the best songs ever

[Eric the Green]

Here's a rare psych-pop nugget from the flower-power year of 1967, "Smell of Incense" by the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, active 1966-1970.




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smell_of_Incense
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_West_C...ental_Band

Another lesser-known west-coast psychedelic group was The United States of America
https://youtu.be/C0cuX0WSdhg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_United...ica_(band)

[Eric the Green]

Another classic of the psychedelic revolution of 1966 was East West by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. This is also a blues-jazz fusion work.





https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East-West_...and_album)

Mike Bloomfield (listed as composer of this track with Mark Naftalin) and Elvin Bishop were in this band.

The Work Song was also really cool, and was also released in 1966 by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass.

AllMusic Review by Mark Deming [-]
The raw immediacy and tight instrumental attack of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's self-titled debut album were startling and impressive in 1965, but the following year, the group significantly upped the ante with its second LP, East-West. The debut showed that Butterfield and his bandmates could cut tough, authentic blues (not a given for an integrated band during the era in which fans were still debating if a white boy could play the blues) with the energy of rock & roll, but East-West was a far more ambitious set, with the band showing an effective command of jazz, Indian raga, and garagey proto-psychedelia as well as razor-sharp electric blues. Butterfield was the frontman, and his harp work was fierce and potent, but the core of the band was the dueling guitar work of Mike Bloomfield and Elvin Bishop, especially Bloomfield's ferocious, acrobatic solos, while Mark Naftalin's keyboards added welcome washes of melodic color, and the rhythm section of bassist Jerome Arnold and drummer Billy Davenport were capable of both the rock-solid support of veteran blues players and the more flexible and artful pulse of a jazz combo, rising and relaxing with the dynamics of a performance. The Butterfield Blues Band sounded muscular and exciting on classic blues workouts like "Walkin' Blues," "Two Trains Running," and "I Got a Mind to Give Up Living," but the highlights came when the band pushed into new territory, such as the taut New Orleans proto-funk of "Get Out of My Life, Woman," the buzzy and mildly trippy "Mary, Mary," and especially two lengthy instrumental workouts, the free-flowing jazz of Nat Adderley's "Work Song" and the title track, a fiery mix of blues, psychedelia, Indian musical patterns, and several other stops in between, with Butterfield, Bloomfield, and Bishop blowing for all their worth. East-West would prove to be a pivotal album in the new blues-rock movement, and it was the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's greatest achievement; Bloomfield would be gone by the time they cut their next LP to form the Electric Flag, and as good as Bishop was, losing the thrust and parry between the two guitarists was a major blow. But East-West captures a great group in high flight as the bandmembers join together in something even more remarkable than their estimable skills as individuals would suggest, and its importance as a nexus point between rock, blues, jazz, and world music cannot be overestimated.

[Eric the Green]

The Mamas and the Papas!





A towering masterpiece of vocal and instrumental melody, counterpoint and arrangement. Originally Monday Monday was my #1 favorite and pick for all of 1966, but now I have it at all time #24, superceded by the best landmark innovations that came in the following months.

More well-known today because the lyrics apply to so many things, the previous hit California Dreamin' caught my attention immediately as something special too, and before long most everyone agreed that the Mamas and Papas were great indeed, although this song was not a #1 favorite of mine. But both are great landmarks of folk-rock and neo-classical and baroque music.
https://youtu.be/2xN9r0bWe78
The unfortunate mid-60s practice of splitting audio tracks meant that sometimes one of them is reduced in volume, and I couldn't find a video of this one where the sound is balanced.

Another 1966 hit, I Saw Her Again
https://youtu.be/HpKyZGH3sBQ

Mama Cass wails:
https://youtu.be/X_WlLYBfL-k (Beatle song)
http://www.2kmusic.com/en/webvideo/thema...ds-of-love

This follow-up was beautiful too:
Look Through My Window
https://youtu.be/pFpBk0Apt4M

[Eric the Green]

Bob Dylan

yeah, he did some of the best songs ever. Agree?

Here's a couple I liked from Spring 1966:





Everybody must get stoned! Then they'll come back again. Maybe anyone who posts here should listen to this one first! Hillary, I wouldn't feel so all alone.





