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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
singleendedsingle
664 posts
 
Don McLean - "American Pie"
R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion"
mnnc
175 posts
 
Thriller...period.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Thriller?
(question mark)

Marty

Sorry. Couldn't resist
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
I can't believe it, a Vogues song being listed as being one of the greatest pop songs ever. I really loved this group and they had some really good tunes in the early to mid 60's certainly 5 o'clock world would be one of them. Who would have ever though that they would ever be remembered and honored by being considered as having "the greatest pop song ever" 45 years later, a group somewhat similar to the Association if not quite as popular at the time. By the way talk about harmonies no one mentions "Cherish" great harmonies and a pretty good tune as well. Too bad it was quite overplayed none the less it was probably the biggest pop song of 1966.

What is conspiciously absent are any of the great pop songs prior to the 60's. Have they been considered or is this list limited to 60's - current? Stardust, Body and Soul, My Funny Valentine, Night and Day, come to mind immediately. What about Fire and Rain, Like a Rolling Stone, Blowin in the Wind.

My top nominee is Stardust. Bad Romance is tops for guilty pleasures :)
mnnc
175 posts
 
It's my understanding that a pop song is a song that is popular...right. Not just slightly popular but popular in that it draws the attention of many people...I mean millions of people. Based on this qualification Michael Jackson is tops. I'm not a tremendous fan however based on thread initiation...this is a no brainer and answers the question as it pertains to 'song'. This thread is more of a greatest personal pop song of all time. These are opinions...can't be proven...remember fact and opinion...? I teach it in second grade. Now if you want to question artist as a whole...Beatles followed by Elvis...Elvis who? Get real. And third, M. Jackson closely trailed by Abba and Queen.
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