Favorite Power Pop Tunes
#1
Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Just a thread to appreciate the sometimes-maligned & stigmatized genre of power pop. A tribute to the obvious greats...Big Star , Badfinger , and other purveyors of jangling guitars & tight harmonies (such as Smithereens, Cars, Bangles, Matthew Sweet, Cheap Trick, Knack, Raspberries, dBs, Peter Frampton, & others).
The tunes don't have to be from a primarily power pop band or solo artist...for instance, wouldn't Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" qualify? George Harrison's "What is Life?"
Just a few to begin:
Plimsouls: A Million Miles Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVuShP7YVY
Flamin' Groovies: Shake Some Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaN1L2KSvGg
La's: There She Goes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVd2x0EpnYA
Matthew Sweet: I've Been Waiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieKFOOGP1r8
Marshall Crenshaw: Somebody Crying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63n2RgDmGQs
Bram Tchaikovsky: Girl of My Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAC9A0_7o-E
(Interesting trivia: 3rd song is allegedly about heroin addiction; last one is about romance with a blow-up doll)
The tunes don't have to be from a primarily power pop band or solo artist...for instance, wouldn't Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" qualify? George Harrison's "What is Life?"
Just a few to begin:
Plimsouls: A Million Miles Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTVuShP7YVY
Flamin' Groovies: Shake Some Action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaN1L2KSvGg
La's: There She Goes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVd2x0EpnYA
Matthew Sweet: I've Been Waiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieKFOOGP1r8
Marshall Crenshaw: Somebody Crying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63n2RgDmGQs
Bram Tchaikovsky: Girl of My Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAC9A0_7o-E
(Interesting trivia: 3rd song is allegedly about heroin addiction; last one is about romance with a blow-up doll)
Last edited by creekdipper; 04-28-15 at 07:55 AM.
#2
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Best Power Pop tune ever...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_zmewdR-b8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I_zmewdR-b8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#5
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
For whatever reason I can't get the video to imbed but this is a damn-near perfect example of Power Pop.
Toms - "Better than Anyone Else"
https://youtu.be/ICCHc0JObAU
Toms - "Better than Anyone Else"
https://youtu.be/ICCHc0JObAU
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
We've done this subject at least a couple of times before. My faves, in no particular order:
Marshall Crenshaw
~Cynical Girl - It doesn't get much more exuberantly jangly than this.
Shoes
~Now and Then - Harder than most P.P., but what a juggernaut!
~In My Arms Again - Love the build-up and layering-in of instruments in this one.
Richard X. Heyman
~World of Indifference - His best song, but not on Yt.
~Caught in a Lie - Not on Yt.
~Falling Away
Greg Kihn
~Love and Rock & Roll
The Plimsouls
~How Long Will it Take? (The best Plimsouls song, imo)
~Now
~Magic Touch (Unrelated video)
The Records
~Starry Eyes
The Rubinoos
~Drivin' Music
~Amnesia
The Searchers
~Murder in My Heart
~Hearts in Her Eyes
Dwight Twilley
~Perfect World (Not on Yt)
~Shooting Stars (Not on Yt)
~Why You Wanna Break My Heart?
Bram Tchaikovsky
~Girl of My Dreams
Marshall Crenshaw
~Cynical Girl - It doesn't get much more exuberantly jangly than this.
Spoiler:
Shoes
~Now and Then - Harder than most P.P., but what a juggernaut!
Spoiler:
~In My Arms Again - Love the build-up and layering-in of instruments in this one.
Spoiler:
Richard X. Heyman
~World of Indifference - His best song, but not on Yt.
~Caught in a Lie - Not on Yt.
~Falling Away
Spoiler:
Greg Kihn
~Love and Rock & Roll
Spoiler:
The Plimsouls
~How Long Will it Take? (The best Plimsouls song, imo)
Spoiler:
~Now
Spoiler:
~Magic Touch (Unrelated video)
Spoiler:
The Records
~Starry Eyes
Spoiler:
The Rubinoos
~Drivin' Music
Spoiler:
~Amnesia
Spoiler:
The Searchers
~Murder in My Heart
Spoiler:
~Hearts in Her Eyes
Spoiler:
Dwight Twilley
~Perfect World (Not on Yt)
~Shooting Stars (Not on Yt)
~Why You Wanna Break My Heart?
