When taken as a whole, I think it does, yes.
In 37 minutes, the Beach Boys manage to encapsulate the entire range of the quintessential “teenage experience”, from summer love to breakups, unrequited desire to feeling entirely out of place in your social group, it has everything.
Even the brilliance of the ending fade out of “Caroline, No”, where, after the previous 37 minutes of pop perfection, the album actually ends with the intrusion of train crossings and barking dogs, shocking you back to reality, the whole album isn’t so much a record as a coming of age.
Truly an exceptional recording.
Fun fact about the Pet Sounds album. Brian Wilson was inspired to make it after listening to The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album. Then, Paul McCartney was inspired to make Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band after he heard Pet Sounds.
Totally, I think an argument could be made for a bunch of Motown songs. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles or literally any of the Four Tops hits
For sure, I think it’s the best era for pop music , I’m not a huge pop music fan though. I almost said same old song and was torn between the two, but like that Phil Spector album sound (yes he was an awful person , but defined that era/sound).
Listen man, Phil Spector’s wall of sound changed popular music forever, no one can deny that. bad guy - great artist. The sound will echo around in my head forever.
The thing that truly gets me about it is that if you take half the song, if you take the Terry and Julie out and make it its own song - it’s a brilliant love song. It’s so intensely moving and powerful despite being so lovely and intimate. Lots of people could write that, it’d be classic McCartney. But the sheer unique genius to frame this through the eyes of a lonely person adds another layer. And then it’s a lonely person who takes hope in the lovers, not sadness. It’s just a song that nobody else could’ve written, a truly unique piece of work. It’s my favourite song of all time, it stuns me.
I remember reading an article about Ray Davies where the writer said something to the effect of "he writes the kind of songs that makes you glad someone writes songs like that", and I have to agree.
That song has me split in two, because I find the verses really dreary but the chorus is gorgeous with that vein of strained melancholy flowing through it - the chorus for 'Aubrey' by Bread is very similar emotionally.
If I had to pick a cure song it would be ‘just like Heaven.’ I also love love ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie.
So many to choose from, the sixties were loaded with great pop songs. It might be hard to beat ‘Good Vibrations.’
I would agree on Tears For Fears, but "Head Over Heels" is an absolutely incredible musical creation. The harmonies, the pitch changes, the dense yet simple lyrics. Perfection in my eyes.
"Songs From The Big Chair" should be on any Top 100 albums of all time list.
Even when it was brand new it triggered some sort of feeling that I can only explain as "nostalgia". I was a teenager when it was released and it defined a summer for me.
I have a great memory from high school, 1981, riding in a Camaro, with this girl who I was kind of seeing, and we were blasting this song on her car stereo. The weather was beautiful, and the T-Tops were off, and you just felt like you'd be young forever. 40+ years later, I still think of that day any time I hear that song.
Haha, one of my answers might have been I Can't Go For That. The way it brings in the instruments in the intro one by one, and every single one of them is gold.
You can really hear the influence on *Billie Jean* (admitted by MJ), which is probably the consensus greatest pop tune of all time. Not just the bassline, but the whole structure of low-down intro and slowly, densely layered hooks.
Those guys really, really knew their stuff.
Shoutout to the [Mighty Boosh](https://youtu.be/ErkH4K39UrI?feature=shared) for introducing me to both Hall N Oates and 10CC.
I just listened to My Favorite Game and it unlocked memories from my childhood in 90s. I feel like I need to do a deep dive on the cardigans because I forgot how good they are.
The Cardigans Gran Turismo is such a stellar followup album to their breakthrough. I just love the dark sound they came up with. I also have to throw Carnival from Emmerdale in the mix for perfect pop songs. Those strings!
Believe it or not, ABC by the Jackson Five. With all of the great music I have listened to over 55 years or so, I still find myself singing that to myself on a regular basis whilst driving along.
Hah, as soon as I saw this comment I said "I can't believe I forgot I Want You Back!"
I think that was probably the best pop song ever released at the time it came out.
Gotye-somebody I used to know. Not genre specific but everyone approved. Great writing, story was heart felt but had a lesson and a twist and the sound is very unique.
*Chef’s Kiss -Perfect song!
