the greatest pop song ever?


apropos of absolutely nothing, i just listened to the song "five o clock world" by the vogues for the first time in perhaps 20 years. i heard it on a really good lexus (levinson) sound system and have concluded that it's arguably the greatest pop production ever--the damn thing's incredible. in the space of a quick two minutes you get 12 string guitar, marimba, horns, incredible drumming and a really wild honky-tonk piano, all on top of those weird doowop harmonies. add to the mix a really tight melody and sorta meaningful lyrics and you have something that makes phil spector look unambitious and timid.

also from left field, i've been touting a song called "i can see you" by someone or something called june and the exit wounds as the single most beautiful tune ever written. as far as i know, it's only been released on a sampler by parasol records (an indy label out of urban il). this song sounds like some lost brian wilson masterpiece and is well worth finding for those in search of audio nirvana.
loomisjohnson
a big +1 to Slaw for his picks. Abandoned Luncheonette is a masterpiece. Glen Campbell has many, and Wichita Lineman is certainly one of them. Let's not forget Galveston.
Slaw,

One more from Daryl Hall (& Oates) - "Every Time You Go Away". Even though Paul Young had the hit with that song, Hall & Oates' original version is IMO every bit as compelling. Now, none of these Hall & Oates tunes may actually be the "best pop song ever", but Hall & Oates gave us some truly great pop music. Plus, if I could sing like one person, Daryl Hall would be on my short list. That guy can sing anything.
Not claiming best ever, but pretty darn good...

Brother Louie as done by Stories
(a cover version of the original by Hot Chocolate...I just learned)
Schubert, I happen to possess the 1st press vinyl of "At Last". It's definitely a great song, but I don't think it's a popular song. The number of releases of that particular album and that particular song were very limited and finite.