• Curby
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Topic: A Perfect Song

I've been meaning to start a thread on this subject because occasionally whilst listening to songs you come across a song that is just perfectly done.  I came across this short video with Randy Bachman discussing and breaking down the opening chord in The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night".  Very interesting.  http://youtu.be/AvxPc5MPEuQ

That soundtrack album was the first I purchased and has always been a special album.  I mention The Beatles because they've got more than one song in this category and my first song for this is an acoustic version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by George Harrison.  I like this recording much better than the one used on The White Album.  It also includes an additional part not included in the album release.
http://youtu.be/UaY7TwMBHuc

  • From: London
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Re: A Perfect Song

Albatross by Peter Green, not even my favourite song, but is always the song that comes to mind when i think of musical perfection, just the most beautiful tone. So i think this is a song worthy of this post.

  • RickB
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Re: A Perfect Song

I'll toss in Good Day Sunshine. Perfect in lyrics and tune imo.
Rick

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  • From: San Clemente, CA
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Re: A Perfect Song

Lots of Beatles songs could be considered "perfectly composed". From them Id add "Here There and Everywhere". Two songs Ive always felt were perfect were J Geils cover of Juke Joint Jimmy's "Cruisin for a Love" and "Tush". Both short but so sweet!

But top of my list has to be "Wish You Were Here", despite the mixed metaphor. wink

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Re: A Perfect Song

Robin714 wrote:

smile  Before I got to the 2nd paragraph of your post the song that came to mind was "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". 

This topic is interesting because "perfection" can be different to everyone.  But some are probably universal too.  The only other song that comes to mind without much thought is Fantasy Earth Wind and Fire.

Yes indeed Robin and very personal to the beholder. 

My second selection is also easy and it is "Gimme Shelter".  Someone posted a long time ago the different tracks that make up my favorite Stones' song and it was very cool.

6 Reply by haveacigar (edited by haveacigar 2013-01-15 11:37:07)

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Re: A Perfect Song

Curby wrote:
Robin714 wrote:

smile  Before I got to the 2nd paragraph of your post the song that came to mind was "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". 

This topic is interesting because "perfection" can be different to everyone.  But some are probably universal too.  The only other song that comes to mind without much thought is Fantasy Earth Wind and Fire.

Yes indeed Robin and very personal to the beholder. 

My second selection is also easy and it is "Gimme Shelter".  Someone posted a long time ago the different tracks that make up my favorite Stones' song and it was very cool.

Gimme Shelter is awesome, i was lucky enough to attend the two recent 50th Anniversary London shows by the Stones. On the first night this was performed with Mary J Blige which was impressive, but on the second night it was performed with Florence Welch, who was amazing. If you haven't seen a video yet check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkbcuKxqmAM. Enjoy.

  • From: Bristol, UK
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Re: A Perfect Song

Some of my all-time favourites are "First Light" and "Lunar Sea" (both instrumentals but I can't choose between them) by Camel and "Time Was" by Wishbone Ash

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Re: A Perfect Song

I've always thought that "I'll Be You" by the Replacements was the perfect pop/rock Top 40 song that never made the top 40.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

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Re: A Perfect Song

We Have All The Time In The World.

10 Reply by eva

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Re: A Perfect Song

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

Another one would be Van Morrison's "And it stoned me" for me - in comparison to "Stairway" with it's variety of musical moods it shows that simplicity can also be an element of the perfect song.

  • From: Windham ME
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Re: A Perfect Song

eva wrote:

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

I agree Eva. Stairway is as good as they come.

When I watched Heart play the song at the Kennedy Honors a few weeks ago, seeing the tears in Robert eyes was very special in many ways. LZ were a MAJOR part of my youth and watching that performance was like saying goodbye to so many things.

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Re: A Perfect Song

http://youtu.be/kDAQm2qWnYw

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Re: A Perfect Song

RichardH wrote:

Some of my all-time favourites are "First Light" and "Lunar Sea" (both instrumentals but I can't choose between them) by Camel and "Time Was" by Wishbone Ash

All great choices, Lunar Sea for me.. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
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Re: A Perfect Song

eva wrote:

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

Another one would be Van Morrison's "And it stoned me" for me - in comparison to "Stairway" with it's variety of musical moods it shows that simplicity can also be an element of the perfect song.

bonawho59 wrote:
eva wrote:

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

I agree Eva. Stairway is as good as they come.

When I watched Heart play the song at the Kennedy Honors a few weeks ago, seeing the tears in Robert eyes was very special in many ways. LZ were a MAJOR part of my youth and watching that performance was like saying goodbye to so many things.

For sure.

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Re: A Perfect Song

no lameness there, STH is one of the first few I thought of. I think Layla and Freebird have some near perfect qualities, as well as Here Comes the Sun. On the Stones side of things, it's hard to argue against Satisfaction since it tops a lot of lists, but not my favorite.

eva wrote:

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

Another one would be Van Morrison's "And it stoned me" for me - in comparison to "Stairway" with it's variety of musical moods it shows that simplicity can also be an element of the perfect song.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
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Re: A Perfect Song

Too many to list, but "Radar Love" is on my top 10 list.  Everything about that song, you can just feel your adrenaline pumping when it gets to full throttle. 

Have to give this more thought, because just love too many songs.

"Holy Toledo"  -  Bill King   "Just Win Baby" - Al Davis  "The Autumn Wind" - Steve Sabol
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Re: A Perfect Song

ReverendPaul wrote:

I've always thought that "I'll Be You" by the Replacements was the perfect pop/rock Top 40 song that never made the top 40.

Man I loved Don't Tell A Soul, and "I'll Be You" is a great song.

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Re: A Perfect Song

eva wrote:

Sorry for being lame, but "Stairway to heaven" is the perfect song.

It might also be the most overplayed song in the world (apart from "Last Christmas", which was never, NEVER  a good or even perfect song wink) ... but if it still gives you chills after the 1000. time, it must have some perfection to it.

Another one would be Van Morrison's "And it stoned me" for me - in comparison to "Stairway" with it's variety of musical moods it shows that simplicity can also be an element of the perfect song.


You beat me to the punch Eva.  "Stairway" would've been next on my list - overplayed for sure, but clearly LZ's best effort imho.