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
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?
What a coinkidink–VH1’s “The List” just had this topic on tonight’s show. The three choices were:
Respect–Aretha Franklin
Johnny B. Goode–Chuck Berry
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.
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.
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 . . .
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.