| Song | Artist | Year | Pick | Genre(s) | Willis Notes | Gregg Notes |
| Love Would Be | The Jenny Thing | 1994 | Willis | Indie Rock/Pop | In 1993, my GF Sharon was friends with the lead singer of this Berkeley-based college band, and supporting them became a pillar of our relationship for years. Dozens of shows from radio station to dorm hall, dive bars and small venues. They built a strong bay area following and had a short run on Star Search before breaking up for their guitarist/co-writer to attend law school, which was coincidental with my own relationship ending. This, combined with learning the religious undertones of their music, I shelved their albums because listening became weird. Time gives fresh ears, and I just noticed they re-grouped in 2021 with a more electronic sound, so maybe we’ll hear that on a future show. | This is really nice. It’s interesting how I can identify the time-frame just by the production and songwriting techniques. It immediately brought 2 bands to mind (one of which you might see below), but it still separates itself with very unique lead vocals. There’s a soulfulness to this; I believe what he’s singing to me, even without any context. I’m sure it was fun seeing this band develop in the local scene from the front row. Relatable for me, from the other side of it (seeing fans follow us around and us becoming friendly with them). |
| Halo | Deep Blue Something | 1995 | Gregg | Jangle Pop /Power Pop /Pop Alt | Breakfast at Tiffanys is another of my guilty pleasures, but I never followed the band beyond that. Yesterday, I must have listened to their catalog for 3 hrs straight and was pleasantly surprised by their versatility from intimate acoustic driven to bigger stadium sound and effects, varying vocal styles, and clean drumming. | This band was a true 1-hit wonder (“Breakfast at Tiffanys”), and it’s not necessarily fair that they were judged so harshly on that 1 song, albeit a novelty-ish tune. The same album was filled with adventurous pop songs with more than a little edge. I felt there were at least 3 other Top10 worthy songs, inc this one. There are lots of Cure-esque moments with the guitars here, but the hook is SO strong. It’s just weird enough while still being pop. The songs/melodies of DBS were reminiscent of bands like Toad the Wet Sprocket and Gin Blossoms, yet they had a small fraction of the success. |
| Start a Family [Feat. Alan Rickman] | Texas | 2015,2023 | Willis | Alt Rock, Trip Hop, Spoken Word | I had their 1989 debut CD Southside on repeat through many a midterm-study session for their moody, bluesy ,alt-country sound but had no idea who they were. Assuming they were a “country” band from Texas, I archived them in my mind in guilty fashion.. Looking them up now, I am surprised to learn they are an alt rock band from Scotland that have produced lots of eclectic music I would have loved. So now I feel EXTRA guilty for NOT following them. Although the original release of this song did not have Alan R., it was recorded at that time, but not released until 2023 with his spoken word, which is nothing short of outstanding, especially when he almost sings. | I remember this band for 1 song only back in 97 (Say What You Want), and I thought it was their only modest hit. I guess not! This was surprising to say the least. I didn’t think I’d like this (on paper), but the spoken word part works beautifully with the large chorus (which is a terrific hook). I also love the thick, groovy hip-hop drums. I am digging this a lot. |
| It’s Not Unusual | Belly | 1994 | Gregg | Power Pop /Post Punk | I’m glad Belly gave us a modern version to do the Tom Jones dance to. I myself had to read up on TJ to understand why he has been knighted. Though (forever an optimist) I’m changing my perspective on what it means to be a Vegas act. | It took THIS version of this song for me to fall in love with it. I thought Tom Jones was a Vegas act that old women adored, but couldn’t take him seriously until Belly opened the door for me. This makes me wanna jump for joy, while simultaneously making me want to reflect. It’s truly a genius pop song, and Belly makes it slightly more angsty and vulnerable. Perfect for any party playlist, by every measure: Cool factor, familiarity, irony, Danceability, etc. *Featured on the With Honors Sdtrk – which was loaded with amazing songs & covers. |
| Into The Night | Benny Mardones | 1980 | Willis | Adult Contemporary | So many choices in this genre. Whenever this song came on the radio, I could neither ignore it, nor identify the artist. Even to this day I had to look it up by the lyric search. Remade, re-released, and remixed, it is a genuine one-hit wonder, which actually hit twice within the same decade. That “16 yrs old” line never actually registered as creepy with me. Actually as the story goes, that line came from more of a protective context, yet in this song it gets somewhat misappropriated (except with me, apparently). His compressed cries exude such pain and sincerity. | From the first time I heard this in 1980, I was obsessed with it. Every time it came on the radio, my family would call for me: “GREGG! YOUR SONG IS ON!” lol. Aside from the obvious perfection of melody and emotion and hooks, the ending vocals where Benny shouts and cries out to his lost love while his voice was swathed in reverb and delay just proffers chills up n down my spine. I couldn’t believe how impassioned he was, and it made me wanna cry for him. Even when he sings “But I want you to knowwwww…”, I felt like the most important words on the planet were about to be sung. As I grew older and this song’s legend grew along with me, I do find it peculiar that he was professing his love to a very underage girl whom he can’t “have”. So that makes my sheer enjoyment a little muted & uncomfortable lol. He also didn’t even look “youngish”, which amplified the weirdness for some reason. That said, it’s a Soft Rock masterpiece! |
