Originally posted by scabby mcgee
Man, forget all of you guys. You've all dropped the ball on this one, the "Sponge Bob Squarepants Theme Song" is the anthem.Don't get into meaning or anything like that, we Americans love songs that allow us to have brain dead joy. So embrace it, it's the greatest song ever, for right now atleast.
nah yo...super mario theme song is officially the best song...super mario theme could rip sponge bobs pants off and kick his ass
The Temptations--Papa Was a Rolling Stone
This song has attitude from teh very beginning. With the haunting bass line to the congos to (again) the string section, the song just oozes attitude. It's like being in an alley with a rival gang circling the last person. The singing is, of course, excellent coming from one of the best singing groups of the Motown era. The soul felt in the chorus tells of actual hurt felt. Every instrument is perfectly placed, the horns, the string instruments and the voices. Brilliant song.
Elton John--Tiny Dancer
Everything about the song sounds wistful and almost dreamlike. From the simple piano line to the orchestra coming in, it is just a truly brilliant song that builds and builds like a wave until it breaks with the brilliant, sing a long chorus (ala Almost Famous). You just want to sing along with a large group of people whenever this song comes on.
The Beatles--Yesterday
It's hard to pick only one Beatles song, but I tried to narrow it down to what I thought was their best. This song was amazing for two reasons: Paul McCartney wrote it almost like a Lennon song; it was the best of both worlds with the Beatles. The other amazing fact is that it was on the same album as "Help!" and "Ticket to Ride"; two totally different songs. It was simple, piano driven and had some nice string instrument accompaniment along with simple, again wistful lyrics.
I'll come back with some more in a little.
I'm not really sure but my favorite song (Numb by Linkin Park) is really easy to realate to, especially if you're a teenager. Here are the lyrics to the second verse;
Can't you see that you're smothering me,
Holding tooo tightly, Afraid to lose control,
'Cause everything that you thought I would be,
Has fallen apart right in front of you,
Caught in the undertow, Just caught in the undertow
Every step that I take is another mistake to you,
Caught in the undertow, Just caught in the undertow,
And every second I waste is more than I can take.
And at another point in the song, Chester (lead vocalist) says:
And I know, I may end up failing to,
But I know, You were just like me with someone dissappointed in you.
I think that's one of the best songs ever, sound and lyrics-wise.
barto, you mention songs from The WHo and you forget "Baba O'Riley"????
This song has perhaps the best opening minute of all time. Just listen to the opening minute of the song, and you can feel the energy building and building layer by layer until the bass kicks in along with Daltry's voice. The passion that Daltry sings with is something that Robert Plant wished he had. This song is one of the anthems of the generation for its time. It also almost named "That 70s Show" Teenage Wasteland.
Elliott Smith--"Waltz #2"
Of course, Smith's lyrics are brilliant, poignant and tragic. The waltz beat over the piano and acoustic guitar only works to make the song's feeling one of bitter loss. The feeling of the song is probably best told through this line from the song:
I’m never gonna know you now, but I’m gonna love you anyhow
This song is just so emotionally painful to hear for anyone who has had unrequited love.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young--"Ohio"
In my opinion, the greatest of all the politically charged songs of the Vietnam era. It recounts the story of the Kent State tragedy where four people were killed by National Guardsman in a peaceful protest. Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming/Four dead in Ohio. Simple brilliance from the brilliant Neil Young.