[Western Music] Start Here First! A Roundup of Classic, Popular Power Pop Songs
Suddenly, but what bands or sounds come to mind for you when you hear the genre “power pop”? Those who are well-versed might immediately name Badfinger and Raspberries—the originators of power pop—as well as bands from the punk and new wave era onward.
However, interpretations vary from person to person, so many may be wondering, “Which ones actually count as power pop?” Its roots trace back to 1960s bands like The Beatles and The Who, but in this article we introduce a curated selection of classic tracks—spanning from the genre’s heyday in the 1970s through the ’90s and 2000s—that we especially recommend for newcomers to power pop.
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[Western Music] Start Here! A Roundup of Classic Power Pop Favorites (31–40)
Do Anything You Wanna DoEddie&The Hot Rods
A song released as a single in 1977 by the English pub rock band Eddie & The Hot Rods.
It is their most famous track, produced by their manager Ed Hollis and guitarist Graeme Douglas.
It reached No.
9 on the UK charts.
I Got YouSplit Enz
A song released as a single in 1979 by the New Zealand rock group Split Enz.
It was written by Neil Finn, who later formed Crowded House.
The track topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand and was also a hit in the United Kingdom, Canada, and elsewhere.
Please Please MeThe Beatles
A song released in 1963 as The Beatles’ second single in the UK and their first single in the US.
It was the first record purchased by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and it is also known as one of Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones’ favorite Beatles songs.
I’ll Feel A Whole Lot BetterThe Byrds
A song written and sung by Gene Clark, a former member of The Byrds.
It features complex harmonies and a guitar solo influenced by country music.
It was released as a single in 1965, and shortly thereafter Gene left the band.
Just What I NeededThe Cars
The Cars are a five-member rock band from the United States.
The band’s name, “The Cars,” was reportedly chosen because all the members love cars.
This song is a message to someone special, singing “I need you.” Its nostalgic sound and frontman Ric’s cool vocal delivery make for an upbeat, energetic drive.
