Best song of all time

[Nutty Bunny]

My friends and I were having this conversation recently. I want to know what Dopers think is the best song ever written (lyrically or musically).

Our choices were:

"When Doves Cry" -- Prince
"I Saw the Light" -- Todd Rundgren
and my personal favorite:
"Selfless Cold and Composed" -- Ben Folds Five

[ThisYearsGirl]

Hmmm. . . here's my top seven choices(no particular order)
"The Boxer"-Simon and Garfunkle
"Boxing"--Ben Folds Five
(what can I say? Boxing a pretty poetic sport)
"Trampled Under Foot"--Led Zep
"I am the DJ"--David Bowie
"It's Hard to be a Saint in the City"--Bruce Springsteen (this, no question, is the lyrically strongest song I've ever heard--it's on Greeting From Asbury Park NJ)
"Come Running"-Van Morrison
"Inoculated City"--The Clash

[PunditLisa]

Greensleeves has one of the most beautiful melodies I've ever heard.

But as far as combining both lyrics and melody, I'm going with another S&G tune, "Sound of Silence" though "The Boxer" is pretty darn good, too.

The Sound of Silence is a work of poetry by itself. The words flow well, there's rhyming, there's assonance. It's thoughtful and the imagery is wonderful. It also delivers an important message and captures the mood at the time. Then when you add a great melody and S&G's awesome harmony....What else do you want from a song?

[Nutty Bunny]

What a coinkidink--VH1's "The List" just had this topic on tonight's show. The three choices were:

3. Respect--Aretha Franklin
2. Johnny B. Goode--Chuck Berry
1. When Doves Cry--Prince

Not that it means anything. What I would choose is rarely ever mentioned (except this time), but I thought you all would be interested in what they chose.

[Ukulele Ike]

Well, THIS thread is really hoppin'.

Okay, I'm game. The absolutely best, greatest song ever written in the history of the human race, tune AND lyrics, is

"The Piano Has Been Drinking," by Tom Waits.

[Milossarian]

"Muzzle" by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Hate to steal the thunder of all the millions who were going to post the same thing. (Yeah, right)

BTW, "When Doves Cry" probably wouldn't make the top 5 Prince songs, let alone Best Song of All Time.

[hawthorne]

I'd go with Love in Vain by Robert Johnson.

Contenders: Since I've Been Loving You Led Zep, Jailbreak AC/DC, Play it All Night Long Warren Zevon, The Message Gradmaster Flash & c., Superstition Stevie Wonder, No Particular Place to Go Chuck Berry.

picmr

[JimmyNipples]

I'll start the list with: Stairway to Heaven-Led Zep

Then: November Rain-Guns and Roses

She sells Sanctuary-Cult

Gates of Steel-Devo

And the BEST tune of all time.....Jocko Homo-Devo

[Joe_Cool]

At the moment I'm going with "You can't bring me down" from Suicidal Tendencies. But my favorite song changes with my mood.

Also on my list:
Metal
------
"In my world" - Anthrax
"Zero signal" - Fear Factory
"Hallowed be thy name" - Iron Maiden

Pop
------
"Piano Man" - Billy Joel
"Call me" - Blondie
"People are people" - Depeche Mode

Rock
------
"Drop dead legs" - Van Halen
"House of the rising sun" - The Animals
"Struck a nerve" - Bad Religion
"Wanted dead or alive" - Bon Jovi

Rap
------
I don't listen to enough rap to make a good call here.

[SaxFace]

It's a toss up between "Lush Life" by Billy Strayhorn or "Angel of Death" by Slayer.

[Pizzle Boy]

Lightning Crashes - Live

Wheat Kings - Tragically Hip

Old Time Rock'n'Roll - Bob Seager

Big Love (live) - Fleetwood Mac

[Eve]

Oh, no contest.

"Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars," by Irving Berlin.

[Sassy]

Well, THIS thread is really hoppin'.