I Want You. Versatile and universal, Bob Dylan wrote some great love songs like this one.

As Summer arrived, Bob had an accident that put him out of action for a while. His greatest period was over.

But he has continued to write songs and perform like a trooper. I just posted one of his later songs in the lost years thread. Something like "I Want You" in fact.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan
http://bobdylan.com/

[gabrielle]

Love Dylan!  There was a movie released a few years ago "inspired by the life and works of Bob Dylan" called I'm Not There, has anyone else seen it?  It was a rather strange (much like Dylan himself), but very beautifully made, with great music and a great cast.  The writer/director was a 1961 Gen Joneser.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368794/





The Beatles, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones were my jams when I was 16-ish, after I got bored with top 40.  I loved 60s music--then I realized that my own generation was making music just as creative and exiting, in its own ways.  Eric disagrees, of course, but I do recall him admitting once on the old forum that his astrological studies indicated that there were creative influences at work during the late 80s and early 90s...

[Eric the Green]

Yes, I've admitted that already on the NEW forum too. Those creative influences indicated in "the stars" in that late 80s and early 90s period didn't quite reach the realm of rock n roll, in my opinion, since grunge was about it, and maybe rap (the other 3T styles I don't like were invented at the end of the 2T, and you could say that Muhammed Ali invented rap), but if you hear something in grunge that you like, that's fulfills the indication for you. I never could credit it; grunge is not musical to me. I thought in this period there was some transcendental and inspirational elements in electronica and new age music, and there was a psychedelic revival, and movements like cyberpunk. The roots for that music go back to the 2T too, but it developed in new ways in the early 90s. For some reason the Gen X folks here don't hear that, or didn't hear that. But maybe I'll post some more examples in the other thread. I did expect much more from that period culturally than what actually came through. Our generations didn't live up to potential (boomers too; why do we assume it's only people in their 20s who can make great music? What's up with that? Maybe because today we assume that music has to be sexy.). But most historians and observers agree, that in this period was a shift that changed the world. My prediction came true in spades in that respect.

Bob Dylan was a fabulous poet and prophet, and an inspired song-writer in both lyrics and music. People find whole worlds to explore in Dylan. I didn't like his voice either at first, and sometimes it's not melodious at all. But other times, especially in what he himself admits was his great period (1963-66), there is no voice more passionate and authentic, and it all comes together in his music to make it worthy of the legend that he is and the awards he receives. I'll have more Dylan favorites to post from each year going back to 63. Cool poster, and it refers to my favorite Dylan song to be posted later.

[Eric the Green]

Almost done with the best year ever. I want to post this article so I don't lose it. It's a look ahead (uh, so to speak). I have already passed over two of these songs in this top ten, and will pass over others of them. But not #1.

http://www.durango-songwriters-expo.com/...inbow.html

Among words describing this song in the article are these: "one of the best songs ever"

Hints of what's coming that I've been adding here and there (and everywhere).

I WILL be getting to the artist that one of those songs celebrates though, so I may link to it then.

[Eric the Green]

OK, one more. This is only a runner-up on my list, but I would like to include at least one song by "the voice," whom some experts say is the greatest singer of the 20th century. And most of them cite this song as among his best, even though it was by no means a big hit. But how appropriate that it came out (as a single) in the best year ever for pop and rock music! And the music of 1966 ages really well in these fine old kegs!





IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Was_a_Very_Good_Year

[Eric the Green]

Near the end of 1965, I was never so glued to the radio, listening for this record to come on, and enjoying it every time; it was so good. In those days, a new hit record that got lots of requests would be played a whole lot. And sure enough it went to #2 by the end of the year, right behind Day Tripper by The Beatles. It's another great example of the organ in my favorite rock music too. And it was my #1 favorite for all of 1965.





I liked the commercial too. But The T-Bones took the music and made it into a sharp, bouyant sound that could flush the world with good vibes and bring all kinds of people together, no matter what their shape is. That's how I felt about the T-Bones' music, even though this was before hippies and psychedelia; although as it happened, that scene was just getting started at exactly the same time, as the great alignment of the planets was getting exact for the first time too.

