After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.

In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the disc covering the world of (mostly) 70s ballads and love songs.  Many of these songs are not ones that a man in my position is “supposed” to enjoy, but occassionaly one wants to turn down the hard rock and roll and mellow out with a good tune.  So, without further ado, I bring you Ballads, volume 1.

Neil Diamond – Cracklin Rosie

From 1970, this was Neil Diamond’s first #1 hit in the good ol’ US of A.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 2/23/2011

BJ Thomas – Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song

From 1975, this tune became the longest titled #1 in the history of Billboard’s Hot 100.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 7/21/2011

Billy Joel – Piano Man

From 1973, this was Billy Joel’s first hit and peaked at #25 on the American pop charts.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 2/1/2013

Barry Manilow – Mandy

Originally titled Brandy, Barry Manilow changed the name when he covered it in 1974 to avoid confusion with Looking Glass’s Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).

iTunes stats: 5 plays, most recently on 2/8/2013

The Carpenters – Rainy Days And Mondays

Released in 1971, the song did not chart in the UK until 1993.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 1/27/2011

Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

Released in September 1979, it wound up being the last U.S. number one song of the 1970s.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/13/2012

Eric Carmen – All By Myself

From 1975, this was Carmen’s first solo release after leaving the Raspberries.

iTunes stats: Never played

Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline

The stadium sing-a-long was released in 1969 and again in 1972.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012

Captain & Tennille – Do That To Me One More TIme

Released in 1979, this became the duo’s second and final #1 hit in February of 1980.

iTunes stats: Never played

Joshua Kadison – Jessie

The most recent song on the disc, this 1993 hit was rumored to be about Sarah Jessica Parker, who was dating Joshua Kadison at the time.

iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 5/11/2012

Jackson Browne – Somebody’s Baby

Written for the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack, this song brings to mind a young, naked Jennifer Jason Leigh.

iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 1/15/2010

Carly Simon – You’re So Vain

Released in November of 1972, this song was a favorite on the PA system at PharMor in late 1991/early 1992.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 2/12/2011

Peter Gabriel – In Your Eyes

Released in 1986, the song earned its place in pop culture history thanks to Say Anything.

iTunes stats: 1 play, on 8/1/2011

Glen Campbell – Rhinestone Cowboy

Released in 1975, Glen Campbell’s cover version of the song became the first song to simultaneously top both the pop and country charts since 1961.

iTunes stats: 2 plays, most recently on 5/24/2012

Berlin – Take My Breath Away

From 1986’s Top Gun, it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/29/2011

The Carpenters – Close To You

Originally released in 1963, the Carpenters’ version of the song was their breakout hit in 1970.

iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 5/9/2011