The Perfect Beat: Arthur Baker's Baker's Dozen

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Todd RundgrenSomething/Anything?

Todd Rundgren was sort of a combination of Bowie and The Spinners, he had a group called Nazz, which were much more sort of punky. They were sort of pre-punk I guess, and they did a version of ‘I Saw The Light’ that I loved. This album is a double album and has songs like ‘Hello It’s Me’, and a ballad called ‘It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference’ which I ended up covering with Planet Patrol in 1983. 

It’s just a beautiful, beautiful album. It’s not in the top of my 13, but I put it on the list because I remember listening to the album a lot. ‘Hello It’s Me’ and ‘I Saw the Light’ are two of the greatest pop songs ever. I think he’s underrated, and then he produced a lot of great stuff, like Grand Funk Railroad, and he’s still out there doing it.  

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Kim Wilde
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