Favorite pop single

June 29, 2004 10:32 PM

What is your favorite pop single (any era or genre, as long is it was released as a single)? I am searching for my new favorite song.

I will tell you mine (which will be hard to top): "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys. Such a friggin amazing song.

My favorite recent single (which is a guilty pleasure) is Britney Spears "Toxic." Damn, that is a killer song.

posted by Quartermass to Media & Arts (61 answers total)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Pop goes the World by Men without Hats!
posted by loquax at 10:52 PM on June 29, 2004

Right now, it is
Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot
posted by lbergstr at 11:30 PM on June 29, 2004

Old; Nena - 99 Red Balloons.
More Recent; Kylie Minogue - Can't get you out of my head.
New; Britney - Toxic
posted by seanyboy at 12:21 AM on June 30, 2004

Ypur Honour, this question isn't fair! Only one? Impossible!

Having said that: XTC "Senses Working Overtime"
posted by Gamecat at 2:17 AM on June 30, 2004

Oldie: ELO "Can't get it out of my head". Its been stuck in my head a lot.

Haven't listened to any pop lately.
posted by Goofyy at 2:40 AM on June 30, 2004

Anyone of 9 singles from A-ha 's greatest hits. My girlfriend and I have been listening to them recently repeatedly drunk and sober. I urge you to check them out.

Take on Me
Cry Wolf
Manhattan Skyline
Hunting High And Low
I've Been Losing You
Living Daylights
Crying in the Rain
Train of Thought [Remix]
Sun Always Shines on T.V.


Also :

The Vogues : Five O'Clock World

Beck : Devils Haircut

Junior Senior : Move Your Feet. One of the best videos I have seen in years.
posted by kenaman at 3:01 AM on June 30, 2004

Can't remember beyond a year ago, but

Back in the Mud - Bubba Sparxxx
_{near tie with Dust - Van Hunt}
posted by shoos at 3:29 AM on June 30, 2004

Teenage Kicks - The Undertones

(Guilty pleasure) I can't go for that - Hall and Oates.
posted by davehat at 4:09 AM on June 30, 2004

very guilty
posted by shoos at 4:12 AM on June 30, 2004

Real Old - "Bette Davis Eyes" Kim Carnes
Old - "Kosciosko" Midnight Oil
Recent - "Take Me Out" Franz Ferdinand
posted by black8 at 5:27 AM on June 30, 2004

Recent: "Float On" Modest Mouse
Old Skool: "Bust a Move" by whatever the hell the guys name was. Brain fart at the moment.
posted by damnitkage at 5:43 AM on June 30, 2004

Blinded by the Light, Manfred Mann's Earth Band.
California Dreamin', the Mamas and the Papas

my two favorite songs evar.
posted by sugarfish at 5:44 AM on June 30, 2004

"Photograph," by Ringo Starr.
posted by JanetLand at 5:54 AM on June 30, 2004

"Letter From an Occupant" by the New Pornographers
posted by kickerofelves at 6:27 AM on June 30, 2004

"I'm too sexy" by Right Said Fred! What else is there? {/wink}
posted by internal at 6:42 AM on June 30, 2004

Yesterday I would have said "Sylvia's Mother" by Dr Hook.
Today I say "Sugar Sugar" by The Archies.
Tomorrow I may say "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple.

"1-2-3 Red Light" by 1910 Fruitgum Co. would be hovering around as well.
posted by mischief at 6:53 AM on June 30, 2004

"Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran.
posted by headspace at 7:07 AM on June 30, 2004

You cannot deny "Total Eclipse of the Heart."
posted by Stan Chin at 7:14 AM on June 30, 2004

"Life in a Northern Town" by Dream Academy. One of those songs from the 80s everyone remembers, but couldn't name if their lives depended on it.
posted by frallyth at 7:15 AM on June 30, 2004

Bust-A-Move is by the all-mighty Young M.C.
posted by lilboo at 7:21 AM on June 30, 2004

Not a single in the true definition, but "Heavy Metal Drummer" by Wilco

The Dobie mix of "I Miss You" by Bjork
posted by mkultra at 7:31 AM on June 30, 2004

Tie between "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Be My Baby."

Do they still have singles? (*hasn't listened to Top 40 since 1985*)

Real Old - "Bette Davis Eyes" Kim Carnes
*empties Kalashnikov in black8's direction*
posted by languagehat at 7:48 AM on June 30, 2004

Real Old - "Bette Davis Eyes" Kim Carnes

Dude, you're killing me. 1981 is "real old"?

