Best song ever?
OK this is a loaded title for a blog post but I have very specific ideas about what constitutes a great song. AC/DC writes great songs, Led Zeppelin wrote a few, hell so did Barry Manilow. But I'm talking about flawless writing, production, vocals, performance and execution, the kinds of songs that are very special to you, particularly after a cocktail or five. The kinds of songs that slay you when you hear them. The kind that can never be repeated by another artist.
I know they are out there for y'all.
And this is cheesy territory because no one is gonna say that "Smoke on the Water" brings tears to their eyes. But some songs just work so well, whether they are famous, old, new, popular, personally meaningful or whatever. For instance I'm sure a lot of cornballs have "Imagine" on their list and that is totally appropriate. It's a little much for me, but could anyone else have done it better? Is there any way Lennon could have improved on the way it sounded and the way he sang?
I doubt it.
Of course the views reflected on this blog are mine alone and represent a highly idiosyncratic albeit refined and distinguished musical sensibility.
I've posted a few of my choices here and I'll continue to do so as long as the PBR affects me.
All of the songs you posted do = perfect in my book, but Louis http://www.totalizingcritique.com/ sent me a list of his top 10 which is convincing in another way... Ace of Spades is indeed the perfect Motorhead song - the model in fact, but it's also kind of boring... c
turn the page...bob seger
the man who sold the world kurt cobain cover
l'anarchie pour le uk ... on great rock and roll swindle
dont go breakin' my heart..odb and macy gray cover
dont let the sun go down on me ... elton john/george michel live
juicy.. biggie
street hassle...lou reed
thunder road...mary lou lord cover
ace of spades...motor head
little trouble girl...sonic youth
(+transformer man....neil young)
in no particular order
Two songs that fall into this catagory for me are "Into the Mystic" and "Stranded" both by Van Morrison. The latter came out just a few years ago, so you may not be familiar with it. Very pretty, with cool background singers and fantastic horn solo by VM himself.
Another one would be Bring It on Home to Me, by Sam Cooke.
Great topic, and thanks for posting those songs. I had no idea you were a Beach Boys fan. -Cris
Oh the beach boys totally do it for me in a big way. Bring it on home to me would probably be on my list too. I'll check out the VM--never got much into him for some reason.
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