| Everything Shines | The Push Stars | 1999 | Gregg | Power Pop /Sunshine Pop Alt Pop | I don’t recognize this band or even the song, probably because the movie was a love/hate reaction from me (hilarious and entertaining yet crosses the lines of raunchy to make you uncomfortable). Outside of the movie though, it is such an upbeat fun song, that I never would have picked out the bittersweet without your filter. Feels a little bit like an indie-ska version of the Rembrandts. | As you can prob tell, I’m trying to feature some of what I consider “feel good” or “happy” songs. Summery vibes are strong right now, and for some reason this song makes me feel so much joy. First heard it in There’s Something About Mary, which my father & I watched frequently together (a favorite for both of us). This song screams sunshine; L.A. or Miami beaches, people walking and smiling, red sports cars cruising slowly, bikini clad women and toned men playing volleyball. It sets a vibe. Oh, and the accordion! But as you know, with all “happy” music, there needs to be a tinge of melancholy, and this song has it in spades. This is like a young man, broke and lost, but now finding a GF and choosing to look at the brighter days ahead instead of the predicament he’s in. Bittersweet, but more sweet than bitter. |
| That’s right [feat. Sheila E.] | Kelly Clarkson | 2023 | Willis | Jazzy / Latin / Tropical Pop | With 3 number ones and a dozen top tens, it feels wrong to bring mainstream pop to HFD, but I have been having a moment with this artist since seeing the LV show. Her versatility, emotion and precision were incredible 24 years ago, and since then, her journey has and continues to evolve as much as her vocal power. Gospel at the core, but eclectic in the heart. She has leveraged her pop success to have the freedom to create whatever the hell she wants. So I’m guilty/not guilty on this pick. | Hmm. I never heard this song, and was taken aback upon hearing the first few secs. After the first verse, I was typing “I like this!” and then deleted when the chorus came along, cus I didn’t like the shift lol. But then it came back around again, especially when the horns came in towards the middle. If it wasn’t so ‘modern’ sounding, using similar production and beat styles to just about 80% of all pop music, I would love this. I think her voice is the star here (no big surprise), and the jazziness is also helping turn this for me. I AM glad you got to slip a KC song in here, though, as I know you had a great time at the show in Vegas – and it will be fun to hear you talk about that experience and the power of her voice. |
| King For A Day | Thompson Twins | 1985 | Gregg | New Wave /Glam pop | Your story is an interesting visual. I never in a million years would have associated this song with playing ball, OR even as something to “come back to” – what a music video that would make! Everytime I hear this song, it’s the production that I hear more than the words. The way the lyrics sway back and forth is so calming. The layers, harmonies and backing vocals are so evenly levelled (as many of their songs) that they take on an unpicturable poly-vocal being. It’s an interesting effect on me for most new-wave music, compared to an acoustic performance that song lyrics fall second to the interesting synths and production. | So many big smiles for me today. I can recall sitting in my bedroom at 10 yo, playing this 45 (front & back) over and over. Then I’d pause to run outside and play a quick round of whiffle ball, only to return to this melody once again. I was taken by them, and it was this song that spoke to me in unexplainable ways. Years later, I still would listen when I was down, just to help bring me back up & help me realize “things will improve”. This song’s lyric was therapy to a young boy w/ limited access, but a whole lot of records to provide encouragement. Several lyrics really hit home, but the best is “I’ve heard it said, or maybe read, only money makes the world go ‘round. But all the gold won’t heal your soul, if your world should tumble to the ground”. |
| Digital Love | Daft Punk | 2001 | Willis | Electronic / Dance | Knowing you’re not exactly a fan of them, I take this opportunity to dance a little jig to this upbeat ditty along with Juliette Lewis in the GAP commercial. That scene is a moment that has stuck in my brain, so well better than any roll of tape on my wall. (I collect adhesive tape) The dynamic energy changes in this song are both surprising and predictable at once. | Funny you mention my neutral position on DP, because I was trying to reassess that earlier this week lol. I really want to love them – I do! But I always fall back to “Yes, they are very good and produce very catchy, radio-worthy songs that are palatable for billions, but they aren’t special, and that’s okay!”. However i still respect and enjoy their music. HFD plays nearly 25 titles from them, so that speaks to.. Something. Including this song, ofc. In fact, on this particular album, this was one of my favorites (and prob the reason why it’s the only album I own on vinyl by them). Btw I love how this song ends. Never took notice before today. |
| I.O.U. (12” Mix) | Freeez | 1983 | Gregg | Electro /Electro Pop /Pre Daft Punk | I heard this (or maybe a remix?) for the first time on HFD while driving, and just wrote down “A.E.I.O.U.” on my notepad. I liked the alliteration or whatever you would call this word play. When I read the note later, I was confused “Why did I write that?” LIke you say, I assumed it was a more recent track than early 80’s. I would also call this Freestyle. The vocals at the end tho, she hits a high one! | I remember people in my neighborhood breakdancing to this song. Ofc, me being more interested in the music than the breakdancing, I focused solely on how crisp and thick the beat sounded! Years later, I revisited and realized it was every bit as influential and essential as any other synth pop song of the 80’s. Even now, if you didn’t know any better, someone could mistake this for being a post 2000 release. Back to nostalgia – In the summers, my family would go to Wildwood NJ for a week (Jersey Shore) and each night we’d go to the Boardwalk, which was a fascinating spectacle. Music blaring from every direction, Kids laughing and screaming, Roller Coasters, Bumper cars, funnel cakes, and full-blown sensory overload. But the best was hearing the many T-Shirt printing/Souvenir places blasting the best club and pop music of the day. You’d hear certain memorable songs at the precise moment before they became well known. They were breaking all the underground club tracks to unsuspecting families as they went about their vacations. This 12” version was the exact one I remembered – with the extended synth breakdown causing subtle electro tension. It was bliss! |
Follow these links to listen to these songs (without us talking) on the following platforms: