This is a guest post series about power pop featuring some of my favorite music writers. We’ll be sharing a new installment every few weeks or so (while supplies last). Full series here.
Is It Power Pop?
By Tamar Berk
“Is It Power Pop” is a loaded question that I generally let the diehard purists fight about.
But when Steve asked me to contribute, I started thinking about my relationship with power pop and what, in my mind, I think of when I think of that genre.
Well, I suppose to me power pop—famously coined by Pete Townshend in 1967 when describing The Who’s sound: “Power pop is what we play”—has certain ingredients that I feel need to be present in order to earn that label.
Since the debate rages on to this day, these are the ingredients that must be present in order for me to coin it “power pop”:
GUITARS—And not wanking on guitar solos! Just nice power chords that feel tough and are played with vim and vigor.
MELODIES—Catchy, upbeat, and fun.
HARMONIES—That enhance the melody and, in some cases, create their own distinct vibe.
UPBEAT TEMPO—Something you can move to, bop your head to, or dance like nobody’s watching.
POP STRUCTURE—Clear verses, choruses, bridges, and short guitar solos.
In conclusion, power pop will always be debated, but I decided to include some classics because this is what started it all. And without these trailblazers, I would not be writing some of the power pop songs that I do. Or are they?
“The Kids Are Alright” by The Who
The irony is that I never saw The Who on a whole as a power pop band, but I sure did consider some of their songs power pop. Take “The Kids Are Alright”—it’s got all the elements from above, but with a vibe I can’t really explain. There’s a melancholic edge to the melody of this song, so despite the peppiness, this is one of my favorite Who songs.
“All Day and All of the Night” by The Kinks
This is a great example of power pop (even if it isn’t my most favorite Kinks song). It definitely falls into the power pop category with those meaty chords, progressions, fun and furious guitar solo, and boppiness.
“What’cha Gonna Do About It?” by Small Faces
Steve Marriott is a rock ’n’ roll star, but some of the early Small Faces songs like “What’cha Gonna Do About It?” were quintessential power pop—from the catchiness, danceability, call-and-response vocals, and just kind of bratty-boy attitude, which I love!
“Good Girls Don’t” by The Knack
Another perfect example of power pop. Super fun, catchy, great harmonies, and an awesome bridge with those killer power chords. I love The Knack—a big influence on my more power pop songs.
“Saturday Night” by Bay City Rollers
I have to include this last band because I WAS OBSESSED! I loved that the drummer sang “Saturday Night.” I loved their outfits, the catchy chorus, and four-on-the-floor drums that literally never wavered save for the limited fills—and yet you can’t help but jump for joy when this song comes on. It’s power pop meets glam meets the ‘50s.
Tamar Berk crafts emotionally raw indie rock and alt-pop that blends fuzzed-out guitars, dreamy textures, and lyrics that linger like a thought you can’t shake. Her latest album, OCD, is a reverb-soaked deep dive into looping thoughts, emotional undoing, and the patterns we can’t escape.
Previously On “Is It Power Pop?!”
Is It Power Pop?!
This is a guest post series about power pop featuring some of my favorite music writers. We’ll be sharing a new installment every few weeks or so (while supplies last). Full series here.
The Knack is still not appreciated as they should be. What a great Power Pop...no, Rock band they were. It would be one thing if they just didn't receive the recognition they deserve, but to knock them for being Beatles derivative or creepy is annoying. And the Bay City Rollers are most definitely a Power Pop band and yet another that doesn't get the credit they should. When I was a snot nosed little kid, my sisters used to play their albums constantly (I think they liked the drummer and the bass player ;-)). I've been meaning to go back and revisit those records that will most certainly provide that weird, dopamine rush that I get when my brain pulls an old melody from its archive.
While I have some catching up to do, I'm really digging this series. The different perspectives and examples are so great. That Faces song is fantastic. However, I will deduct points from the Knack (not the author) for the harmonica around the neck. I'm here for power pop, not a "singer/songwriter open mic" haha.