You don't need to use iTunes. I don't want a media player or shopping service or sync tool or ebook viewer to just drag-and-drop files, so use SharePod 3.9.9 which was the last to allow you to keep the executable on the iPod itself and not require iTunes to even be installed. Just plug the iPod into any Windows PC and when the folder opens, just run the portable app right from the iPod, and you get a minimalist drag-and-drop file manager for copying any audio or video files to or from the iPod.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end and Sharepod was acquired by Macroplant, the creators of the payware iExplorer iOS transfer app so newer versions not only require iTunes to be installed but it even has to be open (so may as well use iTunes itself). The old versions work fine on old iOS devices, and your iPod is 22 years old.
Otherwise if you need compatibility with much newer models, just search for an "iOS File Manager" to find a more modern alternative with whatever features you like. The most popular one for Windows though is MediaMonkey which is anything but lightweight--it's a complete player suite with organizing, syncing, transcoding, burning and podcasting features so is more like a full-blown iTunes replacement (note that syncing is a good way to lose your music because it updates your library on all devices, including deleting files... which you might do because such an old device is very space-constrained). I guess CopyTrans Manager is more lightweight but the free version doesn't let you copy files the other way from the iOS device to your PC.