The Afterword is a broad church, running the full gamut of musical tastes from A to D.
Over by the fireplace, you have your “course, it were all green fields round here in my day” types, trading stories about the Incredible String Band and the Summer of Love.
By the pool table gather the sneering 90s kids, who don’t, like, believe in genre, and still sometimes listen to music that gets reviewed in Pitchfork. They’ll never get old and closed-minded, no sir.
Propping up the bar, drinking real ale and comparing vintage tour t-shirts, are the vinyl obsessives. They like music you’ve probably never heard of.
And, of course, there’s the car park. Where deramdaze is busy shouting at pigeons and trying to work out whether or not he should like The Doors just now.
Many tribes. Many ways of consuming music, many ways of seeing the world. But is there a single song that can bring them together and bond them? A piece of music that, when played on the jukebox, will see everyone in the pub stop what they’re doing, link arms and perform a stomping karaoke singalong that threatens to tear the roof off the sucka? One tune to rule them all?
The challenge of this thread is to identify a song that everyone* here likes. Or at least, to see how close we can get to a song that no one dislikes. Here, in this den of elitism, contrarianism and loathsome smarty-pantedness, we’re going to attempt the impossible – musical consensus.
I’ll start us off. “Yes” by McAlmont and Butler. Surely there’s nobody out there despicable enough to dislike “Yes” by McAlmont and Butler?
* Two rules for this thread:
1. If you have a personal life-rule about loudly and pointedly refusing to like any music from certain decades, I’m afraid you’re going to have to sit this one out, for the sake of the premise.
2. If you pipe up to say you don’t like one of the songs that’s been suggested then you, in turn, are obliged to make a suggestion. Where we destroy, we must also create.
I had this thought just the other day when Green Onions came on. Is there really anyone who doesn’t start tapping their toe?
You’re absolutely correct. Only a true villain would dislike Green Onions.
Another in agreement.
The sound of Steve Croppers guitar on this track is the definition of perfect. Understated brilliance
That little grunt before he starts playing is great. I think it’s Booker himself.
They sound like some blokes dicking about and yet it is, as you say, precisely perfect.
I dislike a lot of the music labelled as ‘AW friendly’ but Green Onions is a great choice.
But isn’t it a bit, um, obvious/ubiquitous. (Sure, it’s fecking brilliant but, hey, can’t we be more arcane or something. This isn’t Mojo magazine.)
Move to have this comment stricken on grounds of dangerous level of eye-roll inducement.
I’l leap in with Up the Junction from Squeeze. I could quibble about some of the deliberately duff syntax and rhymes (or the questionable medical advice to put a woman in an incubator in order to give birth) but everyone loves to sing along to this one, don’t they?
Your puny species may not put their women in incubators…
D’oh! What a giveaway!
Junctions and roundabouts though, innit. Minus a point for “to the incubator” but plus one for “no more nights nappy smelly”.
Isn’t it smelling?
That’s a general question
This site is like taking the red pill in The Matrix – the very foundations of my existence keep being whipped away until I’m wobbling like a Jenga tower.
How many times have I heard that song happy that “telly” must beget “smelly”?
Just listened to it again and it is indeed the more logical but less rhymy whimey “smelling”.
I hate D!!!
No
This?
No.
This?
No no, no no no no no (…someone had to do it).
No no no no no no no no no no no no there’s no li
There are a lot of motown tracks that I believe are impossible to dislike. Tracks of My Tears
& Get Ready are two which immediately jump to mind.
Good shout – I was going to suggest “For Once in My Life” or “This Old Heart of Mine”.
Actually, For Once in My Life is one of the few Motown tracks I don’t like, but there you go.
My wife doesn’t like Tracks of My Tears, but she’s not an AWorder. I still find it hard to fathom, nonetheless.
yes , grounds for divorce@Paul-Wad
the lyrics alone canonise it
There She Goes by The La’s I would add to the list containing Green Onions and Up The Junction. I would add some Beatles songs but my wifes utter dislike of them means that won’t work.
Sorry, There She Goes is overrated and overplayed. Annoys the hell out of me.
I like it but as it’s about heroin there may be a few that dislike it!
