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 2 responses by jfz

In the somewhat obscure, yet I definitely love category:

Reading about Five-O'Clock World (which I love) reminded me of The Zombies and "Tell Her No". I also like "She's Not There" a whole lot too.

Fun thread.

Not pop, and not *that* obscure, but, if I could nominate a somewhat obscure rock/blues song, it would be "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed".
I don't think of the Rolling Stone list being pop. I've never understood the raves about Satisfaction. I like it, but probably not in my top 100. And Born to Run? I'd put that in the top five easily - rock songs, that is...not pop.