NationStates Jolt Archive

So we have a bunch of musicians and music fans here, I think, so I thought I'd ask the question: which song, in your opinion, deserves the title, "The Song That Refuses to Die?" :)

Pretty simple question, but the topic of a lot of debate - including one I found myself in this week, resulting in a heated, though fun and hilarious argument between myself and a few others. :p

Anyway, everyone probably has an opinion, and I'm eager to hear them, but just to clarify, a few guidelines:

1. The Song the Refuses to Die must have some history - let's say 50 years or thereabouts. Your local Top-40 station playing some nonsense 84 times per day for the last two weeks probably isn't enough. ;)

2. The Song shouldn't be something that people are obligated to sing by some regular tradition or event, but rather should have consistent popularity on its own merit, for the most part. In other words, "The Birthday Song," though sung a billion times per year no doubt, probably doesn't cut it. :p Same goes for national anthems, church hymns, (etc.) which are sort of obligatory.

3. The Song should probably have lyrics. Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 14" ("Moonlight" Sonata) is probably one of the classical "Songs that Refuse to Die," for example, but I think lyrics add an interesting dimension that sort of expands the debate. :)

Okay! So let's hear a few suggestions, and then I'll give my favorite!

"The Shape of Things to Come"

I swear to god, it's ALWAYS playing at Target. ALWAYS.

I'm not sure if it's been around long enough, though.

Failing that, "Yesterday" by the Beatles (Which, come to think of it, isn't old enough either, but oh well) which I heard on the radio is the most-covered song in history.

Can't it be just 30 years?

Can't it be just 30 years?

If we go back fifty years, it's probably "Hound Dog" or something.

The rickroll song seems to hang around even though it's atrocious.

Mr. T's Commandments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwQoV407vJY).............what?

Can't it be just 30 years?

Sure, that'd be fine. I didn't mean to be too restrictive - I think the best candidate would be 50+, but it doesn't need to be - any time, any language even. :) I just wanted a few guidelines.

I'm going to ignore all your ground rules and say... "She thinks my tractor's sexy" - No idea the artist. It makes me want to snap and go on a redneck hunting spree.

"The Shape of Things to Come"

I swear to god, it's ALWAYS playing at Target. ALWAYS.

I'm not sure if it's been around long enough, though.

Failing that, "Yesterday" by the Beatles (Which, come to think of it, isn't old enough either, but oh well) which I heard on the radio is the most-covered song in history.

According to Wiki, that's no coincidence - the song is part of Target's recent ad campaigns. :p

As for the Beatles, they're definitely up there. The only thing about the Beatles (and Elvis, for that matter) is that they're strongly connected to the still-huge 'Baby Boomer' generation. While I think they have staying power, we probably won't know definitively until that generation has petered out a bit.

"Born to be wild" by I Don't really care.... My father loves nascar, and they seem to like it soooo much they play it at every opportune moment... I guess it's better than listing to those, jabberjaws of announcer, get into detail of every insignificant moment (Let's face it the only interesting thing is the crashes) like it was a damn martain breakdancing in the pit zone.... never-the-less, The damn thing is insufferable.

"Born to be wild" by I Don't really care.... My father loves nascar, and they seem to like it soooo much they play it at every opportune moment... I guess it's better than listing to those, jabberjaws of announcer, get into detail of every insignificant moment (Let's face it the only interesting thing is the crashes) like it was a damn martain breakdancing in the pit zone.... never-the-less, The damn thing is insufferable.

Yeah, I'm not a fan either. That, "Louie-Louie" and "Wild Thing" will probably never die at sporting events. :p

I'm going to ignore all your ground rules and say... "She thinks my tractor's sexy" - No idea the artist. It makes me want to snap and go on a redneck hunting spree.

In the redneck category, of course, "Freebird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" won't die.

I think we have a nice start to the list now, so I'll give my choice for "Song that Refuses to Die."

Mine was written 81 years ago by The Man Who Wouldn't Die, Irving Berlin. :p He lived to be 101. ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Skies_(song)

Yes, "Blue Skies." Why so popular? Perhaps because it lends itself so well to jazz/blues interpretations.

The original performance of it was so popular, it was peformed 28 more times that night, as the crowd kept calling for encores. :p Pretty much unheard of, I'd say.

