My "Guilty Pleasure" Songs

Copacabana by Barry Manilow

“Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there She would merengue and do the cha-cha And while she tried to be a star Tony always tended bar Across the crowded floor, they worked from eight til four They were young and they had each other Who could ask for more?”

Barry Manilow, an icon of the ‘70s discotheque scene, released the disco anthem “Copacabana” in 1978. This song is incredibly catchy, and tells a story of a showgirl named Lola who is in love with the bartender, Tony, at the club where she is a featured performer. Then a mobster named Rico takes a fancy to Lola and gets into a quarrel with her love Tony, which results in Tony getting shot. Lola is heartbroken and the song fast forwards 30 years to the disco age. Everybody has returned to the club scene...just intoxicated to the point of delusion, especially Lola, who sits at the bar wearing her old showgirl outfit and lamenting Tony’s death (Get a grip, girl!)

What’s to like about this song? Well, it features a scandalous love triangle, a dysfunctional ex-showgirl, and a fight resulting in a fatal gunshot -- who could ask for more? Manilow’s “Copacabana” could easily be transformed into a dramatic short film (someone get this produced ASAP). Barry Manilow has done the unimaginable: he created a catchy, yet not annoying song. Definitely give this timeless party song a listen!

Solitaire by the Carpenters

“And solitaire's the only game in town

And every road that takes him, takes him down

And by himself, it's easy to pretend

He'll never love again”

The Carpenters were a brother-sister duo of the ‘70s known for their pure, easy-listening music. Everything about their music is delicate, wholesome, and genuine. Karen Carpenter was quite an astonishing talent, and possessed one of the clearest voices in the music industry. The music they recorded features Karen’s voice right up-front in the mix: straight from mouth to microphone with no editing, no multi-layered vocals; no ‘Auto-Tune,’ and no voice box or other digital effect -- just pure talent.

In the ‘70s, mega-stars such as David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Donna Summer dominated the music world with risque images, were hip. The Carpenters were just a quaint group from California. Theatrical grandeur was not necessary however. “Solitaire” was initially recorded by Neil Sedaka, then the Carpenters took the ballad a year later. The following year, Elvis Presley recorded the song as well. Talent should never go unnoticed, so please keep this song and the Carpenters’ legacy alive.