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The greatest Pop song yet written and recorded.

 

This thread is an offshoot and was inspired by @mahgister’s wonderful thread "Interesting videos about sounds and music." I made a couple of contributions to that thread, recommending a video recorded quite a few years ago by (I believe) a music teacher, who sits at his keyboard while explaining and demonstrating the construction of the utterly majestic "God Only Knows", written by Brian Wilson (music) and Tony Asher (lyrics), recorded by The Beach Boys (vocals) and the L.A. studio musicians who comprised the legendary Wrecking Crew (instruments), the song found on the Pet Sounds album.

In my posts, I made the case for the highly sophisticated and incredibly brilliant chord progressions, modulations (key changes), and use of inversion (playing a bass note below the tonic of the chord being played on the piano) in the song’s composition. So when the video below appeared when I just jumped onto YouTube, it’s title really caught my eye. It is entitled "Exploring The Mythical Chords Of "God Only Knows"." Brian is well known for his harmony vocal arrangements, but that’s just the icing on the cake; the song itself is in it’s chords and melody. Some of the chord sequences in "God Only Knows" bring me to tears. Add to that the vocal harmonies---many sung in counterpoint---and Carl Wilson's angelic singing of the melody, and you have an absolute masterpiece of a song.

I have long considered "God Only Knows" my favorite song, and imo the "best" song ever written. I’m not alone in that; Paul McCartney has stated he feels the same. I could have added this video to @mahgister’s thread, but I believe the song and it’s appreciation warrant it’s own thread. Watch and listen to this video (and the one I posted in mahgister’s thread), give the song a new listen, and see if you don’t agree with Paul and I. 😉

 

https://youtu.be/I2PHOt9_fGc?si=7NVfhFUBn4aw_GGo

 

 

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bdp24 OP
9,897 posts
 

 

@rpeluso: Oh yeah, if you remove the "Paul and" the sentence would read "agree with me". So even with "Paul" in the sentence, "me" is correct. Smarty-pants. 😉

 

Another Top 10 song for me is "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted". Like "God Only Knows", it’s chord structure/modulation/inversion just kills me. The bass part---played by my favorite bassist, James Jamerson---raises the hair on the back of my neck.

 

As for Beatles covers of Motown songs, give the original recording of "Money (That’s What I Want)"---written by Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, sung by Barrett Strong---a listen. Good as The Beatles version is---and it’s good---the original is even better (a very visceral feeling of tension-and-release is created by The Funk Brothers), with a very wicked little guitar solo (incredible tone, too).

John Lennon’s vocal on "Twist And Shout" is one of his best. I don't remember whether or not The Beatles did the song when I saw them live in '65. But I vividly remember looking up at Lennon on stage, standing on the floor of The Cow Palace in S. San Francisco about ten yards away from him. He had an electric piano next to him, which he played on only one song. He smiled a lot that night, appearing to be having a great time. Amazing to think he was murdered only fifteen years later.

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bigwave1
241 posts
 

Instead of saying greatest song ever written, maybe what song would I not want to live without? Done by the then other then, Stevie Ray, Tin Pan Alley. As per stuartk, many eligible as per personal preference.  
 

builder3
765 posts
 

California Dreamin’ - The Mamas & The Papas

the very epitome of Pop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-aK6JnyFmk

mrskeptic
262 posts
 

As with any type of art, music is 100% subjective and for people to say "so and so is the greatest song (of any type) ever", is silly and pointless. It's simply an opinion that some may share but most probably won't. 

mikelavigne
2,200 posts
 

i take the long view if we are talking greatest, and not from a musical theory perspective. more culturally and longevity, as well as great music and performance too.

what songs will the western world still be listening to and singing in 100 years?

written and recorded by.....

"Blowing In The Wind", Bob Dylan--most thought provoking.

"Here Comes the Sun", the Beatles---most joyful

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, Arlan/Harburg--Eva Cassidy---most inspiring.

good for what ails you.

these are not my three favorite, but have stood the test of time and will continue to do that.

timeless.

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