Here's the original Alka-Seltzer commercial that had captivated America just a few months before. Despite the stated date, we did not see it on TV as early as 1964.

[Eric the Green]

Rubber Soul was the first album in which The Beatles started on their deeper path which they trod for a year or two. Here Paul and his new band play its greatest song, with "Michelle" in the audience. But it wasn't "my" Michelle!





Although "Michelle" was the standout track, its other good songs included Norwegian Wood, Girl and The Word. This album came out at the time Uranus and Pluto made their first conjunction in late 1965, as the "transformation," as I like to call it, or "the rock revolution," began. My favorite radio host and others called this album "hauntingly beautiful."

[Eric the Green]

I always appreciated the song-writing and instrumental arrangements which Sonny and his associates put into Sonny & Cher songs. And Cher is a great singer too. My favorite song of theirs, Just You, was recorded and released early in 1965, but only became a hit late in the year when re-released after the success of "I Got You Babe." It reached the top 20 in the US, according to wikipedia. This is a truly great classic, not always recognized as such; and truly romantic. Really special; a masterpiece.





The follow up in 1966, another great melody and arrangement, didn't do as well but got to #49. The lyrics were less coherent and inviting than the romantic Just You; about a party that went on too long. But meaningful to me, for sure. What goes on inside us when we just can't connect to people? Another great Sonny & Cher song.

[Eric the Green]

At exactly the same time "Just You" was re-released, this Bob Dylan song came out. Like "Just You," it also got a boost from its similar previous hit, "Like A Rolling Stone," which was exactly contemporary with "I Got You Babe," the similar preceding hit for Sonny and Cher to "Just You." And like "Just You," it struck me immediately for its beautiful melody and arrangement. Like the other great folk-rock songs of 1965 and 1966, these 2 songs portray the grace and scenic beauty of nature and the free-wheeling, gentle life like no other genre from any other time. In fact "Positively 4th Street" is another great organ rock song, with Al Kooper on organ and Mike Bloomfield on guitar. Like "Just You" too, it's about jealousy. But true to his horoscope, which features Mars in square to his Sun and other planets, no-one in 1965 could be as bitter as Bob. Oh Bob, such a put down, the DJs said. And it was just one of many put-down songs he wrote in this period, although this one is the most straightforward, lacking in his usual poetic imagery. The opening line "you got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend" even occurs again in his next single. He was exploring the problems in his relationships. People with Mars square Sun are known to quarrel and get angry. It's almost as if they would turn one hand against the other, if they have noone else to fight with, says expert astrologer Charles Carter. After his accident, he mellowed out and got religion.

As usual though, I didn't concern myself with the lyrics that much; I just liked the music. Part of its artistry, people say, is the contrast between the happy music and the angry words. As usual for Bob Dylan and The Beatles, actual videos of this song are hard to come by, but this recent live version is pretty good:





Maybe Gen Xers can relate to the negative lyrics. Like most successful rock and pop stars, it can be hard to get famous and then have to deal with all the pressures and resentments of people who want things from you and are jealous of you now that you are successful. People speculate who this song was specifically about, but I agree with those who say it's a composite. Dylan was a poet, and his songs were meant at least partly as universal statements. But no doubt his own experience was the catalyst for the song. The name 4th Street refers to Greenwich Village and also his university town in MN. I'd say this song fills a need for people.

Comment from website: I never really LISTENED to Dylan until I heard this sarcastic thumb to the eye piece some years back.
It is so simple musically, and Dylan's trademark nasal tone is at first unpleasant.
Then, you realize that his tone only makes it better, when the words come through so clearly.
Anger, betrayal, rebuke, and one of the best closing verbal slaps in music history.
Does it even matter which person this was written about?
I say it was written for all the backstabbers of the world.
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4902#

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positively_4th_Street

[Eric the Green]

