Morgan BellBest Song Ever?
September 25th 2006 21:19
What’s the greatest song ever written? We are talking musically, lyrically… every facet that makes a song. It must be a song everyone’s heard, so unfortunately we can’t ramble about the greatest songs made by unsigned or unknown bands. Not so long ago Rolling Stone magazine compiled a ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list, the top 10 of which is:
1. Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
2. Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones
3. Imagine, John Lennon
4. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
5. Respect, Aretha Franklin
6. Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
7. Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry
8. Hey Jude, The Beatles
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
10. What'd I Say, Ray Charles
From http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs
Now I’ve never thought of Rolling Stone as an accurate authority on this kind of stuff – especially in recent times – and, well, I guess this list reinforces my doubt of the magazine’s integrity. It’s pretty naïve to attempt to make a list of the greatest songs of all time in the first place, but I’ve found this list to be pretty dodgy. Anyway, getting back to the songs: I certainly love all of these songs, but are they really the best ever? Imagine sticks out the most to me: sure it is a beautiful and meaningful song, but I really don’t think it’s the third greatest song of all time. Imagine is repetitive, formulaic, and, maybe not even Lennon’s best. Smells Like Teen Spirit also sticks out. Now, despite me being a Nirvana nut, it seems to me this song was put in merely so that the list wasn’t completely old school. Smells Like is an awesome song and it may very well have been the sound that defined the early 1990s, but I don’t think it should be crowned the ninth best song ever.
Coming in at 31st position in the Rolling Stone list is Led Zep’s Stairway to Heaven, which seems an inadequate rating to me. People always tell me that, because of this song’s unrivalled popularity, it’s overrated. Personally, I don’t think this song could ever be overrated! It’s epic, it’s exquisite, it’s musically perfect and, for one song, it takes the listener to so many different plains in the one experience. Possibly this song should knock off Like a Rolling Stone and claim number one position? If I ever wrote a song of the standard of Stairway I could never write another song, because I know that anything I ever concocted after this would be a total and utter let down. It’s like Da Vinci painting the Mona Lisa and then steering his career toward colouring-in books. Anyway, what do you think is the greatest song of all time?
1. Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
2. Satisfaction, The Rolling Stones
3. Imagine, John Lennon
4. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
5. Respect, Aretha Franklin
6. Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
7. Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
10. What'd I Say, Ray Charles
From http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs
Now I’ve never thought of Rolling Stone as an accurate authority on this kind of stuff – especially in recent times – and, well, I guess this list reinforces my doubt of the magazine’s integrity. It’s pretty naïve to attempt to make a list of the greatest songs of all time in the first place, but I’ve found this list to be pretty dodgy. Anyway, getting back to the songs: I certainly love all of these songs, but are they really the best ever? Imagine sticks out the most to me: sure it is a beautiful and meaningful song, but I really don’t think it’s the third greatest song of all time. Imagine is repetitive, formulaic, and, maybe not even Lennon’s best. Smells Like Teen Spirit also sticks out. Now, despite me being a Nirvana nut, it seems to me this song was put in merely so that the list wasn’t completely old school. Smells Like is an awesome song and it may very well have been the sound that defined the early 1990s, but I don’t think it should be crowned the ninth best song ever.
Coming in at 31st position in the Rolling Stone list is Led Zep’s Stairway to Heaven, which seems an inadequate rating to me. People always tell me that, because of this song’s unrivalled popularity, it’s overrated. Personally, I don’t think this song could ever be overrated! It’s epic, it’s exquisite, it’s musically perfect and, for one song, it takes the listener to so many different plains in the one experience. Possibly this song should knock off Like a Rolling Stone and claim number one position? If I ever wrote a song of the standard of Stairway I could never write another song, because I know that anything I ever concocted after this would be a total and utter let down. It’s like Da Vinci painting the Mona Lisa and then steering his career toward colouring-in books. Anyway, what do you think is the greatest song of all time?
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Comment by Pete
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
One's person PERFECT song is another person's DRIVEL.
My list could go something like this (in no particular order):
1. Don't Stop 'til You Get enough - Michael Jackson
2. Vienna - Ultravox
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zepplin
4. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
5. Mothership Connection (Starchild) - Parliament
6. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo
7. Total Control - Motels
8. Walking on the Moon - The Police
9. LIfe on Mars - David Bowie
10. The Beautiful Ones - Prince
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
One's person PERFECT song is another person's DRIVEL.
My list could go something like this (in no particular order):
1. Don't Stop 'til You Get enough - Michael Jackson
2. Vienna - Ultravox
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zepplin
4. Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
5. Mothership Connection (Starchild) - Parliament
6. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo
7. Total Control - Motels
8. Walking on the Moon - The Police
9. LIfe on Mars - David Bowie
10. The Beautiful Ones - Prince
Comment by lethalpiano
I gotta agree with Muzikal, if you don't know your shit, then shut up!
Comment by Jass
Anyway, you must think I'm doing something wrong but, ironically enough, you don't tell me what it is. Is it that I'm criticizing Rolling Stone? If so, I think I justified my claims, unlike you.
Comment by lethalpiano
That job's waiting for you...
Comment by jesus
Comment by Raul
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by C.Carter
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by innqubus
It will make your eyes moist. Unknowingly. Unconditionally.Subconsciousl y. Believe me.
Comment by lalaloo