In Search of the Perfect Pop Song

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 1:06 am

On Tuesday evenings at 9:30 for five weeks, there's an excellent programme on perfect pop songs on BBC Radio 2, hosted by Guy Chambers, whom I consider the best songwriter of the past 10 years.

It began last Tuesday, so you can "listen again" to the first episode during the day on Tuesday. He interviewed Richard Carpenter and other songwriters. It was interesting to hear that Karen really didn't care for Superstar, and Richard changed the lyric without getting approval from the lyricist. Nowadays, he would get sued.

I don't agree with every song that Guy considers perfect (e.g., Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love, which I've always hated), but it's an interesting programme.

It got me thinking ... did Matt Monro ever record a perfect pop song? We all know his voice is much better than any pop singer, but could any of his songs be considered pop, with the perfect intro, hook, and ending. I thought of possibly My Kind Of Girl and And You Smiled---two of his major hits. But then I played One Morning In May. I think that is Matt Monro's perfect pop song.

Any other suggestions?

john · Post by **john** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:01 am

Possibly Paul, We're Gonna Change The World as well?

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:25 pm

For me, it would be 'Why Not Now'.
A great intro with a 'hook' to die for, the catchiest of melodies and it's all wrapped up in 3 minutes.

Gray

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:37 pm

Thanks for the suggestions, John and Gray. I think the tempo of We'e Gonna Change The World may be too fast for a pop song. I'm not sure about Why Not Now. It sounds more like a country song than a pop song to me. But I agree about Honey On The Vine. That is the perfect pop song. But I don't want to imagine Elvis singing it! I prefer Matt Monro singing it.

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:53 pm

Well, as the Eurovision Song Contest used to produce the perfect pop song (well, you can't deny that 'Waterloo' was a great song can you Paul

!), then I would suggest Matts 'Song for Europe' , 'I love the little things'. A very catchy intro with that twangy guitar, which repeats at various points throught the song. A very light, floating orchestral arrangement, all topped off by Matts glorious tones.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:33 am

Funnily enough Mike-I was just about to suggest that song too.!

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:46 am

Hi All

Glad 'Honey On The Vine' passed the checklist Paul, incidentally don't you like Elvis?
'I love the little things' is a good suggestion, can I add 'On Days Like These'?
I don't know what the pre-requisits are to qualify as a pop song, but this can't be a million miles away.
I bet it's introduced million of young males to Matt's music as well, incidentally! (via 'The Italian Job')

Gray

michduncg · Post by **michduncg** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:58 am

I'd say thats a classic case of 'Great minds think alike' Marian

Gray - I love 'Days like these' too, but would say its a little too slow for a pop song personally, ever. That said, Westlife sing slow songs, and look how successful they are (no, they are, honest!)

And yes, 'On Days like these' is a great intro to Matt. One of the best opening scenes from a film. Almost as good as the ending of 'Italian Job'!

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:18 am

Sorry, Gray, but I don't consider On Days Like These to be a pop song. It's absolutely beautiful and pure perfection, and one of my favourites, but I don't think it's a pop song ... maybe not a million miles away from a pop song, but at least a thousand!

I have never heard Song For Europe or I Love The Little Things. I don't think they're on The Singers Singer or any of my compilations. I'll check the definitive track listing for where they may be located.

I can think of five songs I like by Elvis Presley: The Wonder Of You, Suspicious Minds, Moody Blue, Can't Help Falling In Love, and Viva Las Vegas. I'm not what you call a fan. I much prefer Liam Gallagher's singing.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:07 am

Paul, Song For Europe is another wording for The Eurovision Song Contest

Matt finished runner up in 1964 to one of my "new" favourite singers Gigliola Cinquetti of Italy

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:05 pm

How about Matt's "Going Places, a great up-beat number

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:55 pm

Hi All

Paul: Please could you help qualify what is a 'pop' song!

I was sure that 'On Days Like These' and 'Why Not Now' would qualify, but there you go!
What did the documentary use as a guideline please, Paul?
I'm thinking 'slow' songs can be classed as pop just as much as 'faster' tunes, for example McCartney's 'Yesterday'.
Speaking of The Beatles, surely nearly all of their work would be competing for the title of 'perfect pop song'?

Any help you can give would be of use please Paul, to help me have a re-think!

Also, thanks for your list of fave Elvis songs, very interesting, particuarly 'Moody Blue'!

Gray

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:56 am

Gray - I think each person has their own opinion of pop music. So for you, On Days Like These and Why Not Now are pop songs. I just happen to feel that they don't have that certain pop sound. Given the comments you've made on these message boards regarding your favourite artists and singers, most of them are not what I consider pop. They are soft rock, soul, R & B, classic standards, etc. On this week's show, Guy Chambers called ABBA the ultimate pop group. I think he's right about that. I consider all early Beatles qualify as pop, but not some of the later songs. I would consider the Association songs to be pop. But it's all really a personal opinion.

Do you remember Elvis' "Moody Blue", Gray? I rarely hear it today. But it was a big hit on the US country chart. I liked it because it wasn't so over the top like many of his vocals.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:10 am

My choice for the perfect "Pop song" would be "If I never sing another song".

john · Post by **john** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:38 am

I love this one Marian, it has always been a favourite of mine.