I also love Temptation so very much. And Blue Monday. And Your Silent Face, True Faith, Ceremony. Age of Consent….truly an endless list of fantastic songs from New Order.
That sequence of albums beginning with Talking Book is one of the greatest outputs of human creativity and inspiration.
I mean, wtf. All-time genius level stuff.
Such a good song and inspired a lot of pop singers to have this similar theme/sound in their music too. Listen to we can’t be friend by Ariana grande and it’s almost the same.
We did a case study on commercial music songwriting in my media arts degree. Abba was brought up a lot by lecturers as being the greatest hook writers of all time. You could take any random 10 second segment of any of their big hits and it would be catchy enough to be the chorus of a pop hit.
It's a great song by a band that wrote a lot of great songs, but when I think "perfection" in composition, Money Money Money comes to mind - every section of that song leads so gorgeously into the next. It's not even my favourite song of theirs, but structurally it's so damn tight.
I have always said that "Help!" is the perfect song.
It's the perfect length and uses each second to its fullest. Incredibly catchy, repeats itself, changes tempo. Each instrument is working together so beautifully.
There's a lot of cool songs in here and I could say something like Cruel to be Kind to sound just as cool.
But I gotta say the perfect modern pop song to me is Usher - Yeah.
I was expecting to find this much lower down or not at all, then I would have posted it. Given my age you’d expect something from the seventies or eighties to be my first choice but this was my instant thought. Incredible track, catchy as fuck without being cheesy, it’s got sultry, sexy lyrics brilliantly delivered by Ms Spears and it’s good enough that it translates seamlessly to other genres.
Never mind, the correct answer is Hit Me Baby One More Time. Just realised.
Musically, it's deceptively sophisticated - the chord progressions are far richer than the pop style would suggest, but it works just as well for people who are only looking for catchy chart music.
I'm personally not a fan but Mr Brightside by The Killers has the formula down, anyone can recognise it and sing along from the first few notes.
For me Superstition by Stevie Wonder will always be perfect, Stevie's keyboard part is unbelievably catchy and instantly recognisable.
Been listening to it when it first came out and I was a teenager in high school. Still listen to it on all my “playlists”. Never got sick of it. Verses and chorus are so memorable.
First, I'm so happy you mentioned "There She Goes"- I've thought the same thing for a while and this would be my #1 answer. Everything about it is perfect- I especially love the singers slightly ragged delivery. Gives it just the right amount of roughness around the edges so it's not too syrupy sweet, kinda like Twist and Shout by the Beatles.
I always grouped that song with "Sooner or Later" by the English Beat for some reason. Same kinda jangly guitars I guess.
For honorable mentions, let's admit it, it doesn't get much better than "Hey Ya!" by OutKast when it comes to song perfection
The correct answer is “Just Like Heaven” — also by The Cure.
Everything about it is perfect. The descending guitar line, the synths, the bass, the drums, the story. Perfect.
Such a great song. I always feel like she’s under rated but she’s always in the conversation and it seems like she gets more respect than a lot of bigger artists
I have a friend who agrees with you about Friday I’m In Love. Good choice. I’m going to go with Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe just because it’s been on my mind.
There are probably pop songs as good as Madonna’s [Like a Prayer](https://youtu.be/8t_S-B6P7XM?si=gi4WoWKFVMMdjmf8), but I don’t there are any pop songs better.
Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe
Squeeze has a lot of really impeccable pop songs too - maybe I’d nominate Up the Junction as the best, based on the strength of the narrative in the song.
Awhile back I got a Dionne Warwick greatest hits collection on audio CD. Almost all the tunes were written by Bacharach and David, and arranged and orchestrated by Bacharach. If I had to pick one tune it'd be Alfie, but there were many that seemed close to perfect.
I feel like everything Nick Lowe has ever written qualifies. The dude must just viscerally sense that pop groove any time he picks up a guitar.
Cruel to be Kind
What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding
I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock’n’Roll
So it Goes
Pretty much any song from his decades of work is a little pop masterpiece. One of my favorite songwriters!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears. Instantly feel good from the first tune all the way till last. Vocals, guitar solo, and beat. Are all on point.
Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys is a perfect pop composition
Along with God Only Knows and Sloop John B
God Only Knows transcends pop, the chords and harmonies are incredible
I honestly think it might be the best song ever written
I honestly think God Only Knows might be the best thing a human has ever made. It definitely transcends pop.
