ordinary pop songs and why they're great.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003

 
I am too tired to do anything justice so let's just rip into an all time worst record. I have two (in my mind as opposed to my record collection - heaven forfend). They're very different.

"Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross. This is just *so* pointless!! What's it meant to be? At best something to dance to - yes? Well then it must also be the very worst "dance" record too. It just plods along with this relentless unimaginative beat and the least taxing most boring melody ever. I shouldn't fail to be surprised that it's always a "floor filler" at a certain type of function. Yes it's a "function" record isn't it. Completely unchallenging, shuffle-about-by-numbers rubbish.

"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. This is a contentious one, I know. But really, what is so good about it? I'm always sceptical about the high regard in which the saxophone is held, particularly in pop songs. In this case it seems to have lent some sort of untouchable credibility to an otherwise boring and nondescript song. In fact the sax serves as the chorus following the whiny old verse. And everyone thinks it's a classic! Huh??