Perfect Pop Songs.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Manchester on June 16, 2012 at 9:15pm

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Permalink Reply by maximum jack on June 17, 2012 at 6:43am

Doesn't seem like we talk much about Elliott Smith here at R&RT.  Perhaps the most tragic loss of the new century thus far.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Manchester on June 17, 2012 at 7:37am

 A little Motown-ish

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Permalink Reply by maximum jack on June 17, 2012 at 6:46pm

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on June 17, 2012 at 10:22pm

These guys were unsung masters. Even the pop bloggers haven't hailed there greatness yet as far as I've seen.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on June 17, 2012 at 10:26pm

Curious-does anybody have any thoughts on what attributes constitute "perfect pop"? I mean, adding the adjective "perfect" sort of adds a strict qualifier IMHO.

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Permalink Reply by Gail Manchester on June 17, 2012 at 10:32pm

I believe it's all a matter of personal prefrence. I like what I like, bit I know my taste is rather low brow. I look to the Tribe to raise my standards..or help me set some...

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Permalink Reply by Stan Schwieger on June 18, 2012 at 6:10am

Thomas, I attempted to "answer" by example in my previous postings--First, I think a pop song has to have a hook.  Not a small, impale your little finger fishing hook, but a meat hook that will support a side of beef.  Secondly, catchiness...something that you listen to it the first time, and it grabs you by the throat and keeps doing so.  "Deep lyrics" are optional...Costello's biting little bits as opposed to Tommy James "Crimson and Clover"--it don't matter.  For my personal tastes, they never can be too teeny bopper, too stupid, too insipid, too bubblegum (Bay City Rollers, anyone?)  One must discount that it came from him/her/them in order to chase what may be unatainable.

Take for example, this fine, fine ditty from Evan and Jarron. Everything that I would typically hate--two pretty boys selling out, but manage to create a damn fine song:  Hooks, nice vocals, good break, and did I mention hooks?

Once again, all Triber's mileage may vary.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on June 18, 2012 at 9:34am

Stan-you've obviously thought about this subject before! (By the way, I like this example and will be checking out Even & Jaron-thanks).

Hooks-yes, for sure! The more the better! I've wondered this before-if a song is too catchy, is it too much of a good thing? I say NO! I've often thought "What if a song was all hooks linked together- at the expense of the melody?

Songs that are all hook-I think chant songs like "Mickey" or "Tubthumping" are all hook...in the singular. So I wouldn't call them  perfect pop. Something that repetitive wouldn't be perfect pop.

Gail posted a video of "Sugar Sugar". I think many great Bubblegum tunes get straight to the hooks and keep them coming! "Sugar Sugar" is a fabulous example.

There is another Archies tune called "Sugar And Spice" the opening verse is a mere 3 lines before the songs starts rolling towards the chorus! Jellyfish did an amazing cover of this song. It is included on the Jellyfish box set.

Anyway...random thoughts...

Luv the Tribe, but I wanna cut down on my computer time!

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on June 19, 2012 at 8:51am

Note-I would rip and upload Jellyfish's version of "Sugar and Spice", but the person responsible for it's release is also one of Rock and Roll Tribe's founders-

 

A song that is almost pure hooks is Guided By Voices' "Glad Girls"

 

I love songs that start with the chorus. Talk about cutting to the chase. Marshall Crenshaw's (You're My) Favorite Waste of Time is another example of a song starting with the chorus.

Hook 1-Hey hey, glad girls only want to get you high (repeat 3 times)
Hook 2-And they're alright (repeat 4 times)

After this, there is a section ("There will be no coronation...") which basically builds towards the chorus and the hooks again. There is also a bridge later-so Bob isn't all hooks!

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Permalink Reply by maximum jack on June 19, 2012 at 11:07am

I very rarely complain about overly repetitive lyrics, but "Glad Girls"  gets on my nerves.  It's only 3:26, but it wears out its welcome by about the one minute mark.  From the same record, "Chasing Heather Crazy" and "Brides Have Hit Glass" are good examples of Pop Perfection.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Cruz on June 20, 2012 at 9:59am

Ultra-repetitive choruses aren't really Bob Pollard's thing, so it does sound a bit off coming from GBV. But repetitive choruses/hooks are definitely a hallmark of great Pop throughout Rock's history.

Must agree on your other examples and would like to add "Fair Touching" to the list. "Brides Have Hit Glass" is one of my favorite songs ever, but they should've at least doubled up on the main guitar riff to make it more prominent and transform it to more of a hook.

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