The greatest Pop song yet written and recorded.


 

This thread is an offshoot and was inspired by @mahgister’s wonderful thread "Interesting videos about sounds and music." I made a couple of contributions to that thread, recommending a video recorded quite a few years ago by (I believe) a music teacher, who sits at his keyboard while explaining and demonstrating the construction of the utterly majestic "God Only Knows", written by Brian Wilson (music) and Tony Asher (lyrics), recorded by The Beach Boys (vocals) and the L.A. studio musicians who comprised the legendary Wrecking Crew (instruments), the song found on the Pet Sounds album.

In my posts, I made the case for the highly sophisticated and incredibly brilliant chord progressions, modulations (key changes), and use of inversion (playing a bass note below the tonic of the chord being played on the piano) in the song’s composition. So when the video below appeared when I just jumped onto YouTube, it’s title really caught my eye. It is entitled "Exploring The Mythical Chords Of "God Only Knows"." Brian is well known for his harmony vocal arrangements, but that’s just the icing on the cake; the song itself is in it’s chords and melody. Some of the chord sequences in "God Only Knows" bring me to tears. Add to that the vocal harmonies---many sung in counterpoint---and Carl Wilson's angelic singing of the melody, and you have an absolute masterpiece of a song.

I have long considered "God Only Knows" my favorite song, and imo the "best" song ever written. I’m not alone in that; Paul McCartney has stated he feels the same. I could have added this video to @mahgister’s thread, but I believe the song and it’s appreciation warrant it’s own thread. Watch and listen to this video (and the one I posted in mahgister’s thread), give the song a new listen, and see if you don’t agree with Paul and I. 😉

 

https://youtu.be/I2PHOt9_fGc?si=7NVfhFUBn4aw_GGo

 

 

128x128bdp24

Crying by Roy Orbison 

the best version of which is the duet with k d lang on her Recollection album 

beautifully written song and putting Roy together with kd lang produces a powerful and emotional result 

this version is also masterfully engineered 

amazing talent on display 

In 1974 Elvis was considered a rock/pop star- so stretching the definition a bit I'd say American Trilogy live from Hawaii.

If it's pure bubblegum Thriller and the entire rest of the album by the same name is outstanding. 

So here’s something from this century, as @jmalen123 pointed out this list conspicuously lacks.
Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden, obviously.

Or if this isn’t pop enough, Toxic by Brittney Spears.

Weapon of Choice by Fatboy Slim?

“I Saw Her Standing There” by The Beatles

”Satisfaction” by The Stones

”You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin

”Do You Believe In Magic?” The Loving Spoonful

”River Deep, Mountain High” Ike & Tina Turner

HS Class of ‘69…and it shows!  We all love what we loved when in our late teens.

@kerrybh, I wholeheartedly agree. This is an amazing rendition of “Crying”.

“You’ve lost that loving feeling” by the highly underrated Righteous Brothers.

I can appreciate the musical genius of “God only knows” but I was never able to warm up to it on an emotional level.