In 1927, the music was published and Ben Selvin's recorded version was a #1 hit. That same year, it became one of the first songs to be featured in a talkie, when Al Jolson performed it in The Jazz Singer. 1946 was also a notable year for the song, with a Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film taking its title, and two recorded versions by Count Basie and Benny Goodman reaching #8 and #9 on the pop charts, respectively. Crossing genres, Willie Nelson's recording of "Blue Skies" was a #1 country music hit in 1978.


:)

So that's my pick. Just this week, I've heard the song a few dozen times in t.v. commercials, once on the radio, and once in a movie (The Good Shepherd, with Matt Damon - lousy movie, but whatever). Wikipedia's list of prominent artists who've recorded it is prodigious, and the number of nobodies who have done the same is probably massive as well. Just by looking at youTube, I found, in ten seconds:

Some guy playing it on a harmonica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1_Iv8bviiw

And the classic Sinatra version, if anyone hasn't heard it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6cZKcRhQes Notice the jazz accompaniment. :)

I'm no historian, and there's probably better choices, but I promised mine, and I'm going with Blue Skies, for now. :p

WHAT!? YEEEAAH! OK! LET'S GO!

I don't know the rest but it always makes me giggle :)

It's only about 35 years old, but "American Pie" is a song that never seems to die.

Cats in The Cradle, by Harry Chapin

Totally blows.

It's only about 35 years old, but "American Pie" is a song that never seems to die.

Ohh... God. Quoted for goddamn truth. And Zarakon, yes, both of those choices definitely deserve a place in this thread.

It's only about 35 years old, but "American Pie" is a song that never seems to die.

Ugh, yeah. Good call.

Whiskey in the jar

"This Magic Moment".

It's a classic song that fucking refuses to die.


Failing that, "Ode To Joy", "1812 Overture", and "Canon in D Major" also refuse to die. Although, Ode To Joy is the only one that has lyrics.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Küß der ganzen Welt!
Brüder - über'm Sternenzelt
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muss er wohnen.

EDIT: Wait, do these have to be bad songs?

"Wimoweh", also known as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." First done in the early fifties, the version with the "Lion Sleeps Tonight" lyrics was first performed in 1968.

Go into Discount Drug Mart and listen, (you won't have to listen long, trust me) to hear Soak Up The Sun by Sheryl Crow. Lord, I worked there in 2002 and that song still comes up like, every ten minutes in that store. I still shudder when I hear it.

EDIT: Wait, do these have to be bad songs?
It does seem to be turning out that way, yeah.

"MacArthur Park." It never should have been recorded in the first place, but then it was remade like a dozen times. The last one I remember was a disco version done in the late 70s, but if someone has redone it since then, I wouldn't be surprised.

Sticking with the disco theme, I'll throw "Lady Marmalade" into the discussion as well.

The rickroll song seems to hang around even though it's atrocious.

Never gonna give you up
Never gonna make you cry

Sometimes you feel like a nut
Sometimes you don't
Almond Joy's got nuts
Mounds don't

Almond Joy's got rich milk chocolate
Coconut and honey nuts too
Mounds got deep dark chocolate
Chewey coconut ooh

Sometimes you feel like a nut
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Sometimes you don't
Oooh oooh
Almond Joy's got nuts
Mounds don't

Peter Paul Almond Joy's got nuts
Peter Paul Mounds don't

Because...

Sometimes you feel like a nut
Sometimes you don't

Speaking of Disco, "I Will Survive" is about 35 years old I think... it's been done time and time again, from Gloria Gaynor, to a new-R&B version by Chantay Savage to Celia Cruz doing a Spanish version.

The Song That Never Ends

Hey Jude and Yellow Submarine

They may not be 50 years old, but they wont die.

Hey Jude and Yellow Submarine

They may not be 50 years old, but they wont die.

They're making a movie based on the former.

The Chipmunk's Christmas Song.

They're making a movie based on the former.

Are you talking about "Across The Universe" or some other film?

As for Songs That Refuse To Die, here's one without any lyrics to speak of... "Rock & Roll Part 2" by Gary Glitter. Came out in the early 70s, and still played at almost every sporting event in America. (Actually, there ARE lyrics... but it's just "Hey" repeated about a hundred times.)

Are you talking about "Across The Universe" or some other film?

Yes that's the one.

"You Can't Always Get What You Want."

"Stairway to Heaven."

"Back in Black."

Long Live Rock!!!!

The Chipmunk's Christmas Song.

That's seasonal, though, remember. ;)

Nice to see that this thread has refused to die for just a bit longer. :p Neat replies, everyone. :)