Best Song Ever (Musically)?

[VenalWinfrey]

I know this is a pointless question (so why ask, you may well ask?!) - well, anyway, I was thinking recently about all the songs I really rate highly, and they all have something in common, - namely, that the performer(s) means it, or are sincere in what they say. I think a great song has to tell a story. I was wondering if anyone wanted to share their favourite song, say from the last hundred years? And perhaps what they like about it?

I was a music student, and a few years ago had to do a course on popular song. Trouble is I change my mind every day, but there are a small number of songs which I would rate as flawless. Just wanted to know what anyone else thought. I have picked five that I think are truly special (in no particular order) - does anyone else have a song/list they'd like to share, or any comments on my choices? Thanks for reading!

1. Mad about the Boy (Dinah Washington recording best)
2. La Vie en Rose (Edith Piaf again my favourite version)
3. I Heard it through the Grapevine
4. The Winner Takes it All (sure I'll get ribbed for this one, but it's compositionally without flaw)
5. Someone Saved my Life Tonight (Elton John - got to be his best record?)

[geo0939]

Listen to Frank Sinatra singing "The wee small hours of the morning". (1955)
A critic once stated that you could play it to a queue of ladies outside a butchers shop on a Saturday morning and they would end up in tears. I have listened to this song since I was a very young man, and I am still amazed at the amount of emotion he can convey in a couple of short minutes .Also, the Nelson Riddle arrangement is as close to perfect as I've ever heard.

[shortstuff89]

try an artist called Lior, he isnt very big over here but is huge in Australia, he has this song called Bedouin Song its such a blend of different musical styles and i listen to it on repeat, its fantastic, give it a go

[con-amca]

Almost anything by Billie Holiday, but especially
her version of "One for my Baby".

"You've Changed" isn't bad either.

[david1702198]

the wurzels - ive got a brand new combine harvester

[bensmum]

"Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues
"Suzanne" Leonard Cohen
virtually anything by REM

[VenalWinfrey]

Thanks for the lovely replies, that really cheered me up - I love this site! It's nice to share things like this. As to the responses could I please say -

1. geo0939 - I will get a copy of the Sinatra track, thank you.
2. shortstuff89 - never heard of Lior but I will investigate, thank you!
3. baldhair - I am a big fan of Billie, but the 'One for my Baby' you mention, is that the one that Bette Midler did a great live cover of? If so I love the song.
4. david1702198 - the Wurzels were underrated geniuses, no question!
5. bensmum - superb choices! Moody Blues track I love, Suzanne not mad on but really like Cohen, especially The Old Revolution, or anything from Songs from a Room. REM too I agree.


Thanks again everyone for sharing.

[Whickerman]

My tuppence worth:

"If i can't change your mind" by Sugar is lyrically fantastic.

"Sonne" by Rammstein is the ultimate power rock song.

"Cancer" by My Chemical Romance is simply heartbreaking, and lyrically and musically perfect.

"Shameless" by Garth Brooks is simply the most powerful love sing ever written.

"My Girl" by the Temptations is the song everyone is born knowing

"That's Life" by Sinatra is the ultimate crowd pleaser.

and the live version of "Absolute Beginners" from Bowie at the Beeb (2000) made the hairs on the back of my neck.

But if you were to ask me to choose one song to be locked in a room with, the one that if I did nothing else in my life I'd like to have written, it'd have to be Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' - easily the greatest song ever written.

[Whickerman]

..stand up. That should have read "made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up."
D'oh!