Guilty Pleasure Songs

The September Q takes a look at Guilty Pleasures, those songs and albums you love even though for some reason you "shouldn't". The reasoning is sometimes a bit iffy. Their list of guilty pleasure tracks includes "I Got You" by Split Enz, a damn good song, and one there is no reason to feel guilty for liking (Split Enz is "Best remembered for their bizarre hair, make-up and costumes", according to Q. Nonsense!). I think of a guilty pleasure track as more like "Xanadu", or "Physical", or "Summer Nights". Basically, a song involving Olivia Newton-John in some way. Their Boston pick seems about right. They include 50 tracks on their list; here's the top 25 (and a couple others). More on their guilty pleasures special to come...

Top 25 Guilty Pleasure Tracks:

1. Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing (available on All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra. Q: "Number 1 here simply because it remains ever wonderful to the ear: from the gloriously bonkers introduction to the flamenco guitar. ELO may never be fashionable, but in terms of sheer aural elation, this one song betters more revered bands' entire back catalogues. Best Bit: The intro's crazed violins and thudding piano suggest great things to come.")
2. Boston - More Than A Feeling (available on Pure 70s. Q: "Best Bit: The instrumental break, 1.48 in. That riff. Those handclaps.")
3. S Club 7 - Don't Stop Movin'
4. 10cc - I'm Not In Love (available on Super Hits of the '70s: Have a Nice Day, Vol. 14. Q: "Best Bit: The knowledge that the song's characters will soon be married. Aah.")
5. Gary Glitter - Rock 'N' Roll Part 2
6. Foreigner - Cold As Ice
7. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell
8. Status Quo - Whatever You Want
9. Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
10. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
11. Rainbow - Since You've Been Gone
12. J. Geils Band - Centerfold
13. Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69 (Q: "Anyone who says they've never played air-guitar to Summer Of '69 is a liar.")
14. All Saints - Never Ever
15. Shaggy - Mr. Boombastic
16. Yes - Owner Of A Lonely Heart
17. Bangles - Manic Monday (Q: "Best Bit: Let's face it, the whole song was made for singing along to. At the top of your voice.")
18. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)
19. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
20. David Essex - Rock On
21. Nickelback - How You Remind Me
22. Barry Manilow - Mandy
23. Chicago - If You Leave Me Now (available on The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1997. Q: "Best Bit: "At 0.19, 'Oo-ooh--no, baby, please don't go.")
24. Marc Cohn - Walking In Memphis
25. Ronan Keating - Life Is A Rollercoaster

A Glance Down The List:

35. Dennis Waterman - I Could Be So Good For You (available on Planet 70s)

42. Cheap Trick - Surrender (available on Greatest Hits)

Not On The List:

Olivia Newton-John with Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu (available on the Xanadu soundtrack. Xanadu is also an excellent choice for a cheesy-fun movie night)