I like the McAlmont and Butler track but could understand his voice not being on everyones wavelength. My choice would have to be “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and in particular this version from Sesame Street
Agh – sorry, Dave, this one always sets my teeth on edge. All a bit “grandma getting funky at a wedding”. I also don’t like the squelchiness of it all.
On the other hand, surely nobody would be foolhardy enough to dislike Sam Cooke’s immortal “Just For You”…
Needs more muppets.
I would like to propose Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag by Pigbag, Turning Japanese by The Vapors and Tom Hark by The Piranhas.
Not seconded, I’m afraid. They whiff of novelty songs by novelty acts.
I propose: “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde, “Bigmouth Strikes Again” by the Smiths, “Public Image” by Public Image Ltd. and “Everlasting Love” by The Love Affair.
I’ll see your Public Image and raise you, er, Rise by PIL. I would also suggest Hey Ya by Outkast.
Ooh – Hey Ya. Now THERE’s a tune. Surely everyone likes to shake it-shake it-shake it like a polaroid picture? Also great for karaoke.
I accept your funky Grandma but must dismiss Hey Ya for the “Shake it” bits. Trying just too hard and grates my girdle
I accept your veto. But now I must compel you to make a further suggestion.
The Smiths! Public Image! Everbody loves them!
I propose Mass Media Believer by The Lurkers.
Sorry, old bean, but I rather loathe “Everlasting Love”.
On a similar theme, I’ll propose this instead: Crazy in Love – Beyonce…
BBC Radio 2 still don’t play Jay Z’s rather vanilla bit of rap on this, despite it being 2017 and everything.
Ugh. Awful. Awful, awful, awful, awful. Awful, awful, awful. Awful.*
Ain’t nobody don’t love Otis Redding (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay. Ain’t nobody don’t love S&G’s Mrs. Robinson. Or A Town Called Malice. Or The Message.
*Awful
Nah you can keep The Jam in their entirety.
Does Crazy In Love sound like Taylor Swift, Gary? 😉
I’d definitely say it’s as good as Shake It Off.
Town called Malice is on the banned list in our house. Views on The Jam are divided.
Horrible tuneless racket.
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no.
A cliche of popularity because that’s what a cliche is – popular. Simply wonderful: bunch of spotty oiks making joyful, short and perfect noise. There’s not one Afterworder who doesn’t love this surely?
Yep, we have a winner in my book, god only knows what that will mean though……
Excellent suggestion!
Never cared for this. I know it made John Peel cry but I always seemed lightweight compared to proper punk, and Fergal’s voice grates.
“Proper punk” oh god oh god please no. No punk ever attained anything close to the perfection of TK.
Ain’t no such thing as “Proper Punk”.
Why, the very idea of the word “Proper” being used for something as Improper as Punk!
That bearded old guy outside your house nonchantly carrying an axe whilst muttering “ears of cloth” , that’s me that is
I move to have the perennial outlier that is LoW barred from this thread, as it will become unworkable otherwise.
Hey ya by OutKast is seconded by me.
Can I offer this for consideration
The Waterboys – Whole of the moon
Ay ay ayyyyy I full-on loathe all the works of Mike Scott’s hand and this song in special particular.
I’m beginning to like you a lot, Friar. A record so bad I would rather listen to The Ray Conniff Singers whilst Jimmy Young interviews Maggie Thatcher in between songs just before I shoot myself
The worst trumpetiness ever is Whole of my Arse, a song so bad it stopped me admiring the magnificence of much else in their repertoire for years.
Yep, me too, I’d rather listen to Simply Red or Zombie*
*Not really
Can anyone truly, hand on heart, say they dislike “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie? Surely, there are no such blasphemers in our midst?
I only recently admitted, after thirty years of denial, that I have always loved this record. Sweet surrender.
Oh I had some nights drunkenly singing along to the made up African words Lionel used in this “Jumbo lisey sestimo la, hey Jambo Jambo etc” which I’m afraid consigns this to the also rans
I think you’ll find the song is actually about Jambo from Hollyoaks. Close personal friend of the Richies, and godfather to one of their many daughters.
It’s a song about jambon, that’s your actual French.
