Here’s a topic that got a little play last spring. I thought it was worth revisiting, in part to see if anyone’s had luck turning on a friend to one of the bands mentioned and in part to see if there are any other failed turn-on attempts that Townspeople would like to share. Who knows, someone might finally “score!”

This post initially appeared 5/13/08.

Is there a band you’ve had no success turning friends onto, a band or artist you understand has some stumbling blocks to overcome yet cannot convince a single friend of some relative merits? Don’t be shy.

I’ve had absolutely no success turning friends onto Be Bop Deluxe, a band an old work friend tried to turn me onto around 1987 with a 60-minute cassette mix that made an impression for a couple of weeks, got filed away for a good 15 years, and finally resurfaced in a box of cassettes I was clearing out, this time impressing me enough to quickly track down used vinyl of almost all their releases. I’ve written about this quest and what it meant to me elsewhere. Nearly 2 years since I wrote that heartfelt piece, I’m still waiting to collect my first Be Bop Deluxe Turn-on Points. How about you? There’s got to be some artist you love that not even your closest musical comrades will give the time of day.

In a recent post, Mr. Mod bemoaned the fact that no chicks — sorry, “womyn” — are posting in these hallowed halls. Could it be because rock and roll is pretty much idiotic when it comes to its relationship with the fairer — sorry, “fiercer” — sex? I think this is something that deserves further exploration. But let’s not get all tweedy and pipe-tamping about it, okay? Just post your favorite rock pick-up lines in this space.

Moddie would probably appreciate a few lines that might actually work as panty-peeler — sorry, that might help prove that rock and roll really understands, loves, and respects women — but speaking for myself, I’d prefer to hear your worst. Ted Nugent‘s “My Love Is Like a Tire Iron” springs to mind. You’ll find this gold in song titles, for sure, but for extra credit, give us some lyrical snippets that you think prove the case that rock music is a.) going home lucky; or b.) doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell with the ladies.

I look forward to your responses.

HVB

The television host who soberly introduces this Neil Diamond classic as being about an imaginary boy whom he’d call on to spell his loneliness. I’d always thought the song was about a dog, but he does say that the only friend he could find was in his mind. Regardless, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, why don’t you share your favorite love songs to imaginary lovers. Extra credit for breakup songs about imaginary lovers!

On this Valentine’s Day, may your lover be the real thing, be it human or canine.