I was thinking about this a while ago. I am not necessarily ashamed of any of the music in my collection, but I can feel a bit sheepish. I know the difference between “good” music and “enjoyable” and this isn’t meant to be a list of “good” (or “bad”) music but instead these are one that would certainly fall under the category of “guilty pleasure” – you can come up with your own definition if you want.
Duran Duran
This is the band that defined me musically. No, it did not shape my musical taste or direction, but once I stopped being a closet Duran Duran fan, my life was set free. I was no longer ashamed of any of the music in my collection and was not afraid to say I liked something and could enjoy it for what it was.
“Planet Earth”
Rick Springfield
I have always liked Rick Springfield. Sure, “Jessie’s Girl” is the hit, but he has some other great songs like “I’ve Done Everything For You” and “Don’t Talk To Strangers” – and I will even admit to owning a copy of the film Hard To Hold. Does anybody else remember the show “Mission Magic”?
“You Can Really Do It (If You Try)”
Katy Perry
It’s fun pop fluff. You could also put Brittany Spears and P!nk in here as well. I guess I have a soft spot for female pop singers (no, get your head out of the gutter) but not as much for male pop stuff (despite what I post below).
“Last Friday Night”
Huey Lewis & The News
Another band I have always liked, but as the years pass I have grown to enjoy them more and more. Now whenever they come on the radio in the car (or as shuffled on my MP3 player) I turn the volume up.
“Plan B”
Rick Astley
And not just that one hit either. I actually have a couple of his albums and I am not ashamed to admit it. Listen to his voice. If he stuck with more “pop” stuff instead of moving into slower tempo “adult contemporary” territory his career would have been much more impactful.
“Together Forever”
Def Leppard
This shouldn’t be a surprise, really. In a way I lament that “Pour Some Sugar On Me” is their biggest hit because it simply isn’t their best song. he stuff before that though? My kids are annoyed with me and roll their eyes if it ever starts coming through the car speakers because they know the volume is going to double.
“Bringin’ On The Heartbreak”
Tom Jones
I have seen him. Twice. In Las Vegas. And would do so again. I grew up with some of his songs but the stuff he did later in his career is also fantastic. And fun.
“If I Only Knew”