# Great Songs That Refuse To Die **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934 "2017-06-02T16:14:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/1 "2017-06-02T16:14:52Z")
Is it just me, or is “(What’s So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding”, written by Nick Lowe and made popular by Elvis Costello, slowly but steadfastly headed for classic status? If so, I couldn’t be happier…definitely well-deserved. Interesting quote I found on [songfacts.com](http://songfacts.com): _Lowe told The A.V. Club that this song started out as a joke: “I wrote the song in 1973, and the hippie thing was going out, and everyone was starting to take harder drugs and rediscover drink. Alcohol was coming back, and everyone sort of slipped out of the hippie dream and into a more cynical and more unpleasant frame of mind. And this song was supposed to be an old hippie, laughed at by the new thinking, saying to these new smarty-pants types, ‘Look, you think you got it all going on. You can laugh at me, but all I’m saying is, ‘What’s so funny about peace, love, and understanding?’’ And that was the idea of the song. But I think as I started writing it, something told me it was too good idea to make it into a joke. It was originally supposed to be a joke song, but something told me there was a little grain of wisdom in this thing, and not to mess it up.”_ Any other examples of tunes with unexpected staying power? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/2 "2017-06-02T16:37:59Z")
Not sure if this is what you’re looking for but The Guinness Book of World Records says “Yesterday” was covered over 1600 times between 1965 and 1986. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/3 "2017-06-02T16:38:42Z")
Please save your laughter until the end. “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass. A one-hit wonder, heavy-metal band puts out a totally different style (for them) tune and it still seems to be very popular. Not a bad record, at all; the producer definitely earned his pay. Commence hilarity. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/4 "2017-06-02T17:03:53Z")
I nominate “My Maria” by D W Stephenson. It has this cool easy groove that makes it a great radio song with a chorus you are going to try to sing, even if you can’t. It still gets radio play, makes a great summer cruising song, shows up in commercials and tv soundtracks occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/5 "2017-06-02T17:25:59Z")
“Candle in the Wind.” A minor piece of 50s nostalgia, that was revived and became a standard. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/6 "2017-06-02T17:27:04Z")
> [@stillownedbysetters](#): > > I nominate “My Maria” by D W Stephenson. That’s \* B. W. Stevenson\*. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/7 "2017-06-03T15:01:12Z")
American Pie. How could one person even write such a wonderful song? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/8 "2017-06-03T15:07:07Z")
**Spirit in the Sky** by Norman Greenbaum. It’s chuggy, fuzzy groove ends up in a commercial or movie every few years. **That’s What I Like About You** by The Romantics. Same as above, except sub in fun, pop-rock groove. **Bad to the Bone**. This must stop being used as intro music for movie characters. Ironically, unironically, whatever - just stop. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/9 "2017-06-03T15:10:35Z")
> [@Mixolydian](#): > > Is it just me, or is “(What’s So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding”, written by Nick Lowe and made popular by Elvis Costello, slowly but steadfastly headed for classic status? If so, I couldn’t be happier…definitely well-deserved. > > … I had the pleasure of seeing Steve Earle and The Dukes cover that, wonderful rendition! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/10 "2017-06-03T15:52:18Z")
> [@stillownedbysetters](#): > > I nominate “My Maria” by D W Stephenson. It has this cool easy groove that makes it a great radio song with a chorus you are going to try to sing, even if you can’t. It still gets radio play, makes a great summer cruising song, shows up in commercials and tv soundtracks occasionally. All these years I thought he was black. Do you think [this is the same Maria](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvFsULpx0To)? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/11 "2017-06-03T16:20:40Z")
Postmodern Jukebox just released a new cover of [“Somebody That I Used To Know”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UviVYc9qzy4). Gotye’s 2011 song seems to be a favorite with a lot of other singers so I think it’s going to stick around. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/12 "2017-06-03T16:57:44Z")
Not wishing to commandeer the thread, but another thread just reminded me it’s Billie Joe McAllister Day. “Ode to Billie Joe,” seems to get more popular by the year. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/13 "2017-06-03T17:08:14Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Please save your laughter until the end. > > “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass. A one-hit wonder, heavy-metal band puts out a totally different style (for them) tune and it still seems to be very popular. Not a bad record, at all; the producer definitely earned his pay. > > Commence hilarity. No laughter here. I’ve loved this song since I was 12. As a matter of fact, my neighbour and I were just discussing it a week or so ago. About a year ago I got the chords and lyrics with the intent of learning it but I couldn’t get it right. I think the attraction comes because its a “story song” like a lot of the greats. It isn’t just a beat and a repetive lyric (although that can work too). You have to follow the song, so it holds your interest. Good one! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/14 "2017-06-03T19:18:22Z")
**Everybody Wants To Rule The World**. I still crank it up when it comes on. Great intro riff and good vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/15 "2017-06-03T19:24:40Z")
Not saying it’s a “great” song, but that damn _Walking on Sunshine_ seems to crop up everywhere. It just won’t go away! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/16 "2017-06-03T21:22:26Z")
“I Melt With You” by Modern English is not only my favorite song from the eighties, but it never seems to go away, either. I think it will be a classic for a long time. “Drift Away,” recorded by Dobie Gray and others, also seems to have quite the legs. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/17 "2017-06-03T21:42:15Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > All these years I thought he was black. > > Do you think [this is the same Maria](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvFsULpx0To)? I’ve always thought so. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/18 "2017-06-04T15:10:35Z")
That Maria got around. ������ ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/19 "2017-06-04T15:37:34Z")
I have two. Stand By Me - by Mr. Ben E. King. It still tears me up. Who wouldn’t want such loving devotion, no matter if the sky is falling? He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother - another one that tears me up still. It has personal connotations. Done by the Hollies, who I feel have been sadly overlooked by musical history. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934/20 "2017-06-04T15:43:36Z")
Beethoven’s Second Symphony. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-songs-that-refuse-to-die/787934.md?page=2)