and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” goes exactly one verse too long. 3rd verse only necessary if you’re following some songwriting 101 rule of 3.
From Rolling Stone
Jeez people, it’s only a matter of minutes that we’re talking about here. And you always have the option to change channels, discs, etc.
I don’t think I’ll be complaining too much about having to listen to The Beatles, or the Stones, or The Doors, or the Allman Brothers for 2 minutes longer than desired. 
No, no, nonononono! The OP specifically says songs that are TOO long, not just really long songs. There isn’t a single note of any iteration of “Freebird” ever performed or recorded that could be cut and still retain the spontaneity and free form of that song. This is a giant of rock’n’roll – by its very nature, it cannot be too long. Ever. “Inna Godda Da Vida” – same thing. The 45 version (remember 45s?) just cheats you out of some of the best stuff in rock.
And anyone who lists “Hey, Jude” as too long never danced to it at homecoming. It was 38 years ago, and to this day when I hear that song, I can feel her in my arms, smell her perfume … nope, that song is just not long enough.
CCR’s version of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. It’s fine until at the end where they try to be a “jam” band.
I actually like most of Creedence’s things that I’m familiar with, but they’re better when they stick to that rock-a-billy tinged groove that they accomplish on their standard three minute numbers. Their forte is not extended solos and jams.
Yep – I usually listened to CCR on headset, and “Grapevine” and “Suzy Q” almost always put me to sleep.
“Kathmandu” by Bob Seger. Just go already.
“Tonight, Tonight, Tonight” by Genesis. Oh, please get me out of here. I’ll do anything, anything, just get me out of here!
Can’t say I agree in general about live Grateful Dead, but “Space” on Dozing at the Knick drags over two CDs.
Aiee…can’t remember the song (I don’t think it’s Lights)…that Journey song where they tails off with “Na na, nuh-naaa-naa, nah-nana-naaah-nah”.
I think it has 16 iterations.
-Cem
I like to pass the time during the end of Hey, Jude trying to spot the part where Lennon says “I need to go to the bathroom…” That makes it tolerable.
Unmentioned so far is Message In A Bottle. Great song until the end, where all they do is sing “Sendin’ out an S.O.S” ad nauseum.
It’s “Lovin’ Touching’ Squeezin’” and the Na Na part would be YOUR turn to cry.
So many of my favorite songs made the list, it’s not even funny. Stairway to heaven, Inna Gadda Da Vida, American Pie, Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, etc. However, worst of all are those that blaspheme against the musical perfection that is Freebird. I can only conclude that they are yankees and just don’t know any better, bless their hearts.
PunditLisa:
My mistake!!! That’s the one I meant, not “Lights”.
From the 80s, we have Limahl’s “Neverending Story” which prompted at least one DJ to jump on the ending of the song.
Neverending store-eee, la la la, la la la, la la la
Neverending store-eee, la la la, la la la, la la la
Neverending store-eee, la la la, la la la, la la la
Neverending… SONG!
Maybe you meant “The End?” Same album, longer, and no orgasm at the end.
Urk. That song is just right. However, the Stones are sinners in this regard. Try “Going Home.” Jagger runs out of things to sing, Richards runs out of notes to play, and my only guess is that the engineer must have gone to the loo and they felt they couldn’t stop until he got back.
Then there is the reprise of Sing this Song all together at the end of Side One of Satanic Majesties. I think it is about 8 minutes, which is 8 minutes longer than it should be. I bless the person who invented the next track button of the CD player when that comes up.
Even “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” is too long, but not as blatant - though it was good when I saw it live.
Well, I like it, but a book I read listing all of Dylan’s sessions noted that the session men in Nashville had no idea of how long that song was. After about four minutes they had almost put down their instruments when he kept going and going and going. The book said that there was a lot of :rolleyes: going on. You got to give them a lot of credit for playing so long without any rehearsal. True professionals.
So the Nashville Cats agree with you.
I know it’s a genre, but most earlier Tangerine Dream runs on a bit too long (but then again, I guess it’s not really music you just sit and listen to).
I loved Madrigal Meridian at one point, and Through Metamorphic Rock. But they do drag on after a while. MM took up an entire album side.
A song that doesn’t last long enough? This Corrosion (the long mix) by the Sisters of Mercy. Eleven minutes isn’t nearly long enough And, for the truly obscure, the dance mix of “Vanessa Vacillating” by Slow Children. Yum.
Some of us are Yankees, but the core issue is that we have shit to do with our days. 
Yes- I’ve Seen All Good People. Good coda, but it needs to be clipped by about 3 minutes.
An old one: “In the Mood”, 1940-ish.
Good for ballroom dancing, but just when you think you’ll finally be able to sit down…