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
Impossible to pick "the best" but we can pick our favorites. For me, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Impossible to justify why but with some art and music you just don't have to. You just like it.
And I thought your other favorite was by Leftfield (I like them), not from out of left field!
It's funny you should mention 5 O'Clock World. I recently heard this song in my car and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to it. I guess I will have to purchase a copy of it.

This may not be the most beautiful pop song but I thought it was pretty good back in the day:

"Quick Joey Small" by Kasenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus from 1968. It's a real toe tapper.
Check out Gary Puckett's Greatest Hits. By all parameters, there are some real pop gems on that disc. And his voice is amazing.