I've got to go call my estate planner....
posted by jdroth at 7:49 AM on June 30, 2004

I know this demolishes any shred of cool I used to have, but I can't get enough of Maroon 5's "This Love." I don't really care for their other songs, but man, the backing rhythm is so tight. In fact, I'd love to get a copy without the vocals - I'd probably like it even more.
posted by ssmith at 8:26 AM on June 30, 2004

here are all of mine, in a large messy text file--over 300.

and i'm loving Sunday Morning by them, ssmith. : >
posted by amberglow at 8:30 AM on June 30, 2004

Dancing Queen, Abba
posted by the fire you left me at 8:42 AM on June 30, 2004

Be My Baby, The Ronettes
posted by the fire you left me at 8:49 AM on June 30, 2004

I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick
posted by the fire you left me at 8:50 AM on June 30, 2004

Really, really old (1950s): Come Go With Me, by the Dell Vikings
Just plain old (1960s): Dedicated to the One I Love, by the Mamas and the Papas
Elderly (1970s): Rock On, by David Essex
Getting on in years (1980s) (co-nominees): Walking on Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves, and Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper
Showing it's age (1990s): Sunchyme, by Dario G (cf Life in a Northern Town, above, since Sunchyme samples the "tribal chorus" part of the song that everyone remembers...)
Whippersnapper (2000s): Oops! I Did It Again, by... some young thing who's name I can't recall...
posted by JollyWanker at 8:52 AM on June 30, 2004

Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie
Carry On Wayward Son - Kansas
posted by alphanerd at 8:52 AM on June 30, 2004

I Want to Be An Anglepoise Lamp, Robyn Hitchcock (Soft Boys)
posted by the fire you left me at 8:53 AM on June 30, 2004

The 15th, Wire
posted by the fire you left me at 8:53 AM on June 30, 2004

Torch Song, Unwound
posted by the fire you left me at 8:53 AM on June 30, 2004

I Know and I Said Forget It , Mates of State
posted by the fire you left me at 8:58 AM on June 30, 2004

70s -
"Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann
"American Pie" by Don McLean
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

80s -
"If You Leave" by OMD
"Always Something There To Remind Me" - Naked Eyes
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna

90s -
"The Power" by Snap
"Stupid Girl" by Garbage
"Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something

00s -
"A Little Less Conversation" by JXL & Elvis Presley
"Hot in Herre" by Nelly
"Toxic" by Britney Spears
posted by grum@work at 9:03 AM on June 30, 2004

Continuing the 80s theme, "Broken Wings" and "Kyrie Eleison" by Mister Mister.
posted by PrinceValium at 9:05 AM on June 30, 2004

Older: "Happy Together", by the Turtles. Yeah, it's cliched, but listen to it again — really listen to it — and tell me it's not a fantastic song.
Newer: "She Says What She Means", by Sloan. It shouldn't be legal to pack so many cool riffs into three minutes and one second.
posted by Johnny Assay at 9:44 AM on June 30, 2004

Just plain old (1960s): Dedicated to the One I Love, by the Mamas and the Papas

JollyWanker: If you like the Dell Vikings, you owe it to yourself to hear the original version of "Dedicated to the One I Love," by the "5" Royales, who are one of the great forgotten groups of early rock-n-roll. The Shirelles and the Ms&Ps both did great covers, but the firstest is still the bestest. And everything else they did is worth hearing, too. Check 'em out.

Be My Baby, The Ronettes
posted by the fire you left me

My man!
Or, um, woman. As the case may be.
posted by languagehat at 9:44 AM on June 30, 2004 [1 favorite]

"Let Me Clear My Throat" by DJ Kool.
"We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister.
"Cum on Feel the Noise" by Quiet Riot.
posted by smackfu at 10:01 AM on June 30, 2004

Since your webpage indicates you are in a band I'm guessing you have a certain exposure to music and are looking for great stuff that has stayed with people or just groovin' little dittys you've never heard?

Book of Love - Witchcraft (just plain obscure and fun)
Buddy Holly - It Doesn't Matter Anymore (ironically released post 2/3/59)
Cantaloop - Flip Fantasia
Carl Orff - Carmina Burana - O Fortuna (amazingly influential and very powerful live)
Def Leppard - Rock of Ages
Couldn't Get It Right - Climax Blues Band
Butthole Surfers - The Shame of Life
Zen Mafia - California
Marty Robbins - Big Iron (I love the cowboy trail songs)

Here is a self-link to the above songs for your listening pleasure.

I'm a whore for edgy remakes like Cake - I Will Survive and I'm also a big fan of anything Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor and Squirrel Nut Zippers and Digable Planets and . . . omg, no one has mentioned Prince and . . .

The possibilities are overwhelming, I'm going to stop now.
posted by geekyguy at 10:07 AM on June 30, 2004

Safety Dance by Men at Work. Africa by Toto. Broken Wings by Mr. Mister.

