It may be one’s quest for the “perfect pop song” or, more simply, a song that stands out as one for you. Do you care to share and say why?
It may be one’s quest for the “perfect pop song” or, more simply, a song that stands out as one for you. Do you care to share and say why?
RockCritics.com 
Joy Division – “Disorder”
I’m a sucker for an icy riff. “Disorder” is on heavy rotation on the jukebox at a bar I frequent, and each time it comes on I’m compelled to find someone new to bore with why it is a such a perfect song. “I’ve got the spirit! but lose the feeling!”
Cheap Trick – “Surrender”
This songs got it all – sex, drugs, looking forward, looking back, great guitar hook, wonderful sing along chorus. I never get tired of this song.
Right now I’d say “The Orchids” by Califone. I saw them last week in Grand Rapids and you could hear a pin drop. All time, though, is “Thunder Road.”
Hey Alex, which bar are you talking about? I’m in BR, myself.
Prince–“The Beautiful Ones”
…years ago i worked in the recreation department of a homeless shelter in new york city. sometimes, in trying to relive stress, i sang pop songs to myself. one day, out of the blue, i started mumbling the words to “the beautiful ones,” a song from the “purple rain” soundtrack. a little girl i was watching screamed to her friends, “mr. gonzales has a radio in his head.”
damn, that child was so on point. more than twenty years later, the radio in my head still plays “the beautiful ones” on a constant basis.
To Mrrrty: Red Star
Alex: Thought so. Dunno if you remember me, but I introduced myself a while back at Highland Coffees. I’m the associate editor at Antigravity in New Orleans, and good friends with Terror of the Sea. I’ll say hey next time I see you out.
“Just Like Heaven”-The Cure
The Browns: Three Bells
Moody Blues: Nights In White Satin
Rolling Stones: Angie
R.E.M.: Perfect Circle
Ride: Vapour Trail
******
Alts: The Band: The Weight
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: Mr. Bo Jangles
Bob Dylan: Lay Lady Lay/Just Like A Woman
10cc: Rubber Bullets
Moon Martin: Rolene
Wet Willie: Keep on Smilin’
Sylvia: Pillow Talk
Gwen McRae: Rocking Chair
George McRae: Rock Your Baby
Lou Reed: Walk on the Wild Side/I Believe In Love
Nico: These Days/The Fairest of Seasons
Bryan Ferry: Don’t Stop The Dance
Catherine Wheel: Crank
The 6ths: You You You You
Miracle Legion: You’re The One Lee
Neil Young – Cortez the killer
No brainer, that: Flamin’ Groovies — Shake Some Action
Babybabybabybaby!
I Want You Back-Jackson Five
Heard this on the radio the other day and it gets me every time. Great song, great production, great performance. Every guitar lick, orchestration, piano glissando pefectly in place. These fellas came charging out of the gate!
Now, onto the other thousands of other perfect pop songs…..
the Unicorns – Tuff Ghost
Television – Marquee Moon
De La Soul – Pass The Plugs
Flaming Lips – Christmas At The Zoo
To Fred Mills, I remember the first time I heard “Shake Some Action,” several years ago and being totally blown away. That is an absolutely MAGICAL song. In a perfect world, “Shake Some Action” would be a ubiquitous rock anthem and the Eagles would not exist.
I have a rotating list of songs to put in here — a dozen or so that have stuck with me through the years and which I would happily call my “all-time favourite” depending on what day it was — but right now as of this second it is Daft Punk’s “Digital Love.” I don’t know that there’s ever been a time that it’s come on (especially when not expected, i.e., like this morning, drowsing off on my way to work) that I haven’t been swept up by the sweet emotion of its words or by its indelible arrangement. If there’s a song that can almost reduce me to tears of joy, this is it.
Iron Maiden – “The Number of the Beast”
Yes, music snobs may scoff at such a choice, quickly skimming the list for titles like “And Your Bird Can Sing”, “Pink Moon”, or “Born to Run” (all of which I do like), but this roaring metal masterpiece just sends the endorphins a flooding to the brain for moi! Dickinson’s uber-rehearsed scream just peels the paint off the walls!
Astronaut Wife – “Are You For Real”
Call And Response – “Silent Chill”
Ali Farka Toure/Ry Cooder “Lavidan”
Sorry, missed the “…and say why” part – “Are You For Real” & “Silent Chill” for the female vocals and the synths, “Lavidan” for the atmosphere of the song. That whole album belongs on this list, really.
It’s “Time Waits for No One” by the mighty, mighty Rolling Stones. It’s about being young, growing old and the state your in at any given moment.
I’m far beyond “fashionably late” in responding to this query now, but last week Little Steven opened his “Underground Garage” show with one of my alltime Top Ten, “Just Like Me” by Paul Revere & the Raiders, and then this week he led off with another from that exclusive club, “Talk Talk” by Music Machine. All right! If next week’s show starts with “Shotgun” by Jr. Walker & the All Stars,” then I’ll KNOW for sure the Millennium’s arrived . . .