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| Classic Popular Songs; The Civility 95 | |
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| Topic Started: May 18 2006, 04:12 PM (1,474 Views) | |
| Post #1 May 18 2006, 04:12 PM |
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Yeah, I know that we haven't finished the Movie Moments project. Let's keep working on that one while we begin this one. Here's how it works: 1. Name up to five classic popular songs each day. Give the title, artist, year of release, and a quick blurb on why it makes your list. 2. They must have been popular songs, not just good ones. As much as some might hate it, that means the songs must have been on the charts and must have WIDE appeal. 3. They must be classics: at least 10 years old. Any newer than that and they have not withstood the test of time. 3a. (added on edit, 2/28/08) The songs must meet the standards of Civility. If you couldn't post the lyrics here, in their entirety, unedited, as they have been widely recorded, then the song is ineligible. 4. We are going to name many more than 95 songs. We will have a "whittling down" process later when you will get a chance to veto others' selections and you will get to protect a handful of selections from veto. We will have some kind of vote to establish the top 95. 5. Please name songs from all decades since they have been regularly recorded and played back on radio or by other electronic means. I know a lot of you won't name a lot of songs from the sixties, like I won't name many from the nineties, but we all are aware of classics from times we enamored of, so name some. 6. Try to name songs that won't get vetoed. It ain't a classic if there is likely to be a poster who hates it. Classics are loved by many, tolerated by all, and hated by none. (If you want an example of making a horrible choice, look to this year's Oscar Awards!) 7. Finally, we will appoint some "editors." These editors will be responsible for preparing a final list, adding information, and "publishing" the list. Oh, and let's get that movie list finished! |
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| Post #2 May 18 2006, 04:19 PM |
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Here are my five for today (in no particular order). 1. In the Mood (Glen Miller, 1939) The theme song of the Big Band Era. 2. Walk, Don't Run (The Ventures, 1960) Stupidly simple, but memorable. 3. Mony, Mony (Tommy James and the Shondells, 1968) "The" all-time party song. It hit #1 in the UK, but only #3 in the US! 4. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton, 1977) *sigh* Wendy and I consider this "our song." 5. Smooth (Santana, 1999) Launched the Latin Rocker back into the limelight. On edit: Smooth is too new (oops) and does not yet qualify as a classic. However, I am sure it will be a hands-down selectee in 2009. So, I will drop it from my nominations and replace it with: 5. Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye (Steam) This one hit by Steam (studio musicians Paul Leka, Dale Frashuer, and Gary DeCarlo) has become the anthem of winners, sung at stadiums across the nation and around the world by fans of teams on the verge of winning (or by fans to celebrate the ejection or removal of an opposing player). "Happy Birthday" is probably the only song sung more by ordinary folk! |
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| Post #3 May 23 2006, 12:19 AM | Son N Law |
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Oh boy! Now this is my kinda thread! Yeesh, though. What to list for my first five? Should it be my all-time Top 5, or just the first five that pop into my head? Considering that the former would take me until this time next century, I'll go with the latter. :) 1. Judy Garland, "Over the Rainbow" - 1939 (If I have to defend this one...). 2. Otis Redding, "These Arms of Mine" - 1963 (Amazingly enough, it only reached number 85 on the 1963 Billboard chart, which confirms my hypothesis that humans, by and large, have no taste). 3. Elvis, "In the Ghetto" - 1969 (Reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts [duh], and remains to this day one of the few songs ever recorded that gives me gooseflesh every time I hear it). 4. Beastie Boys, "Hey Ladies" - 1989 (I know a rap track may not be popular around here, but as another song on Paul's Boutique puts it, "You heard the style; I think you missed the point." This was before the Beasties went through their spiritual transformation, so it lacks the overtly Eastern message of later efforts, but it's still a very upbeat, happy album [so rare in hip-hop even by this point]. To call Paul's Boutique the most influential album of the 80's would be wrong, since anyone who even attempted to emulate their style would fail miserably and reveal themselves as nothing but a cheap knock-off, but I think a convincing argument could be made for its being the most important album of its decade. And "Hey Ladies" is the best of the bunch). 5. Ray Charles, "What'd I Say" - 1959 (Listening to this one today, it seems impossible to imagine that it was recorded over forty-five years ago, but Ray was always ahead of the pack, wasn't he? If the keyboard work on this one doesn't move your feet, you need new feet). |
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| Post #4 May 25 2006, 05:14 PM | Son N Law |
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Well, heck, if no one else is gonna, I'll go again
:P 1. Paul Simon, "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard" - 1972 (Not sure exactly what it is about this one. The lyrics are fantastic, although not Simon's most clever. The groove is catchy, if not as much so as later efforts from Graceland, but as a total package, few of Rhymin' Simon's singles grab me the way this one does [although I imagine he'll get quite a few more nominations from me in this list]). 2. The Beatles, "Here Comes the Sun" - 1969 (Undeniable proof that George was the most talented Beatle). 3. Bill Withers, "Lean on Me" - 1972 ('Nuff said) 4. Prince & the New Power Generation, "7" - 1992 (I'm still not sure I understand all the lyrics and their meaning, but dang, who cares? This is one of the hottest songs of any decade, much less the nineties). 5. Nirvana, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - 1991 (It might not be their best track, but this one changed the face of music forever -- for better or for worse is certainly up for debate [personally, I vote for better ;)]). |
