Have Never Heard Of: Metal Flake Mother.
Yet I will not nominate songs of that era. Instead, I see a gaping hole here--I apologize if I have overlooked it in the 149 previous comments.
Perhaps you will think this pushes pop too far into the rock category, but I have taken liberties given Michael’s initial statement about that line being blurred.
Boston, More than a Feeling.
Posted by on 04/23 at 10:26 AMI agree, there are 547 tunes that tie for “best pop song ever.”
May I hip y’all to Tonio K’s exquisite album, “Amerika (Cars, Guitars & Teenage Violence)”? A few keepers on that one but the poppiest of all is “Girl Crazy.” Barely 2 minutes, facile arrangement, lyrics you love rapping by heart:
If there’s a five-foot-nine-inch blondish Irish Cath’lic girl
a world away in Boston
‘n’ I suspect you get the picture but you never really know
how much a trip like that will cost
and anyway! why I should go flyin talent in?
when you’re right up the street? crawl out your window
I want you!Posted by dswift on 04/23 at 10:35 AMI read through 151 comments and my list shrunk from about ten to these four en route:
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? by the Culture Club
Rock and Roll All Night by Kiss
99 Red Balloons by Nena
Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran DuranGreat thread! Oh - I just thought of Centerfield by John Fogerty.
Posted by on 04/23 at 11:07 AMwhat about tom robinson band’s ‘2-4-6-8 motorway’? two very tasty and tight little guitar breaks, shouted chorus, lyrics about speed. what’s not to love? and i discovered to my great surprise while driving back from montreal last night that postal service’s ‘silhouettes’ meets some of the criteria (and it’s a total earworm—start humming that sucker and you’re stuck with it from montpelier to at least brattleboro).
Posted by on 04/23 at 11:51 AMthe Jayhawks “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”.
Marshall Crenshaw’s whole first album.
Joan Jett - “I Love Rock ‘n Roll.”
Here’s some more votes for “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Don’t Worry Baby”.
And whoever picked “Brown-Eyed Girl” is right....it stands up no matter how often it’s overplayed.
How about “Sharp-Dressed Man” by ZZ Top?
And “Brandy” would be perfect if it didn’t have that silly nautical
theme.Posted by on 04/23 at 12:30 PMWow, Rich, thanks for the info on The Chiffons. I had no idea, and I’ve been operating under the wrong assumption about them for a long, long time. While we’re on the subject, can you confirm that Carole King wrote “One Fine Day?”
Posted by Paul on 04/23 at 01:20 PMI swore this time I wasn’t gonna vote twice, so I’m just gonna add that Canada’s own Odds deserve to be much better known.
Posted by Doghouse Riley on 04/23 at 01:40 PM"Walk of Life”, Dire Straits 1988(?). No muss, no fuss, one relentless direct—“Werewolves of London” without the pina coladas.
Posted by on 04/23 at 02:01 PMAs soon as you’re through with the Carpenters, might I suggest The Kinks’ “BBC Sessions 1964-1977” as a topic for future discussion? This ain’t back-to-basics: it IS the basics, baby.
Posted by GForce on 04/23 at 02:14 PMThe Drifters’ “On Broadway” and “Under the Boardwalk.” The first was a Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil song, the second was written by Arthur Resnick/Kenny Young.
Posted by Linkmeister on 04/23 at 02:21 PMA few that haven’t been mentioned yet:
Raspberry Beret by Prince
And She Was by Talking Heads
If I Didn’t Love You by Squeeze
I Wish by Stevie Wonder
Here Comes the Sun by George HarrisonPosted by on 04/23 at 03:10 PMI’ve gotta second (or third, etc.) “Brown Eyed Girl,” “everyday I Write The Book,” “Manic Monday,” “I Saw the Light,” “No Matter What,” “Here Comes the Sun” and, without a doubt, “Red Rubber Ball.” Great choice, that.
I’m gonna throw out a few more nominees, now that I’m at home and can search iTunes with more ease than iPod, categorized by decade:
Sixties: “Do You Believe In Magic,” by the Lovin’ Spoonful, “For Once In My Life,” by Stevie Wonder, “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better,” by The Byrds, “Daydream Believer,” by The Monkees, and “I Want You,” by Bob Dylan.
