Any of you get hooked on simple "pop" songs?

[sunvalleylaw]

I have been taking a stab at learning this one. I like the chords and there seems room to mess around with some different leads. While Wilco is not generally considered "pop" by most people's definition, this song is poppish in my mind. But its melodies and gentle rhythm grab me.




If any of you like this song, what is it that makes it work?


Any of you get hooked on simple songs? What makes your favorite pop or simple songs work?

 

[R_of_G]

You know I love a good pop song.

Kasey Anderson writes many of them, or at least what used to be considered a good pop song.

 

[Commodore 64]

They gotta be OK. Dude's playing a Dano.

Also, I am an unabashed fan of Tommy Tutone's, Jenny (867 5309). I think it's got a great hook, and a nice humorous premise. I've been practicing it for the past couple weeks. I can sing it or play it, but not both at the same time...gotta work on that.

 

[Eric]

That's a nice song, though I generally don't like that Wilco album as much as the older stuff. They're one of my top-5 bands for sure, but I just found that album a little...boring, I guess. Feels a little too much like adult pop to me perhaps. Maybe in time I'll warm up to it.

On the original topic though, I do definitely like basic pop songs with big, happy hooks. I feel like the Kooks have had more than their share of those:



To the question you pose, I guess what makes pop songs work is some combination of generally innocuous lyrics, some sort of poppy style (e.g. usually an acoustic guitar of some sort, often played with a peppy rhythm), and (most importantly) a plethora of catchy hooks. The hooks I find are usually in the vocal melody, but can be in the guitar, bass, or piano lines, or sometimes on a guitar lead.

I mean, it comes down to the idea that if it works, it works, but I think those factors tend to contribute to an infectious pop song.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

This Wilco album is the first I have owned and I did not know of them prior other than seeing them on Austin City Limits once. I mean to go check out their earlier stuff. But this song definitely is "adult pop" in my mind. Some catchy lyrics (with some realism injected here), good melodious hooks that combine with a catchy, relaxed rythym, and Nels plays around melodically over the chords adding to the hook in my opinion.

 

[Eric]

This Wilco album is the first I have owned and I did not know of them prior other than seeing them on Austin City Limits once. I mean to go check out their earlier stuff. But this song definitely is "adult pop" in my mind. Some catchy lyrics (with some realism injected here), good melodious hooks that combine with a catchy, relaxed rythym, and Nels plays around melodically over the chords adding to the hook in my opinion.

If you like this current lineup, I'd suggest Sky Blue Sky. If you want somewhat lo-fi production and a little experimentation, try Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If you want more alternative pop, Summerteeth is good, though it felt like an anomoly in their catalogue for a while (the last couple of albums kind of tend back toward that style/era, however). Lastly, if you just like good music, give Being There a listen. I still don't own A.M., so I can't really comment on it, but I think it's more straightforward alt-country. Kind of a poor man's Uncle Tupelo, minus Jay Farrar's voice.

 

[Bookkeeper's Son]

I've always loved pop, and I love some new approaches to it (not taking about the Justin Bieber type of crap pop, either). I've always liked Jeff Tweedy's stuff, but my most recent favorites are The Shins and Broken Bells (Both involve guitarist/singer/songwriter James Mercer). Check them out sometime.

 

[syo]

Yeah Steve, I was hooked on that one for awhile meself. I love the Harmony especially. Feist is terrific on this one.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I like some of The Shins. Haven't heard Broken Bells yet. I'll check it out. I have been on a "The Decemberists" kick too, again with their latest album.

This (first of the two) one is another simple song, with a structure and bridge that feels similar in some ways. I have been playing with this one too. Fortunately, both songs are in my vocal range.

 

[Tig]

Here's a classic example of a simple, catchy hook pop song. The gritty Dave Davies guitar tone was ahead of the times when it came out in '65.



I saw them tour in '81.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I love that song!

