Top 5 Clapping Songs of All Time, West Hartford Town Council, Pepe's Grand Opening

Good morning, West Hartford! Today is Monday, Sept. 23, 2013; there are 99 days left in the year.

I was driving through West Hartford the other day when something caught my ear on the radio: Steve Miller’s “Take the Money and Run.”

Now, being a fan of classic rock and all, I’ve probably heard the little ditty about Billy Joe and Bobbie Sue a thousand times. And, just as an aside, name someone who finds that song objectionable. It’s not long enough to really make anyone angry. But then again, I have yet to meet anyone who says, “Man, I really could go for a Steve Miller jam right about now.”

Anyway, the clapping always gets me in that song - as in, whenever that part comes on, I clap. It doesn’t matter if I’m driving or holding the baby, I’m willing to get into a car accident or have my young son incur a concussion to ensure that I clap along.

It got me thinking (for a change), what other songs that have, uh, a bad case of the clap?

Here are my top 5 of all time:

5: I’ll Be There for You (Rembrandts) - If you were breathing in the 1990s, you did the clapping thing during the theme for Friends. I hang my head in shame. I did it.

4. All the Single Ladies (The Beyonce) - I dunno if this actually counts as clapping, but

3. Take the Money and Run (The Steve Miller Band) - The precursor to the theme from Friends. I clap along every time.

2. Jack and Diane (John Mellencamp) - Man, this is some rebellious clapping. So angry. So Rock & Roll. Makes you want him to change his name back to John Cougar.

1. We Will Rock You (Queen) - The clapping in this song is invaluable. A 5-star clappable song that anyone who has ever been to a sporting event has jumped in on this one. Greatest clapping song of all time.

Here are five things going on in the area this week:

1. The West Hartford Town Council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m.

2. Charter Oak has a Day of Peace celebration Monday at 8:30 a.m.

3. Frank Pepe Pizza Napoletana opens in Elmwood with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

4. Help this person find a Barbie Dreamhouse. I mean, who doesn’t want one?