"Catch" Songs to Celebrate 50th Birthday of Heller's Catch-22

Captain John Yossarian was introduced to readers exactly fifty years ago, when Joseph Heller's fascinating war novel Catch-22 was published for the first time. The novel, and the title itself, has become an American classic, rife with adventurous anecdotes, anti-war messages, and acute humor.

To honor the birthday of the book, I offer these songs that feature the word "Catch" in their titles. There are eleven, exactly half of the number in Heller's novel.

Catch the Wind by Donovan: The British folk-rock singer-songwriter sounds like acoustic Dylan on this hit, the tune Donovan should have sung in the Don't Look Back film.

Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying by Gerry and the Pacemakers: The band's background is famous, being from Liverpool, managed by Brian Epstein, and produced by George Martin. The Pacemakers did not have as many hits as that other band with that background, but this gorgeous tune is still heard on oldies stations today.

Catch My Disease by Ben Lee: The biggest hit from Awake Is the New Sleep features a contagious chorus and references to Sleepy Jackson and Beyonce.

Catch Me Now I'm Falling by The Kinks: The live version from One for the Road is the most infectious, as Ray Davies gets the crowd singing along with his Captain America reference.

Catch a Falling Star by Perry Como: The crooner's biggest hit help set the early standard for catchy pop songs.

Catch Hell Blues by the White Stripes: This track from Icky Thump reinforces the great combination of Jack's guitar and Meg's drumming that made the duo's first albums so popular.

Catch a Wave by the Beach Boys: Appropriately, this track appears on the band's Surfer Girl album from 1963.

Catch Us If You Can by the Dave Clark Five: This hit has the best harmonica solo in the entire 60s, even better than John Lennon's piece on Love Me Do.

Catch and Release by Silversun Pickups: The indie band's album Swoon was their break-out release, and this catchy track is one of the reasons.

Catch a Star by Men at Work: It did not receive the airplay of Down Under or Who Can It Be Now?, but this overlooked track from Business as Usual showcased Colin Hayes as a talented vocalist even more than the others.

Catch Me Up by Gomez: The indie band continues to make solid pop-rock songs, such as this one from the Split the Difference album.