THE GREATEST RECORD EVER MADE: discussing the books THE GIRL IN THE SONG and THE BOY IN THE SONG

The work of completing a formal proposal for my book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) trudges on, and I hope to finish it soon (so I can get back to the far more interesting prospect of working on the book itself). Here's a section from the proposal's study of comparable books:



The Girl In The Song (subtitle: The True Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics), Michael Heatley and Frank Hopkinson, Chicago Review Press, 2010, 144 pages, $14.95, softcover, ISBN 978-1-56976-530-2

The Boy In The Song (subtitle: The True Stories Behind 50 Rock Classics, Michael Heatley and Frank Hopkinson, Chicago Review Press, 2012, 144 pages, $14.95, softcover, ISBN 978-1-61374-331-7

A successful pop song attracts an audience with its hook. Books about pop music can do the same thing, whether the hook is a discussion of the greatest record ever made, or the promise of a behind-the-music look at the real-life people that inspired the songs we know. The Girl In The Song and its sequel The Boy In The Song introduce readers to the girls and the boys who sparked the muse of the songwriters, precipitating the creation of 100 songs.

The stories told are brief but complete, summarizing the circumstances that prompted each song’s genesis, often dovetailed with an overview of the performer’s career and body of work. In that respect, it’s similar to many of the entries in The Greatest Record Ever Made!, but with very little overlap; David Bowie’s “Life On Mars?” and Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” are the only songs studied here that are also discussed in The Greatest Record Ever Made! Even in the case of those two songs, Heatley and Hopkinson’s focus on their origins differs from my emphasis on the impact those songs and performers had upon me and upon the larger pop culture. By coincidence, my “Peggy Sue” and “Life On Mars?” chapters happen to be among the most emotional and personal essays in The Greatest Record Ever Made!, stories tied specifically to the deaths of beloved performers and how such loss affects the lives of fans.

But the similarities are cool, too: 100 songs discussed individually, with evident care and respect demonstrated for each one. Love of a song is its own reward. Learning more about the song (both before and after the fact) enriches that reward.

And now again: back to work!

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Hey, Carl's writin' a book! The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) will contain 100 essays (and then some) about 100 tracks, plus two bonus instrumentals, each one of 'em THE greatest record ever made. An infinite number of records can each be the greatest record ever made, as long as they take turns. Updated initial information can be seen here: THE GREATEST RECORD EVER MADE! (Volume 1)

Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes, Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here. A digital download version (minus The Smithereens' track) is also available from Futureman Records.