# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/41 "2000-06-02T23:21:17Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![xelakann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c67d28/32.png) [@xelakann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xelakann)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/42 "2000-06-02T23:29:38Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/43 "2000-06-03T00:08:27Z")
But how could you list only one Dave Matthews song? I’m thinking #41 or Jimi Thing. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/44 "2000-06-03T02:19:58Z")
Homeward Bound (if you’ve ever been far away from home and heard this gem you know what I mean.) Layla ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/45 "2000-06-03T02:40:52Z")
> [@](#): > > 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](http://www). [napster.com](http://napster.com) to check it out ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/46 "2000-06-03T02:42:34Z")
_Ahem_ [http://www.napster.com](http://www.napster.com) ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/47 "2000-06-03T02:48:39Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/48 "2000-06-03T03:37:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/49 "2000-06-03T03:44:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/50 "2000-06-03T03:54:03Z")
> [@](#): > > _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**? ---
**Author:** ![Guy\_Incognito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guy_incognito/32/3920_2.png) [@Guy\_Incognito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_Incognito)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/51 "2000-06-03T05:46:37Z")
Romeo and Juliet - Dire Straits Why Worry - Dire Straits Running to Stand Still - U2 This Woman’s Work - Kate Bush Desperado - The Eagles Why Should I Cry for You - Sting In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel I am Secure - Pete Townshend Sarah - Fleetwood Mac The Ghost In You - Psychedelic Furs ---
**Author:** ![L.Ron\_Hoover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@L.Ron\_Hoover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/L.Ron_Hoover)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/52 "2000-06-03T05:56:17Z")
Scary Monsters - Bowie Inca Roads, Camarillo Brillo, and the Full version of Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow - Zappa Miami 2017(Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) - Billy Joel Block Rockin Beats - Chemicals Army - Ben Folds Five Terrapin Station - Dead You Enjoy Myself - Phish Rumors of Glory - Bruce Cockburn Couldn’t I Just Tell You - Todd Rundgren The Revolution Will Not Be Televised - Gil Scott Heron Before Dishonor - Hatebreed ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/53 "2000-06-03T14:47:29Z")
“Here Comes the Sun” ---
**Author:** ![Sneevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Sneevil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sneevil)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/54 "2000-06-03T16:20:03Z")
“City of New Orleans” by Arlo Guthrie. It’s not rock 'n roll, but I like it (hey, there’s a song in there somewhere) ---
**Author:** ![ThisYearsGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@ThisYearsGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisYearsGirl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/55 "2000-06-03T16:32:57Z")
How could I have forgotten “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday?!! That song is amazing. . . ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/56 "2000-06-03T20:29:19Z")
I am in general NOT a Garth Brooks fan, but among my 500 or so favorite songs, “The Dance” would be in the top 10. Whenever I mention this to a Garth Brooks fan, most have not heard of it. This would explain why I like it, although I’m not nuts about him. I believe it was his first release, prior to becoming a mega-jerk. Oops, I should have said mega-star. (I meant it the first way, though.) “Battle Hymn of the Republic” always makes me cry, the last verse says “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free-His truth is marching on!” What a great song, when you know the context in which it was written-during the civil war, and referred to freeing the slaves. I know that many people believe that the civil war was actually fought for other reasons, but the person who wrote the song was of the opinion that abolishing slavery was the cause. I also love “Amazing Grace”-especially when played on the bagpipes. Best bagpipe song EVER! Don Henley “The Heart of the Matter” is beautifully arranged and played, and the lyric is surprisingly wise when you really listen to it. Live with that song as your life philosophy, and you will have an easier time letting go and moving on. Never an easy thing. I could go on and on, but I will spare you. Scotti ---
**Author:** ![katzmeow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7bcc69/32.png) [@katzmeow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katzmeow)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/57 "2000-06-03T23:20:44Z")
This has to be one of the hardest questions ever…everyone has such diverse taste, mixed in with one’s age and memories. Reading down everyone’s faves was fun…some of the songs brought back a special time, others I hadn’t even heard of. My first thought was of Simon and Garfunkel’s **“Homeward Bound”** : “But all my words come back to me in shades of mediocrity” I don’t think anyone else could have gotten away with such a phrase at that time. As I was reading on, \*\*“Like a Rolling Stone”\*\*was mentioned and again…I thought, oh that is another favorite. But then **Scotticher** mentioned the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and I thought of one last favorite. Whenever I hear Elvis Presley’s \*\*“American Trilogy”\*\*I get goosebumps. Meshing The Battle Hymn of the Republic with Dixie is so moving. Whenever I hear that song I just stop and listen. So I guess that the really good thing with a topic like this is all the memories that it gives us plus an insight to others taste in music. Thank you **Dewaholic** for this topic. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/58 "2000-06-04T00:17:10Z")
katzmeow- Thanks for reminding me of how much I love the American Trilogy thing by Elvis. I got goosebumps remembering it. Do you know of the Dwight Yoakum song that combines two awesome from the south songs? It has always reminded me of the Elvis song, and I can’t remember it. I love it, though! Scotti ---
**Author:** ![2sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e47774/32.png) [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/59 "2000-06-04T20:53:46Z")
I am astounded that no one listed Dylan’s _Subterranean Homesick Blues_. I gotta go with that. My favorite Tom Waits song is _Big Joe and Phantom 309_. I get goosebumps every time. ---
**Author:** ![xelakann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c67d28/32.png) [@xelakann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xelakann)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932/60 "2000-06-05T17:57:50Z")
If I could I would list ALL of Dave Matthew’s Songs… as mentioned earlier… HE IS A SONG WRITING GOD… a boy, oh boy, does he ever SING SEX! I can tell by your user name… you are a true FAN! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-song-of-all-time/20932.md?page=4)