I’m known mostly as an ‘80s guy, but this time, I’m taking you all the way back to the Golden Oldies, those creaky old tunes your parents listened to on their AM radio stations in their whale-sized station wagons—at least if you’re from my generation. For the purposes of this list, I’m talking about songs that were released before the ‘70s, the decade I was born. The sad news is that the songs I grew up with in the ‘80s and ‘90s are now considered oldies. But let’s try to block out that depressing thought and go on with the countdown (as the late, great Casey Kasem used to say every week on the FM radio station I listened to). These songs are in no order, except the first one, probably my favorite Golden Oldie of all time.
1. “I Only Have Eyes For You” by The Flamingos
With languid lead vocals and haunting music that sounds like a midnight lounge act, the transcendent, almost eerie atmosphere this song conjures was way ahead of its time. I love the pairing of the tinkling, spare piano line in the background with the piercing, staccato “Shoo-wop, shoo-wop!” of the backup vocalists, and despite that quasi-doo-wop touch, the song sounds oddly modern. It wouldn’t feel too out of place if you turned on the radio today and heard it for the first time, which may explain its lasting power. You can’t help falling in love with this song every time you hear it.
2. “Venus” by Frankie Valli
This dreamy ballad makes me nostalgic for a time I never even experienced. I adore the swooning backup vocals and Valli’s earnest delivery. I can also easily identify with the song’s message: “Venus, send me someone to love!” I often prayed this very same sentiment during my younger—and lonelier—years. Incidentally, this man had so many hits, they couldn’t fit this classic into the blockbuster jukebox musical about his life, Jersey Boys.
3. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
If you’re living on planet Earth, you know this song. Not only is it a ubiquitous oldies staple—and for good reason—but it’s been featured in countless commercials and films, including the iconic Robin Williams vehicle Good Morning, Vietnam, so it’s kind of pointless to describe it, but what a gorgeous song. From the soaring orchestral music to Armstrong’s soulful, raspy vocals, the song just touches something sublime in every one of us. It’s the kind of song with a message (and title) you want so desperately to be true, especially in these dystopian, polarizing times. Side note: My Grandma was a shopgirl in Manhattan and used to wait on Armstrong’s wife. Grandma brag!
4. “(What a) Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke
Yes, I’m going with another song with an identical title, just to prove a point, because the tunes couldn’t sound more different. Whereas Armstrong’s song is a beautiful ballad, this spunky number, which was used in a memorable cafeteria scene in the frat-house classic Animal House, just gets your body—and soul—moving. The playful lyrics are perfectly paired with the rollercoaster melody; you can’t deny it. C’mon, everyone sing along: “Don’t know much about his-tor-y!/Don’t know much of bi-ol-o-gy!” This is one of Cooke’s best songs, and that’s certainly saying something because the man’s catalog was a murderer’s row of classic hits (“You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “Bring It on Home to Me,” “Having a Party,” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” etc.).
5. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is the first song off Pet Sounds, considered by many, including Paul McCartney, to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Listening to this classic, you can hear why. Brian Wilson’s melodious vocals never sounded sweeter, and the lyrics are simple yet poignant. The former frontman and writer of The Beach Boys before he went crazy (ironically trying to compete with McCartney’s Beatles) left us quite the tuneful evidence of his musical genius.
6. “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles
And speaking of The Beatles, I’m not a fan. I know. Get your bearings. Count to ten. You okay now? Good. I guess I resent how popular they are, kinda like how I refused to get into Nirvana when they first broke in the early ‘90s because everyone liked them in high school: the jocks, the nerds, the preps, the cool chicks, the goths, the freaks—EVERYONE. But despite my stubbornness, there’s no question that this song is a masterpiece—and they don’t even play any of their instruments! (Maybe that’s why I like it.) The music is purely orchestral. But that’s not the best part for me. I actually love the lyrics, because it tells a story in an almost perfect three-act structure, with two main characters, all in 2 minutes flat. You have the poor, lonely title character, the even lonelier priest, and their meeting—at Eleanor’s funeral, where “no one was saved.” Just perfectly poignant storytelling, with amazing musical accompaniment.
7. “Oh, Donna” by Richie Valens
I know “La Bamba” is everyone’s favorite Richie Valens song, thanks to the movie, but for me, this song will always be his magnum opus. Impossibly romantic—and what a gorgeous melody! You hear it once, and you never forget it—and not in an annoying, bubblegum commercial jingle way. That girl Donna he was dating sure was a lucky gal. But I admit, La Bamba is a better name for the movie.
8. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Even though I heard this song all the time on the oldies station my Mom used to listen to in her car, I didn’t truly fall in love with it until watching the movie of the same name. Rob Reiner’s classic coming-of-age film really demonstrates what’s so special about the song from the very beginning. As it opens, all we see is a black screen. Then a few spare credits. Then once the title appears, we hear mournful horns mimicking the song’s melody. We get glimpses of the song’s beautifully unique structure—the chimes, the percussive scratches, and that holy bassline—throughout the film, but the entire, masterful composition doesn’t hit us until the very end over the closing credits, right after that line to end all lines: “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” A masterpiece: both the film and the song that inspired its name.
9. “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes
Similar to the last entry, I have a movie to blame for my love of this song. We all know the famous scene from Back to the Future when Marty finds himself trapped in 1955, his parents’ heyday, and this song is playing in the background because it was THE song of the time. (That and the theme from Davy Crockett, if this movie is to be believed.) My Mom had a Greatest Hits tape of The Chordettes and would play it in her car, singing along to this song all the time, and it’s been stuck in my cranium ever since. Good thing it’s an awesome melody. And I love when Mr. Sandman himself interrupts the song halfway through and says, “Yeeeeessss??” It’s just so delightfully weird. Modern songs should take more risks like this.
10. “True Love Ways” –Buddy Holly
Recorded a few months before his tragic, untimely passing, this is not the ‘50s icon’s most beloved song (that would be “That’ll Be the Day,” “Rave On,” or “Everyday”) but definitely his most romantic. He doesn’t even play any instruments on the track. (He doesn’t need to.) Instead, his soft, fragile voice is backed by a lush orchestra as he sweetly serenades the girl he loves. Don McLean was right: We lost a legend “the day the music died.”
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In other MTP news, my signing at Muni’s Coffee Joint this past weekend was fairly successful. It was my best signing so far this year, though that may not be saying much. Ironically, I sold twice as many books at this coffee shop as I did at my Barnes & Noble signing, though again, that’s not saying much. And for the first time since I’ve been doing signings, someone bought all three of my books. I’d like to thank all the people who came out specifically to see me. (Advertising really works!) I may have had more people come out, but it was absolutely pouring the day of the signing. This is my second solo signing in a row when there was a torrential downpour. (The first was B&N.) I don’t have many solo signings, but the weather never seems to agree with me when I do. Anyway, thanks also to the people who signed up for my blog. As promised, I won’t spam you with emails. Former Scout’s honor!
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In other, other MTP news, the release of my next novel, Is There Life After College?, is imminent. In fact, it’s scheduled to be released next month! I already set up the book’s page on this site, though admittedly, there isn’t much there at the moment besides the cover and plot synopsis. You can find it here:
My new publisher and I are in the process of setting up my first book launch party, so stay tuned for details.
Until next time, same Perone time (usually Thursdays), same Perone channel (this website).
MTP
P.S.: The Danger Peak audiobook is now available!
P.P.S.: The new edition of The Electric God and Other Shorts is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble:
Michael Thomas Perone 