# What is the best song that begins with the letter S? See rules in OP. Polls will appear in this thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music, mmm-song-poll\ **Created:** [October 28, 2023, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240 "2023-10-28T20:00:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/101 "2023-10-30T13:00:34Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I’ve tried to stick to stuff which is more likely to get a vote, vs. personal favorites I went with the challenge as written - best song, not “best song you think could win”, in which case I’d have offered _very_ different choices (_Stairway_ would have been one of them) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/102 "2023-10-30T13:24:36Z")
Thought of another one: “[Swamp](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15UWm0okgvA&ab_channel=TalkingHeads-Topic)”, by Talking Heads. If you don’t know it, you should. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/103 "2023-10-30T14:27:39Z")
Sin City - Gram Parsons Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/104 "2023-10-30T15:33:02Z")
Supernaut, and Symptom of the Universe, both by Black Sabbath ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/105 "2023-10-30T15:43:08Z")
I almost cannot believe it, but I did a thread search and one of the biggest rock classics ever hasn’t been mentioned, “Smoke On The Water”. Deep Purple also had “Space Truckin’” and “Stormbringer”. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/106 "2023-10-30T15:56:06Z")
Maybe the suggestion limit should be 5, not 3? Also note that there are (as intimated upthread w/ the mention of X) a lot more song titles beginning with certain letters (S in this case) than with others? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/107 "2023-10-30T16:11:13Z")
I have thought about upping the number of nominations to 5. This would necessitate increasing the total number of songs, though, to allow enough people to participate. Which probably means 150 songs divided into 3 polls. I’m wondering if that would become too unwieldly. Or maybe just do this with a select few letters. We’ve already weathered S. Maybe just T, R, and W now? Also, I’ve planned all along to combine Q and X into one poll. I am open to suggestions. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/108 "2023-10-30T16:33:32Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Also, I’ve planned all along to combine Q and X into one poll. Maybe Q, X and Z, unless you’re expecting a lot of French and Latin entries under Q. And three polls per letter/letter group seems sensible; right now, two seems too limited. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/109 "2023-10-30T16:57:07Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I almost cannot believe it, but I did a thread search and one of the biggest rock classics ever hasn’t been mentioned, “Smoke On The Water”. Deep Purple also had “Space Truckin’” and “Stormbringer”. Hey, I wanted to put “Space Truckin’” in there. Love that riff. So, what are the rules for songs that were untitled or titled with a picture and then eventually got titled by fans? Are those automatically disqualified? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/110 "2023-10-30T17:27:48Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > So, what are the rules for songs that were untitled or titled with a picture and then eventually got titled by fans? I do not know what this means. Can you provide an example? > [@Gyrate](#): > > Maybe Q, X and Z Capital idea. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/111 "2023-10-30T18:53:59Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I almost cannot believe it, but I did a thread search and one of the biggest rock classics ever hasn’t been mentioned, “Smoke On The Water”. Deep Purple also had “Space Truckin’” and “Stormbringer”. And you can add to that Street Fighting Man. j ETA: replying to @EinsteinsHund because I know how well he knows The Stones. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/112 "2023-10-30T18:55:00Z")
D’oh, yes, that too. ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/113 "2023-10-30T19:14:57Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I do not know what this means. > > Can you provide an example? Sure. The songs on The Melvins’ _Lysol_\* don’t have any titles, even the covers on it don’t have titles on the record. The first one is generally named “Roman Bird Dog/Hung Bunny” by fans, but I don’t think that’s what Buzzo titled it. If it has a real title, I’ve never heard of it. Similarly, the Butthole Surfers’ _Hairway to Steven_ has little scatological pictures in lieu of titles. They’ve also been given names by fans, but those are unlikely to be their actual names, and sometimes they vary. Records like that aren’t a huge slice of my collection, and they generally aren’t likely to win many polls even if they had normal names. \*Well, originally titled that. Due to trademark issues, it really doesn’t have a name, either. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/114 "2023-10-30T19:51:18Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Spoiler: There will be a thread for titles that begin with a punctuation mark. Suggestion: you might lump numbers (ie numerals) in with punctuation (because I don’t think we’re going to find a hell of a lot of songs beginning with an actual number). j ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/115 "2023-10-30T19:56:31Z")
It will be important to make sure everyone understands the difference between songs starting with numerals and songs starting with numbers: Numeral: 50 Ways to Leave your Lover - Paul Simon Number: Eight Miles High - The Byrds ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/116 "2023-10-30T19:59:34Z")
Nice clarification. Should have done that myself, I guess, but hey ho, all good now. Thanks! j ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/117 "2023-10-30T23:14:24Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > you might lump numbers (ie numerals) in with punctuation… > [@peccavi](#): > > It will be important to make sure everyone understands the difference between songs starting with numerals and songs starting with numbers… Those are both thoughts I’d already thunk, but thanks for the suggestions! mmm ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2023, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/118 "2023-10-30T23:17:26Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Sure. The songs on The Melvins’ _Lysol_\* don’t have any titles, even the covers on it don’t have titles on the record. The first one is generally named “Roman Bird Dog/Hung Bunny” by fans, but I don’t think that’s what Buzzo titled it. If it has a real title, I’ve never heard of it. > > Similarly, the Butthole Surfers’ _Hairway to Steven_ has little scatological pictures in lieu of titles. They’ve also been given names by fans, but those are unlikely to be their actual names, and sometimes they vary… I think I’m just going to pretend I didn’t know these existed and hope nobody brings it up again. 🙂 mmm ---
**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:** [October 30, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/119 "2023-10-30T23:44:39Z")
Heheh, totally understood. I couldn’t think of a good way to solve the problems those songs present myself, so I’ll leave them out of any nominations. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240/120 "2023-10-31T00:15:33Z")
You can get some solace from the fact that instead of suggesting songs with content but no title, you can suggest _4’33" by John Cage_, a song with a title but no content. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-song-that-begins-with-the-letter-s-see-rules-in-op-polls-will-appear-in-this-thread/992240.md?page=7)