Seventies: “The Things We Do For Love,” by 10cc, “Dreaming,” by Blondie, “Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes,” by Edison Lighthouse, and “Yesterday Once More,” by The Carpenters, unless that’s too meta.
Eighties: “They Don’t Know,” by Tracy Ullman, “You Shook Me All Night Long,” by AC/DC, and “Always Something There To Remind Me,” by Naked Eyes (the best version of a terrific pop song).
Nineties: “Pure,” by The Lightning Seeds, and “Into Your Arms,” by The Lemonheads.
The Naughty Aughties: “Heartbeat,” by Annie, “Take Your Mama Out,” by Scissor Sisters, and the criminally slept-on “If I Ever Feel Better,” by Phoenix.
Posted by on 04/23 at 03:50 PM"Heartbeat” is an excellent, excellent pick, Travis. Also, let me add to the previous four, “High and Dry” by Radiohead, and the equally criminally slept-on “Caught By The River” by Doves.
I’m so glad somebody else knows Annie!
regards,
Nick
Posted by on 04/23 at 06:13 PMTo me, this category should be split between ‘career’ bands who created a great pop song, and the ‘one-hit’ wonders--a great pop song is a great pop song in either category, but there’s a strange and subtle difference--here’s a list of my favorites, not previously mentioned (i think)
One-hit Wonders:
Runaway - Del Shannon
Drift Away - Dobie Gray
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
Jessie’s Girl - Rick Springfield
Come On Eileen - Dexy’s Midnite Runners
Turning Japanese - The VaporsCareer Artists:
We Just Disagree - Dave Mason
Everybody’s Talkin’ - Harry Nilsson
Romeo’s Tune - Steve Forbert
Surrender - Cheap Trick
Bad Reputation - Freedy Johnston
No Myth - Michael PennGroups (too many good pop songs to pick):
The Cars
Creedence Clearwater Revival
ELO
Foo FightersBest current pop-rock band:
Fountains of Wayne
Posted by on 04/23 at 06:46 PMIf we’re mining the eighties, you need Tom Petty’s Breakdown.
Posted by julia on 04/24 at 12:36 AMIn no particular order, and with no explanations:
Hall & Oates, “She’s Gone”
Peter Frampton, “I’m In You”
Maria Muldaur, “Midnight at the Oasis”
Haircut 100, “Love Plus One”
Pete Townshend, “Let My Love Open the Door”
Bourgeois Tagg, “I Don’t Mind at All”
Al Stewart, “Year of the Cat”
Boz Scaggs, “Jojo”
Bobby Caldwell, “What You Won’t Do for Love”
Little River Band, “Reminiscing”
ELO, “Mr. Blue Sky”
Gary Wright, “Really Wanna Know You”
George Harrison, “All Those Years Ago”
Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
Kate Bush, “Wuthering Heights”
Red Rider, “White Hot”
Gordon Lightfoot, “Sundown”
Everything But the Girl, “Driving”Posted by Kirk Jepsen on 04/24 at 02:08 AMis the essense of a perfect pop record that you don’t want it to end, or that you couldn’t stand one more second of it? “cruel to be kind” is, although indeed perfect, in the latter category, as is the equally perfect “mayor of simpleton.” but in the first category, hard to beat the mats’ “can’t hardly wait”
Posted by on 04/24 at 03:09 AMIt’s difficult to argue with Nick Lowe as a crafter of fine Pop tunes. This thread affirms, for me at least, that it’s as difficult to discuss music as it is to discuss politics or religion. Not pointless, but difficult. This why I stopped playing it, listening to it, buying it and talking about it quite a few years ago. A few days ago I first heard about The Shaggs. Now my interest in music seems to have been rekindled. Odd, isn’t it?
