These are all great songs! I was around when they were released and never heard the term "power pop" associated with them. Back then these were referred to as rock or new wave bands. In my ongoing attempt to understand this "power pop" genre I now see that it can include any pop/rock song with a lot of energy from any era. Am I getting closer??
Ha! I will say that in my own evolution with power pop fandom that going song by song (instead of album by album, band by band, etc.) was a revelation. Beyond that, the simplest definition I can think of is probably some version of this: “Power pop was originally music made by Beatles fans who were sad that their favorite band broke up—so they started making that kind of music on their own. Since then, power pop has evolved over the decades with every new iteration of pop rock, but with those early Beatles-esque elements always at the sweet and crunchy core.”
Interesting. I'd never heard that origin story before! When I think of the Beatles I think great writing, melodies, arrangements, (mostly) relatable lyrics, and energy - unless you're talking about a song like "Yesterday" which isn't meant to have excess energy unless it's emotional energy.
Think early Beatles. Other major influences early on include The Who, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds. Earliest examples of power pop bands: Badfinger, Big Star, Raspberries, Flamin’ Groovies, etc.
But the part many purists often leave out is that power pop evolves…so each new generation carries forward that original spark, but with more modern influences woven in. In other words, it’s a never-ending relay race, far as I can tell.
Flawless victory for Eric Skodis. Great picks. That 5th slot was probably murder trying to decided which one to include. Which song by The Cars wasn't easy either. Those first 2 Cars records are brilliant. Pretty much any of those songs could have been held up as a perfect encapsulation of the idea. Totally agree with your thoughts on My Sharona, wow what a song. Good work, you may proceed to the next level.
Dance The Night Away has always been my favorite Van Halen song. I never thought to call it Power Pop before! Now I understand why it's my favorite by them.
Excellent choices all — especially the VH one. I've been putting "Dance the Night Away" on homemade power pop mixes and playlists since 1989!
Funny enough…the next guest post in the series includes that track as well. Van Halen’s early legacy is being reclaimed by the power poppers!
Excellent list!
Agreed!
These are all great songs! I was around when they were released and never heard the term "power pop" associated with them. Back then these were referred to as rock or new wave bands. In my ongoing attempt to understand this "power pop" genre I now see that it can include any pop/rock song with a lot of energy from any era. Am I getting closer??
Ha! I will say that in my own evolution with power pop fandom that going song by song (instead of album by album, band by band, etc.) was a revelation. Beyond that, the simplest definition I can think of is probably some version of this: “Power pop was originally music made by Beatles fans who were sad that their favorite band broke up—so they started making that kind of music on their own. Since then, power pop has evolved over the decades with every new iteration of pop rock, but with those early Beatles-esque elements always at the sweet and crunchy core.”
Interesting. I'd never heard that origin story before! When I think of the Beatles I think great writing, melodies, arrangements, (mostly) relatable lyrics, and energy - unless you're talking about a song like "Yesterday" which isn't meant to have excess energy unless it's emotional energy.
Think early Beatles. Other major influences early on include The Who, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds. Earliest examples of power pop bands: Badfinger, Big Star, Raspberries, Flamin’ Groovies, etc.
But the part many purists often leave out is that power pop evolves…so each new generation carries forward that original spark, but with more modern influences woven in. In other words, it’s a never-ending relay race, far as I can tell.
Dance The Night Away is a track I've gone back to endlessly over the past four decades. It's a timeless classic.
Sooooooo good!
Flawless victory for Eric Skodis. Great picks. That 5th slot was probably murder trying to decided which one to include. Which song by The Cars wasn't easy either. Those first 2 Cars records are brilliant. Pretty much any of those songs could have been held up as a perfect encapsulation of the idea. Totally agree with your thoughts on My Sharona, wow what a song. Good work, you may proceed to the next level.
Although I'd put "Let's Go" on instead.
IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING! 🤣
A victory for all mankind!
Dance The Night Away has always been my favorite Van Halen song. I never thought to call it Power Pop before! Now I understand why it's my favorite by them.
One of us! One of us!