From glam rock glitter to heartbreak ballads, disco-funk swagger to Britpop satire, this playlist is a tour through the many moods of my music library. Expect sass, soul, and a few surprises along the way.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Sad Sweet Dreamer | Sweet Sensation | Written by David Parton. A soulful ballad about longing and heartbreak. Sweet Sensation were a UK soul group from Manchester known for smooth harmonies. |
| Heartache Avenue | The Maisonettes | Written by Lol Mason. Reflects on lost love in a rough city. The Maisonettes were a short-lived British pop group from Birmingham with a retro soul sound. |
| Desiree | Neil Diamond | Written by Neil Diamond. A sentimental reflection on youthful love. Diamond, from the USA, is a legendary singer-songwriter and pop icon. |
| Ooh Baby | Gilbert O’Sullivan | Written by Gilbert O’Sullivan. A wistful love song. O’Sullivan, born in Ireland, is known for quirky pop songs with charm and depth. Pop trio Los Mismos released a Spanish version of the song in 1974. |
| The Love Cats | The Cure | Written by frontman Robert Smith. A jazzy, surreal ode to love and chaos. The Cure, from the UK, pioneered goth and post-punk music. |
| Rythm | Anna Domino | Written by Anna Domino. A minimalist new wave meditation on life’s repetition. Domino, born in Japan, emerged in Belgium’s alt-pop scene. |
| That’s The Way Love Goes | Janet Jackson | Written by Janet Jackson Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, this sultry R&B track is about love’s rhythm. It samples James Brown’s hit “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”, “Impeach The President” by The Honey Drippers, “If It Don’t Turn You on (You Oughta Leave It Alone)” by B.T. Express (1974) and “Georgy Porgy” by Toto. While it may sound like men are chanting the title lyrics on this song, Jimmy Jam electronically manipulated Janet’s vocals to give them a masculine sound. Janet, from the USA, is a pop icon with bold and sensual hits. |
| Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) | Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel | Written by within days the original lineup of Cockney Rebel walked out on Steve Harley. Harley, from the UK, wrote this glam rock track dripping in sarcasm, as a dig at his ex-bandmates. The acoustic, flamenco-styled guitar solo was originally a soundcheck warm-up that was captured on tape and later used when it was realised it added to the song. |
| (I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear | Blondie | This song was written by Blondie’s former bass player, Gary Valentine, for his then girlfriend Lisa Jane Persky before he departed the band. The song was about the telepathic connection they had between them. Blondie is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1974 by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the American new wave genre and scene of the mid-1970s. |
| Country House | Blur | Frontman Damon Albarn wrote this Britpop satire about upper-class escapism. The song is about a wealthy man who lives a boring life in a mansion in the countryside. The line, “He’s got morning glory, and life’s a different story” is often believed to be directed to Oasis, but the song was recorded before Oasis finished, let alone released their album. Blur, from the UK, were leaders of the 90s Britpop wave. |
| Wig Wam Bam | Sweet | Written by Chinn & Chapman. A glam rock stomp about love and legends. The song’s lyrics are inspired by Henry Longfellow’s poem from 1855 telling the legend of a Native American warrior Hiawatha and his lover Minnehaha and refer to Running Bear and his lover Little White Dove, two characters from the 1959 song “Running Bear” written by Jiles Perry Richardson. Sweet were UK glam stars known for catchy, flamboyant tunes. |
| Honky Cat | Elton John | Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, this funky tale of rural vs. city life, was recorded at the Château d’Hérouville, northwest of Paris where Frédéric Chopin was believed to have conducted his affair with the novelist George Sand. Elton John, from England, is one of the most celebrated pop artists in history. |
| Break on Through (to the Other Side) | The Doors | Written by The Doors, this psychedelic anthem is about freedom and experience. Jim Morrison got some of the lyrics from John Rechy’s 1963 book City of Night. Robby Krieger’s guitar melody was inspired by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band of “Shake Your Money Maker”. The Doors, from the USA, were known for poetic rock and Jim Morrison’s mystique. |
| If Paradise Is Half As Nice | Amen Corner | Written by Lucio Battisti. A playful love song preferring real love over paradise. Amen Corner, from Wales, were a UK pop-soul group. |
| Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy | Kid Creole & The Coconuts | This funky satire about mistaken identity was written by August Darnell (Kid Creole’s real name). “Annie, I’m Not Your Daddy” has a similar theme to “Billie Jean,” and was released about the same time. Kid Creole, from the USA, combined Latin and disco into theatrical pop. |
| Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing | Stevie Wonder | This joyful, Latin-flavored reassurance anthem was written by Stevie Wonder. The Spanish lyric was inspired by a Puerto Rican woman that he met in a record store. Wonder, from Michigan, is a legendary Motown musician. |
| MMMBop | Hanson | Written by the Hanson brothers. A teen pop anthem with deeper meaning about life’s fleeting moments. Hanson, a band of three brothers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, were teen idols with real talent. |
| Too Much, Too Little, Too Late | Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams | Written by Kipner & Vallins. A soul duet about love that’s run its course. Mathis & Williams were American vocal powerhouses. |
| Les Cactus | Jacques Dutronc | Written by Dutronc & Lanzmann. A witty protest song full of “prickly” metaphors. Dutronc, from France, mixed pop, satire, and suave style. |
| Supreme | Robbie Williams | This dramatic pop hit with irony and swagger is written by Williams & Chambers. It samples the strings from Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 hit “I Will Survive”. The former Take That member Robbie Williams, from the UK, mixes charm and cheek in catchy hits. |
| World Where You Live | Crowded House | This is a melodic reflection on relationship gaps, written by lead singer Neil Finn. It was the first single released worldwide by Crowded House, who were formed by former Split Enz members Neil Finn, his brother Tim Finn, and Paul Hester. |
| Little Things | Dave Berry | “Little Things” is a song written and sung by Bobby Goldsboro, released in January 1965. English singer Dave Berry released a cover of the song in March 1965. A gentle ‘60s pop song about meaningful small moments. Berry, from Sheffield, UK, was known for emotional delivery. |
| I Like It | Gerry & The Pacemakers | Written by Mitch Murray. A jolly pop tune celebrating love. Gerry & The Pacemakers, from Liverpool, were Merseybeat contemporaries of The Beatles. |
| Coz I Love You | Slade | Written by Noddy Holder & Jim Lea. A glam rock love song with a violin twist. This was the first of many Slade song titles that had unique spelling. Slade, from the UK, were a loud, proud hit machine. |
| Hit ‘Em Up Style | Carolina Chocolate Drops | Originally written by Dallas Austin, an Atlanta-based hitmaker for artists like Madonna, TLC and Gwen Stefani. The musical inspiration came from a 1936 Merrie Melodies cartoon. A bluegrass cover of Blu Cantrell’s (born Tiffany Cobb) revenge anthem. CCD, from North Carolina, revived old-time Black string band music. |
| Isn’t It Time | The Babys | This soulful ballad about love’s uncertainties, known for its strong backup vocals performed by The Babettes (Lisa Freeman Roberts, Pat Henderson, Myrna Matthews, and Marti McCall) was written by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy. The Babys, were a British rock group fronted by John Waite, including Wally Stocker, Tony Brock, and Mike Corby. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