Posted by on 04/24 at 06:38 AMAnd if no one else offered it up, shame on all of you for not mentioning “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” from Pet Sounds. It never fails to amaze me that the music that affects the people you’ve mentioned the most is often music the majority of the music buying public listens to the least, often not even aware of it’s existence. In other words, if there is a Holy Grail of the perfect proto-pop song, there is a good chance it is as elusive and enigmatic as any other Holy Grail. It may never have even been recorded, and if it has, you probably didn’t even know about it. Slightly different genre, but a case in point.
Just Google Touch and Don Gallucci, (yes, that Don Gallucci, “Louie, Louie"), and see what you come up with. After 36 years they are being rediscovered, thanks to the net. After 36 years I can still hear that music in my head, (without help), and I wish I hadn’t lost the album, it’s worth a $100 bucks now. I still want to hear The Shaggs.
Posted by on 04/24 at 07:23 AMIt appears that God Only Knows is Paul McCartney’s favorite song. If I had thought to ask him 25 years ago when backstage at the Warfield for the last Rockpile show in S.F., I’d be able to tell you Nick’s choice, (back then at least), but who wants to talk shop after a show? Pet Sounds was a tremdendous deal in Britain, though. Don’t be surprised if many Brits feel the same way about it as Paul. Rubber Soul was Wilson’s inspiration for Pet Sounds. It’s been fun, but I’m all musicked out.
Posted by on 04/24 at 09:00 AMPet Sounds is unassailable, save “Sloop John B,” but too complicated to fit these parameters. Except maybe “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
I’m adding Jackson Browne’s “Somebody’s Baby” to the list.
(PS: The Shaggs are totally worth hearing, and so is M. Ward’s cover of “Let My Love Open The Door.")
Posted by on 04/24 at 11:41 AMWow, it took until post 106 before anyone mentioned Katrina and the Waves and “Walking on Sunshine” and even longer before Van Morrison’s “ Brown eyed girl” Both of which would be in the running for the perfect single, but would still lose to “satisfaction” which of course has it all going on. I’d have to say “What I like about You” and “Nothing matters but the weekend/switching to glide” definitely deserve mention, as does the Archie’s “Sugar, Sugar” - the latter of which cannot even win anything due to the bad karma it built up by being the number one song in the year “Hey Jude” was number 2.
Steely Dan’s “Reeling in the Years” might be a bit too complex to make the three-chord criteria but is an excellent seamless pop tune nonetheless.
Posted by rev.paperboy on 04/24 at 11:51 AMUm, a vote for Sam Cooke? “Another Saturday Night”? “A Change is Gonna Come” obviously flunks the test by having social content....
Posted by on 04/24 at 05:06 PMMichael - thank you so much for your comment (#141) in response to mine (#139). I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time, and I sure needed it (major stress lately). Yes, my name gave you the perfect set-up line, but you hit it out of the park! Sweet.
And Doghouse (#150)- I never accused anyone of “pandering”. It was an observation, not a judgement. And just for fun, go back to the home page and examine the number of comments after the various posts. Like I said before: I’m just sayin’!
Posted by on 04/24 at 07:23 PMI tried to come up with 10 songs that hadn’t yet been mentioned. Sorry in advance about any duplicates.
The Hustle - Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony
Life In A Northern Town - The Dream Academy
Son Of A Preacher Man - Aretha Franklin
My Sharona - The Knack
Y.M.C.A. - The Village People
Car Wash - Rose Royce
Don’t Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
H.W.C. - Liz Phair
Down Under - Men At WorkPosted by on 04/24 at 08:22 PMFREEEBIRD..........
That felt good, just had to say it.
Posted by on 04/24 at 10:36 PMA couple of Rundgren mentions - don’t forget Just One Victory..
Posted by on 04/24 at 10:44 PMAlso, I’m glad Michael brings up the Lemonheads. Few artists have ever gotten shit on as much as Evan Dando, but what he does to simple pop songs is awesome...Hospital, One More Time, Dawn Can’t Decide are 3 greats. Juliana Hatfield is equally abused but she also has tons of great stuff - Forever Baby from her first album is my favorite.
Posted by on 04/24 at 10:52 PMNobody mentioned me. I don’t get any respect. What am I, Canadian? I wrote, I’m a Believer, eh?