@bingo-little does this mean you actually watch bloody Hollyoaks?
Watch it? I’m in it.
Bloody teenagers.
Jambo is a common expression/ greeting in Mombasa.
So there.
I’m sure I heard him interviewed somewhere saying he made it up. Maybe on Piers Morgans life story thing?
Piers Morgan? Something made up? There’s a life history in 5 words
All Night Long is a great shout.
I’ve never liked you, Friar.
All Night Long is abominable bogeybait. Likers need a swift evisceration to come to their senses.
I can. It’s lightweight fluff.
I’m sensing a pattern. Do you like any music made by black people which lots of people enjoy dancing to? 😉
All Night Long is currently going through the courts answering to charges of enforced jollity – it will probably escape with a fine but also up on the same charge is “Dancing on the Ceiling!”. He’s looking at life for that one, I’m afraid.
My suggestion is Blomdie’s Union City Blue.
Blomdie? You bumder!
I nominate ‘Blomdie’ for inclusion in the Afterword Lexicon; it can unquestionably hold its own against ‘vinly’, if you’ll pardon my French.
A few weeks ago I discovered that my wife thinks “vinyl” is pronounced “vi-Nile”.
Delighted, so I was.
My Dad occasionally says that to this day. And he worked in record shops and for a Significant Record Company in the 70s. When I rib him, he reminds me that he grew up in a world where the word vinyl wasn’t used. It was just “records”.
Calling them ‘vinyls’ on the rare LP Facebook page is up there with asking if anyone else hates The Beatles.
My Dad always pronounced stereo as steer-rio
Vinyl is actually the proper pronunciation. It’s the name of a chemical group. You say Poly Vi-nile Chloride, for example.
My mother always pronounced it “vinnel”. Mind you, she also pronounced the symbol or other small design adopted by an organization to identify its products as “loggoh.” I’m not sure what this proves, if anything, I merely leave it here, floating in the middle of the thread like a pungent fart.
My face is red – I stand corrected. Just like Primce.
Lots of it – but none of the stuff that’s been suggested here so far.
Bit rich @Friar – making ludicrous assumptions based on 2 examples. Embarrassed yourself there.
Apologies Jim, it was supposed to be a joke. Hence the smiley.
Hate it, Last good thing he did was “Brick House”. Might I propose “Shining Star” by Earth, Wind and Fire, “What a Waste” by Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and “Pop Muzik” by M instead?
Isn’t this just going to be another “the best music came out when I was young” thread? Already seems to be going that way.
With that in mind, I propose Unfinished Sympathy.
Either that or “the best music isn’t popular, and if it is, I’m going to say I don’t like it.” 😉
I was already 365 when Teenage Kicks came out..
Surely the correct answer is Wichita Lineman?
Spot on Paul.
Very nearly spot on! See my nomination below😎
Like it, admire it, it doesn’t land emotionally for me, though.
I have suggested Union City Blue up there so I’m entitled to block Wichita Lineman. I honestly think it’s nothing special.
I have to say now that I would kick you out of bed.
Well you routinely ignore all the safe words and phrases I use (like “no!” and “for the love of God, no!” ) so that is useful information.
Not only on the Afterword site, I’d venture to suggest that there can not be a single soul with an ounce of humanity in them who does not dig Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” when it shines out of an evening playlist.
This man speaks the truth.
Yep. If you claim to dislike WAWW, you’re essentially surrendering any right to be treated as human.
Man, when it first came out how we hipsters hated it. “This was the man who invented Jazz?” ( I think Mr Armstrong invented jazz?) Now we know better but it still retains rather too much naffness to gain that elusive No 1 spot already grabbed by The Undertones.
I’d sooner listen to someone being sick in a toilet, which is, after all, where he nicked his “vocal” style.
Is the correct answer.
Yep I love Louis but the twenties trumpet guru with the hot five rather than the crooner. Sorry.
(because I am obtuse and awkward), I vote for the Joey Ramone version instead
If you say you dislike this, then you are wrong.
Seconded! Best song ever written about a racing pigeon.
Good, but June Tabor’s version is better.
Seconded!
I’m happy with both. Both June and the Unthanks are favourites of mine.
