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5. Matthew Sweet - "Sick of Myself"100% Fun (1995)
The only thing more fun than singing along to this bittersweet track is listening to Sweet shred and shred again at the end. He performed an acoustic version (video of which I'm told will be on the site in the next week or so) when he visited Paste in early November, and it totally made my day.
6. The Raspberries - "Go All the Way"
The Raspberries (1972)
Many* will never forgive Eric Carmen for foisting "All By Myself" onto the world, and yes, this song has some of those softer tendencies, but come on (come on)! That guitar riff is unimpeachable and the bridge rules and, well, come on (come on)!
* Including this guy.
8. The Buzzcocks - "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)"
Love Bites (1978)
Another oft-covered gem best purchased on an fantastic comp (Singles Going Steady), this track showcases the poppiest side of one of punk's finest acts.
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Yes! Squeeze! I can never be 100% sure whether my love for their song is really just overblown nostaligia--my dad loved them and played their records incessantly--but every time I hear a song I'm more and more certain it's not just that--they were so on top of their game in that era. Great list, thought provoking.
I would argue that "I Wanna Be With You" is the definitive Raspberries song. Either way, it's certainly much better than "Go All the Way." And though I'm not crazy about either band, your list is missing two thirds of the "holy trinity" in Badfinger and Big Star.
The Records' "Starry Eyes" is an essential tune for any power pop novice, to be sure, while the Pointed Sticks provide a much better alternative to the punkier side of power pop than do the Buzzcocks.
The most glaring omission, however, is "Shake Some Action" by the Flamin' Groovies, a ditty which many would call the definitive power pop song.
20/20, the Shoes, the Romantics (pre-National Breakout), Pezband, and Milk 'n' Cookies are some more good ones while the Toms are absolutely essential.
Moving the the more modern side of things, the Electric Shadows' "Break the Rules" is probably the best power-pop song of the last decade. The Busy Signals and Clorox Girls are more on the punk side, but again very good. The Perfect Fits are on the rise, as well.
I'm not a huge Squeeze fan...in fact, I have nightmares of driving to Tennessee from Philadelphia as a young adolescent with my father and uncle listening to them. With that being said, "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)" remains one of my all-time favorite songs.
Great list - I'd add a relatively more recent song: "Use It" by the New Pornographers.
I'm also not crazy about Badfinger or Big Star, hence their non-inclusion. Great other suggestions, though!
No Jellyfish? Huh?
I've had that same conversation with your nameless co-worker about Squeeze. Just glad to know I've got an ally in the good fight.