Let's Get Guilty! What pop songs bring you great joy...in private, with the windows up?
For Sunday's Pop Life print column, I'm owning up to all the dirty lil' soft hits lurking in my iPod. Why, hello Seals & Crofts! I see you hiding, England Dan & John Ford Coley! You can't have Captain without Tennille! You say Neil! I say Sedaka! And yes, Engelbert is in da house, too. After the Lovin', baby!
I'll post my own Guilty Pleasure Playlist later in the week. But for now, I wanna hear about your sordid affair with Peabo Bryson or Air Supply or Barry Manilow or James Ingram. You got a few pieces of Bread? Man, I have loaves of the stuff! You know all the words to The Little Mermaid soundtrack? Hell, I got the dance moves to go with 'em!
guilty pleasures....
alanis morrisette-you oughtta know
nsync- most of their stuff...boy band or not, it's catchy...but buy their album...i'll pass.
right said fred-i'm too sexy...i mean come on, that's the epitome of a guilty pleasure song.
Posted by: nkf | July 22, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
Rolf Harris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D-LmRNdQiQ
Posted by: Cat | July 22, 2009 at 10:17 AM
"High School Musical" 1 and 2. Cher's "Believe." Ricky Martin's "Cup of Life."
Posted by: Michelle | July 22, 2009 at 10:01 AM
lol, swamp land in the sahara huh? wouldnt know anything about that, however, i have a lake in kuwait to sell if you are interested
Posted by: Zyn | July 22, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Correction....Shadow Dancing was by Andy Gibb, not brother Barry
Posted by: Maria | July 21, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Correction....Shadow Dancing was by Andy Gibb, not brother Barry
Posted by: Maria | July 21, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Correction....Shadow Dancing was by Andy Gibb, not brother Barry
Posted by: Maria | July 21, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Shadow Dancing - Barry Gibb (it was probably the first single my parents bought for me)
Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck
Sister Golden Hair - America
A lot of 70's music is in this "guilty" category. I guess because the music sounds dated but reminds me a lot of my childhood.
Posted by: Maria | July 21, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Shadow Dancing - Barry Gibb (it was probably the first single my parents bought for me)
Moonlight Feels Right - Starbuck
Sister Golden Hair - America
A lot of 70's music is in this "guilty" category. I guess because the music sounds dated but reminds me a lot of my childhood.
Posted by: Maria | July 21, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Zen, it's been rumored that John Mayer wrote the song "Body ..." when he was dating the bountifully buxom Jennifer Love Hewitt.
As for the Jesse McCartney song he declares he doesn't need a beautiful face or body in the girl he seeks...he just needs her beautiful soul. Yeah, right. He also has some swamp land he wants to sell me in the Sahara.
Posted by: Marissa | July 21, 2009 at 06:33 PM
honestly i have never heard any of those two songs Marissa
Posted by: just call me Zyn | July 21, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Someone needs to fess up about cranking "Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer or "Beautiful Soul" by Jesse McCartney. I know you're lurking out there.
Posted by: Marissa | July 21, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Both are perfect pop songs
Posted by: Bill | July 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Gin Blossoms
Found Out About You & Hey Jealousy
Posted by: Bill | July 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM
The Red Sox play "Sweet Caroline" at the 7th inning stretch (I think--at least it's sometime during the game!) and all the fans sing along. According to bostonspastime.com:
"Legend has it that former Red Sox public address announcer Ed Brickley requested the song to be played as a tribute to the appropriately named newborn daughter of Billy Fitzpatrick, who worked in the Fenway Park control room for 20 years.
In reality, the song got its start at Fenway Park thanks to Amy Tobey, who was the ballpark’s music director from 1998 to 2004. She was responsible for choosing the music to be played between innings and picked Sweet Caroline simply because she had heard it played at other sporting events."
I know there's been talk about a song for the Rays, and given the whole "more cowbell" phenomenon, maybe it already is "Don't Fear the Reaper", though that seems more appropriate for the old Devil Rays. But with the switch to the "Rays" last year, "Sunshine" just popped into my head. It is a very catchy, energetic tune.
But I did see Katrina on one of those VH1 shows, and she was one bitter chick for never having had another hit. Walk on sunshine, she does not!
Posted by: Rebecca | July 21, 2009 at 04:08 PM
Rebecca shall be spared my wrath. Well played.
Sweet Caroline? How does that tie in to Floridian sunshine and Rays?
