4 Power Pop Hits From the 1980s From Decidedly Non-Power Pop Artists
This article rounds up four 1980s songs written in the power pop style by artists not typically known for that genre. The piece argues that while power pop's heyday was the 1970s (with acts like Badfinger, The Raspberries and Cheap Trick), the style persisted into the following decade through unexpected contributors, including a Southern rock band, an emerging arena-rock star, a former prog-rock outfit and a genre-defying icon.
The four examples are 38 Special's "If I'd Been The One" (a 1983 Top 20 hit co-written with Jim Peterik), Bon Jovi's "She Don't Know Me" (a 1984 single that narrowly missed the Top 40, penned by Mark Avsec), Mike + The Mechanics' "All I Need Is A Miracle" (written by Mike Rutherford and Christopher Neil), and Prince's "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" from Sign O' The Times. Each is highlighted for hallmarks of power pop such as tight rhythm sections, buoyant melodies and driving choruses, despite the artists' more familiar associations with Southern rock, glam rock, prog rock and genre-spanning funk/pop respectively.
In short
- Four 1980s hits by non-power pop artists are examined for genre traits.
- Songs by 38 Special, Bon Jovi, Mike + The Mechanics and Prince featured.
- Writers include Jim Peterik, Mark Avsec and Mike Rutherford.
Explained simply
Power pop is a style of rock built around bright melodies, crisp rhythms and big, driving choruses. It was most strongly associated with 1970s bands such as Badfinger, The Raspberries and Cheap Trick, but its sound carried on into the next decade.
The four songs in this article came from artists better known for other styles: Southern rock band 38 Special, arena-rock act Bon Jovi, Mike + The Mechanics, formed by Genesis musician Mike Rutherford, and Prince, whose music crossed genres. Their different backgrounds show how power pop could appear beyond the bands usually linked with it.
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