Posted by on 04/24 at 11:53 PMI can’t believe it took until 23 to get to it. The Records “Starry Eyes” is the perfect pop song, and if it weren’t so perfectly disposable there’d be no reason to write another pop song at all.
Posted by on 04/25 at 12:08 AMAnticipating the Perfect Rock Album Value Judgement post:
Stephen Stills’, “Manassas”. Absolutely perfect!
Posted by on 04/25 at 10:23 AMi thought “son of a preahcer man” was dusty springfield? And HWC? Really? Anything off “Exile In Guyville is like twenty million times better.
Posted by zach on 04/25 at 10:51 AMincidentally, i have to throw in my vote for The Go-Betweens’ “Spring Rain,” which bowls me over every time i hear it.
Posted by zach on 04/25 at 10:53 AMiPod just played “Rip It Up,” by Orange Juice, for me (thanks!). Is it the perfect pop song? Maybe not, but it’s worth a mention. (Plus, there’s a nice little homage to the Buzzcocks on the bridge, and on the brief ensuing guitar solo.)
Posted by on 04/25 at 11:42 AMMicheal, you have unimpeachable taste. In a world of a million or so suggestions, “Cruel To Be Kind” is a worthy No. 1. My stock answer is generally “Shake Some Action,” and Badfinger’s “Baby Blue” may be the perfect pop SINGLE (with a b-side of the Knack’s “My Sharona"), but I’m willing to accept the Basher here. More recently, Fountains of Wayne’s “Denise” cracks the canon. Rock on ...
Posted by on 04/25 at 12:29 PM"i thought “son of a preahcer man” was dusty springfield? And HWC? Really? Anything off “Exile In Guyville is like twenty million times better.”
You’re right, Dusty Springfield did it first. Aretha covered it, but I think I was thinking of the original.
As for Exile In Guyville, I’m not sure anything off that album really qualifies as pop. Most of the stuff from that album is probably too deep. H.W.C. is as frothy as the title/chorus suggests, so I went with that. I guess I could have picked another from her latest album.
Posted by on 04/25 at 02:34 PMI am shocked that this discussion got so far and not one (at least) honorable mention to Material Issue. Their first two albums are packed with 3 minute pop songs.
And if you want to go digging, try to find a copy of a Norwegian band called Popium. They have a song called I Can’t Get That Love Song Out of My Head which is not only a brilliant 3 minute pop song, but about them as well.
Posted by Platosearwax on 04/25 at 02:40 PMWhile I bow to no one in my admiration for the music of Nick Lowe--my son Nicholas Declan will ruefully vouch for that--the most perfect pop song of all is Badfinger’s “Baby Blue.” Right up there: “Wayside,” by Artful Dodger.
Posted by on 04/25 at 03:13 PMWhere is: “Happy Together” by the Turtles; or anything by Too Much Joy ("Crush Story” pops to mind first); “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon; “Break out” by Swing Out Sisters; Tom Cochran’s “Life is a Highway”? I guess I need to check out Big Star’s “September Gurls” ‘cause I don’t know it but it’s got a lot of supporters on this thread.
All that said, a friend pointed me to this blog because “Cruel to Be Kind” is my go-to song! It erases any and every foul jingle that gets stuck on auto-loop in my head. If I have the CD on, I normally play the track twice in a row; and then one more time as the last song before I change out the CD. Brilliant song craft!
Posted by on 04/25 at 05:50 PMAnother vote for Fountains of Wayne in the Current Popmeisters category.
Most of the last CD “Welcome Interstate Managers” is of a quality on par with the other tracks mentioned here. Sure, “Stacey’s Mom” was overexposed but still great, and nearly all the other tracks are pure pop nirvana. I despise football, but the song “All Kinds of Time” is emotionally breathtaking in the way that only pop music is.
Plus it rocks on long drives.
Posted by skimble on 04/25 at 07:40 PMa lot of people have lost focus of what he’s talking about,you know the depth thing, but I won’t bitch about that. oh I just did. Sorry.
I want candy, Bow Wow Wow
there’s no other way the blur
and in an act of shameless self promotion…
perfect the first by truckeehttp://www.truckeenyc.com/themusic.shtml
Posted by on 04/25 at 07:44 PMShelly’s Boyfriend, by Bonnie Hayes and the Punts
Posted by on 04/25 at 07:55 PM"New York City” by Cub (or in its better known TMBG cover)
“Louis Quatorze” by Bow Wow Wow
“Passion is No Ordinary Word” by Graham Parker
“Career Opportunities” by The Clash (or is that too topical?)
“In My Mind” by Jonny Polonski
“Qualities of Mercy” by Penelope Houston
“Lucky Number” by Lene Lovich
“Crash” by the Primitives
“She’s Automatic” by Rancid
Posted by on 04/25 at 10:30 PMOh oh!
I second “Happy Loving Couples” by Joe Jackson, Lysergic Bliss, by Of Montreal, and pretty much everything Fountains of Wayne has ever done (although I think “Denise” epitomizes the kind of pop we’re talking about here. It does after all contain hand claps, shoo be doos and la las in the chorus, and the lines “I heard she used to be married/she listens to Puff Daddy/she works at Liberty Travel/she’s got a heart made of… gravel"). And I second (well, more like twentieth) the XTC, too. It’s good to know there’s a whole community of blog readers who listen to them too, because my friends look at me like I’ve lost a few screws when I tell them I’m listening to 80’s power pop.
Rufus Wainwright is probably too snarky to fit into this, especially in “California” (Which is not do say I don’t love him dearly). Though if you’re going to include him, “April Fool’s” and “14th Street” are better pop songs.
Apples in Stereo seem to be a really good fit with this (along with Beluah’s first few albums from when they were still on Elephant 6), but I don’t like any of the songs off Velocity of Sound. “Go!” or “Look Away” are both sticky like a good pop song ought to be. I know because I spent about half of high school with one song or another stuck in my head.
I would also propose “Four Leaf Clover” by Badly Drawn Boy. It might be a little too musically complex, but it compensates with inane and incredibly singable lyrics.
Jon Brion (who did the soundtrack for Eternal Sunshine) also specializes in this sort of thing. My favorites are probably “Walking Through Walls” and “Ruin My Day” but his song for I Heart Huckabees “Knock Yourself Out” is some damn good pop, too.
Likewise, anything off the Bomp label before 1985 or so, especially the Flamin’ Groovies. My favorite is probably “Giving it All” by 20/20, whcih is everything a pop song should be-- three chords, meaningless but vaguely romantic lyrics, crude but catchy background harmonies, and a melody that etches itself into your head and then forces its way out of your mouth so it can go on to infect others.
I’m also really surprised no one has mentioned any of John Cale’s more pop stuff, particularly the stuff off of Paris 1919. I went through a phase about a month ago when I absolutely had to listen to the title track about 10 times a day or I’d go crazy.
And where is the ska? Really, people, don’t you remember ska?
...oh dear, I had a lot more to say about this than I thought I did.
Posted by on 04/26 at 04:10 PMTears of a Clown, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Posted by on 04/26 at 04:21 PMIn no particular order:
“Louie Louie” - The Kingsmen
“Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love” - The Premieres
“River Deep, Mountain High” - Ike & Tina
“So Sad About Us” - The Who
“I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” - Dusty Springfield
“Shake Some Action” - The Flamin’ Groovies
“Sheri” (sp?) - Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
“Every Day I Write The Book” - Elvis Costello & the Attractions
“Town Called Malice” - The Jam
“Every Time You Walk In The Room” Jacky de (D?) Shannon
Honourable mentions to Billy Bragg, Andy Patridge, Ray Davies & the rest of Paul Weller’s back catalogue (a taste the US sadly never acquired)Posted by Nick on 04/26 at 07:34 PM"I’m also really surprised no one has mentioned any of John Cale’s more pop stuff.”
Well, it’s not like I hadn’t been thinking about it, EC. So, in that case, I’ll submit “Andalucia.”
Posted by on 04/27 at 08:23 AMMy inner Rik Mayall says, “Anything by Cliff Richard.”
