Songs that you consider "perfect"

[Player2BNamedL8r]

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

 

[nittanyfan333]

Too many to choose from. But my top 3, in order

#1
The entire MTV unplugged album is perfect. The pain in Layne’s voice is palpable. But my favorite song on my favorite album is


#2
“I know someday you'll have a beautiful life
I know you'll be a star In somebody else's sky. But why, Why, Why can't it be, Oh can't it be mine”


#3
Pretty much anything from Radiohead Kid A (entire album is perfect) but my favorite is

 

[nittanyfan333]

Yeah that dude’s voice is perfect. Sometimes I cry, fire away….. traveller is a good album. I really liked his steeldrivers work too. More bluegrass which I dig.

 

[PSU73]

As all over creation as this is (best song) given the wide variation of responses, there could be more distinctions made between lyrics, music, and artistic representation.

 

[nittanyfan333]

the "perfect" country & western song?

It’s a remake, but I prefer Colter Wall’s version

 

[WyomingLion]

Please be with me….Cowboy
These Days…Greg Allman
Get Together…Youngbloods
The Other One….Grateful Dead
Layla….Derek and the Dominos
Drive…Russ Freeman

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Yeah that dude’s voice is perfect. Sometimes I cry, fire away….. traveller is a good album. I really liked his steeldrivers work too. More bluegrass which I dig.

Whisky and You is shockingly good as well

 

[manatree]

Top Five all time songwriters? Cohen, Lennon/McCartney, Paul Simon…..?

My personal top five? I emphasize on the lyrics, perhaps too much. In no particular order, I’ll go with the first ten that come to mind.

Joe Jackson, Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton, Harry Chapin, Eminem, Curtis Mayfield, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Doc Pomus, Sly Stone, & Buddy Holly.

I’m bad at math.

 

[DM-Burg Lion]

Let Down, Radiohead. The bridge almost makes me cry every time I hear it

I played the hell out of this album, and this song in particular, as a sophomore in college (circa 2000). I fully agree with your assessment of the bridge; so euphoric!

 

[Midnighter]

My personal top five? I emphasize on the lyrics, perhaps too much. In no particular order, I’ll go with the first ten that come to mind.

Joe Jackson, Nina Simone, Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton, Harry Chapin, Eminem, Curtis Mayfield, Willie Nelson, Stevie Wonder, Doc Pomus, Sly Stone, & Buddy Holly.

I’m bad at math.

Good list. My personal favorite is Fiona Apple.

 

[Bvillebaron]

Musical tastes are amazingly diverse. I consider Year of the Cat to be the worst song I’ve ever heard.

Wow. I guess you think My Sharona is better huh? You must be one of the 5 people who show up with thumbs down on the YouTube version of the song. Tremendous blend of lyrics and music.

 

[pioneerlion83]

 

[NewEra 2014]

This one’s not a “perfect” 80s song, but to me it is a “quintessential” 80s song… it just feels so utterly 80s-ish, I don’t know how else to describe it lol

Well the video is quintessential 80’s. I haven’t seen that video in about 35 years, and I still have no idea what the hell was going on there. But the singer is cute.

 

[BW Lion]

Doesn’t the perfect song have to contain the following three (3) elements?

1) Soothing lyrics that resemble a poem

2) an underlying tune that is catchy, memorable and well orchestrated

3) a segment that highlights individual instrumental musical talent

 

[pioneerlion83]

The song's simple melody and rhythmic counterpoint quickly made it a favorite among fans; acoustic guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke, who often covered the song in performance, once called it "the most perfect guitar song ever written."

The story goes that Allman had a dream where Jimi Hendrix showed him the melody of the tune in a Holiday Inn motel bathroom, using the sink faucet as a guitar fretboard.



This one isn't bad either:

Little Martha is a great great song. Wonderful melody and virtuoso guitar work by Duane and Dickey. Always a cool, soothing tune to listen to. I have this on like five different playlists.

 

[CVLion]

Well the video is quintessential 80’s. I haven’t seen that video in about 35 years, and I still have no idea what the hell was going on there. But the singer is cute.

Yep, I had a crush on Patty Smyth back in the day.

 

[BW Lion]

As good as ‘Hallelujah’ is Cohen agonized over perfecting it - I think there are versions with several additional verses. Additionally, both Buckley and Wainwright do the better versions of this song than Cohen, which is a testament to its greatness.

I don’t know what a perfect song is or if it exists, but these two immediately came to mind. Kate & Anna McGarrigle’s ‘Walking Song’ is so heartbreaking and honest I can't listen to more than a couple versus; it's about how the small moments and everyday pleasures make a life.



And like most things, simple is better. 'The Last Thing on My Mind' just hits all the right feels. There are lots of versions out there (Dolly Parton, Gram Parsons), but Tom Paxton's original is superb.