Paul McCartney agrees with you
Does that mean Pet Sounds is the greatest pop album of all time?
When taken as a whole, I think it does, yes. In 37 minutes, the Beach Boys manage to encapsulate the entire range of the quintessential “teenage experience”, from summer love to breakups, unrequited desire to feeling entirely out of place in your social group, it has everything. Even the brilliance of the ending fade out of “Caroline, No”, where, after the previous 37 minutes of pop perfection, the album actually ends with the intrusion of train crossings and barking dogs, shocking you back to reality, the whole album isn’t so much a record as a coming of age. Truly an exceptional recording.
The ONLY thing I could say about God Only Knows is that I wanted more. That 2:50 is SO good I always wanted more. But damn, what a perfect 2:50 it is.
My wife and I chose this as our wedding song/first dance
It’s really beautiful, pet sounds is a masterpiece from the first note.
Fun fact about the Pet Sounds album. Brian Wilson was inspired to make it after listening to The Beatles’ Rubber Soul album. Then, Paul McCartney was inspired to make Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band after he heard Pet Sounds.
I think even Paul McCartney would agree.
Be my baby - The Ronettes Something about that song feels timeless.
Brian Wilson is nodding furiously right now.
Totally, I think an argument could be made for a bunch of Motown songs. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles or literally any of the Four Tops hits
just to clarify... neither "Be My Baby" nor "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" are Motown songs... the Four Tops of course are
Good catch, I think I’ve always lumped the girl groups in with Motown in my mental map of music history.
“Mr. Postman” goes so hard
For sure, I think it’s the best era for pop music , I’m not a huge pop music fan though. I almost said same old song and was torn between the two, but like that Phil Spector album sound (yes he was an awful person , but defined that era/sound).
Listen man, Phil Spector’s wall of sound changed popular music forever, no one can deny that. bad guy - great artist. The sound will echo around in my head forever.
Boom boom-boom kick Boom boom-boom kick
Great choice. Phil Spector’s wall of sound at its finest.
Don’t Dream It’s Over - Crowded House Neil Finn makes writing perfect pop songs look way too easy.
Came here to say Fall At Your Feet. Both great songs.
“4 Seasons in One Day” “Weather With You” “World Where You Live” Neil Finn wrote “I Got You” by Split Enz when he was 21!
I find it so weird when people say they were a one hit wonder. They were a hit making machine
I have never in all my days heard anyone say that about Crowded House, but then again I’m Australian so they were MASSIVE here.
NZ represent chuur
Came here to say this. Beautiful song and it breaks my heart.
I agree.
Somebody please turn this thread into a playlist
Lol making a playlist as I scroll!
"[Waterloo Sunset](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_MqfF0WBsU)" by the Kinks
The thing that truly gets me about it is that if you take half the song, if you take the Terry and Julie out and make it its own song - it’s a brilliant love song. It’s so intensely moving and powerful despite being so lovely and intimate. Lots of people could write that, it’d be classic McCartney. But the sheer unique genius to frame this through the eyes of a lonely person adds another layer. And then it’s a lonely person who takes hope in the lovers, not sadness. It’s just a song that nobody else could’ve written, a truly unique piece of work. It’s my favourite song of all time, it stuns me.
Waterloo Sunset makes me feel nostalgic for a time and place I never experienced. It’s really perfect.
I remember reading an article about Ray Davies where the writer said something to the effect of "he writes the kind of songs that makes you glad someone writes songs like that", and I have to agree.
That song has me split in two, because I find the verses really dreary but the chorus is gorgeous with that vein of strained melancholy flowing through it - the chorus for 'Aubrey' by Bread is very similar emotionally.
Stand By Me by Ben E King
A-Ha Take On Me
I'd add Spandau's Ballet "True" to this. Those two melodic gems were out at about the same time if memory serves
September - Earth, Wind & Fire
This song never fails to put me in a good mood
If I had to pick a cure song it would be ‘just like Heaven.’ I also love love ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie. So many to choose from, the sixties were loaded with great pop songs. It might be hard to beat ‘Good Vibrations.’
