Best Songs Ever Written?

[The_Don]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

No Bob Dylan fans? He is by far my favorite lyrisist. Some of his best:

Like A Rolling Stone (Album: Highway 61 Revisited)
Desolation Row (Album: Highway 61 Revisited)
Visions of Johanna (Album: Blonde On Blonde)
Tangled Up In Blue (Album: Blood On The Tracks)

Anything off "Blood On The Tracks" is great lyrically. Dylan on that album tried to make each song like a painting. So that the meaning of the song is discovered gradually like when you look at a painting you discover it little-by-little therefore the structure of the songs are different than pretty much anything most other artists ever wrote.

The best Beatles song lyrically for me is: For No One (Album: Revolver/Primary Composer: Paul McCartney)

The opening lines are magnificent:
“Your day breaks/Your mind aches/You find that all her words of kindness linger on/when she no longer needs you.”

[aukevin]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

IMO, it's Bruce Springsteen - Highway Patrolman

[pk500]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

It's too hard to pick four or five of the greatest bands or albums of all time, let alone the songs. But I will say the best, most well-written song EVER about lost love is:

"I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" -- Wilco

And the most beautiful rendition of a musical standard is:

"My Favorite Things" -- John Coltrane

Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" is the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard in my life, and I listen to a lot of different music.

Take care,
PK

[TD73]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Don't stop Belivin' - Journey

No argument there! Love that band!

[TD73]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

One of my favorites as of late is "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw. Lyrics have so much meaning even though the artist did not write it the delivery McGraw gives it is excellent to me.

[Brandon13]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

The Beatles - A Day In The Life (I guess, so many songs to choose from.)

Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

The Beatles - A Day In The Life (I guess, so many songs to choose from.)

If I had to pick one song to define the Beatles, that song would be it. It has Lennon's pessimistic verse along with McCartney's pop-rock standard. Then of course the experimentation at the end.

[Victor99]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Pink Floyd-Comfortably Numb, On The Turning Away, Time, Wish You Were Here

The Doors-Roadhouse Blues, Love Her Madly, Light My Fire

Deep Purple-Black Night, Smoke On The Water

The Beatles-Hey Jude, Let It be

ZZ Top-Legs, Gimmie All Your Lovin, Sharp Dressed Man, La Grange

Led Zeppelin-When The Levee Breaks, Immigrant Song, Ocean

[SPTO]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

You know I listened to "let it be" for the first time (when I say listen I mean like truly listening to the lyrics and music) and I have to say that's gotta be one of the better songs ever made.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Jeff Buckley's cover of "Hallelujah" is heavenly.

[SPTO]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Are you talking about the religious song or just some random tune that he covered?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Are you talking about the religious song or just some random tune that he covered?

The Leonard Cohen song.

[Victor99]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

You know I listened to "let it be" for the first time (when I say listen I mean like truly listening to the lyrics and music) and I have to say that's gotta be one of the better songs ever made.

I here ya SPTO. My favorite Beatles song by far.

[Victor99]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

Stephen Stills-Treetop Flyer

Paul McCartney-Live and Let Die

Bob Seger-Against The Wind, Night Moves

Alice Cooper-Billion Dollar Babies

David Gilmour-There's No Way Out Of Here

Neil Young-Cinnamon Girl

Eric Clapton-Cocaine, Wonderful Tonight, Tears In Heaven

[SPTO]

Re: Best Songs Ever Written?

OK these songs weren't written by the singers but their interpretations are just too good not to mention:

Sammy Davis Jr. - "Mr. Bojangles"
Nat King Cole - "Unforgetable"
Frank Sinatra - "It was a very good year"

Sorry for the standards type picks i'm listening to that type of music right now.