This looks unbelievably similar to my proposed volume two, except that there are some things here that I simply don't own and can't use. Anyway, I hate to be "that guy", but I've got to say that there's NOTHING wrong with Badfinger in any context, particularly when you're naming "No Matter What"--one of my ten favorite pop songs of all-time, probably. Ditto that particular Elton John song. Elton, as offensive as he is now (and has been since 1976), was, with very few exceptions, a fantastic singles artist for the first five years of his career and even made one great (Tumbleweed Connection) and a couple of very good (Madman Across the Water and Honky Chateau) albums. That said, I almost included that song or "Tiny Dancer" on my first volume due to the fact that I LOVE those songs when I should probably just like them. ;-) Also, if I owned "Easy", it'd be on my mix--I love that song unabashedly, especially the guitar solo (which is one of my favorite Harrison-ish guitar solos ever). Perhaps I'll need to get a copy of this in time for my next volume (I really, really did want to include it). I'm also (I hate to say this) with you on "She's Got a Way"--Billy's one and only moment of decency in the most Anti-Christlike career in rock history (IMHO); interestingly, it's the first song on his first album. :-) I also see no shame in that Raspberries song, nor do I see anything wrong with most Lovin' Spoonful hits, especially that one. I also like "Photograph" for some inexplicable reason (despite its horrible production) and kind of like "Saturday Night", "Operator", "Top of the World", and (gasp) "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad." In short, send me a copy... without Frankie Valli, please, as his voice is the ultimate "nails-on-a-chalkboard" voice to me.

Oh, btw, that Christopher Cross song makes me want to throw up (sorry, but it's true), and I can't back you up on the Cars, Howard Jones or that particular Depeche Mode song (despite the fact that it's a real fan favorite).

i blame my mom for the Christopher Cross, teen angst for the Depeche Mode, NBC's Friday Night Videos for the cars and have no clue where the Howard Jones thing came from. Funny that you and I both mark the line of demarcation of Elton John's career as 1976...it's all been downhill since he did that horrible song with Kiki Dee. and i agree with you on the fetid pile of shit that Billy Joel has inflicted on music...but there is just something about "She's Got a Way." i didn't know it was his first song on his first album, but it's great that it is. there is no shame in the raspberries song--but i think it's the law in Cleveland that you have to like them. Eric Carmen's solo career is a completely different story though. brilliant commentary as always rob.

Much to be guilty about here; but I'll echo Rob's observation that Badfinger have a deservedly great and non-cringe-inducing reputation. I'll also fight to the death anyone who argues that we need to be guilty about liking the Monkees, who, prefabricated or not, had more great pop singles in the 60s than any other band (besides the holy quadrumvirate of the Beatles/Stones/Kinks/Who). As for Billy Joel-- I'd sooner tear out my own lungs than listen to him, but if I had to pick a guilty pleasure it would have to be "Captain Jack." Unless we give him a special nod for producing the worst album in the history of rock & roll, the self-titled album by his acid-metal duo Attilla.

It's funny what people put into this category... I see nothing guilty about picks 5, 17 and 19... then again I have a soft spot for a bit of Meatloaf (and say that very sheepishly) too!

I agree with you guys when Elton stopped doing it for me (with the exception of Empty Garden). "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice" is one of my top twenty all time favorite songs. This mix is mostly good stuff.

Finally, a mix I know all the songs on !(my musical ignorance is showing, I know) but how can anyone not relate to/love #3,#4, and #6?

A good reason to "not relate to/love" #4 is that Billy Joel is the Antichrist (see my initial comment at the bottom of the whole thing)... the worst sort of self-important pop hack that's ever invaded modern music. That said, I sort of like that song. :-) I agree with you completely about #3 and #6, though...

lovin spoonful a GP , no way that's a great band

carpenters too

Good pop is good pop and no one should feel guilty for it. But I still can't listen to Def Leppard and Frankie Valli's falsetto can cause shrinkage.

These are simply good songs. If you want to feel guilty about enjoying quality, that's too bad. Celebrate instead!!!!

"Arthur's Theme" is truly magnificent. "No One Is To Blame" is one of the best songs to ever grace humanity. "Enjoy the Silence" is amazing. John Denver rules the universe. "She's Got A Way" is hauntingly beautiful. Jim Croce is Mr. Cool. Elton John was utterly brilliant in the 70's and early 80's. Meatloaf is quite easy on the eyes. Frankie Valli is the Rick Pitino of rock n' roll. The Cars guy is simply ugly. "Rocky Mountain High" is incredibly inspirational when you're on the stairmaster. The only song I don't like is "Luka", but if I liked it, I would not feel guilty about it, and nor should you. There is no such thing as a guilty pleasure!!!!!!!!!