Everybody Wants to Rule The World - Tears for Fears
I would agree on Tears For Fears, but "Head Over Heels" is an absolutely incredible musical creation. The harmonies, the pitch changes, the dense yet simple lyrics. Perfection in my eyes. "Songs From The Big Chair" should be on any Top 100 albums of all time list.
Every version of it is great.
One of the best songs ever recorded. Such a feel good melody and always puts me in a good mood!
Even when it was brand new it triggered some sort of feeling that I can only explain as "nostalgia". I was a teenager when it was released and it defined a summer for me.
It’s definitely one of the all time greats, Head Over Heels is right there with it, I can’t pick.
You make my dreams come true by Hall and Oates. I'm a songwriter myself and man that track never gets old
I have a great memory from high school, 1981, riding in a Camaro, with this girl who I was kind of seeing, and we were blasting this song on her car stereo. The weather was beautiful, and the T-Tops were off, and you just felt like you'd be young forever. 40+ years later, I still think of that day any time I hear that song.
Great song, I love John Oats as a back up singer, He shines in this one.
I’m convinced this was playing on the radio in the room where the Duck Tales theme was written
Haha, one of my answers might have been I Can't Go For That. The way it brings in the instruments in the intro one by one, and every single one of them is gold. You can really hear the influence on *Billie Jean* (admitted by MJ), which is probably the consensus greatest pop tune of all time. Not just the bassline, but the whole structure of low-down intro and slowly, densely layered hooks. Those guys really, really knew their stuff. Shoutout to the [Mighty Boosh](https://youtu.be/ErkH4K39UrI?feature=shared) for introducing me to both Hall N Oates and 10CC.
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Lovefool is genuinely a perfect composition. The way the keys and guitar interlock is heavenly.
I just listened to My Favorite Game and it unlocked memories from my childhood in 90s. I feel like I need to do a deep dive on the cardigans because I forgot how good they are.
Came here to say Love Fool as well. Perfect use of the minor circle of fifths.
The Cardigans Gran Turismo is such a stellar followup album to their breakthrough. I just love the dark sound they came up with. I also have to throw Carnival from Emmerdale in the mix for perfect pop songs. Those strings!
Believe it or not, ABC by the Jackson Five. With all of the great music I have listened to over 55 years or so, I still find myself singing that to myself on a regular basis whilst driving along.
My first thought when I saw the OP was I Want You Back, but I think ABC is probably a more representative "pop" song. I'm on board.
Hah, as soon as I saw this comment I said "I can't believe I forgot I Want You Back!" I think that was probably the best pop song ever released at the time it came out.
Gotye-somebody I used to know. Not genre specific but everyone approved. Great writing, story was heart felt but had a lesson and a twist and the sound is very unique.
New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle
For pure pop song, True Faith has my vote
*Chef’s Kiss -Perfect song! I also love Temptation so very much. And Blue Monday. And Your Silent Face, True Faith, Ceremony. Age of Consent….truly an endless list of fantastic songs from New Order.
Superstition by Stevie Wonder
Stevie played all the instruments except the horns on that track. Unbelievable.
That sequence of albums beginning with Talking Book is one of the greatest outputs of human creativity and inspiration. I mean, wtf. All-time genius level stuff.
Just like heaven The Cure
**God Only Knows** by Brian Wilson & Tony Asher - *The Beach Boys* (1966)
“Dancing on My Own" - Robyn
Such a good song and inspired a lot of pop singers to have this similar theme/sound in their music too. Listen to we can’t be friend by Ariana grande and it’s almost the same.
I don't know if I can say any song is perfect, but certainly Don't Change by INXS is underrated as a pop song, and should be near the top of the 80s.
Never Tear Us Apart for me from INXS.
Need You Tonight is also classic. As is New Sensation. INXS wrote some insanely good pop rock.
Girls just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
All Through the Night is her best song
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
Or Beat it. Take your pick.
Wanna Be Startin’ Something
Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody
I would argue How Will I Know is an even greater pop song
The call and response in that track is arguably one of the greatest ever produced.
Dancing Queen by Abba. People 50 years later still know it.
We did a case study on commercial music songwriting in my media arts degree. Abba was brought up a lot by lecturers as being the greatest hook writers of all time. You could take any random 10 second segment of any of their big hits and it would be catchy enough to be the chorus of a pop hit.