Along with "Turn Turn Turn," "My Generation" is considered a theme song for Generations and The Fourth Turning by readers of Strauss and Howe. I didn't know this before, but it was released almost exactly contemporary with the Byrds' version of Turn Turn Turn. It was a #2 hit in The Who's native UK, and reached the top 10 in other European and anglosphere countries, but was unknown to me because it was never played on the radio in the Bay Area or many other places in the US, and only reached #74 on the Billboard chart. I don't know why that was. Despite this, it has become one of The Who's most popular songs in the USA too, was performed at Woodstock together with Tommy songs and was featured on their hit 1970 Live at Leeds album. Pete considered this song their "anthem." It incapsulates Boomer youth rebellion and self-confidence (the famous Boomer arrogance and swagger), but has likely been adopted by many Gen Xer young people too, and is seen as proto punk rock. It was part of the beginning of the rock revolution in late 1965 because of its potent electronic/feedback sound-rush at the end. As such it is also seen as proto-psychedelic. It's the song that most clearly anticipates Pete Townshend's masterful composing ability shown in his later works, with their melodic power, underlying drones and power chords. The explosive ending when performed live was also the occasion for The Who's famous destruction of their own instruments on stage in their early days.





I first heard it only in late 1968 on an underground progressive FM rock station, and it became part of my background for adopting The Who as my favorite band in 1969. The Supremes and The Beatles had weaknesses as favorites, so I was eager to adopt them and join their large cult following. "My Generation" is the earliest Who song that makes my list here as one of the best songs ever.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Generation

[Eric the Green]

If Frank Sinatra is considered the greatest male singer of the 20th century, Barbara Streisand may be considered the best female. I really liked this one from late 1965.





But, it's actually a beautiful remake of a longer 1921 original by Fanny Brice





I wonder how many other great 20s songs I may discover when I get there. I have a list somewhere to look from. Somewhere....

One of the salient features of late 1965-1967 pop was a 1920s style revival. The most famous examples were "Winchester Cathedral" by the New Vaudeville Band, "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" by Tiny Tim, and "Hello, Hello" by Sopwith Camel. Mr. Rudy Vallee pronounced the revival "the greatest thing that ever happened."

Winchester Cathedral
https://youtu.be/jKc1OCJ7iXk https://youtu.be/G2eWev_EfrM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester...ral_(song)
Tiny Tim, Tiptoe Through the Tulips
https://youtu.be/zcSlcNfThUA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiptoe_Through_the_Tulips
Sopwith Camel live, original not available
https://youtu.be/kV7yD6lcChg
A later remix of Sopwith Camel, Hello Hello
https://youtu.be/01KNIvAmUyk
Tiny Tim sings Hello Hello
https://youtu.be/f7kUhUEKkqo
The Cowsills sing Hello Hello
https://youtu.be/1m5Vr3fg7g4
I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman
https://youtu.be/7fRS5nxYxoo

[Eric the Green]

"I Hear a Symphony" has declined on my list because Diana's vocal loses some of its quality toward the end, whereas "Stoned Love" seems on the rise. But, still good enough to post, I guess. It has a unique melody and charm.





I remember being disappointed when Mr. James Brown bumped it from #1 with what I thought was a really trashy song. But I like that song better now; not well enough for me to link to it as a possible best song ever, but I realize it's a nifty tune. It became his most popular and famous song: "I Got You" (aka I Feel Good).

[Eric the Green]

This next one was a jewel of folk-rock, written by Sylvia of Ian & Sylvia. It went to the top of the charts in a flash. It builds toward a great climax. I got to meet the band much later. You Were On My Mind, by We Five





Live at Hollywood Palace, introduced by Fred Astaire
https://youtu.be/8_f16t1JGHo

comment on another video: I remember listening to "When I woke up this morning" when I was 19 years old and had a 1957 Chevy. There was just something about that melody that makes it one of the best songs ever. Beverly Bivens was just so damn cute!

Ian & Sylvia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_%26_Sylvia

[Eric the Green]

Monster hit from Summer 1965, by a young couple in love and in a rebellious mood; written by the guy. Sonny and Cher, I Got You Babe. Folk rock at its finest and most popular; Sonny & Cher affected fashions and helped pave the way for hippiedom. Just another example, too, of the classical-rock confluence; those two styles are not apples and oranges. Recorded back in the time when melody, singing and instrumental arrangement mattered, and made hits.