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| Post #5 Jun 7 2006, 08:39 PM |
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I am going to post some of the best songs that tell a story: Ode to Billie Joe (Bobbie Gentry, 1967) Like most good stories, it leaves you wondering. Taxi (Harry Chapin, 1972) "Another man mighta been angry. Another man mighta been hurt. But, another man never woulda let her go. I stashed the bill in my shirt." Wow. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (Vicki Lawrence, 1973) It's not just a story; it's a mystery! The House of the Rising Sun (The Animals, 1964) An age-old classic whose history is in question--except the history that the Animals made this song recognizeable to almost everyone. In the Ghetto (Elvis Presley, 1969) It's a bit of liberal pablum, but Mac Davis managed to write a nice full-circle twist into it. |
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| Post #6 Jun 7 2006, 09:31 PM | Son N Law |
| Two nominations for "In the Ghetto"! I think we can safely assume that one will make the final list. :) |
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| Post #7 Jun 7 2006, 09:52 PM |
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| Oops. |
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| Post #8 Jun 15 2006, 01:02 AM |
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Well this is certainly in my wheelhouse! I haven't posted here in forever. How have all of you been? Well, I hope. #1 on my list is "American Pie" by Don McLean. On the occasion that we might be listening to classic rock or oldies in the car, when American pie comes on, EVERYONE listens. Even my 13-year old daughter and her 13-year old friends dig it. Let's see, were looking for iconic pop songs - How 'bout "Brown-Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison? Any best of pop list w/o a Morrison song or 2 has no credibility by me. #3 "Personality" - Lloyd Price & His Orchestra It just played on my system and I can't get it out of my head. #4 I'll third the "In The Ghetto" BTW, but I'll use "Suspicious Minds" as my Elvis song here. #5 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross - loved it as a kid and still do. "No matter where you are.....no matter how far!....." Well, that'll do for today - Great thread! |
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| Post #9 Jun 15 2006, 09:45 AM | Son N Law |
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Dude! Where've you been? We've missed ya 'round here.
:D Since you threw "Brown Eyed Girl" on the table, I'm going to have to counter with: 1. Van Morrison, "Domino" - 1970 (Not only Van's best song ever, but one of a handful of truly perfect songs ever written and recorded. I'm not a big fan of covers anyway, but anyone who attempts to remake this one should be tried for Crimes Against Humanity). 2. Queen, "Somebody to Love" - 1976 (See that? See that? That's every hair on my arms standing straight the heck up on end). 3. The Allman Brothers Band, "Jessica" - 1973 (Okay, so maybe it never made it to No. 1 on the pop charts, but I think the fact that this 7.5-minute instrumental made it on the charts at all is indicative of its brilliance. Truly one of the great American songs of all time. In fact, earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal referred to the song as a "national heirloom." I couldn't agree more). And while we're listening to Brothers and Sisters, who could forget: 4. The Allman Brothers Band, "Ramblin' Man" - 1973 (One of the greatest southern-rock songs ever recorded). 5. Madness, "Our House" - 1982 (Such a sweet, simple song, but peppered with flashes of pure genius and one of the greatest bridges in all of 80s pop). |
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| Post #10 Jun 15 2006, 10:07 AM |
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Welcome back, 59. Say hey to 2BCano. He is a Yankee fan, but we can overlook that. American Pie and Brown-Eyed Girl! Yes! Very iconic! 1. Tusk (Fleetwood Mac, 1979) Wins the award for best use a a college marching band in a live performance! 2. We Are the Champions (Queen, 1977) As long as we are doing songs played at sporting events. Not one of my favorites, but iconic nonetheless. 3. Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) (Steam, 1969) I may have already nominated this one, but it fits the theme of this post. So far, I can only think of three iconic songs played at sports venues. Any others? |
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| Post #11 Jun 15 2006, 10:16 AM | 2BCano |
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Howdy
:D I have had a look through and i dont think i have seen this song which is a classic, has stood the test of time, and was #1 in the US aswell as the UK Artist The Rolling Stones Song Name (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Album: Out Of Our Heads Date: 1965 U.S. Chart: 1 U.K. Chart: 1 While in Clearwater, Florida on The Stones third US tour in 1965, Keith Richards woke up in his hotel room with the guitar riff and lyric "Can't get no satisfaction" in his head. He recorded it on a portable tape deck, went back to sleep, and brought it to the studio that week. The tape contained his guitar riff followed by the sounds of him snoring. |
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| Post #12 Jun 15 2006, 10:19 AM |
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Oh, great. Now it's stuck in my head. Thanks a lot. Although that does mean it's iconic. |
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| Post #13 Jun 21 2006, 10:29 PM | Son N Law |
