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

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, with my 48th birthday coming up on Thursday, 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 #48) on the Billboard Hot 100 on my birthday.

This time around the list includes a caffeine overdose, some tunes that simply couldn’t keep it in their pants, and a few incidents of infidelity (I guess those last two go hand in hand … or, you know, something else in something else).

Kicking everything off, however, is an old childhood friend we all still love to this day.

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

1979

Kermit the Frog – Rainbow Connection

This is the most beautiful way possible to begin this birthday playlist. Jim Henson, Kermit the Frog, a banjo … I’m not crying, you’re crying!

1981

Pat Benatar – Promises in the Dark

Wiping away the tears, it’s time to rock out, and as I’ve stated a number of times before – if you have the opportunity to play some Pat Benatar, you should play some Pat Benatar. Since she was at #48 back in ’81, let’s do this!

1982

The Pointer Sisters – I’m So Excited

Sure, this is a legendary song, but if you’ve known me for more than five minutes you know what I will forever associate it with – the addictive, and wildly destructive, nature of caffeine pills! Take it away, Jessie Spano!

1983

Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, a wandering cow, and one of the most infectious synth driven beats in history. What more could you possibly ask for?

Side Note – In a fun coincidence, I’m currently learning how to play this song on the piano!

1985

Cheech & Chong – Born in East L.A.

The theme song to the movie of the same name, you can really never go wrong with Cheech & Chong. Sadly, this satirical take on Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” seems a little extra appropriate in today’s political climate.

1989

2 Live Crew – Me So Horny

I cannot tell you how often I had my radio tuned to Z100 back in ‘89 for their High Five at Nine, hoping to hear “Me So Horny.” Any time they played it I felt like I was getting away with something. It may seem tame compared to some of today’s tunes, but back then it was the peak of risqué!

1991

Rod Stewart – The Motown Song

I always thought this song was cool. Probably because of all the years I spent listening to the Doo-Wop Shop courtesy of my parents. Still, who would’ve thought Rod Stewart would have such an epic ode to Motown … and who would’ve thought it would still sound so good all these years later???

1994

Aerosmith – Crazy

I don’t care what anyone says, I loved Aerosmith’s early-to-mid ‘90s run, and the Alicia Silverstone trilogy of videos. The tunes were fantastic blues rock, and the videos were great visuals. Plus, who among us wasn’t crazy for Alicia Silverstone in the ‘90s?

1996

Blackstreet – No Diggity

How old were you when you finally learned “No Diggity” is about putting on a condom? I didn’t realize it in 1996, and I still hadn’t realized it in 2016. By 2026 I finally knew. LOL!

2001

Uncle Kracker – Follow Me

Ah yes, who doesn’t love a soft rock tune about … romancing someone else’s wife?!?! “Follow Me” initially sounds so sweet that I wonder how many people neglected to check the lyrics before playing it at weddings.

2002

Christina Aguilera w/ Redman – Dirrty

A song that doesn’t lack for obviousness, I know this probably isn’t Christina’s favorite tune, but it’s a classic to many of us, including me, and since it’s my birthday, let’s get “Dirrty.”

2004

Usher – Confessions Part II

If you mix Uncle Kracker’s ode to infidelity with Christina’s “Dirrty” ditty, you might end up with an unexpected baby on the way. Hey Usher, any thoughts on this?

2010

Lady Antebellum – Need You Now

One of the ultimate drunk dial songs, at some point in time we’ve all had a few too many and found ourselves longing for an ex, and Lady Antebellum, now Lady A, nailed the emotion perfectly.

2015

Selena Gomez – Same Old Love

If you aren’t drunk dialing an ex, perhaps it’s because you’re sick of that “Same Old Love.” I’ve always been a sucker for a good pop tune, and Selena had quite the run of them, including this one.

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

If you’d like to help me celebrate my birthday, I’d love it if you picked up a copy of my latest book – One Hit Wondering: The Stories of 40 One Hit Wonders + Other Tales From The Crates. Available now!