What about HMHB version, which is lovely.
As someone who’s not a huge fan of folk music, I love the Unthanks, and this may be my favourite track by them.
Interesting suggestion… but not for me.
I do like “All Night Long” though!
I think that an obvious choice is Do You Believe in Magic by the Lovin’ Spoonful- it ticks all the right boxes.
If you need to be swayed then try this clip (in colour!)
https://youtu.be/yStobdgL_2E
A great and underrated band.
Actually close. Isn’t it this by the same band?
It is indeed. Denied their rightful respect because of all the narcing they done.
A Best Of The Lovin’ Spoonful album is a wonderful thing.
Not by me.
That is brilliant, did the guitarist go on to have a career as a baddie in James Bond films?
This:
A few years ago BBC4 ran that documentary on the biggest grossing songs of all time. Many of them had a reason for making so much money – eg Christmas songs generate repeat royalties – but when this one appeared, one of the talking heads simply said “Who doesn’t love ‘Stand By Me’?”
Familiarity breeds contempt. I never want to hear this again.
Ditto, and furthermore on the grounds of being the go-to song of karaoke bores the world over.
When Bob Harris had his late night show on R1 in the early 1990s, he would often introduce this with lip-smacking, beard-stroking reverence, proudly announcing it to be his favourite song of all time. Put me right off, that did.
It’s a terrible karaoke choice. Virtually a Capella and harder to sing than you think it’s going to be. Absolutely no hiding place once it all goes tits up. I speak from gruesome experience here.
Er, hello?
Yes. Just….yes.
“Easter Theatre” by XTC. Loved by AW’s – unknown by pretty much everybody else.
Never heard it but am generally baffled by the XTC fanboy contingent.
Open your ears and be entertained.
Surely everyone flat out adores A Change Is Gonna Come. Surely?
IT IS MY FAVOURITE SONG OF ALL TIME. NONE MAY DISLIKE IT.
Seconded Mr. L!
We may need a special section for Sam Cooke. Surely, surely, surely no one dislikes this?!?
Sam Cooke wins the ‘Artist’ version of this thread
Now that needs a thread of it’s own, imagine all those votes for Bono….
It’s a toss up between him and Papa Roach.
There’s no such thing as a bad version of BIOHTM. Same can be said of Walk On By by Dionne Warwick/Isaac Hayes/Stranglers.
Sam Cooke was my first thought too. A dozen songs that would surely fit the bill
First time i ever heard this song was the Billy Preston version – i can’t claim it’s better than Sam Cooke’s, but I do think it’s pretty good:
Aaron Neville’s version is brilliant too… even while not being a patch on the original. Very little is.
I would consider suspect anyone who dislikes Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Ooh good choice!
I propose “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes.
Pop perfection.
It’s bloody hard to find a Phil Spector girl-fronted single which *isn’t* perfect.
Excellent call!
I’d also submit Da Doo Ron Ron, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Then He Kissed Me, Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry and many more.
You speak the truth. Another resounding yes from me for Be My Baby
Having dissed near all presented, I think it is this remix that I would have most belief in, lyrically, musically and all.
If you don’t like this song you need never darken the door of Casa Little:
Or this.
Agreed – both impossible not to love.
You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman might actually be the best song ever written / sung.
That would be A Change Is Gonna Come.
But YMMFLANW could easily make the top 5. What a glorious sound it is.
It is a glorious, wonderful, beautiful sound, yes, but for me it’s also the best song ever about how it feels to be totally loved.
Er…*harrumph*… I should just point that I am totally a full-on bloke and am in no way soppy and gurly and absolutely have not been drinking my body-weight in reasonable Chianti and neat gin this evening.
*checks watch* … Er, make that ‘yesterday evening’.
I’ve been giving this some thought and all the above have some credit (except “Whole Of the Moon” sorry Jack..) The answer is this…
Musically, a horrid racket. I’d suggest Eric Idol’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life would be a more universally loved novelty ditty.
Eric Idol…. Billy’s brother?
Outside of the context of the film, that song is insufferable rugby club tosh.
“Henry Kissinger” though…. THERE’S a song.