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One from each decade, counting back from the 90s to the 50s... 1. Jesus Jones, "Right Here, Right Now" - 1991 (It's rare that a song with such an uplifting message attains this much popularity, and it was even rarer in the dawning days of grunge. Maybe it was the catchy riff, or maybe it was a yearning for something a bit lighter, but this ode to the end of the Cold War era and the [perhaps unfounded] optimism about the world political climate of the 90's won a lot of hearts in its day, and it's still an amazingly powerful tune). 2. Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come On Eileen" - 1982 (I still have no idea what all the lyrics are to this one, but who cares? The chorus is hot, the Celtic fiddle rocks [oh, the irony], and it's one of the few 80s songs I can hear a million times a day on the radio and still enjoy it every time). 3. Elton John, "Bennie and the Jets" - 1974 (What is it about indiscernible lyrics that make a song so endearing?). 4. The Kingsmen, "Louie, Louie" - 1963 (I rest my case. And yeah, I know this is a cover, but every once in a while the remake is actually better than the original). 5. Marty Robbins, "El Paso" - 1959 (One of my favorite narrative songs of all-time). |
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| Post #14 Jul 24 2006, 09:42 AM | Son N Law |
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For a change of pace, a few of the all-time greatest country/folk/bluegrass/western/honky tonk cuts: 1. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "Mr. Bojangles" - 1970 (Another rare cover that surpasses the original). 2. Pure Prairie League, "Aime" - 1972 (The only PPL song I can name off the top of my head, but it's one of my favorite tunes of the 70s). 3. Patsy Cline, "Crazy" - 1961 ('Nuff said). 4. Jerry Reed, "East Bound and Down" - 1977 (Whether you like Smokey and the Bandit or not, you have to admit that the song is hot). 5. Hank Williams, "Cold, Cold Heart" - 1951 (Again, 'nuff said). |
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| Post #15 Aug 2 2006, 04:48 PM | Knight_Of_The_St_Georges_Cross |
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The Clash - Guns Of Brixton (1977) best punk rock band ever with what I think is their best record Andy Williams - Music to watch girls by (1967) I may only be 20 but I love Williams and Sinatra this again is one of my favourite tracks ever cant say much more than that. Frank Sinatra - My Way just a very emotional and very well sung record a true classic. Johnny Cash - Hurt Ok its been less than 10 years for this track but this is possibly the only song ever that brings a tear to my every single time and I dunno why since I'm not a big Cash fan, just the pain and emotion in his voice, a broken man who dearly missed his wife and was in deep emotional anguish, beautiful piece of music Adam and The Ants - Stand and deliver LOL I just this is track is a gem, lyrics are quite different from anything else, just love it |
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| Post #16 Aug 3 2006, 12:05 PM | Son N Law |
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Just watched V for Vendetta yesterday (for, like, the sixth time), so I'm in a bit of a rebellious mood. Five great "to heck with The Man" songs that have stood the test of time: 1. The Rolling Stones, "Street Fighting Man" - 1968 (It managed to chart in the U.S., hitting #48, but was pulled from distribution in the U.K. until 1970. Not a very successful song for the Stones at the time, but I think it has stood the test). 2. Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Fortunate Son" - 1969 (Forget the mushy, lovey-dovey anti-war ballads of the folk singers -- this rally cry against the conflict in Vietnam is packed to the gills with unbrideled contempt for the goverment, but utmost respect and concern for the soldiers fighting the battle). 3. The Beatles, "Revolution" - 1968 (Duh). 4. Buffalo Springfield, "For What It's Worth" - 1967 (I know the song is about a specific place at a specific time, but I think it still stands as a great indictment of goverments who think they're better than their people. "There's somethin' happenin' here/what it is ain't exactly clear/There's a man with a gun over there/tellin' me I got to beware." If that's not still true, I don't know what is). 5. Woodie Guthrie, "This Land is Your Land" - 1940 (I almost didn't include this one because so many people today completely miss the point. But for 1940, this was pretty subversive stuff). |
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| Post #17 Aug 3 2006, 01:05 PM |
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| My Way, great choice! |
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| Post #18 Aug 5 2006, 08:20 AM | Knight_Of_The_St_Georges_Cross |
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Marvin Gaye - Heard it through the grapevine (1968) great voice great song I'm not a big motown man by any stretch but Marvin made my kind of motown tunes Jimi Hendrix - Crosstown Traffic (1968) one of my favourite Hendrix songs, real funky, different from his more well known stuff. Lighthouse Family - Lifted (1996) great band and great sunday afternoon song Space - Female of the species (1996) good british band, dunno whatever happened to them Cast - Walkaway (1995) |
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| Post #19 Dec 13 2006, 09:25 PM |
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Time to bump this back to life with some Christmas Pop Classics. Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano, 1970 White Christmas, Bing Crosby, 1942 The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole, 1946, 1953, and (most often heard) 1961 |
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| Post #20 Dec 14 2006, 09:26 AM | Son N Law |
Hey, how's about some love for the incomparable Mel Tormé? :P |
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