Perfect Pop Songs

And every single song ever written will have been named the "perfect pop song."

 

Debbie wrote the perfect pop song!

 

It's funny what you remember, the moments that stick with you. In 1978 I was in a little bar and the music that was playing was great, and I didn't recognize it at all. I waved the bartender over and asked him what album it was. He gave me a long, measuring look, curled his lip and said in a very snotty and disdainful tone (and an English accent) "Pure Pop For Now People", by Nick Lowe. (Released as "Jesus of Cool" in the U.K.)

I became a huge fan of Lowe, and by extension Edmunds and Rockpile, their group. There are only a couple of Rockpile records, but several of the Lowe and Edmunds albums are functionally Rockpile, as the same four guys played on all of them. Great stuff, English pub rock.

This was a hit for Rockpile, but I really love this version, not least because of the "old guys can still get it done" vibe. A true classic pop song.

 

Eh, some are personal faves and don't really reach that bar. That's ok. Not every song does. And it's "Perfect pop songs", so there's plenty of room.

 

Well, if we're talking Dave Edmunds and Carlene Carter, this one written by Nick Lowe (and Ian Gomm--didn't know that) bears inclusion.

Edit: beaten to the punch by Neutral Corner. Which on this thread is like losing a sprint to Usain Bolt.

 

"I'm A-1 on the jukebox, but nowhere on the charts."

 

Soooo many choices tugging on my brain. Gotta get'em out!

Rockpile. And actual footage of Nick and Carlene's wedding.

 

Just so we don't get stuck in a rut.

 

This is amazing and really shook up the music world when it happened. Big Band pop at Carnegie Hall. It just wasn't done. Throw in that this was a live track, which meant that they had to mic that big group of guys and cut it to acetate on the spot. Another of the "caught live, no overdubs or second takes" tribe. Gene Krupa on the drums.

 

This would be my choice for the Monkees:

One from the Beatles:

A great melody and the beautiful voice of Johnny Nash