...don't know if you would consider Peter Gabriel as a group, but if so:
SLEDGHAMMER!
SLEDGHAMMER!
What is the epic song of a group?
I will start. I vote for Stairway to Heaven for Zep. Its grand with a great finish. I will throw in Salisbury by Uriah Heap. Ok lets see some posts of what you think is a groups masterpiece.
78 responses Add your response
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Epic... in terms of production, sound quality, songs, etc... I'd vote for two Supertramp albums: Crime of the Century of course, but also the less appreciated (post-Hodgson) Brother Where You Bound. Several tracks are a musical journey, and reference quality sound production. I've heard 3 different CD pressings of "Brother" over the years, and my first edition CD from 1985 is still the most dynamic. Get it if you can! |
King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King AND Starless. Yes - Close to the Edge. Rush - 2112. Pink Floyd - Us and Them. Van Der Graaf Generator - A Plague of the Lighthouse Keepers. Can - Halleluhwah. WAR - The World is a Ghetto. Genesis - Suppers Ready. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird. Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells. Roxy Music - Avalon. Henry Cow - Living in the Heart of the Beast. Zappa - Way too many to list..... |
Here are some elements that I plucked of the internet to help convey the intent of my post. Don't get me wrong some of the songs members brought up are awesome and powerful. "Epic Rock is an alternative label for Symphonic Metal and similarly grand-sounding Rock Music for North America and elsewhere that Metal is defined by a complete absence of pop elements. ... Music that sounds "epic" in addition to being Rock." "majestic;impressively great:the epic event" "Oftentimes the climax at the moment where most people go "whoa...this is epic..." has an adjusted meter of some kind. Sometimes the music will go into a doubletime feel; in my opinion, this matches the human reaction of relaxation at a moment of climax. (Insert sex analogy" |
roxy, I admit to being one who didn't take the term "epic" literally enough. I named titles which I consider epically great, but that wasn't the question. Some of mine do fit the term, such as Richard Thompson's "Shoot Out The Lights" and Television's "Marquee Moon". Here's another: Dave Edmund's reworking of Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance" when he was in the group Love Sculpture. |
I'm disappointed to see members mentioning not necessarily the most epic songs by a band, but rather the old, most popular hits that everyone knows by heart. I must agree with OP concerning Deep Purple and Child in Time. I think that would be their high water mark. Let's see, what else... Sway - Rolling Stones November Spawned a Monster - Morrissey Accidentally Like a Martyr - Warren Zevon Precious - The Pretenders I've Returned - Squeeze Junkhead - Alice In Chains Street Life - Roxy Music It's Over - Level 42 Untogether - Lush Adam and Eve - October Project I could think of a million more, but these are the first to come to mind. |
My personal Musings on the subject..... +1 for Genesis, Suppers ReadyProcol Harum, Whiter shade of PaleSmall Faces, Itchykoo ParkThe Rolling Stones, Finger Print FilePatti Smith Group, WaveTodd Rundgren, Parallel LinesPink Floyd......Ok, everything they did.Traffic, Dear Mr. Fantasy (I know some will argue Low Spark but I dig Mr. Fantasy)Adrian Belew, I am what I amKing Crimson.....(Ok, lets not even go there at trying to guess.)Yes, "Siberian KhatruNeil Young, Old Man or A Man Needs a Maid or Cortez.....you pick.Andrew Newton, His version of Hallelujah (best I ever heard anywhere by anyone. Ever!)Genesis, Seven Stones.....wait, I already chose....Van Morrison......(all he has to do is open his mouth and it’s epic)Mark Knopfler, (see Van Morrison above but add guitar)Santana, Soul Sacrifice Live at Woodstock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqZceAQSJvc Speaking of Woodstock: Joni Mitchell, Woodstock performed live, what a voice! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aOGnVKWbwcSpeaking of voices, the woman with the four octave voice.....Phoebe Snow, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OxTVxGhHFMAllman Brothers Band, Melissa.....love this acoustic version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggeab0lKz2c Natalie Merchant, Um, well, if I had to choose then (hand over my eyes) Gulf of ArabyTori Amos, IciclesELO, Can’t get it out of my HeadThe Band, of course, The Weightetc.....etc.....etc..... |
Ten Years After’s I’m Going Home at Woodstock is even more epic coming in at 11:24 on Youtube. Maybe the most epic of them all. Excellent sound quality. Headphones are recommended. https://youtu.be/bW5M5xljdCI |
Talking Heads-Burning Down the HouseEagles-DesperadoRolling Stones-Ruby TuesdayBob Dylan-Lay Lady Lay Jethro Tull-Locomotive BreathPink Floyd-Us and ThemBeatles-Let It BeElvis-Jailhouse RockMoody Blues-Nights in White SatinSimon and Garfunkel-Scarborough FairPeter, Paul and Mary-Blowin' in the WindMamas and Papas-California Dreamin'Cars-DriveHeart-Crazy on YouPrince-When Doves CryDire Straights-Brothers in ArmsJudy Collins-Amazing GraceAretha-ThinkLinda Ronstadt-Rock Me on the WaterSteely Dan-Rickie Don't Lose That Number |
In no particular order.... Eagles - Hotel California Molly Hatchet- Gator Country Skynyrd- Free Bird Patsy Cline - Crazy Paul Simon - Late in the Evening Frank Sinatra - That's Life David Bromberg - Cocaine Blues Linda Ronstadt - Long Long Time Stuff - Do You Want Some of This? Doc Watson - Sadie Eris Clapton - Layla New Grass Revival - Lee Highway Blues Bobby Bland - Stormy Monday Blues Temptations - My Girl Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally Elton John- Take Me to the Pilot |
Since we appear to be deviating from the criterion of "groups" that was stated in the OP, I’ll add the following to my previous response: "Both Sides Now" -- Judy Collins (written by Joni Mitchell, of course) (The original version, that was included in Judy's 1967 "Wildflowers" album and was released as a single in 1968, not the disappointing later version that is sometimes heard). A masterpiece, IMO. Regards, -- Al |
The Beach Boys: "God Only Knows", written by Brian Wilson. Jimmy Ruffin: "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted", written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean. The Band: "The Weight", written by J.R. Robertson. The above are by far the most "majestic" Pop songs I’ve ever heard, on a par with Beethoven. Bob Dylan: "Like A Rolling Stone", written by Robert Zimmerman. Skeeter Davis: "The End Of The World", written by Arthur Kent and Sylvia Dee. Tom T. Hall: "That’s How I Got To Memphis", written by TTH. Also done really well by Buddy Miller. John Hiatt: "Lipstick Sunset", written by JH. Lucinda Williams: "West", written by LW. Richard Thompson: "Shoot Out The Lights", written by RT. Television: "Marquee Moon", written by Tom Verlaine. The Beatles: "Strawberry Fields Forever", written by John Lennon. The Beatles: "A Day In The Life", written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The Dwight Twilley Band: "I’m On Fire", written by DT. Emitt Rhodes: "Fresh As A Daisy", written by ER. Nick Lowe: "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding", written by Declan Macmanus. |