Spoiler:
Bram Tchaikovsky
~Girl of My Dreams
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Dh78GEKr1g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHeOJJkNbUo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KLH3Vw5e9os" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3K2I5-g5L9U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHeOJJkNbUo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KLH3Vw5e9os" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3K2I5-g5L9U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#8
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Shoes - Cruel You
The Kings - This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide
The Spongetones - Here I Go Again
The Knack - Good Girls Don't
Voice Of The Beehive - I Walk The Earth
Voice Of The Beehive - There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car
Elliot Easton - (Wearing Down) Like a Wheel
Crack The Sky - Too Nice For That
Crack The Sky - Good Child Gone Wild
Dwight Twilley - Girls
April Wine - If You See Kay
Spoiler:
The Kings - This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide
Spoiler:
The Spongetones - Here I Go Again
Spoiler:
The Knack - Good Girls Don't
Spoiler:
Voice Of The Beehive - I Walk The Earth
Spoiler:
Voice Of The Beehive - There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car
Spoiler:
Elliot Easton - (Wearing Down) Like a Wheel
Spoiler:
Crack The Sky - Too Nice For That
Spoiler:
Crack The Sky - Good Child Gone Wild
Spoiler:
Dwight Twilley - Girls
Spoiler:
April Wine - If You See Kay
Spoiler:
Last edited by TerryW; 04-28-15 at 10:05 PM.
#9
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
So many great songs to choose from. I will throw out a few that popped into my head but there are many more I will think of later.
A few Shoes songs have been mentioned and there are so many great ones with that band.
Same with Cheap Trick.
While we're on IL bands how about Material Issue? Their first album produced at the Shoes recording studio. They also have plenty of Cheap Trick flourishes evident.
From their great first album International Pop Overthrow (a killer track as well)
MI: Valerie Loves Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcRtlj8KXT4
MI: Diane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnNERIy0HI
MI: Very First Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvETVRwl2M
plus
MI: What Girls Want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhIBh_L9RXk
MI: Kim the Waitress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5oa5IPSX0
A few Shoes songs have been mentioned and there are so many great ones with that band.
Same with Cheap Trick.
While we're on IL bands how about Material Issue? Their first album produced at the Shoes recording studio. They also have plenty of Cheap Trick flourishes evident.
From their great first album International Pop Overthrow (a killer track as well)
MI: Valerie Loves Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcRtlj8KXT4
MI: Diane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnNERIy0HI
MI: Very First Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvETVRwl2M
plus
MI: What Girls Want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhIBh_L9RXk
MI: Kim the Waitress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5oa5IPSX0
#10
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
This collaboration with the three songwriters of Shoes has always been a fave:
Three Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtatOTz8ak8
Three Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtatOTz8ak8
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
The Late Show from Indy:
Hey Sue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbMLabczQ8
Just A Matter of Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-MbzR8K4bk
Take A Chance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvUprOCGUz8
The Vertebrats from C-U, IL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fuYHhihOxQ
From Carbondale, IL
The Hip Chemists only single.
Pop Songs" b/w "I Wanna Be a Brit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFEMoYrKv4
Hey Sue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbMLabczQ8
Just A Matter of Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-MbzR8K4bk
Take A Chance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvUprOCGUz8
The Vertebrats from C-U, IL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fuYHhihOxQ
From Carbondale, IL
The Hip Chemists only single.
Pop Songs" b/w "I Wanna Be a Brit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFEMoYrKv4
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Hey, a Pusser sighting! Howdy, fellow foot-lover.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Not among my absolute favourites in the genre, but a couple of good tunes are Artful Dodger's "Wayside" and "Remember".
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ql0ZofDP1pc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A27_APO5qzs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ql0ZofDP1pc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/A27_APO5qzs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
I always thought that Semisonic's "Brand New Baby" sounded like an great Badfinger rip-off.
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ndg2XrBe0Qs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And from the Boston area, the Neighborhood's "Prettiest Girl" is a local classic.
