Sound Opinions is a fabulous show on Chicago Public Radio that pairs the music critics from the Sun-Times and the Tribune in an hour-long program that weaves reviews and commentaries with guest performers and interviews. I often listen to it on Saturday nights as I drive out to Berwyn, IL to practice music with my partner in crime, Mark.
This week's episode was special. The entire hour was devoted to guilty pleasures in music. Listeners called in throughout the show, pleading guilty to such groups as Creed and Grand Funk Railroad. Even the two fearless hosts got into the act, naming a Sonny and Cher tune and, yes, Hillary Duff as their guilt-filled pleasures.
It got me thinking about my musical guilty pleasures. There are plenty. Here are a few:
1. Nena. Not just "99 Luftbalons," the song - I'm talking the whole fucking album. It's GREAT. You know, in that terrible way.
2. "You're the Best," by Joe Esposito. You know, the tournament scene from The Karate Kid? ("Put 'em in a body bag, Johnny!") Priceless.
3. Deep Blue Something. These guys had a single hit with "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but the whole album Home is filled with terribly great bubble-gum folk crap. It's to be adored.
4. "Les Miserables." Damn it, I just can't help it. To this day, I'll jump to it on my iPod, scared that someone on the train might notice. Oh, Jean Valjean, why must you torture me?!?
Okay, readers, now it's your turn. I hearby require everyone who reads this post to chime in with their own guilty pleasures. Don't be shy. Admitting you have a problem is half the battle. Have at it!
8 comments:
OK, I'll take the bait. I have Justin Timberlake's CD, Justified. Sometimes I put it on in the car to listen to "Cry me a River" and the "gonna have you naked by the end of this song" one (you know, the Janet Jackson/Superbown song). Of JT himself, I am not a fan. But those songs...oh, they're good. I'm not ashamed.
er...superbowL.
Ok, ok...I can do this.
For me it's that country-crossover hit "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack. Cheezy in the extreme, awash in cliche and it just...gets me every single time!
Damn you, Lee Ann Womack and your country cross-over crack!
Does Matthew Sweet's "Girlfriend" count? Anything by Edwin McCain (whose name, I might add, makes my husband roll his eyes). And I admit it: I just ADORE the songs on the new kids' CD I just bought for my children. I've had "Get Me Some Glasses" running through my head for days.
Clearly the fates read your blog because not 10 minutes after my confession of love for IHYD, S and I turned on the radio in the kitchen and BOOM! there it was!
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean....
Oh man.
Dido, Styx and John Denver -- but I think you know that already....
Neil Diamond! WOO!
Although I'll also admit to singing Englebert Humperdinck last time at karaoke night, I'd have to give my nod to the Beastie Boys' Paul Revere. It's a must-play as the first song after I hook up a new component to the stereo system. Crank it up. Whoomp. Whoomp. Whoomp. Whoomp-whoomp.
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