How to craft a perfect pop song

And stumbling back into Squeeze…

The other day, I somehow stumbled onto a live version of “Tempted” by Squeeze on my YouTube algorithm. It’s been acting weird lately — everything from Joe Rogan and “How to Survive on 10 Days in Thailand” to “Why I moved to the Philippines and am happy” is popping up. I’ve never searched for these things, so I'm not sure how it determines whether I need to move to the Philippines or have a burning desire to return.

Nonetheless, a recent live version of “Tempted” popped up, and Glen Tilbrook did some bluesy, Guitar-Hero-like solo before and during the song, which I could or could not have lived without. Regardless, his voice is still amazing. Let’s just talk about the song.

What’s a perfect pop song? Could it be “Tempted”? Or countless others of Squeeze’s hits — perhaps like “Pulling Mussels From A Shell,” “Another Nail in My Heart,” “Black Coffee in Bed,” and let us not forget “Is That Love?”

Squeeze is one of those bands that splintered off and formed a few other bands. I think there is a family tree that leads back to Squeeze, but Crowded House and a few other gems have roots steeped into their history.

What prevented Squeeze from bigger stardom? Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook put the band together in 1974 and were sometimes compared to Lennon and McCartney. A few of the songs that I loved back then are still magical, like “Take Me I’m Yours.” Maybe the sound is a bit 80s, but a great song is a great song.

I find myself questioning why bands either have a legacy these days or remain a one or two-hit wonder and fade into obscurity forever. Maybe, was it the fact that Squeeze had incredible songs, but their image wasn't as prominent as some other bands? Or maybe it was because they didn't have a known heartthrob in the band? Only the music gods know why some bands make it, and why some stay frozen in time.

While revisiting Squeeze’s catalog, it reminded me that it’s not easy to find songwriting like this today. If you follow my musings — Jellyfish, Cheap Trick, Squeeze — you'll notice a common thread: power-pop-rock with incredible songs, which is something that I don't find as much in music today.

Take a trip down memory lane, and check out this Squeeze playlist. Some songs like “Cool for Cats” brought me back, but definitely have a very 80s Brit feel that I can understand may not translate as well these days. But aren't they fun to revisit?

Check out Glen Tilbrook and the crew next time they hit your town. I missed them at Radio City Music Hall the last go-round, but I need to make it a point to go next time. Music keeps me smiling and happy in this crazy world, and hopefully, returning to some of these songs does to you too!

Let us know what you think.

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