POP MUSIC MATTERS

Bob Dylan - "She Belongs To Me"

From the album Bringing It All Back Home, 1965

She Belongs To Me - Bob Dylan

"She Belongs To Me" really sort of speaks for itself. It's said to be about Joan Baez and it's one of Dylan's most beautiful love songs, one worth listening to over and over. The tune really oozes New York City folk culture during the mid-sixties and it's second in line on the album that would turn Dylan into far more than just an introspective folk singer.

Bringing It all Back Home made Bob Dylan a rock & roll superstar. - Kenny S. McGuane

www.bobdylan.com

Glen Campbell - "Galveston"

From the album Galveston (1969):

Galveston - Glen Campbell

One of many Jimmy Webb-penned songs made famous by Glen Campbell, "Galveston" is perhaps the most beautiful. Although not about the Texas beach community specifically, Galveston as a city and as a place provides the perfect geographic context for a gorgeous love song. I've been listening to it on repeat lately--I've had it in my head since Hurricane Ike destroyed the community two weeks ago.

Be sure to check out Glen Campbell's latest release Meet Glen Campbell out now on Capitol Records.

www.glencampbellshow.com
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My deepest sympathies to the families affected by the hurricane.

R.I.P. Galveston and to those who lost their lives. You're on my mind.

Billy Joel - "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"

From the album The Stranger (1977):

Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - ...

What are you guilty pleasures? Here's one of mine.

The best song off of Joel's best record, "Movin' Out" is the songwriter's commentary on New York City's working-class immigrant culture. Fantastically arranged and brilliantly sung (Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac-ac!), the track peaked at #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and would later be used as the title for the Billy Joel-inspired Broadway musical Movin' Out.

There are a great many Billy Joel songs I loathe. But the ones I love are up there with some of my favorite pop songs of all time and "Movin' Out" is a tune I find utterly irresistible. - Kenny S. McGuane

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE DELUXE REISSUE OF THE STRANGER

www.billyjoel.com

Neil Diamond - "Cracklin' Rosie"

From the album Tap Root Manuscript (1970):

Cracklin' Rosie - Neil Diamond

Purdy sure "Cracklin' Rosie" is one of the radest songs not only of Diamond's career, but the 70's in general. It was Diamond's first #1 hit in the U.S. and was also the song that initiated his popularity in the United Kingdom. It's either about a girl, a whore, or some kind of Canadian wine, at least that's the speculation. Anyhow, it's about as exemplary as songwriting gets.

It's perfect and it's unequivocally "Neil Diamond". - Kenny S. McGuane

www.neildiamond.com

Bonnie Raitt - "Nick of Time"

From the album Nick of Time, 1989

Nick Of Time - Bonnie Raitt

I heard this song for the first time in almost five years the other day; it stopped me in my tracks because I had forgotten how much I adored it. I was only six years old when "Nick of Time" was first being played on the radio, but I can remember loving it even then. All of Raitt's work reminds me of my mother, especially "Nick of Time". That may be 50% of the reason I love it so much, but the other 50% is because it's a beautiful lyrical take on a classic theme: live each day to its fullest. Raitt's vocals are incredible and her guitar work is perfect, per usual.- Kenny S. McGuane

www.bonnieraitt.com