Sorry, I just have my 80s loaded in the ipod today.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:43 AM on June 30, 2004

Singles that changed my life as an impressionable youngster (late '70s/early '80s) and still make me jump around like a fool, in no particular order:

"I Got You" - Split Enz (quite possibly my all-time favorite pop song ever)
"Vienna" - Ultravox (totally cool Russell Mulcahy shoestring-budget video, too!)
"Cars" - Gary Numan
"Town Called Malice" - The Jam
"London Calling" - The Clash
"I Will Follow" - U2
"Ashes to Ashes" - David Bowie (okay, this one doesn't exactly inspire jumping)
"Stand and Deliver" - Adam & the Ants
"Planet Earth" - Duran Duran
posted by scody at 10:46 AM on June 30, 2004

David Bowie - "Heroes"
posted by donth at 11:15 AM on June 30, 2004

'Ever Fallen In Love...' - Buzzcocks
'Motown Junk' - Manic Street Preachers. (Stops your heart beating for one-six-eight seconds).
posted by punilux at 11:18 AM on June 30, 2004

"Vienna" - Ultravox (totally cool Russell Mulcahy shoestring-budget video, too!)

That's such a good song. It took me forever to find out who sang it.
posted by jerseygirl at 11:32 AM on June 30, 2004

Oldies:
"Heart Full of Soul" -- Yardbirds
"Little Green Bag" -- George Baker Selection
"You Were On My Mind" -- We Five
"The Shadow of Your Smile" -- Tony Bennett
"Georgia on my Mind" -- Ray Charles
"Tainted Love" -- Soft Cell
"Drive" -- Cars
"Edge of Seventeen" -- Stevie Nicks

Recent:
"Thousand Dollar Car" -- Bottle Rockets (more of an earworm than a favorite)
"Dairy Queen" -- Indigo Girls
"Come On Closer" -- Jem
"Deep Red Bells" -- Neko Case
"Long Walk Home" -- The Samples

All-time Favorite:
"If You Could Read My Mind" -- Gordon Lightfoot
posted by joaquim at 11:34 AM on June 30, 2004

"Rio" -- Duran Duran. Now and forever.

Also: "Can't Buy Me Love" -- The Beatles; "Bennie & The Jets" -- Elton John; "Heart and Soul" -- T'Pau; "Here Comes the Rain Again" -- Eurythmics; "Good" -- Better than Ezra; and my cred demolishment songs: "It's Gonna Be Me" -- *NSync and "Holler" -- Spice Girls.

I know this demolishes any shred of cool I used to have, but I can't get enough of Maroon 5's "This Love."

Yes! Great song. Don't know how much staying power it'll have over time, but it's absolutely one for cranking up loudly. I think it's the "Oh oh oh oh oh" parts.
posted by Dreama at 11:52 AM on June 30, 2004

Quartermass, you had it right the first time with "Good Vibrations".
posted by turbodog at 11:58 AM on June 30, 2004

"Together" - Tierra
"Stay in My Corner" - The Dells
"Tainted Love" - Soft Cell
"Everyone Deserves Music" - Michael Franti & Spearhead
"Vocal Artillery" - Ozomatli

And, of course, "Be My Baby" - The Ronnettes
posted by teo at 12:44 PM on June 30, 2004

Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
posted by samh23 at 2:14 PM on June 30, 2004

100,000 Fireflies by the Magnetic Fields
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore by the Smiths
Something for the Weekend by the Divine Comedy
Lazy Line Painter Jane by Belle & Sebastian
Not sure you can describe it as pop, but My Father My King by Mogwai.
posted by zygoticmynci at 3:00 PM on June 30, 2004

Response by poster: Sooo awesome, everyone. We should do this more often.
posted by Quartermass at 3:22 PM on June 30, 2004

Right now, I find Don't Tell Me by Avril Lavigne to be strangely listenable.
posted by gyc at 3:57 PM on June 30, 2004

So Quartermass, are you going to report back after you've listened to all of these and tell us what your new favorite song is?
posted by scody at 4:03 PM on June 30, 2004

Tin Tin Duffy - Kiss Me.
posted by thomcatspike at 5:01 PM on June 30, 2004

Hack!, read your question - only a single.
posted by thomcatspike at 5:03 PM on June 30, 2004

Shoplifters of the World Unite, The Smiths
posted by the fire you left me at 5:40 PM on June 30, 2004

Response by poster: scody: working on it as we speak.
posted by Quartermass at 5:42 PM on June 30, 2004

"big country" - big country
any of "international bright young thing", "move mountains" and "right here, right now" - jesus jones.
"goodbye" - the sundays
posted by taumeson at 5:51 PM on June 30, 2004

Real Old - "Bette Davis Eyes" Kim Carnes
*empties Kalashnikov in black8's direction*

I was 14!! That was a long time ago (to me anyway).
posted by black8 at 2:50 AM on July 1, 2004

I alternate hating it and loving it, but nobody can NOT bop to Stereo MCs' "Connected."
posted by parrots at 3:11 AM on July 1, 2004