@demlion shared with the old board this version. It was a beautiful rendition of a memorable song

 

[Bvillebaron]

Blue Sky by the Allman Brothers. Perfection.

Great choice.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Kind of hypnotizing, in a way….kind of magical.

Great song from one of my all-time favorite albums…just fantastic music from beginning to end.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

 

[CuddleMonster]

my humps by the black eyed peas

 

[northwoods]

Top Five all time songwriters? Cohen, Lennon/McCartney, Paul Simon…..?

Joni Mitchell

 

[Connorpozlee]

Absolutely love this song! Great choice!

Wow. I guess you think My Sharona is better huh? You must be one of the 5 people who show up with thumbs down on the YouTube version of the song. Tremendous blend of lyrics and music.

Obviously, I think every song is better if I consider it the worst song ever. I don’t like the sound of the song in general and I hate cats.
Don’t get offended by it, as I said it’s all just personal taste. And I didn’t know you could “thumbs down” anything on YouTube so if you check back, there might be 6!

 

[Mdking0001]

 

[PSUJam]

The end in particular.

 

[razpsu]

Led zeppelin
Stairway to heaven
Kashmir

tom Petty
American girl

have to go with one van halen
Dance the night away.

just watched doc on James Bond sound of 007.
Have to say John Barry bond theme and how it has transpired and woven into movie every decade of bond for 60’s years.

 

[WestSideLion]

One of the more moving songs ever, if you stop to listen to and think about the meaning. Wow.

 

[Indian rocks rich]

Don't Take Me Alive

 

[Manofsteel200]

Simple Song - Shims
The Boxer-Carbon Leaf

 

[manatree]

 

[MrTailgate]

The first time I heard this song, my wife played it for me. She wanted to let me know that she was in love with me.
10/10 will be 13 years since I lost her to cancer. I play it often and fantasize that we are dancing together.
My world is black and white.

Sinatra wanted them to write another verse so he could record it. They said no thank you.

I can’t say that I hear this song too often but whenever I do in the future, I will always think of this post. Such a wonderful simple tribute to the love you shared. May her memories be a blessing and may she rest in eternal peace.

 

[DELion]

Almost anything by Judith Durham (RIP)

 

[MrTailgate]

One song that not too many know of, but what a collaboration.

 

[PSU Mike]

Love The Jam, but I was was thinking maybe …

 

[ApexLion]

For example, I think this a great song, but I don't consider it perfect. I think it would be better if they removed about 80% of the backup vocals (doowop?!?).



These songs, on the other hand, I consider great and can think of no changes that would make them better.

I love the almost psychedelic vibe of this:


Crank this one up:


I love the visual story this one tells:


This is obviously very subjective so have at it.

There's two albums that no one can really explain including the artists. Perfection? Close. The more fascinating story is how did the artists create these albums and why? Moreover, how did they create these albums but were arguably unable to reach that level of musical excellence ever again? IMHO, its spooky how creative minds can work and deliver works of art that are unexplainable. Both of these albums are not regarded as masterpieces in their genre - more profoundly both are regarded as musical masterpieces across all genres. I would argue that the opera La traviata is probably the same in terms of origin stories. No one can adequately explain how Verdi was able to write such an opera at that time in his life and during that period of history. The music and lyrics are so complex yet understandable. In any event, you asked about songs, I'll give you two albums that are closest to perfection:


Astral Weeks

Pet Sounds

 

[ApexLion]

We laugh but this song has so many youtube views and elementary school kids now know it - something works

 

[Sif]

This just puts you at ease when you hear it.........

 

[Connorpozlee]

There's two albums that no one can really explain including the artists. Perfection? Close. The more fascinating story is how did the artists create these albums and why? Moreover, how did they create these albums but were arguably unable to reach that level of musical excellence ever again? IMHO, its spooky how creative minds can work and deliver works of art that are unexplainable. Both of these albums are not regarded as masterpieces in their genre - more profoundly both are regarded as musical masterpieces across all genres. I would argue that the opera La traviata is probably the same in terms of origin stories. No one can adequately explain how Verdi was able to write such an opera at that time in his life and during that period of history. The music and lyrics are so complex yet understandable. In any event, you asked about songs, I'll give you two albums that are closest to perfection:


Astral Weeks

Pet Sounds

I’ve tried many times to get into Pet Sounds. I just don’t like it that much.

 

[Still in State Colllege]

Who is Eric Anbel?

Who is Eric Anbel?

Eric "Roscoe" Ambel is a producer/performer that has played around for a long time. His first "big" project was the Del Lords which has lasted off and on for years. He played with Steve Earle and the Dukes. He founded the Yahoos with Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites). He was the guitarist on Joan Jett's I love Rock and Roll Album.