Willing-Question-631

Richard D’Orazi, regular reader and commenter, and have been really enjoying and learning a lot from the Number Ones column starting with the explosion of Beatlemania and beginning now to get into songs I remember as a kid. Also enjoy everything else you write on other music and movies. (Feel vindicated by your recent Coldplay album review.) Can’t wait to start reading your book tomorrow! Have three questions:

1. Any #1 songs you wanted to include in the book but didn’t make the cut? To me, “Royals” seemed like a #1 song destined for your book.
2. Any artists you gained a new perspective and/or appreciation of from writing about them in your column?
3. Any facts that have surprised you in writing about every #1 song? For me, it’s definitely how a lot of producers and songwriters pop up in unexpected places like one of the writers on the Clay Aiken #1 starting out writing country hits in the early-‘80s.

I’m a big Beatles person like a lot of people so I’d probably be inclined to give a high score to all their #1s even though I get why you don’t like “All You Need Is Love,” “Hello, Goodbye,” and “The Long and Winding Road.” For me, reading about R&B and hip-hop along with the big ‘80s stars like Janet, Whitney, Madonna, George Michael and the big names after like Mariah, Usher, and Beyoncé currently has had me gaining a new appreciation for them and liking their music.

Also, have any recommendations for books about music (history, memoirs, etc.)? Every time you bring up a book in your reviews I almost instantly get interested and buy it.