Good job you mentioned that. I was planning on having ALOTBSOL played at your funeral.
There’s no need for threats, Gary. A simple veto will do…
I’ll have you know my planning of Moose’s funeral is an act of great kindness. Were it not for me he’d likely be facing a pauper’s grave in some nondescript suburban cemetery. Whereas I am planning a lavish event, a boat-and-pyre job with paid mourners dressed in flowing robes of oatmeal buff, and turkey and cress sandwiches to follow.
Based on some of his previous posts, I’d imagined Moose would want Fat Bottomed Girls playing as the coffin disappears into the flames.
Hmmm. I feel perhaps a separate thread is warrented.
No one’s said much about McCalmont and Butler’s Yes from the OP yet.
I veto it. I HATE it with a vengeance and it bemuses me when people hold it up as a paragon of tunesmithery. Cheap 60s soul knock-off, but with the soul (and any decent semblance of a tune) removed and incoherent, flat vocal warblings over the top.
Have I got my point across? I HATE it. Veto, veto, veto.
Other than that we have a nice little list growing. To replace Yes I suggest Live And Let Die by Wings.
I might go to my grave chortling at the idea that Live and Let bloody Die is a better song than Yes. Priceless!
Aha – here was I thinking I might have cracked this first time out the gate. Fair play.
I’m afraid I’m going to have to veto Live and Let Die, because there’s something deeply Alan Partridge about it.
On the basis that people are too scared to look racist by vetoing old Motown records, I’ll go for the sublime “Baby I Need Your Loving” by the Four Tops. If I could sing like this, I’d never leave the house.
Oh, fair enough. (“Alan Partridge”??)
Yeah, I’ll give you your replacement. Good tune.
I must have overestimated the power of ’73 era Macca and George Martin.
There are several records by the Four Tops that logically fit the bill. Reach Out, Same Old Song Can’t Help Myself are others. But… oh dear, black people and a record that girls might dance to…
All great. Personally, I’ll go for Walk Away Renee. Levi Stubbs was never better.
A transformative power ballad, you say? An inspiring, punch-the-air anthem? I give you the musical heroin that is Let It Go.
Fuck. Yes.
This is going to last about 5 minutes, but I’m fully with you. There are bands worshiped on here who’ve never written a song half as good as this.
Fantastic. Perfect. Bound to be vetoed by some Jeremy Corbyn-looking geezer on the grounds that small gurls like it and there’s no audible fingerpicking on it. 😉
And here he is. Never heard that before. Awful. Has straight-to-karaoke written all over it.
Seriously? Not criticizing – just amazed you could have avoided hearing this – it’s been everywhere for the last 4 years or so.
Not anywhere I’ve been, is all I can say. It’s possible it’s been playing on Radio Service Station every time I’ve bought petrol, but I tend to tune that stuff out. And my kids are old enough to take themselves to the movies. Now, of course, my perfect state of innocence has been shattered.
I only heard it for the first time in full when the film was on Christmas day last year. Bit of a let down tbh.
But but but…..that voice is akin to nails down a blackboard to my ears I’m afraid. With another voice I think I would like it, but I can’t warm* to Ms. Menzels voice
*If I was quicker witted I would turn this into a Frozen joke.
Ugh. Truly horrible. Sounds like the sort of rubbish small gurls like. And there’s no fingerpicking on it, as far as I can hear.
The cold never bothered her anyway????? Smug bitch, can she not spare a thought for the millions who choose between heating and eating at this time of year?
Vetoed on the grounds that small gurls like it and there’s no audible fingerpicking on it…..oh….crap…..
Oh do fuck off. Vetoed on the grounds that ve only ever heard the three word chorus, and even that made my ears want to vomit.
Here I stand, in the light of day, let the thread rage on…
Being told to fuck off never bothered me anyway.
It’s good, but “Do You Wanna Build a Snowman” knocks it into a cocked hat. It’s brilliant; covers every emotion and sets the film up in about 2 1/2 minutes. And it makes me cry (almost) every time I hear it.
The sequences during “….Snowman” and “Let It Go” are two of the most brilliantly crafted pieces of cinema of the last 10 years. I still remember seeing that movie for the first time and suddenly realising “hang on – this is actually quite magnificent”.
