I love music. Or I should say I love most kinds of music. I grew up on rock-n-roll but I also like classical, world, Celtic, and electronic. There is some music I will NOT listen to at all such as Gangster Rap and most Top 40. But I will try out most new music.
Give me a song with strings, horns, and a good beat and I'll give it an 86, Dick.
I like groups and singers who can write their own songs and make music that is interesting. I can't stand any of the manufactured groups popular today nor do I like most of what passes for popular music.
I have found that a lot of the groups I like have broken up after a few albums, so my liking them might be the kiss of death. But I think you will agree my tastes are interesting.
This is an incomplete list but it does include most of my most favorite music. The links included here go to the All Music website, which is a great informational site.
The Beatles - The greatest group ever (IMHO). All of their songs are timeless and I can listen to them all day and night long. My favorite songs begin with the Revolver album and end with their break up. The early stuff is fine but musically the later albums can't be beat.
The Beach Boys - Their 60's period is on par with the Beatles and if you want some great summer fun music the Boys are the group to play. Favorite song is "God Only Knows".
Wings - Paul McCartney's group from the mid to late 70's was Paul at his best. The music could be thought of what the Beatles would've done had they stayed together. "Wings Over America" is my favorite album and the song "Silly Love Songs" reminds me of summer vacation in 1976.
REM - My roommate in college turned me on to them when they were still a college radio band and I still like them today. My favorite album is "Green" and favorite song is "Happy Shiny People".
Smithereens - I first heard the Smithereens on the radio and picked up their album and I was hooked. They rock quite well and Pat DeNizio can warble a ballad if needed. "Green Thoughts" is my favorite album from them. "Only a Memory" is my favorite song.
Blondie - Who can't love Debbie Harry singing "Heart of Glass" in 1979? That's when I fell in love with Blondie. I was heart broken when they stopped playing but elated when they reformed last year. In 1979, I wanted to go to CBGBs and see them but I was only 11, ugh!
ABBA - The music coming from this Swedish quartet is lush. Every song is catchy. Their album was one of the first I ever bought when I heard "Dancing Queen" on the radio.
The Go-Go's - "We Got the Beat" drove me nuts when I first heard it. It just wanted to make you dance. Even through they were weak on their instruments, the babes could sing some catchy songs. Favorite album is "Talk Show"
Swing Out Sister - They had a hit back in 1987 with "Break Out" and I've liked their music since. It is a mix of jazz and rock with lush strings and horns. Yummy.
Madonna - The material girl has been a hit with me since her first album that had the hit "Holiday". This was before "Like a Virgin". I kind of stopped liking her music when she tried to be a diva but returned when she did "Beautiful Stranger" for the 2nd Austin Powers movie.
Pat Benatar - I have all her albums in my collection and she was the first artist I really liked back when I found out there was FM radio. My favorite song is "So Sincere" off her first album "In the Heat of the Night" (1979).
Human League - 80's British New Wave at its best. Favorite song is "Don't you want me?"
Crowded House - My college roommate had their first album and I love the music. It is a mix of acoustic and rock with great lyrics that tell a story. My favorite song is "Can't carry on".
Pet Shop Boys - "West End Girls" was a song that you could sing along to even if it was a really a mild rap. PSP is a mix of electronic, disco, and rock. Favorite album is "Please".
KC and the Sunshine Band - Best Disco band of the 70's, even better than the Bee Gees. Favorite song is "Keep it Comin' Love".
Eurythmics - "Sweet Dreams" was one for me when I spotted Anne Lenox in the suit and red buzz cut. I cried (almost) when they announced their break up in 1991 but rejoiced when they got back together in 1999 for a new tour and album. Favorite song is "Thorn in my side" and favorite album is their soundtrack to the movie "1984".
Alanis Morissette - Of the new music, Alanis is one I like. I like every song on "Jagged Little Pill". Favorite song is "Head Over Feet".
Luscious Jackson - I fell in love with "Naked Eye" on the radio and I had to find out all I could about the group. I was amazed that such funky music could come from these ladies with a linage of the Beastie Boys and rap.
Ben Folds Five - BFF's music is funky and the lyrics make you think and laugh. I loved "One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces" and "Brick" and my current favorite is "Army". I was really sad when they broke up in 2000.
Sixpence None the Richer - Yes, I loved the song "Kiss Me" when it was on the radio but then I bought the album and was blown away both musically and lyrically. Their album is a must have.
The Corrs - The 3 sister and 1 brother family quartet from Ireland is my #1 group right now. They have been popular in Europe and Asia since 1995 but only became really known in the US in the past couple of years. They play pop music spiced up with Celtic influences. They are one of the few pop groups I have known who have the violn and tin whistle as lead instruments. Check out a little tribute page I created to honor the band from Dundalk, Ireland.