Channeling AM Pop – Part 2

For decades, Top 40 radio formats made sense since they were data driven and based on record sales. But what is popular is not always good for us- or at least does not have a very long shelf life. There was garbage on AM radio, to be sure- even when the songs were new- but the best of AM pop has proven to be indestructible to the forces of time. Call it nostalgia, but I find a certain comfort in enjoying music most listeners would agree is pretty faultless and thoroughly pleasurable, though- when it comes to AM pop- some listeners sadly will never be able to get past the ick factor of listening to something old.

ABBA: All smiles just before the divorces

Then why don’t we burn down the libraries and museums, and banish Mozart and Beethoven? Their stuff is old, too. But I ask you- is there anything new worth listening to, or is music finally going the way of other unfortunate art forms such as radio, television, and movies (all of which require some sort of attention span and seem to have hit a dead end)? As for the Jean, I will continue to go where the good stuff leads me- even if that means going alone backwards through time to discover hidden treasures in locked rooms. Anyway, I’ve never been one to follow any particular order when wandering through a museum. I just stop and dig whatever grabs me. Here are more of my favorite AM pop songs. Enjoy!

01. ABBA – “The Winner Takes It All” (1980)

02. Scott Walker – “Joanna” (1968)

03. Paul Simon – “Mother and Child Reunion” (1972)

04. Looking Glass – “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” (1972)

05. Astrud Gilberto – “Never My Love” (1968)

06. Spiral Starecase – “More Today Than Yesterday” (1969)

07. Jim Croce – “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” (1972)

08. Herman’s Hermits – “I’m into Something Good” (1964)

09. Carpenters – “Superstar” (1971)

10. The Original Caste – “One Tin Soldier” (1969)

11. The Searchers – “When You Walk in the Room” (1964)

12. Johnny Rivers – “Positively 4th Street” (1968)

13. Jackie DeShannon – “Needles and Pins” (1963)

14. Jackie DeShannon – “What the World Needs Now” (1968)

15. Jackie DeShannon – “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” (1969)

16. Maureen McGovern – “The Morning After” (1972)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

ABBA – “The Winner Takes It All”

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