Best "Pop" Record ever produced?

[The Nur]

TheExcession said:

That's a good call!

How about Men At Work - Down Under?

I have, at times, been known to sing (shout) this on the way home from the pub after a few too many pints

ETA: It is also now stuck in my head.

Edited by The Nur on Thursday 16th July 14:28

[TheExcession]

grumbledoak said:

While the intro to "Two Tribes" by Frankie was the sound of the nails being hammered into the lid of Punk's coffin

I'll be using that one - a great turn of phrase, I'll keep it in the same jar that has 'Nirvana, almost overnight, killed big hair metal'

[Tom_C76]

TheExcession said:

I'll be using that one - a great turn of phrase, I'll keep it in the same jar that has 'Nirvana, almost overnight, killed big hair metal'

For which Cobain should never be forgiven. Hair metal was brilliant, much better than this pop rubbish

[MikeT66]

If we're talking 'pop' hit singles (although the term 'pop' can cover a multitude of styles) I'd suggest one of these two...

Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
Marvin Gaye - Heard It Through the Grapevine

[daytona365]

Forget all the manufactured bks. This is the real deal........Man. https://youtu.be/b8e2CTB9oeQ

Edited by daytona365 on Thursday 16th July 15:56

[Marvindodgers]

There have been some great suggestions in this thread. My two penneth?
I have always thought that Two Tribes by Frankie is probably the most exciting pop record ever made. Does that make it the best pop song? I don't know, but by God is it good to listen to.
I have to agree with the OP, George Michael may be a massive knob, but he knows how to write a pop song and is a fantastic singer. I'll give it to Club Tropicana.
Now off to look for a stranger to take me by the hand and welcome me to wonderland!!

[aclivity]

Marvindodgers said:

Now off to look for a stranger to take me by the hand and welcome me to wonderland!!

Careful there - can be read in a couple of ways!

[Marvindodgers]

aclivity said:

Marvindodgers said:

Now off to look for a stranger to take me by the hand and welcome me to wonderland!!

Careful there - can be read in a couple of ways!

Hmm, I did think that as soon as I'd pressed send!!

[The Hypno-Toad]

Lotus Notes said:

The Hypno-Toad said:

7.) You're In A Bad Way - St Etienne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4szHXagmryo

Hmmmm Sarah Cracknell...

Oh yes indeed.....

Try their cover version of Stormtrooper In Drag where she tells you to "Stop it"

A lot.....

[rossub]

Jobbo said:

I don't think anyone's mentioned West End Girls yet. It seemed to come out of nowhere as a fully-formed, perfectly crafted pop song.

You didn't look hard enough at earlier pages. Been mentioned twice already

[miniman]

Puggit said:

You spin me right round, Dead or Alive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU

This is an excellent call.

I also like Steal my Sunshine by Len
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1fzJ_AYajA

[technodup]

miniman said:

This is an excellent call.

I also like Steal my Sunshine by Len
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1fzJ_AYajA

Brilliant wee tune unfortunately never released on vinyl.

When the sun comes out in Glasgow I go all cheese and have a wee summer mix which usually includes Len, Bran Van 300 - Drinking in LA, Martin Solveig - Hello, Bob Sinclar - Love Generation, and maybe some Daft Punk.

But going back to the original question I now nominate Ben E King - Stand By Me. Stone cold classic.

Or They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul.

[MarshPhantom]

And my final answer is...


Band of Gold - Freda Payne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VptNizXDEC0

[037]

Great thread with some laugh out loud suggestions!
Keep them coming!

[rover 623gsi]

Patch1875 said:

Don't think anything can top the 80's for pop classics

Video killed the radio star - Buggles stands out for me, not my fav but a great pop song.

released in 1979

[Mark-C]

Equilibrium25 said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Boys Don't Cry - The Cure. It's short (a must for a good pop record, anything over 2m45s is a no no), punchy, great tune, simple but meaningful lyrics you can remember and sing along to. Just the perfect pop song.

Great choice there!

Also short and pure....

Crash - The Primitives

Was going to suggest Crash - great song. Since you got there first then Echo Beach by Martha & The Muffins has always been a favourite of mine.

And this thread has just left me thinking of The Motorcycle Boy who could do “pop” in a now dated indie style with some aplomb ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfSg9QJvQXM

[rover 623gsi]

ABC - The Look of Love (or any of the other singles from The Lexicon of Love)
Tears for Fears - Pale Shelter
Propaganda - Duel
Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence
Madonna - Vogue
Britney Spears - Toxic
Outkast - Hey Ya
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Girls Aloud - The Promise

Edited by rover 623gsi on Thursday 16th July 20:45

[The Hypno-Toad]

Bit of pop trivia, Toxic was offered to Kylie but she turned it down so it passed to Britney.

Ho Hum.

[davegreg]

Another Girl, Another Planet - The Only Ones
Dear Prudence - Siouxsie And The Banshees
The Passenger - Iggy Pop
Free Fallin' - Tom Petty
The Joker - Steve Miller
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
Adored - Stone Roses


Plus millions of others......

[Hackney]

MarshPhantom said:

It's got to be something by Blondie.

Heart of Glass?

Atomic?

Union City Blue?

Picture This?

Rapture?

The list goes on...

Denis
Hangin on the Telephone
The Tide is High

You're right, it does