See, I actually like “33” and pretty much any of the slow stuff off Mellon Collie and even Adore (which I think is a much better album than it’s given credit for being.) But “Disarm” just annoys me and bores me. Maybe it’s the damn bells. I don’t know.
To be honest, from a pop songwriting perspective, I do think “Today” is a killer tune. That and “1979” are probably their finest moments in the craft of pop songwriting. Other songs are more interesting, but those are just tight and instantly memorable.
On the Association’s third album, Insight Out, the hits were “Windy” and “Never My Love”… I do really like both of those, but probably the coolest song on the album is “Wantin’ Ain’t Gettin’”, which sounds like Beck. (Unfortunately the only YouTube version I could find is badly recorded.)
The first thing that jumped into my brain was that on **Aerosmith’s **first album, **Dream On **gets all the play and visibility.
The best song, however, is Mama Kin (youtube). Great song, great, great riff (so fun to play), great guitar tones. Heck, it’s the songtitle Steve Tyler has tattooed on his arm, not Dream On…
I’m astonished nobody has mentioned Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde. It’s got so many fantastic songs: Visions of Johanna, Stuck Inside Of Memphis, Just Like A Woman, Fourth Time Around, Absolutely Sweet Marie. Yet what is the only song classic rock radio plays? Yep the cheesy opener Rainy Day Woman (aka Everybody Must Get Stoned), the worst song on the album.
The airplay songs on George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass were “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” and “What Is Life.”
I’d argue that the best songs were the leadoff songs on sides 1 and 3: “I’d Have You Anytime” and “Beware of Darkness,” followed by “If Not for You” (later made famous by Olivia Newton-John), the title song, “Awaiting On You All,” and “Hear Me Lord.”
Quoted for truth, ‘Mayonaise’ would have to be my favourite Smaashing Pumpkins song. Although I’d say I hear “Disarm” on the radio more than “Cherub Rock”
London Calling - The Clash. London Calling and Train in Vain got all the airplay; Clampdown and Lost in the Supermarket got all the critical raves; but for sheer crank-the-volume-to-maximum-and-scream-along pleasure, nothing on the album or in the rest of their catalog beats their cover of Brand New Cadillac
And I love “Rocket,” “Cherub Rock,” and “Mayonaise,” but “Hummer” is really where it’s at!
“Rock and Roll” and “Stairway to Heaven” are definitely my least favorite songs from Led Zeppelin IV (though I’m not sure I can credibly say they’re the worst).
And a big AMEN to “Release” being the best song off of Ten. (Though “Black” is great too.)
Ooo, tough call. I think the “best” song is “1979,” but my personal favorite would be “Porcelina of the Vast Oceans.” Yeah, it’s long, it’s meandering, but it’s fucking brilliant. It’s just a song I could get lost in. I also have a soft spot for “Jellybelly” for its energetic and fun drum part.
On The Yes Album, “I’ve Seen All Good People” (aka “Your Move”) is a gorgeous song, but my favorite is “Yours Is No Disgrace”. (And “Starship Trooper” and “Perpetual Change” are right up there too.)