I've always been a bit confused as to what the term "power pop" is suppose to mean. Is it any pop song that has a "power" to its lyrics or production? The "boy" songs that come to mind, which may or not be considered power pop, are:
One of the main things about power pop fandom is that there isn't a single, agreed-upon definition, so it's constantly debated (I've described power pop as the "debate club of rock and roll" in the past—which I might have borrowed from somewhere; can't remember.)
I like what Michael Chabon says here: "The expression of unfulfilled longing forms the seam along which irony and sincerity meet, or at least come most nearly to resemble one another. Here we find power pop: at the point where the sincere jangle and thump of two guitars, bass, and drums meet those high harmonies and handclaps that have been ironic from the day, sometime in 1966, that the Beatles renounced them."
Another definition I like is from an interview I did for Bg Takeover magazine with a current power pop band called The Whiffs (this is guitarist/vocalist Rory Cameron): "I only use the term 'power pop' to describe us to people that I think absolutely know what it is (punk nerds), or I usually just say it sounds like a 'punked up Beatles' to my friends’ dads who I know are gonna love us. Dads love us." (The "Dads love us" line is key here...and always makes me laugh.)
I've always been a bit confused as to what the term "power pop" is suppose to mean. Is it any pop song that has a "power" to its lyrics or production? The "boy" songs that come to mind, which may or not be considered power pop, are:
Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold
Boyfriend - Best Coast
Boy From New York City - Manhattan Transfer
Let's Hear it for the Boy - Deniece Williams
City Boy - AM & Shawn Lee
Girls/Girls/Boys - Panic! At the Disco
Smokin' in the Boys Room - Brownsville Station
Beach Boys - Weezer
One of the main things about power pop fandom is that there isn't a single, agreed-upon definition, so it's constantly debated (I've described power pop as the "debate club of rock and roll" in the past—which I might have borrowed from somewhere; can't remember.)
I like what Michael Chabon says here: "The expression of unfulfilled longing forms the seam along which irony and sincerity meet, or at least come most nearly to resemble one another. Here we find power pop: at the point where the sincere jangle and thump of two guitars, bass, and drums meet those high harmonies and handclaps that have been ironic from the day, sometime in 1966, that the Beatles renounced them."
Another definition I like is from an interview I did for Bg Takeover magazine with a current power pop band called The Whiffs (this is guitarist/vocalist Rory Cameron): "I only use the term 'power pop' to describe us to people that I think absolutely know what it is (punk nerds), or I usually just say it sounds like a 'punked up Beatles' to my friends’ dads who I know are gonna love us. Dads love us." (The "Dads love us" line is key here...and always makes me laugh.)
Great concept, and great playlist! Here are a few more you might consider:
- Boy or a Girl by Imperial Drag
- Weekend Boy by Candy
- Kiddie Boy by The Nazz
- 20th Century Boy by T Rex
- Trouble Boys by Dave Edmunds
- Sonny Boy by Owsley
- What's a Boy To Do by Redd Kross
Love it! Edmunds and Redd Kross are the playlist.
Goddamn, Trouble Boys is one of my favorites with a great funny story.
Have you heard this live cover by The Replacements?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MsebdbzmV8
I have not! Sounds cool, though. Thanks for the link.
Always a pleasure to share The Replacements. Enjoy!
Nice mix of classics, underrated (I spy Sloan and 2nd Grade), and new to me. Looking forward to digging in!