Pop Shots – 5 Songs on the Radio That Don’t Suck
Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week I’m bringing back an old favorite – 5 Songs on the Radio That Don’t Suck. I haven’t done one of these in well over a year because … well … it’s been difficult to find songs on the radio that don’t suck! The other day, however, on a short drive, I had my local alt-rock station on and heard something that made me go “WHO’S THAT?” and that’s the kind of thing that gets me excited.
Who was the artist? You’re about to find out, as that song leads off the column. Of course, since this is Pop Shots, you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.
This was the song that made me crank up my radio, and bring this column back. Apparently it was part of something on TikTok, but being that I’m 42, I’m not allowed to go on TikTok without being put on a government watch list. That said, boy am I happy “Deep End” is now getting radio airplay. Having something like this in rotation will inspire me to occasionally flip over from the ‘90s, and Classic Rock stations I’m normally tuned to (like I said, I’m 42).
Cannons’ “Fire for You” is a serious groove, and it’s the kind of song you fall in love with the first time you hear it. Personally, it makes me think of late nights in the city, walking the streets of the LES, making my way to my train after an indie show and a few adult beverages, not necessarily because of the lyrical content, but because I can picture the pace of my steps being in rhythm with the song.
Yes, I walk fast. I was raised here, what do you expect? As K.Gaines once told me, I have a “tri-state gait.”
I have to admit I have a soft spot for AJR, and not just because I interviewed one of the members of the group back in 2015. They’re an NYC indie band that made it, going from being kids performing in Washington Square Park, to having mega-hits known the world over. How can you not love that story?
Their latest hit is “BANG!,” and it’s fantastic. I welcome every time I hear it at the gym, where it’s currently in heavy rotation.
Arm curls and AJR – it’s a thing!
Combining the talents of The Weeknd, and Max Martin = pop perfection on a level we haven’t heard in quite some time.
This may very well be one of the best pop songs of the past 25 years, and the fact that it’s spent more time in the Top 5, and Top 10, of the Billboard Hot 100 than any song in the chart’s 65 year history is a testament to its greatness.
One of the gyms where I work out (we all work out at multiple gyms, right?) has this song in super heavy rotation, and when I say super heavy, I mean I hear it at least twice per workout. Because of this, “Mood” has really grown on me. The vibe reminds me a bit of Shwayze, and although we’re currently in the middle of winter, this song is a two and a half minute shot of summertime, and that’s something that some of us – like yours truly – could certainly use, and definitely appreciate (yes, I cleared snow off my car this morning, why do you ask?).
That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.
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