Power Pop!

Grunge tried to kill the Power Pop – but Power Pop slayed it with it’s mighty beat! 

Of all genres – sub genres – or whatever we wish to call them, nothing has endured more than Power Pop.  Armed with a jingle jangle goodness that makes our feet tap and hearts soar we cannot escape it.  It’s the good girl next door, the happy co-worker, or the courteous driver who lets everyone in front as you tailgate him; one way or another they are all going to make people smile.

Of course, much of the enduring aspect of Power Pop has been its unique ability to adapt to any movement in music.  A little tweak here, a tiny alteration there and, voilà: Power Pop for the new masses.  

Alt-Country tried to murder the Power Pop, but Power Pop rose up and forced the twang to fall to its knees.

So, what is Power Pop?  How does one define it?  This question reminds me of the Italian bartender in Milan who taught me one night how to tell a good Grappa from a bad one; “take a dab between your fingers, smell it, if it reeks of dirty socks it is a good one.”  That lesson has taught me well over the years - breaking down the complex to simplify the choice.  Thus, how do I test Power Pop for its purity?  Simple: If the song makes me feel like skipping down the street than it’s Power Pop for me.  Try it yourself; a good Power Pop song will always put a skip in your walk.  (Note: I do not skip. This is for imagery only!)

Later today, at 3:00PM SLT, I will do a two-hour set of my favorite Power Pop ditties from the early 60’s to today.  A retrospective, if you will.  Don’t expect some unearthed oddities of vague artists who had one song that charted in Bulgaria in 1984.  Expect the best of the best: chart toppers and trend makers, artists and songs that shaped Power Pop in every decade over the past 40+ years.

Now This:

Tad’s Top Ten Power Pop Songs Through The Ages That Have Been Tested for Purity Of The Highest Standards Using The Now Patented “Skipping Technique.”

10. Flamin’ Groovies -  Shake Some Action

9.   The Records – Teenarama

8.   Cheap Trick – So Good to See You

7.   Rockpile – Teacher Teacher

6.   The Soft Boys – Queen of Eyes

5.   The Plimsouls – A Million Miles Away

4.   Big Star - September Gurls –

3.   The Rubinoos - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

2.   Sugar – If I Can’t Change Your Mind

1.   The La’s – There She Goes