Okay, I'm game. The absolutely best, greatest song ever written in the history of the human race, tune AND lyrics, is

"The Piano Has Been Drinking," by Tom Waits.

Uke, I love you!

[Ukulele Ike]

Sassy:

Careful. Don't make me sing it.

[Eve]

He'll do it, too, Sassy. Ike once serenaded me with "Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars" at the Algonquin, and the room stood still.

We think of it as Our Song now. Whenever I walk into one of the better dining establishments and the orchestra is playing "Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars," I sigh softly to myself as I pull my ermines about me and think of Ukelele Ike . . .

[Kilgore Trout]

hmmm...

aenima by tool.
the 28-minute song remains the same version of dazed and confused by led zeppelin.

all time? wow. that's tough. we're not even at next year yet.

[Iguana Boy]

Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry and
Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody - the version by David Lee Roth

[Kilgore Trout]

add procession of the nobles by rimsky-korsakov.

[Ukulele Ike]

Hrm.

Cohen owes me ninety-seven dollars
And it's up to you to see that Cohen pays
We sold a lotta boots
To Rosenstein and Sons
On an IOU for ninety dayyyyys...
Levy Brothers don't get any credit
They owe me for a hundred yards a lace
If you promise me, my son
You'll collect from everyone
I can dieeee with a smiiiile upon my faaaace.

[Perderabo]

"Landscape" by Amazing Blondel. I know...you never heard of them.

[Nacho4Sara]

The Long Medley (Abbey Road), The Beatles (best rock)
Paint It Black, Stones (same as above)
Feels Like Home, Bonnie Raitt (best love song)
Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton (ditto)
At Last, Etta James (best blues)
These Foolish Things, Billie Holliday (best jazz)
Wicked Game, Chris Isaak (best modern)
I Have Nothing, Whitney Houston (best Whitney)
Everything is Everything, Lauryn Hill (best soul)
Now and Forever, Richard Marx (best Marx)
In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel (best 80's movie theme)

And although I hate Limp Bizzzzzzkit (who fucks with George Michael? ish) I love the new theme to M:I2. But only because Freddie Durst doesn't open his mouth.

Sorry, I can't pick just one!!

[PTVroman]

Hmmmm..... Best song ever written. Not performed. And no one has yet mentioned Bob Dylan? Like a Rolling Stone? Or Just Like a Woman?

The piano has been drinking
my neck tie is asleep
and the combo went back to New York
the juke box has to take a leak
and the carpet needs a haircut
and the spot light looks like a prision break
cause the telephone is out of cigarretes
and the balcony's on the make
and the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking

and the menus are all freezing
and the lightman's blind in one eye
and he cant't see out off the other
and the piano tuner's got a hearing aide
and showed up with his mother
and the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking

couse the bouncer is a Sumo wrestler
cream puff casper milk toast
and the owner is a mental midget
with I.Q. of a fencepost
cause the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking

and you can't find your waitress
with a geiger counter
and she hates you and your friends
and you just can't get served
without her

and the box office is drooling
and the bar stools are on fire
and the newspapers were fooling
and the ashtrays have retired
and the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking
not me, not me, not me, not me, not me.

[Barney111]

My small and insignificant offerings:

"Forever Young"- Bob Dylan
"Into the Mystic" - Van Morrison
The entire "Graceland" album- Paul Simon
"This Land is Your Land" - Woody Guthrie

[wolfman]

My vote for the best song ever written is American Pie.
Of course this may be somewhat related to the fact that it was playing the first time I .... um nevermind its just a great song

[Nacho4Sara]

PTVRoman:

Hmmmm..... Best song ever written. Not performed. And no one has yet mentioned Bob Dylan? Like a Rolling Stone? Or Just Like a Woman?

I am kicking myself for not listing any Dylan. What was I thinking? "Just Like A Woman" is my favorite Dylan song, tied closely with "Tangled Up In Blue" and "Visions of Johanna." I don't know what cam over me.