Although it didn’t stay popular nearly long enough, Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” was definitely pop-py.
Posted by on 04/27 at 03:19 PMDwitt:
Rick Springfield had several other hits, including “I’ve done everything for you,” “Celebrate Youth,” and “Affair of the Heart.”You guys have picked a bunch of songs that I thought only I knew and loved, like “Fell” by Let’s Active and “Until You Came Along” by Golden Smog.
Would the Grateful Dead be acceptable? “Friend of the Devil” has a lot to recommend it. Or several tracks on Wilco’s “A.M.” - I’ll pick “Box Full of Letters.”
Still, it’s tough to think of anything that tops the Replacements’ “I Will Dare.”
Pedantically yours,
TedPosted by on 04/27 at 04:29 PMOh, I got it: Marshall Crenshaw, yes, but the song is “You’re My Favorite Waste of Time.”
Posted by on 04/27 at 04:51 PMI had this whole Commonwealth thing going (what? no Bowie? What’s the deeper meaning to “Sound and Vision” and “Let’s Dance”? Videos don’t count!)
“You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC.
But really, “Birdhouse in Your Soul” is probably the only song that really makes me want to jump up and down, and the only person who would think it has too much deep meaning to be “pop” is a (pfeh!) intellectual!
Posted by on 04/27 at 10:50 PMWell, if ya wanna define “perfect” as “with as little unnedessary crap as possible” then the Most Perect Pop Song has to be “Long Way Back to Germany” by the Ramones. It’s so perfect it doesn’t even need any verses, just a chorus!
Posted by Tim Horrigan on 04/28 at 09:32 AMI love that Jamie loves the Beatles.
Posted by Charlie on 04/29 at 12:02 AMUrk, took more spare time than i had to read the entire thread and yet nobody mentioned NRBQ
Ridin in My Car & Me and the Boys submitted for your approval.
Also many mentions of the Kinks but none of Waterloo Sunset - did I miss something?
Yes to Walking on Sunshine and yes to Her Comes Your Man and ooh gawd yes to Wouldn’t it be Nice - that song has been kicking my ass for a week, ever since I finally got the Pet Sounds CD.
Personally I give the nod to Crenshaw over Lowe: Someday, Someway is perfection. Over and out.
Posted by Mark Zepezauer on 04/29 at 03:41 AMI am having trouble with definitions here. Pop IS a definite genre. It deals in memorable melodies, instrumentation that serves the song, and most importantly, has simple subject matter. Sometimes this is in the feeling of the song if not actually in the lyric. One final thing. The best pop has an epic, overwrought qaulity. The yearning or celebration of love is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE WORLD. Rock can be pop, but not often.
I would say there are two main emotions in pop music: clebrating love and yearning for love. All great pop songs do one of these.
For examples, let me mention the Beach Boys.
California Girls celebrates
God Only Knows yearnsand ABC: All of My Heart yearns.
Look of Love celebrates.and Abba
Dancing Queen celebrates
The Winner Takes it All yearns (perfectly)I could go on but it is possible to put all great pop into one of the two columns.
It annoys me to see some of the submissions here. Too many people seem to believe that their collegiate guitar singer songwriter music is worth mentioning. Good luck to them but most of it is not. It isn’t. At best Jonathon Richman, for example, deals in meta-pop. Lucinda Williams is so not pop it isn’t even funny. So many of peoples’ obscure nominations fail because they are not ‘popular’ enough. The Shins and Magnetic Fields (for example)- popular in your house maybe, but meta pop at best.
Pop is not ‘clever’, pop doesn’t even try to be intellectual (or intellectual playing dumb). Sound of the Underground, Hit Me Baby One More Time, Gimme Gimme Gimme a Man After Midnight, You on My Mind, Be My Baby, My Girl. They are irony free.
Pop is above all an archness free zone.
I am further worried by the apparent worship of artists on Stiff Records. Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Elvis Costello. If a bunch of accomplished but resolutely unsexy London pub rockers are the central figures of pop ahead of Motown, PWL Hit Factory, Max Martin etc then we are all in trouble.
Posted by on 05/09 at 06:28 PM
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