Every once in awhile, a song comes along that fits the criteria of what I would call “the perfect pop song”.
This means the song is filled with such irresistible pop hooks such that it becomes incredibly catchy, and is easily loved & enjoyed by all who hear it.
It’s as if the song was perfectly crafted from beginning to end, and every second of listening to it is pure bliss.
Quite simply, it’s pop music at its finest.
In my humble opinion, Jessica Simpson’s “A Public Affair” definitely falls into this category. It’s just so unbelievably catchy.
Other examples of “perfect pop” I can think of include:
I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys)
Hey Ya! (Outkast)
Domino Dancing (Pet Shop Boys)
Leave A Light On For Me (Belinda Carlisle)
Luca (Suzanne Vega)
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Wham!)
I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da (Beatles)
I’m sure there are many others but they escape me at the moment.
NB: There is a distinction between “perfect pop” and “cheesy pop”. Examples of the latter would be songs like “Macarena”, “Lemon Tree”, “The Ketchup Song”, “Numa Numa”, “Umbrella”, “Blue (Da Ba Dee)”, etc.
Hey Jeremy, I stumbled into your blog through links on Ivan’s rambling librarian blog. Nice analysis of the songs which I agree. I just did a post on Joey Scarbury’s Believe It Or Not. Wonder which category it falls into?
Hi Walter, nice of you to drop a comment. I’ve been a keen reader of your blog and I think it’s got great insight, and that your writing is very well thought-out.
Yeah you mentioned Joey Scarbury’s song. Theme song to “Greatest American Hero” right? Fantastic song! I think it’s “perfect pop” too, haha! The tune still stays with me right till this very day.
Great stuff.
I didn’t find this song catchy. Thought it was so-so only. The video was more interesting, esp. the nerdy guy who imagines that he gets lucky! LOL