Cut Peter Gabriel from my list and add in those three.

[chief]

I agree with Graeme that GNR - November Rain is one of the best songs of all time (since picking just 1 is impossible)
but Estranged might be better in some ways..

[Saint Zero]

My tastes are entirely out of sync with people in general. I'd have to include, in no order...

1. Joe Satriani: Satch Boogie or Flying in a Blue Dream.
2. Yngwie Malmsteen : Any of his classical transcriptions: they guy does Paganini on a guitar, if I'm right.
3. Iron Maiden: Alexander the Great or Fear of the Dark
4. Nylons - Kiss Him Goodbye.

and of course...

Alice Cooper: Poison

[TwistofFate]

Fear of the Dark..... what a song.
May I also nominate the theme tune to Small Wonder.

[Nutty Bunny]

John Larrigan says:

May I also nominate the theme tune to Small Wonder.

[sarcasm]Oh, yeah, and I'll nominate Tiffany Brissette for an Emmy.[/sarcasm]

John, you're a twisted man.

[MovieMogul]

"Lazy River" by Hoagy Carmichael

[Convict]

I don't believe no one has mentioned this song:

"Freebird"--Lynyrd Skynyrd

[as_u_wish]

Silent Night.

I listen to a wide variety of music and add my votes to many of the songs mentioned. But few things move me like the singing of Silent Night, especially by candlelight or in the snow.

[Krispy Original]

Thick as a Brick Jethro Tull

Dueling Banjos Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell

Superstition Stevie Wonder

Brick House Commodores

Do you feel like I do? (live version) Peter Frampton

American Woman Guess Who

Father and Son Cat Stevens

Smooth Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas

I Ain't Mad at Cha Tupak Shakur

I heard it through the grapevine CCR

He stopped loving her today George Jones

King of the road Roger Miller

Bohemian Rhapsody Queen

[Annie-Xmas]

Hank Williams' I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.
Don't Cry for Me Argentina from Evita

Best Bad Ass Song: You Can Leave Your Hat On.

[RealityChuck]

A century of musical history, and 99% of the choices are 1970 or later. Feh!

Musicals
Lullabye of Broadway by Harry Warren and Al Dubin
42nd Street by Warrent and Dubin
Shall We Dance by Rodgers and Hammerstein
76 Trombones by Meredith Willson
Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat by Frank Loesser
Get Me To the Church on Time by Lerner and Lowe
There's No Business Like Show Business by Irving Berlin
You Can't Get A Man With A Gun by Irving Berlin
Hurray for Hollywood by Whiting and Mercer
I Get A Kick Out Of You by Cole Porter
Brush Up Your Shakespeare by Cole Porter

Rock:
Rosalita by Bruce Springsteen
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Jim Steinman

Classical:
Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin
9th Symphony -- Beethoven
William Tell Overture -- Rossini
1812 Overture -- Tchakovski (listen to it live with real cannons)
Le Boef sur le Toit -- Darius Milhaud

Blues:
Love in Vain -- Robert Johnson
Is You Is or Is You Ain't (My Baby)? -- Billy Austin and Louis Jordan
Ain't Superstitious -- Howlin' Wolf
Statesboro Blues -- (Allman Brothers live version, though Alice Stuart did a great acoustic version)

[jesuslynch]

Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw - Jimmy Buffett

I Got A Little Woman - Led Zepplin

Circumstances - Rush

[Zion]

RealityChuck has the idea. why is it that whenever these discussions come up, everyone lists songs that are less than 50 years old? Whatever happened to the GREAT music of the 1700's-1950's?

My choice? There are WAY too mnay to chose from, but "Amazing Grace" would be in my top ten.

[mrblue92]

A century of musical history, and 99% of the choices are 1970 or later. Feh!

