The greatest Pop song yet written and recorded.

Carnival by Natalie Merchant

"Thriller"

Michael Jackson

Mommas and Pappas. Monday Monday and California dreaming. 

In the general era most of these songs are falling in, the definition of 'pop' is a good question. I tend to attribute four basic genre styles to that period. Hard rock was starting to come of age with songs like Steppenwolf's 'Born To Be Wild', and Jimi Hendrix's 'Purple Haze'. Because of the Vietnam war, almost all the popular groups had politically motivated protest songs that pushed an agenda. British progressive rock was also in it's infancy during this period. The last group is where pop resides. They were the songs that had no real agenda and were most often about the trials and tribulations of young love. They were the songs that made you reach for the volume knob and the ones you loved to sing along with even if you couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. They were the ones that even got our rock hating older generation tapping their toes when they thought no one was looking! Any songs considered rock and roll before 1965 were just that; good old rock and roll. No agendas, no messages, just a new generation exploring a new style of music. We really did get to live during one of the most interesting periods of musical history. It's where our hobby/obsession with audiophilia was born as well. 

It seems that successful "pop" music is that which firmly rivets itself to the popular culture of the day, The way we feel about ourselves, the world ... and each other. There are several "tests" that determine how well songs will stand up to the test of time.

The Weddng Reception test:

How often is it played at wedding receptions? Which songs impacted lives, and relationships? Being danceable is a key element here. God Only Knows gets a 2.7 on the "dance scale." Then again, Suite Judy Blue Eyes and A Day in a Life are not on the mobile DJ’s most requested list, either.

The Shower Test:

Can you sing it in the shower? Or, would you even want to? God Only Knows is not the easiest song to sing in the shower. Nor are the vast majority of BeeGees songs. Most mortals can sing 97% of Unchained Melody in the shower. It’s that 3% that makes you happy no one is around to listen. There’s also the special list of songs you can successfulyl sing while highly intoxicated. Quicksilver Messenger Service’s Mona tops my list. I’m sure you have your own.

God Only Knows is beautiful on a level possibly unmatched in popular music history. It also make have catapulted itself to a level where it can be best appreciated by music geeks (or, those who drive the speed limit, or use the stovetop instead of the microwave). Patience is not a requirement for popular music appreciation. In my early 20’s, I painstakingly painted my car.  While it was quite obvious to me that it was, indeed, Lime Gold Candy Pearl, most people saw it as a pretty green Camaro. As long as it made them smile and not compelled to take 80 grit sandpaper to it ... mission accomplished.  God Only Knows may be viewed as just a beautiful song by many.  I made a reference to "we're ants on a Rembrandt" in a prior topic, where ants are scurrying around seeing textures and colors change beneath their feet, totally unaware of the masterpiece below them.  This may be the case with God Only Knows where "the masses" hear chord changes and beautiful harmonies, but not aware of the music masterpiece in front of them.

I think alot of us just don’t want to work very hard to appreciate popular music. It reminds me of a Management Boot Camp conducted by a guy named Harry Friedman. Harrry asked the audience a question, and received a high detailed response from a participant. After several seconds of quiet, respectful, listening, Harry interrupted her and stated: "Save me the labor pains. Just give me the baby!" I think alot of us "just want the baby" when it relates to popular music.

4 guys from Wichita had some profound thoughts about their music. They referenced the term "hooks" to describe elements of the music that got the listener’s attention and pulled them into the song. Carry On My Wayward Son has 4 such hooks -- per the sony writer.

As always I appreciate @bdp24 ’s deep dive into music. Some of the chords of God Only Knows are "half diminished", but I feel a litte smarter after viewing the video.

Thanks for sharing.