Pop Shots – New Year, New You

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, with it being the start of a new year, and many folks making new year’s resolutions, for this week’s column I’ve created a playlist of six songs about personal change … and one song about not changing at all (because I know at least a few of you did the “stay awesome” thing as your resolution).

Every new year’s resolution has one thing in common – it requires the occasional kick in the pants to make sure you stay motivated. Allow these songs to be your melodic kick in the pants!

Of course, since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

Sheryl Crow – A Change Would Do You Good

 

Sometimes a voice inside you is telling you it’s time to make a change, and sometimes that voice is the voice of Sheryl Crow. If you’re listening to “A Change Would Do You Good” that’s definitely the case, and have you ever known Sheryl Crow to give you bad advice? No, she never has, so make that change!

Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror

 

There’s more than a bit of irony here in that MJ definitely needed to make some changes in his life (understatement of the century?), but his own personal malfeasance aside, “Man in the Mirror” is still an excellent soundtrack for self-reflection, and making every attempt to be a better person. Consider this a “do as I say, not as I do” situation.

Blind Melon – Change

 

Blind Melon without the bee girl?!?! Yes, the Shannon Hoon led band had more than just “No Rain” (although, my God that was a fantastic song). On “Change” they reminded us, “When life is hard, you have to change.” Sadly, Hoon couldn’t make the one change he needed to make, which is why he left us at the age of 28.

David Bowie – Changes

 

You had to know this song was going to make an appearance on this list. David Bowie was the king of change during his career with the characters he created, both through his performances, and his music. So if you’re trepidatious about making a change, heed the words of Bowie, and “turn and face the strange.”  

Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight Tonight

 

While I disagree with the sentiment that “the more you change, the less you feel,” let’s focus on the lyrics – “Believe, believe / That life can change / That you’re not stuck in vain.” I think that’s a … SMASHING idea. (I’m not even sorry I did that)

Bernard Ighner – Everything Must Change

 

“Everything Must Change” has been covered by a plethora of amazing artists, but the first to perform it was the song’s composer and songwriter, Bernard Ighner. As he sings, “Everyone must change / No one and nothing remains the same,” know that even if you flake on your resolution, you will still change in some way, because we all will.

INXS – Don’t Change

 

If you aren’t planning on making any changes in your life, and your resolution was simply to stay awesome, let INXS provide the soundtrack to your 2023 with “Don’t Change.”

Ironically, Michael Hutchence would make at least one major change after this video, and it’s a good thing he did, because there’s no way he would’ve ever been considered a sex symbol with that hair.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.