A century? Pfft. We must travel back at least few millenium to the first real rock band, Ug and Loincloths, who pioneered the use of the first real rocks. Their songs: "Bang!" the follow up, "Bang! Bang!" and the final work "Ugh! Bang-ity Bang!" are the finest pieces of music ever simply because they were the first. All succeeding artists are mere imitators, pretenders, and hacks.

[Sassy]

Thick as a Brick Jethro Tull

Dueling Banjos Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell

Superstition Stevie Wonder

Brick House Commodores

Do you feel like I do? (live version) Peter Frampton

American Woman Guess Who

Father and Son Cat Stevens

Smooth Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas

I heard it through the grapevine CCR

He stopped loving her today George Jones

King of the road Roger Miller

Bohemian Rhapsody Queen

Kripsy, it's a good thing you are married, or I would have to track you down - you are my musical soul-mate!

[ThisYearsGirl]

Am I the only person who thinks "Stairway to Heaven" really sucks? I wouldn't put it on my life of top 30 Zeppelin songs, but everyone I know thinks it rocks. I thought it was terrible the first time I heard it, even before I heard all the hype about it. Could somebody please explain to me the appeal of that song? Led Zep has so many other slower songs that are just much better (Going to California, Since I'd Been Loving You, Hats off to (Roy) Harper, Tangerine), not to mention rockin' sings that are better. What's the appeal of Stairway?

[Proudest Monkey]

Put me down as a no for Stairway to Heaven. My god, I heard that song so much in high school I believe it's still oozing out of my pores (and that was some time ago!). Oh yeah, best song.....

I actually used to have a list of the songs I'd take with me to the provervial desert island. The list changes regularly but here are a few:
Light My Fire
Mack the Knife
Cherish
Rhapsody in Blue
American Pie
Here Comes the Sun
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Losing My Religion
What's Goin' On

Crap! See what you've made me do? I have to go put on some CDs and listen to these! Oh, and before I go, I have a confession to make: :::whispering::: I don't like RESPECT.

Julie

[xelakann]

I haven't seen many people list songs from the man who Sings Sex- Mr. Dave Matthews!
Picking a favorite from this song writing God would be impossible for me but right now I'm in the mood for: "Crash into Me"

Other great songs "You look like Gold to me" by Ben Harper

And "Somebody" by Depeche Mode

[Proudest Monkey]

But how could you list only one Dave Matthews song? I'm thinking #41 or Jimi Thing.

[elbows]

Homeward Bound (if you've ever been far away from home and heard this gem you know what I mean.)
Layla

[Silo]

1. Joe Satriani: Satch Boogie or Flying in a Blue Dream.
2. Yngwie Malmsteen : Any of his classical transcriptions: this guy does Paganini on a guitar, if I'm right.

Yngwie is cool on guitar (kinda an ass in person though). His instrumental stuff is pretty cool but his "lyriced songs"...uggggh. I do wish he would slow down sometimes though--speed isn't everything. Satch is cool too, makes that guitar sing. But for an instrumental solo piece i'd have to give my vote to Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover." Everyone likes that piece.

go to http://www. napster.com to check it out

[Silo]

*Ahem* http://www.napster.com

[oldscratch]

Where is the country?
I vote Folsom prison blues by Johhny Cash.
As for best song, it'd probably be Autumn Sweater by Yo La tengo, always makes me want to cry.

[xenophon41]

Here's a few:

Kid by The Pretenders
Honest Work by Todd Rundgren
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon
Sweet Jane by Lou Reed

and of course

Hanukkah by Adam Sandler


But seriously folks... If any of you can name less than a hundred "favorite songs" you've probably not listened to enough of 'em.

[Enginerd]

Another vote for Dylan's Visions of Johanna. And if we're talking about Tom Waits, I have to go with Frank's Wild Years.

[xenophon41]

And if we're talking about Tom Waits, I have to go with Frank's Wild Years.

And he's still great --- I'd include Hold On among his best.

And while I'm thinking of great songwriters, nobody's mentioned Leonard Cohen yet; how about Waiting for the Miracle? Or Bird on a Wire?