# Best song of all time **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932 "2000-05-30T20:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/1 "2000-05-30T20:20:25Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![ThisYearsGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@ThisYearsGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisYearsGirl)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/2 "2000-05-30T22:49:55Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/3 "2000-05-30T23:17:31Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/4 "2000-05-30T23:51:24Z")
What a coinkidink–VH1’s “The List” just had this topic on tonight’s show. The three choices were: 1. Respect–Aretha Franklin 2. Johnny B. Goode–Chuck Berry 3. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/5 "2000-05-31T14:01:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/6 "2000-05-31T14:17:16Z")
“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. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/7 "2000-05-31T14:28:00Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![JimmyNipples](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@JimmyNipples](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimmyNipples)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/8 "2000-05-31T14:38:12Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/9 "2000-05-31T14:58:37Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/10 "2000-05-31T18:45:12Z")
It’s a toss up between “Lush Life” by Billy Strayhorn or “Angel of Death” by Slayer. ---
**Author:** ![Pizzle\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Pizzle\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pizzle_Boy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/11 "2000-05-31T19:12:49Z")
Lightning Crashes - Live Wheat Kings - Tragically Hip Old Time Rock’n’Roll - Bob Seager Big Love (live) - Fleetwood Mac ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/12 "2000-05-31T19:22:02Z")
Oh, no contest. “Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars,” by Irving Berlin. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/13 "2000-05-31T20:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > 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! ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/14 "2000-05-31T20:20:54Z")
**Sassy:** Careful. Don’t make me sing it. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/15 "2000-05-31T20:28:50Z")
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 . . . ---
**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/16 "2000-05-31T20:34:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Iguana\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@Iguana\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iguana_Boy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/17 "2000-05-31T20:36:06Z")
Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry and Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody - the version by David Lee Roth ---
**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/18 "2000-05-31T20:41:33Z")
add **procession of the nobles** by rimsky-korsakov. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/19 "2000-05-31T20:47:05Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/20 "2000-05-31T21:17:25Z")
“Landscape” by Amazing Blondel. I know…you never heard of them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932.md?page=2)