A morning radio personality recently opined that "Todd Rundgren doesn't get enough credit." I didn't hear what he said beyond that, but I agree. When Rundgren crafts an excellent tune, it holds up decades later. Five examples:
- Couldn't I Just Tell You? (This is one of many well-produced, well-played, and well-sung Rundgren tracks. It sports a great sing-along hook and a guitar part that could make potentially great players resume taking lessons. The perfect intro draws listeners then and keeps them there as the song picks up steam.)
- Hello, It's Me (It's not surprising that this was Rundgren's biggest hit. It's a well-structured tune that builds to its chorus effectively with a hook that's not forgotten easily. Seek out the full album version for its extended refrain, "Think of me...")
- I Saw The Light (In my view, "I Saw The Light" ranks up with "What A Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers as a perfectly constructed song. Right from the intro, it stands out vocally and instrumentally among pop songs, and it's still one the best ways I've heard of saying, "You're the one for me.")
- Property (The tune's robotic rhythm is hard to forget, which makes it good driving music. Regarding the lyrics: If you're unmarried and nod in agreement with the viewpoint Rundgren espouses, marriage might not be for you. Or, at least, you'd be wise to choose your spouse carefully.)
- Something To Fall Back On (Rundgren's layering of his own voice makes this overlooked tune stand out. Since first hearing it, I've always thought it would make a strong theme for a quirky, underappreciated sitcom.)
