Beginning a hot streak for mentalist bubblegum hits: I always think of this one as a children’s song, because I heard it when I was 7 or 8 and thought it was enchanting, mysterious and funny. As a grown-up I was surprised to learn it was a Bob […]

I don’t normally go into the “making of” stuff on Popular, but this one is a great little snapshot of the 60s pop biz at work. The band formed as a rich man’s present to his aspirational drummer son – all photogenic teen[…]

And so to 1968. Recently I read a book called 1968 – Mark Kurlansky’s breathless tour of that year, which touched dutifully on all the accepted counter-cultural highpoints without really bringing them to life. It didn’t talk much ab[…]

Your chance to vote on the songs you would have given 6 or more out of 10 to from 1967’s chart-toppers.

Number Ones of 1967: Which would you have given 6 or more to?
The Monkees – “I’m A Believer”
Petula Clark – “This Is My […]

Someone on I Love Music recently asked the sharp question, when someone says a song is “Beatlesque”, which Beatles records are they actually thinking of? (more…)[…]

Brazenly unconvincing love-lost flummery by the same people who wrote the previous Number One. Baldry, wearing his serious bluesman’s hat, later professed to hate the record but listening to it I don’t believe him for a second: this sound[…]

I give a mark out of 10 to each track. These polls are for you to select any tracks that you would have given 6 or more to (by whatever criteria you fancy!)

Number One Hits Of 1965: Which Would You Have Given 6 Or More?
Georgie Fame […]

What would you have given the No.1 hits of 1963? Tick all those you’d have handed a mark of 6 or more to (on whatever criteria you fancy!)

Which of the Number 1 Hits Of 1963 Would You Have Given 6 Or More To?
Cliff Richard – “T[…]

Every track on popular gets a mark out of 10. Here’s your opportunity to give ticks to any track from 1958 you would have given more than 6 to.

Number Ones Of 1958: Which would you have given 6 or more to?
Jerry Lee Lewis – “Gr[…]