Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo was born on this date in 1970. A handful of Weezer songs are included on today’s playlist.
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If you’re looking for a genre of music that combines catchy melodies, energetic guitars, and irresistible hooks, look no further than power pop. Power pop is a style of rock music that emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, influenced by the British Invasion, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys. Power pop songs are typically short, upbeat, and radio-friendly, with lyrics that often deal with love, romance, and youth.
In this playlist, I’ve compiled some of the best examples of power pop from different decades and countries, featuring both classic and modern bands. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just curious, I hope you’ll enjoy these tunes as much as I do.
## The Pioneers
The oldest track on the playlist is “Paperback Writer” by the Beatles, one of the earliest and most influential power pop songs. The Beatles were a huge inspiration for many power pop bands, especially with their use of harmonies, guitar riffs, and catchy choruses. Other tracks from this era include “Go All the Way” by Raspberries, “Day After Day” by Badfinger, and “September Gurls” by Big Star, all of which showcase the power pop sound of the 1970s.
## The Revival
Also on the playlist are some of the bands that revived the power pop genre in the late 1970s and early 1980s, adding elements of new wave, punk, and glam rock. Some of the highlights are “My Sharona” by the Knack, “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick, “Turning Japanese” by the Vapors, and “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. These songs are full of energy, attitude, and fun, and they still sound fresh today.
## The Moderns
The last part of the playlist brings us closer to the present day, with some of the contemporary bands that have kept the power pop spirit alive. These include “Buddy Holly” by Weezer, “Bohemian Like You” by the Dandy Warhols, “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne, and “California” by Phantom Planet. These bands have added their own twists to the power pop formula, incorporating influences from alternative rock, indie pop, and grunge.
## The Conclusion
Power pop is a genre that has endured for over 50 years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. It’s a genre that celebrates the joy of music, the thrill of love, and the excitement of life. It’s a genre that makes you want to sing along, dance, and smile. It’s a genre that I love, and I hope you do too.
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My favorite Weezer song is “Buddy Holly,” from their 1994 album titled Weezer, not to be confused with their 2001 album titled Weezer, their 2008 album titled Weezer, their 2016 album titled Weezer, or either of their 2019 albums titled Weezer. My second favorite Weezer song is “Hash Pipe,” from their 2001 album titled Weezer, not to be confused with their 1994 album titled Weezer, their 2008 album titled Weezer, their 2016 album titled Weezer, or either of their 2019 albums titled Weezer. In third place I’d probably put “Island in the Sun,” also from their 2001 album titled Weezer, not to be confused with their 1994 album titled Weezer, their 2008 album titled Weezer, their 2016 album titled Weezer, or either of their 2019 albums titled Weezer. Next for me would be “Beverly Hills,” from an album not titled Weezer, which I find confusing.
Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo was born on this date in 1950 and has never been the governor of New York. To celebrate a handful of Weezer songs are on today’s playlist. Oddly, I didn’t include any of the favorites I mentioned, which is the most confusing part of this post.
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Prince, Elvis Costello, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Kool & the Gang. It must be my list of favorite songs of 198-, uh, 2021. The aforementioned veterans rub elbows with Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Wet Leg, serpentwithfeet, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, The Avalanches, Adele and Little Simz.
Here are my top 100 songs of 2021:
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What makes compiling lists of queer music by decades more challenging as we move forward in time is that the number of songs from which to choose keeps increasing greatly. For today’s playlist, I started with a list of several hundred songs by out LGBTQ+ acts or with LGBTQ+ subject matter, from which I whittled it down to the 30 tunes below. I second guess myself a lot. Should three of the first four songs be by straight-identifying acts? Should I include a lightweight novelty number over something by Maria McKee? (I decided yes, though I love Maria.) I didn’t necessarily choose my favorites. Instead I went for songs/acts that were on some level trailblazers. Here they be:
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