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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

Showing 3 responses by darkmoebius

darkmoebius
900 posts
 
I know 4 songs that aren't the greatest pop song ever:

"Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Muskrat Love" by Captain & Tennille

"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band

"The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
02-26-10: Tvad
Whichever has sold the most records. That's what pop music is all about. Once the answer is found, no further debate is required.
I'd also say most covered song would qualify as best pop song. There has to be a reason why it's covered the most.

I think for decades, that title was held by "Louie Louie" by Richard Berry circa '55/'57 but made infamous by The Kingsmen in ~1963. There have been something like 1,500 covers/versions of that tune recorded.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
02-28-10: Shadorne
This pop song is a highly polished production by Trevor horn that will sound better than any other pop song when really cranked.
Funny to hear how much of that style was carried over into Seal's work, just updated with better syntehsizers.

The really impressive thing is listening to the 1985 studio original and then hearing this 2005/6 live version. Not always easy to do such a highly polished/produced studio dance tune live and catch the essence of it.
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