# Is there any SONG that we ALL would agree is good (if not great)? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 7, 2026, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427 "2026-01-07T11:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/181 "2026-01-10T17:26:53Z")
I’ve got one: “Surrender” by Cheap Trick. Come on, who doesn’t like _that_ one? ---
**Author:** ![Larsedik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larsedik/32/19832_2.png) [@Larsedik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larsedik)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/182 "2026-01-10T17:28:21Z")
My favorite all-time song is _Runaway_, by Del Shannon. It was one of the top songs of 1961. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/183 "2026-01-10T17:39:53Z")
“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” - Looking Glass “Superstition” - Stevie Wonder “Gimme Shelter” - Rolling Stones I don’t expect any of them to survive the scrutiny of this thread though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/184 "2026-01-10T17:48:23Z")
I don’t know the Looking Glass song (nor the band), but “Gimme Shelter” and “Superstitious” are rock solid picks. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/185 "2026-01-10T18:14:09Z")
> [@Larsedik](#): > > They still play _The Girl from Ipanema_ a lot in Ipanema. I heard it several times when I was in Rio de Janeiro in 2017. They should! Why wouldn’t they? That’s one thing to like about Brazilians, they respect their classics and aren’t shy about keeping a 60-year-old song in heavy rotation. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/186 "2026-01-10T18:16:35Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” - Looking Glass > > “Superstition” - Stevie Wonder > > “Gimme Shelter” - Rolling Stones > > I don’t expect any of them to survive the scrutiny of this thread though. 🙂 I for one am on board with all these. “Gimme Shelter” is the one song that’s been in my top five favorites consistently ever since…well, ever since there’s been a “Gimme Shelter.” “Brandy” might be the weak one here, IMO, but I’m nowhere close to saying I just don’t like it or that I think it’s “bad.” ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/187 "2026-01-10T18:21:11Z")
Someone upthread mentioned Arlo Guthrie. I’d like to nominate _The City of New Orleans_, but I prefer the Steve Goodman version. Also, someone suggested _Over the Rainbow_. I’d nix the Judy Garland version, but the Israel[Kamakawiwoʻole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo%CA%BBole "Israel Kamakawiwoʻole") version in medley with _What a Wonderful World_ is, well, wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/188 "2026-01-10T18:23:00Z")
> [@anny\_m](#): > > the Israel[Kamakawiwoʻole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kamakawiwo%CA%BBole) version in medley with _What a Wonderful World_ is, well, wonderful. Might be the only song that brings me to tears. Every time I hear it, I get choked up at least a little. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/189 "2026-01-10T18:23:31Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I’ve got one: “Surrender” by Cheap Trick. Come on, who doesn’t like _that_ one? Really good suggestion, I had thought about suggesting it earlier. But it’ll probably be nixed by the folks who don’t like repetition in the Wet Leg song I suggested. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/190 "2026-01-10T19:25:09Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > I don’t expect any of them to survive the scrutiny of this thread though. 🙂 Yeah, I love two of them. But “Brandy” would get a spin of the dial from me. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/191 "2026-01-10T19:44:04Z")
“Surrender” is not even close to the repetition of “Chaise Longue.” That song is two chords. A great, pumping pair of chords, but you gotta like those two chords. “Surrender” is great. It’s got more chords than your average pop song. I like them both, but I don’t see the connection at all. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/192 "2026-01-10T20:07:31Z")
I was thinking of the repetition of the words, actually. Not the repetition in the music. ETA: “Chaise Lounge” takes it to another level, though. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/193 "2026-01-10T20:26:19Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Yeah, I love two of them. But “Brandy” would get a spin of the dial from me. Besides thinking it is a very good song, there were other reasons why I included it. There was a thread here a couple of years ago discussing the lyrics and I was surprised how many people chimed in. Apparently, I’m not the only person who paid attention to Brandy. Then, not long after, I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform it live and the place went nuts, which really surprised me demographically. Finally, I’ve watched a number of reaction videos on YouTube with young people seeming to really enjoy it. I don’t expect everyone to agree. I don’t think that is going to happen with any song here. But the appeal of Brandy over generations is worth noting, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/194 "2026-01-10T20:46:40Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I’ve got one: “Surrender” by Cheap Trick. Come on, who doesn’t like _that_ one? That’s the theme song for our house! > [@Larsedik](#): > > My favorite all-time song is _Runaway_, by Del Shannon. It was one of the top songs of 1961. I love Bonnie Raitt’s version, personally. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/195 "2026-01-10T22:00:07Z")
I suggest Its Still Rock & Roll To Me by Billy Joel. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/196 "2026-01-10T22:12:04Z")
I hate everything Billy Joel with a passion, especially that goddamn song. Urgh. He who never played anything even resembling rock’n’roll wants to tell us about it. Shlock pop. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/197 "2026-01-10T22:38:55Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Urgh. He who never played anything even resembling rock’n’roll wants to tell us about it. Man, I want to try to mention Atilla. But that would amount to defending Billy Joel. And well, it doesn’t even really approach being good. It can probably see good from where it was, but it would need binoculars. And I actually like “It’s Still Rock n’ Roll to Me”, but I kind of think of it as a show tune without a musical. But nope, everyone has a veto here. See ya, Billy! ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/198 "2026-01-10T22:45:10Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Man, I want to try to mention Atilla. I so wanted to listen to that album after I first ever heard of it, but have never found it anywhere (on the net, I surely wouldn’t pay money for it). But I saw the cover, and that was sufficient… 😂 What were they, a piano/organ metal duo? ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/199 "2026-01-10T22:51:35Z")
Heheh, I spelled it wrong. Attila. And yeah, pretty much an Organ/Drums metal duo. Not truly bad, I probably wouldn’t walk out on the gig. But I’d probably never show up early to make sure I caught them. But here’s the whole thing. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/sWvjb4I8lIY/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/sWvjb4I8lIY?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PL-0P7PrL5AKBssPqiEV9aa9k1HwWbca99 ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427/200 "2026-01-10T22:52:10Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I suggest Its Still Rock & Roll To Me by Billy Joel. Well and aptly [parodied by punk-era “Weird Al” Yankovic](https://youtu.be/3UAUCh5ocIg?list=RD3UAUCh5ocIg). Perhaps @EinsteinsHund might like to listen? [Apparently Billy didn’t take it too hard, though, as he forgave (or at least he forgot) after two decades](https://youtu.be/aDPkrtH-2FI). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-song-that-we-all-would-agree-is-good-if-not-great/1026427.md?page=11)