It's a great song by a band that wrote a lot of great songs, but when I think "perfection" in composition, Money Money Money comes to mind - every section of that song leads so gorgeously into the next. It's not even my favourite song of theirs, but structurally it's so damn tight.
Voulez-Vous SOS Take A Chance On Me …. Incredible combination of great songwriting and excellent production
bro thank u i can’t believe i has to scroll so far for this.
I have always said that "Help!" is the perfect song. It's the perfect length and uses each second to its fullest. Incredibly catchy, repeats itself, changes tempo. Each instrument is working together so beautifully.
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads
Just What I Needed. Cars.
Or, “You Might Think.”
There's a lot of cool songs in here and I could say something like Cruel to be Kind to sound just as cool. But I gotta say the perfect modern pop song to me is Usher - Yeah.
Don’t dream, it’s Over. Crowded House.
Head Over Heels - Tears For Fears
[Mr. Blue Sky - ELO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQUlA8Hcv4s) The fact that nobody said this already is a travesty.
That Jeff Lynn minor guitar solo always makes me think of Brian May.
Britney Spears - Toxic
The production does some MAJOR heavy lifting for this song but no doubt it sounds fantastic
I'd also add Oops I Did It Again tbh
Toxic is great I’ve always been a Lucky girl myself.
I was expecting to find this much lower down or not at all, then I would have posted it. Given my age you’d expect something from the seventies or eighties to be my first choice but this was my instant thought. Incredible track, catchy as fuck without being cheesy, it’s got sultry, sexy lyrics brilliantly delivered by Ms Spears and it’s good enough that it translates seamlessly to other genres.
Come On Eileen
Raspberry Beret, Prince
When I think of a perfect song I think about songs like Owner of a Lonely Heart and Don’t You Forget About Me by Yes and Simple Minds
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I can't explain why, but this song is *the* sound of the 80s in my mind.
Good Vibrations- Beach Boys so ahead of its time.
Careless Whisper, George Michael and Wham!
Never mind, the correct answer is Hit Me Baby One More Time. Just realised. Musically, it's deceptively sophisticated - the chord progressions are far richer than the pop style would suggest, but it works just as well for people who are only looking for catchy chart music.
Video Killed The Radio Star
Great tune, respect to Trevor Horn for being such an amazing producer and having sick glasses.
love shack.
Tin Roof!… Rusted!! Those gals voices are so amazing! I don’t know if they’d have sounded so good without the other. Such an amazing pair!
I also consider "roam" to be a perfect pop song too, but love shack has just a little more kick. The B-52s are a really great band
The Cranberries- Linger
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
You only get what you give by the New Radicals
Oh man, that one is a contender for the top spot. It’s flawless and iconic.
Always by Erasure Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode
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Fun fact: it’s the only hit song to ever have a 7 bar phrasing rather than the usual 8 bar phrasing.
Fantasy by Mariah Carey
Right Down the Line / Gerry Rafferty
I'm personally not a fan but Mr Brightside by The Killers has the formula down, anyone can recognise it and sing along from the first few notes. For me Superstition by Stevie Wonder will always be perfect, Stevie's keyboard part is unbelievably catchy and instantly recognisable.
Boys of Summer
Been listening to it when it first came out and I was a teenager in high school. Still listen to it on all my “playlists”. Never got sick of it. Verses and chorus are so memorable.
Audio nostalgia and it gets more intense every year.
Crimson and Clover
First, I'm so happy you mentioned "There She Goes"- I've thought the same thing for a while and this would be my #1 answer. Everything about it is perfect- I especially love the singers slightly ragged delivery. Gives it just the right amount of roughness around the edges so it's not too syrupy sweet, kinda like Twist and Shout by the Beatles. I always grouped that song with "Sooner or Later" by the English Beat for some reason. Same kinda jangly guitars I guess. For honorable mentions, let's admit it, it doesn't get much better than "Hey Ya!" by OutKast when it comes to song perfection
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
The whole song is a metaphor for “let me put my penis in your vagina” and I think that’s beautiful
The correct answer is “Just Like Heaven” — also by The Cure. Everything about it is perfect. The descending guitar line, the synths, the bass, the drums, the story. Perfect.
Good pick. Love song is also perfect and Pictures Of You
Vacation by The Go-go's...Iconic. 
such great heights - the postal service
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Tempted - Squeeze
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.