Posted by: Marissa | July 21, 2009 at 03:06 PM
I've long thought that the Rays should adopt "Walking on Sunshine" for their 7th inning stretch song--way better than "Sweet Caroline", especially now that we know the kind of creepy backstory to that song.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 21, 2009 at 02:12 PM
WALKING ON SUNSHINE is my go to happy song. Do not speak ill of it or the wrath of Riss shall be brought down upon the house of Pop Life.
Maybe it's bad for a dude to love it. As for me, I will do the dance.
Posted by: Marissa | July 21, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Hey Mr Daly!!
I will have you know that "Walking on Sunshine" was voted #91 on VH1's 100 greatest songs of the 80's!
Plus, I believe it is Philip J. Fry's favorite song.
OK, now I am stooping so low that I am defending "Walking on Sunshine."
I will now light myself on fire.
Posted by: DoctorDrew | July 21, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Older: "Crazy Love" by Poco
Newer: "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne
Posted by: Mr. Paul | July 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
ok guilty pleasures in music...first off my tastes in music is a bit odd. I am a fan of the hard and heavy stuff, however i also enjoy the Billy Joel Greatest Hits Vols. 1, 2, and 3 as well as classical, and by classical I mean Beethoven, Mozart, Pachelbel and the like.
Posted by: Zynthos Azere | July 21, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Yikes, "Walking on Sunshine." That's not guilty -- that's actionable.
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 21, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Hey MY GUILTY PLEASURE -- That's a great song! I prefer the Buckwheat Zydeco rendition, but it's a fabulous song that bears no shame.
Posted by: Marissa | July 21, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Ahh...I forgot about Gordon Lightfoot! Now we need America - A Horse With No Name and Don McLean - American Pie. Maybe some Lobo for You and Me and a Dog Named Boo.
Posted by: Bob | July 21, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Lee Dorsey
Ya Ya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcwD7kh28M0
Posted by: my guilty pleasure | July 21, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Some embarassing moments from a recent car trip:
Walking on Sunshine
In a Big Country by Big Country
All I Need is a Miracle; Living Years _ mike and the mechanics
Kyrie - Mr Mister
Hold me Now - Thompson Twins
No One is to Blame - Howard Jones
just about anything by Erasure
And my most recent embarassment - singing along to "Bubbly" by Colbie Calais (sp?)
Posted by: DoctorDrew | July 21, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Reminiscing by Little River Band.
Posted by: Marino | July 21, 2009 at 07:46 AM
well i don't believe in guilty pleasures. if it makes you happy, who cares what anyone else thinks. i was looking over everyone's lists, and i don't get sister christian. it's one of the best songs of the 80s. if i had to list anyone on my ipod, i'd have to go with abba and the partridge family.
Posted by: CHAD | July 20, 2009 at 11:09 PM
How Deep is your Love - The BEE Gees (actually all of the Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack)
In the same vein - Guilty - Barry Gibb/Barbra Streisand
Just about every 80's brit pop song.
My ipod is full of things I'm embarrassed to admit I listen to - sometimes I sing along and freak out my kids!
Posted by: PopFan | July 20, 2009 at 09:49 PM
"Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." I blame the World Series of Poker when it used it for the promo a few years back.
Posted by: Michelle | July 20, 2009 at 09:40 PM
So many nights, I sit by my window...
I was in elementary school when "You Light Up My Life" came out and I can still recite the entire song, without the music in the background. I haven't heard the song in years but it still chokes me up.
Bob, I love Gloria by Lara Branigan. Have to get that one on my ipod.
Posted by: Erin | July 20, 2009 at 09:13 PM
99 Luftballons
Walking on Sunshine
Posted by: sparky | July 20, 2009 at 08:54 PM
Sister Christian by Night Ranger. The bombast! The soaring chorus! Perfection.
Posted by: Erika | July 20, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Guy, RAINBOW CONNECTION is an absolutely perfect song. Nothing to be guilty about there ... especially when Kermit sings (not to be confused with When Smokey Sings)
Posted by: Marissa | July 20, 2009 at 08:47 PM
I'll ride along in TMMCP's car, too, Marissa.
Poems, Prayers and Promises - John Denver
Rainbow Connection (especially partial to the Kermit the Frog version)
Always on my Mind - Pet Shop Boys cover
Sundown - Gordon Lightfoot
Surround me with love - Charly McClain
Posted by: Guy | July 20, 2009 at 08:44 PM
There is no guilty pleasure like Chicago 17!
Posted by: B Eiterman | July 20, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Guilty Pleasure Duet:
Roger and Dean
KING OF THE ROAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX8Xb3MSxok
Posted by: Scott | July 20, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Hey, TAKE MY MAN CARD, you can ride shotgun and I'll crank open the sunroof and all the windows on my dork-mobile and we'll blast the tunes loud and proud.
