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.
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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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. |
Well, I’m pretty much an ignoramus regarding music theory, though much more conversant in literature/poetry. But to me, a great pop song requires both a great melody, and great lyrics/depth of meaning. So, at least by my standards, “God Only Knows”, which has pretty pedestrian lyrics, can never quite achieve greatness. |
You are right about text.... I guess the best pop music and song is the last one on the hit chart...😁 Sometimes though there is a motivation in the song that make it more meaningful that to be just another hit... I like this one even it it is more folk than pop : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqSA-SY5Hro&t=99s
Anyway they give the Nobel to Dylan for being a bit more than the writer of songs on the hit chart... These days we need meaning at least more than just rythm and melody...
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Thanks for that list of Carole King songs. It’s incredible and I’ll be listening to them all week long. Thanks for initiating this thread. I’m enjoying it thoroughly! I haven’t the understanding of music theory to approach a list like this with the learned perspective some of you bring to this discussion. I do, however, consider more than a few songs to be perfect pop songs, songs that rip me out of the world and into their own magical realm. Here are a few off the top of my head:
And on and on! Haven’t even touched the American songbook, 50s RnR, Motown, Stax/Volt, Fame studios, blues, etc. Thankfully, there’s lots of songs to love!
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