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v8SMDoanED8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ndg2XrBe0Qs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And from the Boston area, the Neighborhood's "Prettiest Girl" is a local classic.
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v8SMDoanED8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
This was pretty cool to see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E_1...7AX6tYQ10aomSg
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Dave Edmunds " Crawling Through The Wreckage"
The Vapors "Turning Japanese"
The Headboys "The Shape Of Things To Come"
The Sinceroes - Worlds Apart
The Vapors "Turning Japanese"
The Headboys "The Shape Of Things To Come"
The Sinceroes - Worlds Apart
#17
Senior Member
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
The Jags: Back Of My Hand
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hu91uv2f_Bs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Producers: She Sheila
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4k89_UrZXNw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hu91uv2f_Bs?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Producers: She Sheila
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4k89_UrZXNw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
If anyone's on Spotify, I assembled a Power Pop Playlist based on the Poptopia albums of the 90s and other favorites.
https://open.spotify.com/user/hokeyb...VdmiARVrTceq9z
https://open.spotify.com/user/hokeyb...VdmiARVrTceq9z
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
How the HELL has this thread gone on this long without someone mentioning:
And as far as what song? Every song on that album is among the best power-pop songs ever written. EVERY song. One of those all-time great albums that just hits from beginning to end.
Edited to add: Apparently this is post #999 for me. They ain't too bad either.
And as far as what song? Every song on that album is among the best power-pop songs ever written. EVERY song. One of those all-time great albums that just hits from beginning to end.
Edited to add: Apparently this is post #999 for me. They ain't too bad either.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
So many great songs to choose from. I will throw out a few that popped into my head but there are many more I will think of later.
A few Shoes songs have been mentioned and there are so many great ones with that band.
Same with Cheap Trick.
While we're on IL bands how about Material Issue? Their first album produced at the Shoes recording studio. They also have plenty of Cheap Trick flourishes evident.
From their great first album International Pop Overthrow (a killer track as well)
MI: Valerie Loves Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcRtlj8KXT4
MI: Diane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnNERIy0HI
MI: Very First Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvETVRwl2M
plus
MI: What Girls Want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhIBh_L9RXk
MI: Kim the Waitress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5oa5IPSX0
A few Shoes songs have been mentioned and there are so many great ones with that band.
Same with Cheap Trick.
While we're on IL bands how about Material Issue? Their first album produced at the Shoes recording studio. They also have plenty of Cheap Trick flourishes evident.
From their great first album International Pop Overthrow (a killer track as well)
MI: Valerie Loves Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcRtlj8KXT4
MI: Diane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjnNERIy0HI
MI: Very First Lie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvETVRwl2M
plus
MI: What Girls Want
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhIBh_L9RXk
MI: Kim the Waitress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5oa5IPSX0
#21
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Some great stuff posted I've never heard of. Thanks!
A while back I discovered a company who specialized in power-pop releases. Can't remember if it was on the 'net or a mail-order catalog or newsletter business. I do remember that I got a killer two-CD sampler of some tremendous music (which is buried somewhere on CD shelves now).
This ring a bell to any fans?
A while back I discovered a company who specialized in power-pop releases. Can't remember if it was on the 'net or a mail-order catalog or newsletter business. I do remember that I got a killer two-CD sampler of some tremendous music (which is buried somewhere on CD shelves now).
This ring a bell to any fans?
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
This has always been one of my favorites of this type. Interesting video, one continuous shot, no cuts or edits.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ahHsozuh33o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ahHsozuh33o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#23
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0lmJ-ZWSOA8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Favorite Power Pop Tunes
Some great stuff posted I've never heard of. Thanks!
A while back I discovered a company who specialized in power-pop releases. Can't remember if it was on the 'net or a mail-order catalog or newsletter business. I do remember that I got a killer two-CD sampler of some tremendous music (which is buried somewhere on CD shelves now).
This ring a bell to any fans?
A while back I discovered a company who specialized in power-pop releases. Can't remember if it was on the 'net or a mail-order catalog or newsletter business. I do remember that I got a killer two-CD sampler of some tremendous music (which is buried somewhere on CD shelves now).
This ring a bell to any fans?