Well, this is going to be an embarrassing post

I see Megan McArdle has tagged me with the “what five songs in my iTunes are my guiltiest pleasures” meme. This is going to be embarrassing for two reasons: I am the last remaining white person in America to not have an iPod or use iTunes. I am at the age when I’m losing my ...

By Daniel W. Drezner, a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

July 22, 2008, 2:00 PM

I see Megan McArdle has tagged me with the "what five songs in my iTunes are my guiltiest pleasures" meme. This is going to be embarrassing for two reasons: I am the last remaining white person in America to not have an iPod or use iTunes. I am at the age when I'm losing my ability to determine if a song is actually deemed "good" or if I've been seduced by it's easy melodies (I suppose this is a good thing, because eventually I won't have to worry about a song being a guilty pleasure or not). With these caveats, I suppose my definition of a guilty pleasure song is one that I hope comes up on my car radio when I'm driving alone, so I don't need to hide my enjoyment of the record from friends and family. This is to be distinguished from a pop song that is clearly a good piece of craftsmanship. For example, I do not feel guilty in the slightest for loving Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus," Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," or any version of "Umbrella" -- they're just damn good songs. So, with that out of the way, here are the songs I deem my guilty pleasures: Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin, "Separate Lives." Because what guilty pleasure list is complete without a Phil Collins tune? Especially a Phil Collins ballad?! When I was 16, though, this was the only song that captured my teen angst. Listening to it now, I think that still holds up, because my teen angst was pretty weak beer. Oh, Marilyn Martin, where have you gone? Sister Hazel, "All for You." Weird -- I am physically incapable of not listening to the end of this song when it starts on the radio. Goo Goo Dolls, "Iris." It's just embarrassing to like any song on the City of Angels soundtrack (I'm a big fan of Alanis Morissette's "Uninvited" too). Plus, this hits all my musical weak spots -- wailing lyrics, mandolin guitar, and orchestral background. Daughtry, "Feels like Tonight." Just... shut... up. I like this song. Don't look at me. Katy Perry, "I Kissed A Girl." Yes, the lyrics are cloying and the whole theme of faux lesbianism is pretty insipid at this point in our culture. I literally feel guilty every time I hear this song and don't click away. But that beat... it haunts me like only a cheap and easy pop tune can. I hereby tag Laura McKenna, Charli Carpenter, and Ross Douthat to crawl down into the muck with me. UPDATE: OK, I've received a lot of e-mail feedback telling me that I shouldn't be embarrassed by "Iris." Very well. The song in this video can be considered a substitute -- but you have to watch the video to appreciate true guilt:

I see Megan McArdle has tagged me with the “what five songs in my iTunes are my guiltiest pleasures” meme. This is going to be embarrassing for two reasons:

I am the last remaining white person in America to not have an iPod or use iTunes.
I am at the age when I’m losing my ability to determine if a song is actually deemed “good” or if I’ve been seduced by it’s easy melodies (I suppose this is a good thing, because eventually I won’t have to worry about a song being a guilty pleasure or not).

With these caveats, I suppose my definition of a guilty pleasure song is one that I hope comes up on my car radio when I’m driving alone, so I don’t need to hide my enjoyment of the record from friends and family. This is to be distinguished from a pop song that is clearly a good piece of craftsmanship. For example, I do not feel guilty in the slightest for loving Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” or any version of “Umbrella” — they’re just damn good songs. So, with that out of the way, here are the songs I deem my guilty pleasures:

Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin, “Separate Lives.” Because what guilty pleasure list is complete without a Phil Collins tune? Especially a Phil Collins ballad?! When I was 16, though, this was the only song that captured my teen angst. Listening to it now, I think that still holds up, because my teen angst was pretty weak beer. Oh, Marilyn Martin, where have you gone?
Sister Hazel, “All for You.” Weird — I am physically incapable of not listening to the end of this song when it starts on the radio.
Goo Goo Dolls, “Iris.” It’s just embarrassing to like any song on the City of Angels soundtrack (I’m a big fan of Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited” too). Plus, this hits all my musical weak spots — wailing lyrics, mandolin guitar, and orchestral background.
Daughtry, “Feels like Tonight.” Just… shut… up. I like this song. Don’t look at me.
Katy Perry, “I Kissed A Girl.” Yes, the lyrics are cloying and the whole theme of faux lesbianism is pretty insipid at this point in our culture. I literally feel guilty every time I hear this song and don’t click away. But that beat… it haunts me like only a cheap and easy pop tune can.

I hereby tag Laura McKenna, Charli Carpenter, and Ross Douthat to crawl down into the muck with me. UPDATE: OK, I’ve received a lot of e-mail feedback telling me that I shouldn’t be embarrassed by “Iris.” Very well. The song in this video can be considered a substitute — but you have to watch the video to appreciate true guilt:

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

Tag: Culture