“Idea” may be seen as an unusual choice for a list of all-time favorites, but anybody who knows me well would not be too surprised.

In my youth, The Beatles, The Monkees and The Bee Gees were my musical trinity. I listened to these three bands almost exclusively for years. I pretty much have their entire catalogues memorized from 1964-1969. In later years, I moved on to a much (much!) broader exposure of performers and styles, but the catalog of albums by those three artists stayed with me.

“Idea” was an album that I abandoned in later years, but always felt moved when I heard it. It may be simple nostalgia, but this album still touches me, so it only seems honest and appropriate to include it on my list of 500 favorite albums from Billboard’s Top 40. Perhaps you’ll even agree with me as I try to convince you.

Featured tracks include:

Let There Be Love

Kitty Can

In the Summer of His Years

Indian Gin and Whiskey Dry

Down to Earth

I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You

Idea

When the Swallows Fly

I Have Decided to Join the Air Force

I Started a Joke

Kilburn Towers

Swan Song

August 1968 - Billboard Charted #17