By Ellen Garnett
Staff Writer
It is near the end of winter. You are itching to get outside and smell the fresh air (while avoiding copious amounts of goose poop everywhere you walk.) If you want to shake your winter funk, here are the Voice’s top seven throwback bands you should listen to in order to do that.
1. The Beatles
This band is truly timeless. If you’re looking for an upbeat, happy melody, look no further. Their lyrics are rich with meaning and tend to resonate with people of all ages. The Beatles’ originality stems from their music allowing listeners to get lost in their lyrics, whereas songs today tend to repeat, repeat, repeat to follow a successful, money-making formula.
Some of their songs include: “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “Hey Jude,” “Blackbird,” “Let it Be,” and “Yellow Submarine” (basically any and all of their songs will set you in a good mood).
2. Billy Joel
Billy Joel is another one of those musicians whose lyrics also tend to ring true with a lot of people. After a long day of school and work, it is comforting to sit down and listen to Billy reassure you of your hard work by telling you, “Slow down, you crazy child / You’re so ambitious for a juvenile / But then if you’re so smart, tell me / Why are you still so afraid?” in his song “Vienna.” Other classic Billy Joel songs include: “The Longest Time,” “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” “You May Be Right,” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.”
3. Hall & Oates
No, they aren’t a brand of cereal. They are a couple of rocking guys named Daryl Hall and John Oates who, just this past year, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Since their start in the 70s, Hall & Oates has rocked audiences with their catchy music, which often includes a sassy saxophone melody played by Charles DeChant. Some of their hit songs include: “You Make My Dreams Come True,” “Maneater,” “Private Eyes,” and “Kiss on my List.”
4. Heart
Heart makes up what most every Simmons student wants to become: strong, fierce and confident. Their music will make you bust out the old air guitar any time, anywhere. Some of their hit songs include: “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” and “Stairway to Heaven.”
5. Michael Jackson
Good ol MJ. When you hear any of his hits, whether it be his classic “Thriller” or “Beat it,” you will want to turn up the radio, grab your white sequined glove and boogey. He is definitely a great musician to bond over with your mom while you’re driving in the car. Some of his other classic hits are “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,” “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground,” and “Bad.”
6. The Rolling Stones
Do you have the urge to paint everything black? No? Have you ever wanted to be anyone’s “beast of burden”? If you’ve answered yes to either of these questions, then you should listen to The Rolling Stones. Their music is great for when you’re angry, sad, tired, or upbeat, which sounds strange. You’ll understand once you listen to their music if you haven’t already. The Rolling Stones are also Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees of 1989. Some of their songs include: “Paint it Black,” “Beast of Burden,” “Satisfaction,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
7. Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar can be described perfectly in one word: badass. Everyone wanted to be Pat in the 70’s. Her sassy rock music definitely makes you feel like a badass when you listen to it. Some of her wild songs are: “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” and “Love is a Battlefield.”
