This week’s theme for Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday is power pop songs. Just as last week, when I had to Google “Indie Rock Songs” in order to know how to respond, I Googled “Power Pop” and learned that it, according to one website, refers to “straightforward, jangly, guitar-based pop songs with little pretension or irony. The genre has its roots in the mid 60s but was not defined as such until the early 70s.” And when I Googled “Power Pop Songs,” one song that popped up on almost all the lists of such songs was Badfinger’s song, “No Matter What.”
“No Matter What” was originally recorded by Badfinger for their album No Dice in 1970. It was written and sung by band member Pete Ham, and was their first hit written by a member of the band. Badfingers’ very first hit was “Come And Get It,” written by Paul McCartney. In the U.S., “No Matter What” peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached number 5 in the UK.
Songfacts described the song as “a simple lyric about a guy affirming his commitment to some lucky girl. Musically it hit the spot with retro ’60s sounds polished with a modern sheen.”
“No Matter What” is notable for being one of the first successful records associated with the power pop sound, using all of the elements attributed to the genre. This song is ranked number 1 on VH1’s “20 Essential Power Pop Tracks That Will Be Stuck In Your Head Forever.”
Sadly, despite some hugely successful songs, by 1975 the band was broke and broken due to issues with its record labels, and Pete Ham killed himself in desperation. Another band member, Tom Evans, took his own life in 1983.
Here are the lyrics to “No Matter What.”
No matter what you are
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do girl, ooh girl, with you
No matter what you do
I will always be around
Won't you tell me what you found girl, ooh girl, won't you
Knock down the old grey wall, be a part of it all
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all, as I would give it to you
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be
No matter where you go
There will always be a place
Can't you see in my face girl, ooh girl, don't you
Knock down the old grey wall, be a part of it all
Nothing to say, nothing to see, nothing to do
If you would give me all, as I would give it to you
Nothing would be, nothing would be, nothing would be
No matter what you are
I will always be with you
Doesn't matter what you do girl, ooh girl, want you
Ooh girl, you girl, want you
Ooh girl, you girl, want you
This, That, and the Other 
Yay, I also used a Badfinger song!
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Yes, I just saw that. Great song choice, too!
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I think a lot of us are having to google “Power Pop” to find out what it is.
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Badfinger is the saddest story in Rock and Roll. This is a great song and just as the Beatles were breaking up Badfinger was predicted to take their place, but everything went wrong for this group.
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Victims of the cutthroat music industry, bad management, and unfortunate timing.
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Such a sad story, but great song choice.
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Great song great band…they are the Godfathers of power pop.
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It’s interesting that Paul McCartney wrote their first hit. This one sounds like a Beatles song, too… more so, I think.
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Apple Records was Badfinger’s label at the time and they recorded the song at the Abbey Road Studios. So yes, they were very influenced by the Beatles.
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Loved this and Day after Day. Good choice Fandango
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Nice pick! One of my faves.
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Great song Fandango. Haven’t heard in a long time 🙂
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Thanks, Brian.
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Great song, a really powerful vocal with a great riff
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Nice song, great info!
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