To develop this idea a bit I want to return to the original question...'best song'. I suppose that means the song can do something whatever the version, by whoever the artist. Are people really saying here their favourite version of their favourite song, or are we talking about a song that cuts through whatever the treatment of it?
I hadn't really considered it but it so happens that two of my picks illustrate the point.
1. Thunder Road - as well as the more "rocky" version I had in mind, I have heard Springsteen play a very cut back and slower acoustic version which is stunning.
2. Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy's haunting vocals make it a very wistful ballad, whereas the original by Sting is faster, more melancholy than hopeful - but both are superb.
I have also seen Springsteen play a superb version of Pretty Flamingo, and I really like the original by Manfred Mann. So I think, in many cases, it's the song that transcends style and delivery.
How can you have a favourite song? I remember my 5 year old neighbour asking me this when I was about 12 and evn then I told him that it was impossible to say. I was thinking recently if I'd be able to list my favourite 100 albums. Those of you that name one song are just doing it for show IMO.
I understand exactly what you are saying JM, and for most of my life I have agreed with you, in fact my 99 second favourite songs are interchangeable, and new ones come in and out all the time. But about a year ago, having had this debate for forty odd years, I realised that the one song that always, always makes me happy and gets my feet tapping is The Ace of Spades. I think if I now pretended that I could not name one song, then I would be " doing it for show ", but I ain't, honest guv... That's not to say that I might hear a song for the first time tomorrow, and all that I just wrote will go out of the window...
1. Wichita Lineman - Jimmy Webb 2. Winter Wine - Caravan 3. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream 4. Riders on the Storm - The Doors. I listened to this the other night during a thunderstorm.
Assuming that American Pie is accepted as the greatest song ever written, my personal favourite, the only song I can hand-on-heart say that I will always love the most...
REM - World Leader Pretend (Live at Mountain Stage)
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Then all me presents!
1. Thunder Road - as well as the more "rocky" version I had in mind, I have heard Springsteen play a very cut back and slower acoustic version which is stunning.
2. Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy's haunting vocals make it a very wistful ballad, whereas the original by Sting is faster, more melancholy than hopeful - but both are superb.
I have also seen Springsteen play a superb version of Pretty Flamingo, and I really like the original by Manfred Mann. So I think, in many cases, it's the song that transcends style and delivery.
2) Lonnie Donegan - Always from the Heart
3) Mark Knopfler - Silvertown Blues
Mardy Bum - Arctic Monkeys.
What's everyone's favourite song 10 months on?
2. Winter Wine - Caravan
3. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream
4. Riders on the Storm - The Doors. I listened to this the other night during a thunderstorm.
2. Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins
3. A Certain Romance - Arctic Monkeys
youre not alone - the enemy
lucky man - the verve
Sweet carolina - Ryan Adams
One Day Like This - Elbow
its Getting Better - Mamas and Papas
Deftones - (Be Quiet and Drive) Far Away
Jeff Buckley - Last Goodbye
I want your Love - Chic.
Sing it Back - Moloko.
When I went the enemy played a live gig only £6.50 to get in and cheap drinks.
Every Friday they do a rock/indie all night DJ set. Cheap drinks £6.50 to get in.
2. This Mortal Coil - Kangaroo
3. Tonstartssbandht - Black Country
The Enemy- Its Not Ok
The Courteeners- Not Nineteen Forever
REM - World Leader Pretend (Live at Mountain Stage)
Who knows where the time goes? - Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention
Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday