Power Pop Heaven II

Boy wants girl. Girl wants boy band. Boy starts band to get girl. This seems to be the basic history of modern music but especially power pop which took the early Beatles’ song structure, modernized it just a smidge, and reintroduced it to a whole new generation of lovesick teenagers. For me, power pop works best when you don’t mess with the formula- irony or messages will only muddy the waters. Boy wants girl. That’s it. It’s a universal message. I’m sure the first caveman band was a power pop band. Here are some (more) of my favorite power pop songs. Enjoy!

Big Star

01. Big Star – “I’m in Love with a Girl” (1974)
02. The Plimsouls – “A Million Miles Away” (1983)
03. Weezer – “The Good Life” (1996)
04. Big Star – “Blue Moon (Demo)” (1974)
05. Fountains of Wayne – “Hackensack” (2003)
06. Chris Bell feat. Alex Chilton – “You and Your Sister” (1978)
07. Raspberries – “I Wanna Be with You” (1972)
08. Big Star – “Back of a Car” (1974)
09. Hoodoo Gurus – “I Want You Back” (1984)
10. Big Star – “Way Out West” (1974)
11. Material Issue – “Valerie Loves Me” (1991)
12. Raspberries – “Tonight” (1973)

Fountains of Wayne

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...