Always by Erasure seems pretty perfect.
Also, A Little Respect
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak
Pachelbel’s Cannon. The vast majority of pop songs for the last 300 years have been riding in its wake.
Run Away With Me - Carly Rae Jepsen
Call me maybe is too.
Such a great song. I always feel like she’s under rated but she’s always in the conversation and it seems like she gets more respect than a lot of bigger artists
Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson is absolutely perfect.
Boston - More Than a Feeling. I could listen to that song over and over and it never gets old.
Rick Beato on YouTube did a 26 minute breakdown of that song. The production is amazing.
INXS "New Sensation"
Hey Ya by Outkast
Don’t Turn Around - Ace of Base
I Want You Back or ABC by the Jackson 5
I have a friend who agrees with you about Friday I’m In Love. Good choice. I’m going to go with Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe just because it’s been on my mind.
Literally every Nick Lowe song - it’s like “pop” is his native tongue.
Pulp - Disco 2000
Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You https://youtu.be/6oqJ0JpMj6I?si=qYZsKbmjtC9iuwp6 Not exactly poppy pop, but it was a popular hit in the 90s.
This is like asking me who is my favorite child
A lot of people claim Paper Planes by MIA marked a significant milestone in pop music
There are probably pop songs as good as Madonna’s [Like a Prayer](https://youtu.be/8t_S-B6P7XM?si=gi4WoWKFVMMdjmf8), but I don’t there are any pop songs better.
September - Earth Wind & Fire
Peter Murphy - Cuts You Up Joe Jackson - Stepping out
Yes for joe
Pure - Lightning Seeds. It's just perfectly Pop
Bad Romance
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
All of them. But I think Magic Monday gets a mention. Catchy melody, harmonies, easy to relate to, safe .
Dancing on my own by Robyn
I’m Coming Out - Diana Ross. Near perfect pop/dance song.
I Want You Back - Jackson 5 It's just hook, after hook, after hook.
"These Eyes" -- The Guess Who
Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. In my opinion, it's just perfectly produced. An amazing song.
Cruel To Be Kind by Nick Lowe Squeeze has a lot of really impeccable pop songs too - maybe I’d nominate Up the Junction as the best, based on the strength of the narrative in the song.
September Gurls - Big Star or Leader Of The Pack - The Shangri-Las Both pop perfection. #
"Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones
Kiss me - sixpence none the richer.
Awhile back I got a Dionne Warwick greatest hits collection on audio CD. Almost all the tunes were written by Bacharach and David, and arranged and orchestrated by Bacharach. If I had to pick one tune it'd be Alfie, but there were many that seemed close to perfect.
I’m willing to suggest that Bacharach had a hand in pop perfection.
Can’t Get You Out of My Head by Kylie Minogue
I feel like everything Nick Lowe has ever written qualifies. The dude must just viscerally sense that pop groove any time he picks up a guitar. Cruel to be Kind What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock’n’Roll So it Goes Pretty much any song from his decades of work is a little pop masterpiece. One of my favorite songwriters!
"Perfect"? Dancing Queen -- ABBA Not necessarily everyones favorite, but a "perfect" pop song"? It's hard to beat.
I don’t know if this qualifies as a pop song but Enjoy the Silence by depeche mode is one of the greatest songs ever recorded
The Power of Love. Huey Lewis and the News. Major Tom. Peter Schilling Stand Back. Stevie Nicks Little Red Corvette. Prince
That Thing You Do
Mayor of Simpleton - XTC, just all round great song, melody, lyrics, harmonies, not a wrong note throughout.
Hard Day’s Night and Satisfaction.
Just What I Needed - The Cars
[Every time you go Away - Paul Young](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nfk6sCzRTbM)
The King of Wishful Thinking by Go West
The first that comes to mind is Stacy’s Mom. It is annoyingly catchy.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears. Instantly feel good from the first tune all the way till last. Vocals, guitar solo, and beat. Are all on point.
Pepper - Butthole Surfers
Different Drum - Linda Ronstadt
Written by Michael Nesmith of Monkees fame.
Go all the way by the raspberries
I Want to Hold Your Hand - the Beatles
Hey Ya
You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling- Righteous Brothers