# Song of the Century **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 29, 2001, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125 "2001-07-29T02:20:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AMM9132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@AMM9132](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMM9132)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/1 "2001-07-29T02:20:51Z")
I have heard that a survey’s results recently came out that said “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” was the most popular song of the century. After hearing of these results, I must admit I was a little disappointed, due mainly to the fact that the song blows. So I have decided to conduct my own little survey to prove that Americans can do a better job of selecting music. My personal pick would have to be “Black in Back” by AC/DC or “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, both of which may seem as stupid of a pick as “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” to some , but I am always open for everyone’s personal ideas. I would greatly appreciate it if everyone would reply so that I can finally again become content with the musical tastes of this fine nation. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![brianjedi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/2 "2001-07-29T02:42:08Z")
Hello, and welcome. This really belongs over in IMHO, but it’s not a big mistake. Just ask a friendly mod to move it for you, if they don’t move it on their own. To answer your question, I would have to say either “Free Bird” by Skynyrd, or maybe “Happy Birthday” by the Hill sisters. -Brianjedi ---
**Author:** ![AMM9132](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@AMM9132](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AMM9132)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/3 "2001-07-29T02:55:58Z")
Stupid me. I actually realized I posted in the wrong place just a few minutes before your reply, but as you know, I couldn’t move it myself. I just joined SDMB a few days ago, so you’ll have to forgive me for this rookie mistake. I will make sure to avoid this error in the future. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/4 "2001-07-29T04:32:36Z")
Ask, and ye shall receive. Off to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/5 "2001-07-29T04:36:56Z")
By record sales it is “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, but by number of times sung by the average person it is _easily_ “Happy Birthday.” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/6 "2001-07-29T06:39:00Z")
I think it’s a toss-up between _Seasons In The Sun_ and _One Tin Soldier_, although _Kung Fu Fighting_ has got to be right up there. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/7 "2001-07-29T07:06:53Z")
Billy of “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” could kick all their asses. . . well, if he wasn’t dead, and why did that ho throw the letter away, anyway? I sorta liked that “American Pie” was so high up the list. Say what you will, I love the song for all it’s pop melodrama and overblown half-indecipherable imagery. So, that’s my vote for #1. And Daddy who was a cop on the East Side of Chicago could kick Billy’s ass. Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![FarmerOak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@FarmerOak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerOak)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/8 "2001-07-29T07:42:11Z")
“The Night Chicago Died!” Awesome, **Sir**! **AMM** , your picks blow. No offense. And welcome to the SDMB. I think SOTR got picked largely because of the popularity of the source, and AC/DC and Skynyrd just can’t compare in that regard. Remember, these picks have gotta cover a **lot** of diverse eras. You need to take yourself out of your own particular mind-set and try to be objective. I do recall having seen this survey (linky-linky?) but I don’t know what the exact criteria were. Bear in mind, also, that no one would care to hear **either** of your picks covered, and still say that it’s the same song. Those songs are signatory to the original artists, and the songs do **not** stand alone. However, there are some exceedingly **awesome** versions of SOTR floating around out there. **Mandy Patinkin** ’s is my personal favorite. Anyway, my vote is for Gershwin’s **Rhapsody in Blue** , the single greatest work of music ever conceived by the mind of man. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2001, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/9 "2001-07-29T17:19:02Z")
Damn, Farmer, you beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/10 "2001-07-29T19:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FarmerOak \* > Anyway, my vote is for Gershwin’s **Rhapsody in Blue** , the single greatest work of music ever conceived by the mind of man. That’s as may be, but it’s not a song. Songs can be sung. That can’t. I’ll put my chips on “Yesterday,” by the Beatles (which was at one time IIRC the most-covered song ever), or “Stardust,” music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by the incomparable Mitchell Parish. ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/11 "2001-07-29T20:01:20Z")
The first song that always comes to my head is “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zepplin. A very close second - which most will probably not agree with - would be “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvanna One Tin Soldier was a good pick too by Czarcasm. Never thought of it myself but it’s always been one of my favorites. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2001, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/12 "2001-07-29T20:19:46Z")
I am going to continue under the assumption that the gentleman moderator was being czarcstic. Right? Otherwise, I will nominate “Shannon” by Henry Gross. And Shannon could kick Daddy who was a cop on the East Side of Chicago’s butt. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![Genseric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Genseric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genseric)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/13 "2001-08-01T07:27:39Z")
Easy, no contest. Macarthur Park, as ably sung by Richard Harris. Of course the thread title didn’t say WHAT song of the century. ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2001, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-of-the-century/74125/14 "2001-08-01T12:03:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sir Rhosis \* > **Otherwise, I will nominate “Shannon” by Henry Gross. And Shannon could kick Daddy who was a cop on the East Side of Chicago’s butt.** Wasn’t Shannon a dog? At least, when I first heard that song, years ago, that was the best interpretation I could make out of the admittedly obscure lyrics. Obligatory (random) nomination: \*\*Radar Love[/r] by Golden Earring – Bob