Sonny and Cher had quite a career, although not everyone liked them. "Laugh at me, and I'll cry for you," Sonny said on another of his hits that summer. Too bad, of course, that Sonny lost his way, and then died early. Silent gen cohort. Cher also had a hit recording of Bob Dylan's "All I Really Wanna Do" in 1965, as did The Byrds.

[Eric the Green]

(08-02-2016, 01:49 AM)taramarie Wrote: I think you just compare music to what you grew up with. If it does not compare to what you know it must be shit. Context matters. Not just the sound. Sounds like someone never left the 2T.

The 3T American pop and rock music music left me, not the other way around. Noise is not music. I enjoy the actual music made in the 3T, like the ones I'm posting on the other thread; not the shit.

Mainstream pop left me even earlier, of course (generally-speaking, as always); in the 1970s; except for some of the leftover 60s artists. Not stuck in the 2T, because there was shit in the 2T too. Tea for 2!

(actually I just liked writing Tea for 2; I don't hate that song ) (did you even know there was a song called Tea for 2, Tara? TTT.....)
(you may remember, bubble gum music dates back at least to 1968)

Uh, you may remember that I "grew up with" the music of Beethoven and Mozart. So I guess, if some music doesn't compare with Beethoven and Mozart, it must be shit. OR, maybe I know a little bit about what is music, and what ain't; Tara?

As Seth might say, HEY!
NO, context doesn't "matter." As Bill Clinton might say, "It's the music, stupid!" Uh, yes, it IS the sound!

Enjoy the music.

[Eric the Green]

You stepped out of your comfort zone. I don't need to feel bad; the music bashes me. No thanks; the message is not enough for me. If they want to provide a message, they can write a book. I might even read it, or listen to it if they read it. Some of those guys do good interviews. But I don't like their, whatever you call it.

[Eric the Green]

(08-02-2016, 02:57 AM)taramarie Wrote:

(08-02-2016, 02:38 AM)Eric the Green Wrote:

(08-02-2016, 01:49 AM)taramarie Wrote: I think you just compare music to what you grew up with. If it does not compare to what you know it must be shit. Context matters. Not just the sound. Sounds like someone never left the 2T.

The 3T American pop and rock music music left me, not the other way around. Noise is not music. I enjoy the actual music made in the 3T, like the ones I'm posting on the other thread; not the shit.

Mainstream pop left me even earlier, of course (generally-speaking, as always); in the 1970s; except for some of the leftover 60s artists. Not stuck in the 2T, because there was shit in the 2T too. Tea for 2!

(actually I just liked writing Tea for 2; I don't hate that song ) (did you even know there was a song called Tea for 2, Tara? TTT.....)

Uh, you may remember that I "grew up with" the music of Beethoven and Mozart. So I guess, if some music doesn't compare with Beethoven and Mozart, it must be shit. OR, maybe I know a little bit about what is music, and what ain't; Tara?

As Seth might say, HEY!
NO, context doesn't "matter." As Bill Clinton might say, "It's the music, stupid!"

Enjoy the music.

You mean the 1950 movie Tea for Two with Doris Day? Of course. I was a film student who is keen on old movies.

What you call music may be something entirely different to someone else Eric. Likewise just because I am a graduate with knowledge of art does not mean my opinion is more important nor gives me the room to criticize what is art and what isn't. That would merely be an opinion. You can make objective judgements on art or music, but instead you make comments bashing those who like certain music. Like for example noise is for boys. Implying they never grew up. THAT IS PERSONAL. That is NOT objective.

Well, but I deleted that. You just like to jump on me as fast as you can. You are one angry girl.

Quote: If you want to enjoy the music DO JUST THAT and stop bashing those who are different from you! I thought you were a lefty who wants people to be accepted? I think it is only those that YOU accept and to hell with anyone else who you do not agree with. Same with music. You want me to stop trashing your thread....stop trashing certain music and making personal attacks on it and those who like it. Peace makes peace. You are a man who likes to preach the peace and love movement.....right? Act on what you preach please.

This argument is over, again. This won't go anywhere; it never does. I will act AS I please, and so will you.