![[Western Music] Start Here First! A Roundup of Classic, Popular Power Pop Songs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/prGQqbhBaM0/sddefault.jpg)
[Western Music] Start Here First! A Roundup of Classic, Popular Power Pop Songs
Suddenly, but what bands or sounds come to mind for you when you hear the genre “power pop”? Those who are well-versed might immediately name Badfinger and Raspberries—the originators of power pop—as well as bands from the punk and new wave era onward.
However, interpretations vary from person to person, so many may be wondering, “Which ones actually count as power pop?” Its roots trace back to 1960s bands like The Beatles and The Who, but in this article we introduce a curated selection of classic tracks—spanning from the genre’s heyday in the 1970s through the ’90s and 2000s—that we especially recommend for newcomers to power pop.
[Western Music] Start Here! A Roundup of Classic Power Pop Hits (1–10)
I Wanna Be Your BoyfriendThe Rubinoos
A catchy number that distills the appeal of power pop, this landmark track was released to the world in 1979 by The Rubinoos from Berkeley, California.
With its pop-savvy, hook-filled melody and heartwarming harmonies, it has long captivated music fans.
Featured on the album “Back to the Drawing Board,” the song became a hit and was frequently aired on radio in the U.
K.
and across Europe.
That same year, the band was also active on the live circuit, opening for Elvis Costello on the “Armed Funk Tour.” The track later drew attention in 2007 due to its perceived similarities to Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend,” an episode that ultimately ended in a settlement.
Its breezy sound and sweet melody make it a perfect recommendation for anyone wanting to revisit fond memories of youthful days.
September GurlsBig Star
A gem left behind in 1974 by America’s Big Star, renowned as a pinnacle of power pop, this song is a masterpiece that shines with the fusion of jangly guitar sounds and sweetly wistful melodies.
Featured on the album Radio City and inspired by relationships with multiple women, it’s a sublime guitar-pop tune that reflects influences ranging from The Beatles to The Beach Boys.
Though it didn’t achieve commercial success, it has been covered by numerous artists including The Bangles and Dum Dum Girls, and in 2003 it was selected for Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be captivated by melodic guitar lines and lush harmonies.
Go All The WayRaspberries
When it comes to defining masterpieces of the power pop genre, you can’t leave out this gem released by the Raspberries in 1972.
Blending hard-driving guitar riffs with sweet melodies, the Ohio band—heavily influenced by the Beatles and the Who—left a lasting mark on rock history.
The song reached No.
5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.
S.
and sold over 1.
3 million copies.
Its continued use in numerous films, including Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous and Guardians of the Galaxy, is proof of its enduring appeal.
A shining, unfading pinnacle of power pop, it’s a gift to every music fan who loves rock.
No Matter WhatBadfinger
It’s a song that could be called a pinnacle of ’70s power pop, blending cool swagger with bittersweet emotion.
Released by the Welsh band Badfinger on Apple Records in October 1970, it’s a classic that perfectly balances a hard-edged guitar sound with a catchy melody.
Featured on the album No Dice, it achieved remarkable success, reaching No.
8 on the US charts and No.
5 in the UK.
It was also used in the final episode of the TV series Breaking Bad, which brought renewed attention to the track.
A must-listen for power pop fans, it stands out for its melodious phrases, Beatles-esque harmonies, and powerful guitars in exquisite balance.
It’s a definitive example of the genre—highly recommended for anyone just getting into power pop.
I’ve Been WaitingMatthew Sweet
A power-pop masterpiece whose sweet, wistful melody and striking guitar sound resonate deeply! Released by American singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet on his 1991 album Girlfriend, this song draws on his real-life experience of finding a new relationship after divorce, giving it compelling emotional weight.
Featuring ace guitarists like former Television member Richard Lloyd and Robert Quine, it also boasts a raw, analog tape-recorded sound.
Used in the film All Over the Guy and the TV series Scrubs, it also made waves with its MTV music video featuring characters from Urusei Yatsura, winning over not just power-pop fans but a wide range of listeners.
DianeMaterial Issue
This is a power-pop tune marked by crisp guitar riffs and a catchy melody.
Often cited as a quintessential ’90s power-pop band, Material Issue included this track on their classic album International Pop Overthrow and released it in February 1991.
The song delivers a refreshing ode to a woman, striking a perfect balance between its uptempo rhythm and bittersweet lyrics.
It climbed to No.
6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart at the time and received frequent airplay on MTV’s 120 Minutes, significantly boosting the band’s profile.
With its invigorating youthful energy and a touch of wistful romance, it’s the perfect song for taking a positive step forward.
Sparky’s DreamTeenage Fanclub
This track resounds with a rock sound that could be called a pinnacle of power pop.
Scotland’s Teenage Fanclub draw on influences from the Beatles and Big Star, and this song, released in May 1995, shines with their signature style—melodic guitars and crystal-clear harmonies.
As the lead single from the album Grand Prix, it reached No.
40 on the UK Singles Chart and remains a fan favorite.
Even today, it’s cherished as a defining anthem of the power pop scene of the ’80s and ’90s.
Its shimmering guitars and catchy melody make it an ideal choice for a refreshing morning drive or as background music while chatting with friends.