Jim Schue Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 I'm a freak for a great pop song. You know the type: the typical verse-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-verse-chorusX2 type songs. And I'm going to start this one out with one of the most unconventional pop songs of all time, and that would be: "New York Groove" by Ace Frehley This was the overwhelming star from the ill-fated KISS solo album venture, but Ace's was the clear best among the four, and he gave us this wonderful song that tennis fans will always recognize from watching the US Open. It's got everything: Great hooks, great lyrics, great production. It has everything you need to be the most perfect pop song KISS ever produced (even though it was a quarter-job), and, of course, one of the all-time greatest pop songs ever. I dare you to listen and disagree with its profound greatness. Give me your obvious and your not-so-obvious great pop songs.
Jim Schue Posted November 16, 2015 Author Posted November 16, 2015 This is arguably the greatest pop song ever, written about arguably the greatest pop song writer ever.
Bluto Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Are we judging this by OUR OWN tastes, record sales, staying power, or what?
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Are we judging this by OUR OWN tastes, record sales, staying power, or what? Perhaps this thread should've been called "Favorite Pop Songs of All Time" instead of "Best Pop Songs Ever". It sounds like Jim and I are a lot alike in that though we might dig some mainstream stuff, we're bound to keep our ears to the underground and get a rush out of some more obscure stuff. Here's an example of one of those, and I'm not sure In a million years I can make a true real complete list of my favorite pop songs, but I certainly dig the idea of searching my mind to see which ones surface. I know that I'll miss a higher percentage of ones that I can't remember off the top of my head than the ones I can. Anyhow... If anyone remembers the Ipod commercials from a little over 10 years ago that had neon colors with silhouetted people dancing with white earbuds on attached to white Ipods, you might recall a song called "Jerk It Out", but since it didn't get much or any radio air play probably very few knew it to be a tune from a Swedish pop band named "Caesars". This tune showed up on their 2003 release "39 Minutes of Bliss" as the only song from that album having been released as a single. The whole album however is a fun instantly likable pop album. Though "Jerk It Out" was groovy with its likable pop sensibilities and distinctive sound, I've always dug the instant impact of the lead off track from this album called "Sort It Out". It was surprising to me that this band didn't get recognized much stateside considering the tune "Jerk It Out" was constantly on the television backing an eye catching ear bending high profile commercial from the hip and popular Apple corporation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoNTZXKuONY
hoops5 Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Christina and the Wave: "I'm Walking on Sunshine" C'mon now. You know you smiled. You sang along. It put you in a good mood.
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 For the sake of jogging your memory here is "Jerk It Out" from the Ipod commercial, which I dig as well.
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Since you brought up KISS it brings to mind that when first released the tune "I Was Made For Loving You" was panned as KISS selling out to disco, but I have to admit I couldn't help but to like it and always have. Sure it's a bit cheesy, but sure is catchy as hell too.
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Here's the pop tune "Let's Go To Bed" that turned me on to The Cure back in the early days of MTV. For me then it was a much needed break from what I had been banging my head to for far too long from age 15-20. It was time to try on something new as metal by that time was largely starting to get too watered down anyhow. It was released as a single in 1982, but I wasn't introduced to it until '83 when MTV first appeared. Technically MTV began in '81 but didn't show up on our cable stations until '83. Don't know why but I couldn't find this video on Youtube, so I here's a link to one I found on dailymotion http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2an6l_the-cure-let-s-go-to-bed_music
Clyde Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Christina and the Wave: "I'm Walking on Sunshine" C'mon now. You know you smiled. You sang along. It put you in a good mood. Physically impossible not to AT LEAST sing "whoa-oa."
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Back in the early 80's the British band Yazoo (Yaz in the states) came out with a hot pop dance album called "Upstairs at Eric's" with vocalist Allison Moyet and ex-Depeche Mode keyboardist Vince Clarke on keys. I dug the two more lovey dovey songs "Only You" and "Midnight" as Allison knew how to turn it out with emotion, but keeping with the theme of straightforward pop songs, this song "Situation" was probably my favorite pop tune on the album. [video=youtube;eBOobFD-Jns]
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 The Howard Jones song - "Things Can Only Get Better" has held up well since being released in 1985. Though it's undoubtedly 80's MTV era, to me it feels a bit more timeless than that. I dig the inspiring lyrics and good vibe. [video=youtube;-OO9LloDSJo]
B-Ball-fan Posted November 16, 2015 Posted November 16, 2015 Brit Karl Wallinger of World Party has a knack for writing great songs with a ton of Beatles and Stones influence. So that I don't get carried away posting all of them, I'll just post one of his more inspiring straightforward pop tunes that I dig a ton. "Beautiful Dream"
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