I can’t possibly let that state of affairs continue, now can I?
The time is 1976. Kicki Dee was a washed up old hasbeen (a never been heard of on this side of the Pond) and here came Elton (not yet Sir) with this song, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”
Here is one small portion:
(EJ): Don’t go breaking my heart
(KD):You take the weight off me
(EJ):Honey when you knocked on my door
(KD):I gave you my key
I may have the order incorrect. Does it really matter? Unfortunately, it turns into an earworm with little difficulty. Like in my head now. <bangs head on table>
Oh, how could we forget Barely Manenough? I mean, Barry Manilow…
You do that and you’ll hafta chuck all of Paul Simon and all the 70s whitesoul artists too, who I cannot tell apart from John Mayer. Although I don’t like Wonderland, either.
John Mayer is one of the few artists I can hear on Muzak and not think it horribly inappropriate nor totally lame. (Oddly enough, Elvis Costello gets play in Muzak a lot and the fact that it’s usually Alison rather than anything from Brutal Youth is a sure sign that despite trying to update their repertiore the content providers simply don’t get it.)
I am intrigued by your suggestions, and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
On the other hand, all you folks trashing Steve Perry/Journey better watch out. I’ll start a foundation to buy all the radio stations and have All Journey, All the Time!
IMO:
“Centerfield” is a pretty good song. It’s not “Green River,” but it’s not bad.
I like a lot of Bob Seger, especially “Night Moves,” “Fire Lake,” and “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.”
“Stairway to Heaven” is one of the greatest rock songs ever. So is “Layla,” except for the last part.
I like “Dirty Deeds” by AC/DC. In fact, I like a lot of the Bon Scott songs.
The Guess Who is kinda limp, but “No Time” is pretty good.
America generally sucks, but I do like “Sister Goldenhair.”
I can’t rule on the song’s quality, but many good memories surround “Band on the Run.”
Neil Diamond’s no great shakes as a singer, but I do like “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.”
Rod Stewart’s first few solo albums were superb.
Trashing Dylan and Neil Young is just nuts. Yeah, okay, they don’t have great voices. I still don’t want to hear anyone else sing “Desolation Row” or “Down by the River.”
“Philadelphia Freedom” is one of Elton John’s best songs.
And, yes, I like “Free Bird.”
So, although the illegalization of Terry Jacks and Bobby Goldsboro (whom no one plays anymore anyway), and a lot of the other recommendations here, might be a good thing, if they were all followed, my life would be a lot poorer for it.
Put your hand in the hand of the man Who stilled the water.
Put your hand in the hand of the man Who calmed the sea.
Take a look at yourself and you can look at others differently,
By putting your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee!
Long car trips don’t count. If you’re depending on the radio you have to settle for what comes in while hitting the scan button. This is how my college roomie and I made it from Portland Oregon to Madison Wisconsin and managed to develop a begrudging appreciation for “Living La Vida Loca” as it was at the time, being broadcast by every radio station on Earth every 30 minutes. We also didn’t sleep for 36 hours, but that happens.
Edited to add: same for the song “Smooth” by Santana and the dude from Matchbox 20. That’s what was playing the rest of those 30 minute intervals.
My God I cannot even begin to describe just how awful this is. I mean really. It’s indescribable - it just sucks on every level there is. No, I take that back - that would be a compliment to the awful that this song is.