As a fan of a wide variety of popular (and not-so-popular) music from the 1950s (and sometimes even earlier) up through the present, one of my bucket list projects for years has been to put together a list of my 100 favorite songs of all time. At some point I decided that, once I got around to figuring that out, I could put it out on a blog, for the infinitesimally small proportion of the Internet world that might be interested. So, here we are. While the Top 100 will be a major focus, I also plan to post on a variety of other musical (and occasionally non-musical) topics, in which you may or may not be interested. (If a particular posting doesn’t ring your bell, you’re only a few clicks away from a dancing cat video on YouTube.)

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Eric Carmen, Karl Wallinger

https://variety.com/2024/music/obituaries-people-news/eric-carmen-dead-raspberries-singer-all-by-myself-go-all-the-way-1235938937/

https://variety.com/2024/music/news/karl-wallinger-world-party-dead-1235938501/

 

Cleveland’s Eric Carmen made a name for himself as one of the leading figures in 1970s power pop, especially as the lead singer and songwriter for the Raspberries. His obit in Variety lists Kurt Cobain and Bruce Springsteen among his admirers. While I could live without some of his solo stuff (“All By Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” in particular), the Raspberries produced some great singles, highlighted by the guitar riff that kicks off (and continues through) “I Wanna Be With You”.

 

Although less prolific (and much less well-known), Welsh singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Karl Wallinger also deserves recognition for his work with the Waterboys, and subsequently as the prime mover in World Party. “Ship Of Fools” was his only song to dent the U.S. Hot 100, although several of his albums and other songs had more success elsewhere in the world, as well as on alternative radio here.

 

Favorite Eric Carmen tracks (Raspberries, unless otherwise indicated):

I Wanna Be With You

Let’s Pretend

Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)

Make Me Lose Control [solo]

Go All The Way

Never Gonna Fall In Love Again [solo]

 

Favorite World Party tracks:

Is It Like Today?

Ship Of Fools

All Come True

Put The Message In The Box

Way Down Now

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