 

[Bookkeeper's Son]

I like some of The Shins. Haven't heard Broken Bells yet. I'll check it out.

In that case, here ya go, live, no less:

 

[Spudman]

Ya, I totally fall for the hooky, pop sweetness. It's hard to get out of my head at times. That can be a benefit if I need to set a tempo on a bike ride but for normal functioning it can be a little distracting to have a song playing over the top of every thought going on in my head.

The Feeling sticks pretty hard with me.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Bookkeeper's Son: I like that! Thanks.

Spud, I like "The Feeling" too. How come you didn't tell me about them before? A bit Beatle-eque in some respects maybe.


This Norwegian band caught my ear last year. I think you still can't buy it in the States other than as an import.





This sounds really like pop, but i kinda like it. the female singer joined the band after either winning or doing well in Norway's version of "Idol" per what I understand.

 

[Tig]

I really like the second song. Looks like I'll have to add their first album to my collection.

 

[Spudman]

I really like the second song. Looks like I'll have to add their first album to my collection.

12 Stops and Home is the one to get. It should have been pop album of the year. Some really great songs on it. I used to play it in the car while taking my daughter to school and she instantly soaked up every bit of it.

 

[Eric]

12 Stops and Home is the one to get. It should have been pop album of the year. Some really great songs on it. I used to play it in the car while taking my daughter to school and she instantly soaked up every bit of it.

Yeah, I got that album after you mentioned it in some other thread. I like it.

 

[kidsmoke]

If you like this current lineup, I'd suggest Sky Blue Sky. If you want somewhat lo-fi production and a little experimentation, try Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If you want more alternative pop, Summerteeth is good, though it felt like an anomoly in their catalogue for a while (the last couple of albums kind of tend back toward that style/era, however). Lastly, if you just like good music, give Being There a listen. I still don't own A.M., so I can't really comment on it, but I think it's more straightforward alt-country. Kind of a poor man's Uncle Tupelo, minus Jay Farrar's voice.

Good roundup, Eric, I agree with your statements. I own 'em all. You didn't mention Ghost is Born which is consistent with Being There. Misunderstood is one my faves. I think part of the appeal of Wilco's catalog is just that, pretty straightforward arrangements with a wide variety of flavor, and timeless themes, without the narcissism of most pop music.

As for Kasey Anderson, I covered "Don't Look Back" at my open mic last Friday, a la his Daytrotter session, only with lead guitar solo rather than harmonica. The sound guy couldn't remember how to record enable the track on protools, so I've got no audio of it. Maybe next time.

In answer to the original poster's question, YES.

 

[deeaa]

Any d-a-g type guitar pop usually works for people. Me too. But it is the pauses and groove plus vocal styles that make them stand out. It is not the chords but the spaces between that hook ya.

 

[Eric]

But it is the pauses and groove plus vocal styles that make them stand out. It is not the chords but the spaces between that hook ya.

Spoken like a true AC/DC fan! oke

...but I completely agree. It always amazes me how important rhythm is in all things guitar-related (and, obviously, to music in general). I think I focus on the notes too much most of the time.

 

[guitartango]

Not sure if this is pop or not, but this is a great song, nice chords and really good lyrics

 

[Tig]

Jellyfish created some great pop-like songs that never really got much traction.

 

[Eric]

Jellyfish created some great pop-like songs that never really got much traction.

Yes! I love Jellyfish. They had some nice Queen references in their music too, most notably in Joining a Fan Club. Oddly, they were a band whose greatest hits to me was a great great record, but where the individual albums didn't do as much for me. Usually I like the separate albums better, but not in their case.

 

[Tig]

Yes! I love Jellyfish. They had some nice Queen references in their music too, most notably in Joining a Fan Club. Oddly, they were a band whose greatest hits to me was a great great record, but where the individual albums didn't do as much for me. Usually I like the separate albums better, but not in their case.

There are 2 best/greatest albums.
I have and like this one with 20 songs.