NationStates Jolt Archive

We had "Best Zeppelin Song", "Best Pink Floyd Song", so I figured, why not a thread for best songs of all time?

I'm going to nominate "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Sknyrd, "Dogs" and "High Hopes" by Pink Floyd, "Spirit of Radio" and "Ghost Rider" by Rush.

I'll post more of mine later, I just figured that would be a good start.

This is an impossible question. Plus, it is my personal opinion that the best song is a perfect song, which has not yet been written, and probably won't, seeing how the era of music greats has already passed us by.

So I'm going to say, in terms of lyrics, in both meaning and sheer awesomeness, American Pie. Nay say all you like, but the fact that the true meaning is still not completely understood while still being incredibly respected makes this an excellent song almost worthy as being the best.

Nay say all you like, but the fact that the true meaning is still not completely understood while still being incredibly respected makes this an excellent song almost worthy as being the best.

Hardly.

First off, your premise is incorrect. That the song is in general about the narrator's (probably Don McLean himself) reaction to the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper is very widely-known.

Second, even if your premise were true, the conclusion does not follow. That "the true meaning is...not completely understood" really means one of two things:
(1) there is no "true meaning"--they're just lyrics, and anyone who claims to see some sort of "meaning" in them is just seeing the Emperor's new clothes; or
(2) the songwriter did a horrible job

Writing songs with obscure, or even nonsense lyrics, that are "just lyrics" with no "deeper meaning" is just fine--"I Am the Walrus" is an example of this, as is a significant portion of Bob Dylan's work (contrary to popular belief, there is no "deeper meaning" to any of his songs--Dylan himself has said that either their meaning is clear and obvious, such as his protest songs or more narrative songs, or that there is no meaning). But trying to put a "deeper meaning" in a song through obscure, difficult-to-understand lyrics and literary devices is a sign of horrible writing. Obscurity in writing is not a virtue--it is a vice. Clarity in writing is a virtue. The reader should be able to devote the bulk of his time and effort to evaluating the intellectual merit of what is said, rather than trying to figure out what exactly is said in the first place.

Now, that said, my nomination: "Blues Man" by B.B. King

Another good example of nonsense songs are "Bubbles", "I-E-A-I-O", and "U-Fig" by System of a Down. Admittedly "U-Fig" has a slight meaning, but it's still mostly nonsense (You and me should go outside and beatembeatembeatembeatembeatem)

snip
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Yeah, you're right. I was going to type up a big response to what you said, but I've realized you are almost entirely correct. It was also a telling of the music scene of the time, but I suppose that doesn't matter.


Still a great song.

"SK 983" by Royal Hunt.

"The Wizard" by Uriah Heep.

Or at least one of the best hippie peace/love songs of all time.

EDIT: Guns'n'Roses "November Rain" deserves to be mentioned. Just don't watch the music video.

Of all time? Well, it most certainly isn't one written in the last or this century, or in English for that matter.

Of all time? Well, it most certainly isn't one written in the last or this century, or in English for that matter.

...Of course not, knowing you it's in Swedish.

Of all time? Well, it most certainly isn't one written in the last or this century, or in English for that matter.

If you are going to be that way, then Verdi's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves."

"Don't Pray on Me" by Bad Religion. I could have picked a million songs, but it is the single song that comes to mind.

Avril Lavigne’s live cover of Chop Suey! by System Of A Down.



I shit you not.









Well, maybe I do.

If you are going to be that way, then Verdi's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves."

"Nessun Dorma", from Puccini's "Turandot"

The greatest aria ever, from the greatest opera ever.

If you are going to be that way, then Verdi's "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves."

Now you're talking. Lately I've had Air des Clochettes from Lakmé on my mind, but I cannot be so cruel as to ignore Puccini or Mozart or Vivaldi or Wagner or Dvorak or Bizet or Rossini... well, you get the picture. I cannot pick. I just think it's horrible that in a thread of the best songs of "all times", this ilk we've seen so far limits themselves to the latter half of the 20th century and only one language. It's so culturally impoverished.

Now you're talking. Lately I've had Air des Clochettes from Lakmé on my mind, but I cannot be so cruel as to ignore Puccini or Mozart or Vivaldi or Wagner or Dvorak or Bizet or Rossini... well, you get the picture. I cannot pick. I just think it's horrible that in a thread of the best songs of "all times", this ilk we've seen so far limits themselves to the latter half of the 20th century and only one language. It's so culturally impoverished.

Umm....
Canon in D?

Now you're talking. Lately I've had Air des Clochettes from Lakmé on my mind, but I cannot be so cruel as to ignore Puccini or Mozart or Vivaldi or Wagner or Dvorak or Bizet or Rossini... well, you get the picture. I cannot pick. I just think it's horrible that in a thread of the best songs of "all times", this ilk we've seen so far limits themselves to the latter half of the 20th century and only one language. It's so culturally impoverished.

Anything from Wagner's "Ring Cycle" takes my breath away.

something by Bright eyes I guess probably Hit The Switch or Easy/Lucky/Free

Umm....
Canon in D?

Stock

Now you're talking. Lately I've had Air des Clochettes from Lakmé on my mind, but I cannot be so cruel as to ignore Puccini or Mozart or Vivaldi or Wagner or Dvorak or Bizet or Rossini... well, you get the picture. I cannot pick. I just think it's horrible that in a thread of the best songs of "all times", this ilk we've seen so far limits themselves to the latter half of the 20th century and only one language. It's so culturally impoverished.

I've heard it once (In Amadeus) but I rather like some of the music from "Don Giovanni."

Wish You Were Here.

Anything from Wagner's "Ring Cycle" takes my breath away.

Having dug up my copy of Nebukadnessar, I have to again applaud you on your choice of Va, pensiero. I forgot how sublime it could be in places.

Having dug up my copy of Nebukadnessar, I have to again applaud you on your choice of Va, pensiero. I forgot how sublime it could be in places.

My floormates have been conditioned to ignore me when I am listening to "Requiem" as I tend to jump up and sing the words and conduct to an imaginary orchestra.

Ha. I was just going to make a similar thread.

For me, the best two songs are Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here and Elton John - Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters

I thank the lord for the people I have found

As a classical musician, I will tell you that I have found little to love or respect in classical music that is unique, or, in fact, notable. It talks a big game, but is no more or less special than any rock'n'roll.

Opera, in fact, is dead boring. Both to play and to listen to.