Posted by: Marissa | July 20, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Don't miss Tom ``TONIGHT`` on Jimmy Fallon.
Posted by: TOM JONES FAN CLUB | July 20, 2009 at 08:28 PM
"King of the Road" brings back some happy childhood memories. When I hear it, I always envision this camper dealership that was located across the street from our neighborhood Dairy Queen. It mostly featured pop-up campers, but for whatever reason that's what I think of each time.
According to Wikipedia, the song has been covered numerous times: "The song has been covered by several other artists, including Dean Martin, Jack Jones, Boney M., R.E.M., Johnny Paycheck, The Chipmunks, Boxcar Willie, Randy Travis, Rangers, James Kilbane, John Stevens, the Statler Brothers, Rufus Wainwright & Teddy Thompson, Giant Sand, Peligro, The Proclaimers, Ray Conniff Singers and The Reverend Horton Heat during live performances."
Posted by: Marissa | July 20, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Where to begin?
ABBA - The Winner Takes it All
Air Supply - Makin' Love out of Nothing at All
Debbie Gibson - Lost in Your Eyes
Taylor Swift - Love Story
Manilow - Weekend in New England
Olivia Newton John - Hopelessly Devoted to You
Chicago - Look Away
and, drum roll please, Helen Reddy - Candle in the Water.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll draw the blinds so that no one can see my play list.
Posted by: Take My Man Card, Please | July 20, 2009 at 08:17 PM
I have Don Johnson's "Heartbeat" album (not just the song, but the whole dang album) on my iPod. I also have the obligatory Barry Manilow, Air Supply and James Ingram. There's also some ABBA, Bruce Willis, and the "Godspell" soundtrack.
Scott, there is nothing guilty about "King Of The Road" by Roger Miller. That is a classic tune.
Posted by: Bassnote | July 20, 2009 at 08:04 PM
I have one more. This one requires more than words. It needs audio AND visual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_dN1WXBxuw
If I could drive while holding a lighter in the air I probably would go to that extreme when this one comes on.
Posted by: Marissa | July 20, 2009 at 06:54 PM
Tarzan Boy! Holy crap, we might have a winner.
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 20, 2009 at 06:44 PM
Riss in da house! And I'm ready to reveal all the nasty little trinkets in my iTunes. However, I don't feel the least bit guilty for loving these songs. I wear my badge of dorkness proudly, donchaknow.
Heartbeat (It's a Love Beat) -- The DeFranco Family
Baby, Baby/Every Heartbeat -- Amy Grant
I Just Want To Be Your Everything -- Andy Gibb
Rock Me Gently -- Andy Kim
Tarzan Boy -- Baltimora
Brave New Girl -- Britney Spears
Underdog Rap -- Kyle Massey
Ice, Ice Baby -- Vanilla Ice
Anything by Abba, Partridge Family/David Cassidy, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Cher
and probably the worst is "When I'm with you" -- Sheriff
Posted by: Marissa | July 20, 2009 at 06:20 PM
"Love Will Keep Us Together" is one big guilty delight, but "Muskrat Love" would be even guiltier.
Back to Barry Manilow--the thing is that the guy is quite a showman and he has a great voice. That can make some serious corn syrup tolerable and even enjoyable.
Awhile back, I heard John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" and I actually enjoyed listening to it, to. Another great, clear voice.
I totally forgot about "Cherish." My two older sisters had the Associations, Bread, The Fifth Dimension and all the "Have a Nice Day" stuff. So yeah, I'll still sing along to Wedding Bell Blues, too.
Posted by: Rebecca | July 20, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Whoa, hold on. I always thought "King of the Road" was the coolest song of all time. Am I wrong in thinking this?
If that's a guilty pleasure, what does that make this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjloX_EvYiI
Posted by: Sean Daly | July 20, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Here are a few I like that make people go "what?":
Cherish by The Association
Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks
Gloria by Laura Branigan
Beth by AC/DC
Mickey by Toni Basil
In a Big Country by Big Country
Desert Moon by Dennis DeYoung
I Wanna be a Cowboy by Boys Don't Cry
Posted by: Bob | July 20, 2009 at 05:10 PM
OMG - I forgot Heading For A Heartbreak by Winger!
Posted by: botb | July 20, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Here are a few of my recent "roll 'em ups"...in random order:
Deja Vu - Dionne Warwick
Ah Leah - Donnie Iris
Motley Crue - Piece Of Your Action
Sister Golden Hair - America
Nights In White Satin - Moody Blues
Posted by: botb | July 20, 2009 at 05:07 PM