Pop Shots – My Annual Birthday Column! (Two Days Early)

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, with my 47th birthday coming up on Wednesday, it’s time for my annual Pop Shots birthday column!

If you haven’t seen one of these before, each year I take a look at some of the great songs that came in at my age (in this case #47) on the Billboard Hot 100 on my birthday.

This time around the list includes a double shot of Katy Perry, a classic from an ‘80s teen queen, and a very unexpected appearance by The Beatles.

Kicking everything off, however, is a funk classic that is a perfect way to get this birthday party (column) started.

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

1978

Funkadelic – One Nation Under a Groove (Part I)

 

The year I was born there was something very funky at #47, as Funkadelic clearly wanted me to not lose my groove when I hit my middle-aged years … you know, if they had a time machine, and knew I’d be writing this column.

They did have a spaceship, so that’s not totally out of the question.

I guess what I’m saying is, thank you George Clinton! I promise to remain funky!

1986

The Beatles – Twist and Shout

 

When I saw this Beatles song on a chart for my birthday I said – hold up, I’m old, but I’m not that old!

So how did a song from the ‘60s wind up on the chart in the ‘80s? It was included in the classic 1986 comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and the Rodney Dangerfield cult classic of the same year, Back to School. This sparked a renewed interest in the song, and its return appearance on the Hot 100.

Does this mean I’m also a classic now? Hey, I’m OK with it!

So cheers to multiple decades of twisting and shouting … although if I twist too quickly at this age I may be shouting for a doctor.

1987

Debbie Gibson – Only In My Dreams

 

In the ‘80s a lot of teen boys were dreaming of Debbie Gibson. Sadly, for all of them, a chance with her was only in their dreams. Meanwhile, Debbie herself was having dreams of her own, but her dreams resulted in the pop gem “Only In My Dreams,” which included a killer sax solo.

Side Note: If your bed is on a beach, you are either dreaming, or have been kicked out of the house in a wonderfully unique way.

1990

Wilson Phillips – Impulsive

 

Most people only think of “Hold On” when they think of Wilson Phillips (and yes, I know you still think of Wilson Phillips). The trio, however, had other great songs, “Impulsive” being one of them, and I bet when you click play you’ll go, “Oh yeah, I remember that one!” I know I did.

1992

Swing Out Sister – Am I The Same Girl

 

Point blank – I think Swing Out Sister are awesome. I did a One Hit Wondering column on them, I have one of their gold records on the wall of my office, and I think their combining of jazz, soul, and pop is supremely cool.

Their cover of “Am I the Same Girl” from their fantastic third album, Get in Touch with Yourself, coming in at #47 for my 47th birthday simply adds to their magic … at least for me.

1995

Hootie & The Blowfish – Let Her Cry

 

If you were alive in 1994, and had $15 in your wallet at any point in time, there’s a pretty good chance you bought Hootie & The Blowfish’s debut album, Cracked Rear View. It went double diamond (20+ million copies sold)!

The band released singles from the album through the end of 1995, and honestly, it was Darius Rucker’s world, the rest of us were just living in it.

You can’t even try to pretend you didn’t like songs like “Let Her Cry.” You can still sing at least part of the chorus without even clicking play. We all can.

1998

Janet Jackson – Together Again

 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – Janet has a vastly superior catalog to Michael, and it isn’t even all that close.

Just look at The Velvet Rope, an album where she practically invented neo soul, but also had a pop hit like “Together Again.”

Absolute legend!

2000

Vertical Horizon – Everything You Want

 

In the post-grunge era we had an explosion of radio rock, and you know what – some of it was pretty good. Vertical Horizon was a radio rock band, and to this day when “Everything You Want” comes on it’s a safe bet you’re gonna enjoy it, and possibly even sing the chorus. It may not be a song that changed the world, but it also never made you want to change the station. Sometimes that’s enough.

2003

Hilary Duff – So Yesterday

 

Hilary Duff is currently working on a comeback, and if you want to remember her musical past, this catchy little pop tune of hers was at #47 back in 2003. While it isn’t a true earworm, it can certainly get stuck in your head whether you listen to it today, tomorrow, or “So Yesterday.”

2009

Katy Perry – Waking Up In Vegas

 

The first of a double dose of Katy Perry for my 47th birthday, I actually have woken up in Vegas, but it was for a cousin’s wedding, and I was staying at the now defunct Hooters Hotel & Casino … like a gentleman … who needed to find a reasonably priced hotel on the same weekend Madonna was in town. 

 Katy is one of my big “before they were famous” interviews, as I spoke with her right before “I Kissed a Girl” came out. Funny story, the song was released shortly after I handed in the article for publication, but because we hadn’t published it yet, I emailed my editor, and said, “Lemme slip a mention of this song into the article. I think it’s gonna be big.”

I don’t get ‘em right all the time, but I sure got that one right!

2014

Katy Perry w/ Juicy J – Dark Horse

 

Five years after Katy Perry appeared at #47 on my birthday, she was back at #47 on my birthday again, this time with the absolutely bonkers “Dark Horse.”

Nobody expected Katy to team up with Juicy J, and the video was completely over the top video, but it all worked to perfection. “Dark Horse” was pop magic.

2015

Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha – In The Name of Love

 

Closing out my birthday playlist is an appearance from Bebe Rexha, who I’ve loved since I saw her perform at Warped Tour back in 2015.

Ten years later I still think she has a fantastic voice, is an underrated songwriter, and is absolutely deserving of pop stardom.

I’m pretty sure she’s happy working behind the scenes now as a songwriter for others, but if she ever decides to return to the being in the spotlight, I’ll be here for it.

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