X/Z Song Trader: "Couldn't I Just Tell You"
A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter
About X/Z Song Trader: Steve is a music journalist, author and musician. Lucy is a diehard music fan and college student. They have always enjoyed a father/daughter bond over music. Each week one of them picks a song and they both share their perspectives. These are casual conversations based on musical connections. Opinions are their own. Keeping it positive.
Check out the whole X/Z Song Trader series.
Steve’s Perspective
I write a lot about power pop, but I honestly don’t have a ready definition for the genre.
Even after curating several essay collections on the topic and conducting countless interviews with musicians, I’ve found that “you know it when you hear it” is still the best approach for me. I tend to go song-by-song, rather than band-by-band.
If pushed, I point to “September Gurls” by Big Star, “No Matter What” by Badfinger, and “Go All The Way” by Raspberries. Or “My Sharona” by The Knack or “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne, simply because most people have heard them. For more modern examples, I nod to tracks by 2nd Grade, The Speedways or The Whiffs.
“Couldn’t I Just Tell You” is another perfect example of power pop.
For starters, the early Beatles influence is undeniable. This is clearly the work of a gifted songwriter and musician who isn’t afraid to acknowledge his inspirations and influences, all while pushing the form forward.
Musically, the introduction to this track basically set the template for power pop. The perfect, chiming guitar line is quickly energized by thump-and-crack drums before Rundgren’s pleading, raspy voice immediately starts tugging on those heartstrings.
The lovesick longing in the lyrics continues to define the genre 50+ years later:
Couldn't I just tell you the way I feel
I can't keep it bottled up inside
And could we pretend that it's no big deal
And there's really nothing left to hide
To my ears, this track really peaks in the bridge where the amped up Beatlisms build to the moment he finally says “I love you,” followed by a cathartic guitar solo where all those emotions take flight.
I’ve listened to “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” countless times in my life and it never fails to bring a smile to my face—but I can’t remember if I ever specifically played it for you. I’d love to know your thoughts about this song and the genre in general.
Lucy’s Perspective
Honestly, I’ve heard a lot of power pop through you over the course of my life, especially in the past five or so years.
I have enjoyed a really solid chunk of the songs you have sent me—most of them, at least—but this has got to be one of my favorites. I had never heard it until now, but I loved it. It feels like the most perfect song to listen to exactly where I’m writing this, in a cafe, drinking coffee and looking at the ocean.
I was locked in from the second it started with an almost fairy-tale sounding guitar riff, and then the drums kicked in. Something about that intro really pulled me into the song in a way that I haven’t experienced in a while.
Not only is this song super catchy, but it also has a vibe to it that makes listening fun and exciting.
I agree that it does have a very Beatles sound, especially when he sings the phrase “I love you.” The way his voice goes up at the end reminds me a lot of John Lennon. For that reason, my favorite lines have to be:
Hear me out
Why don't you lend me an ear
You've got no reason to fear
I'll make it perfectly clear
I love you
This song really reminds me of a lot of “And I Love Her” and “In My Life.”
All of those songs are upbeat, but with a very nostalgic and chill feel. The specific similarities I see between this Todd Rundgren song and the Beatles’ music might be minimal but the connotation feels very strong to me.
Something about the simple, straightforwardness of the lyrics really works for this song as a whole. Overall I really liked this choice and can see myself adding it to a playlist to listen in moments just like this one.
"Something/Anything" is maybe a top ten all time album for me and this track is pretty much Kid A on the power-pop list. When I was writing for Magnet Magazine we did an entire issue devoted to power-pop -- you might really like it if you haven't seen/read it already. My Big Star feature (which included an invu with the late Alex Chilton) stood for a while as maybe one of the more definitive things out there about the band -- at least until the books came along (ha). https://magnetmagazine.com/2002/09/11/shake-some-action-an-intro-to-magnets-history-of-american-power-pop/
Great that Lucy liked the Todd track - I encourage her to check out the rest of the Something/Anything? album, there are many other treasures to discover there!