Do You Wanna Build A Snowman is awesome but it doesn’t have that supreme uplift of Let It Go. One dose of Let It Go and you feel like you can take on the world.
Even I like it.
Wow.
Moose = small gurl.
Hey I just report the facts as I see them! Don’t shoot the massager, ‘kay?
I will not shoot the massager, though I may well….
(no, I’ve thought better of it)
I know that, with your incomparable legerdemain, you were trying to steer the delicate reader’s thoughts away from “…massage the shooter”, and for that you should be commended, but I have to confess that my own mind went more in the direction of “…Moose the sausager”.
Which, on reflection, amounts to much the same thing.
They’re both good, but I’d go for “For the First time In Forever” – a duet with such immortal lines – “Who knew we owned 8,000 salad plates”, “Why have a ballroom with no balls?” “Don’t know if I’m elated or gassy, but I’m somewhere in that zone”
I’m also a fan of Fixer Upper. Great tune, especially the Aphex Twin remix.
Good for you!
er, what?
Oh, that’s a good one too. As is “Love Is An Open Door”. The harmonies in that are really unusual and brilliant.
If we’re going down the kids’ cartoon films route, I’d suggest I Wanna Be Like You or Bare Necessities.
Ooh-de-lally, ooh-de-lally, golly what a day.
It’s actually quite scary to think about the impact this movie had on my view of the world.
Yes, nobody can dislike either.
I have a feeling that in 100 years time Let it Go is the song by which this decade will be remembered, and that will still be played by the 2117 version of Desmond Carrington (pre-his sad demise, obviously).
PS I still love it, despite having heard it at least 200 times.
Seems to me, looking at the OP and the replies above, that the chances of finding a song we all love are somewhere between zero and very nearly zero.
I block-veto every single song mentioned so far apart from “Do You Believe In Magic”, which seems an obvious winner to me.
In my opinion, which is all that counts as I type this, one or two of the selections are absolute stinkers, some are barely-tolerable rubbish, some are merely a bit crap and some are OK-to-good but not quite there. Others are very good but still not quite there. Excellence trumps mere (or very) Good every time.
As the OP-meister and landlord, I’m hereby designating you a category 1 felon, and discounting your opinions. You’re barred, sonny!
I think it’s actually the best track from the late seventies. Intro, guitar picking, lyrics. 3.02. But of course it will also be someone’s least favourite…
That’ll do for me – oh, yes.
Thirded – never heard anyone saying they dislike AGAP.
Also from another band mostly remembered (if at all) for one song:
Shake Some Action by the Flaming Groovies – everyone likes this?
Yup, original version, please.
Can I suggest Girl From Mars?
Suggest away, but it’s instantly vetoed on the grounds of being not very good.
Right. I have to leave the office now, but I believe the current last tunes standing as of the time of typing are as follows:
Green Onions
Up The Junction
Tracks of My Tears
Get Ready
Just For You
Do You Believe In Magic?
Butterfly
Easter Theatre
A Change Is Gonna Come
Bring It On Home To Me
Voodoo Child
Be My Baby
Baby I Need Your Loving
Da Doo Ron Ron
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Then He Kissed Me
Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry
Power Of Love
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
I Wanna Be Like You
Robin Hood and Little John, Running Through The Forrest
Another Girl, Another Planet
Union City Blue
Haters – have at them.
I don’t like Do You Believe In Magic and I’m mystified at its popularity. Worst thing about it is the grating, childish lyrics. Something about the magic in a young child’s heart or something? Ugh. Too major key, too sunshine.
There are others on that list I’m against, but I’ll go easy for now.
In place of Do You Believe In Magic I suggest… oooh…. My Baby Just Cares For Me by Nina Simone.
Well played, sir!
But….but….but…..but……..it is down to the simplistic (childish😂)lyrics that help makes it such a great, timeless song!
There get out of that!
Too late, it’s already veto-ed! Have a go at My Baby Just Cares For Me if you dare, or be off with you!
Dum de dum de dum de dum, dum de dum de dum de dum. I would allow any number of Nina Simone recordings, but certainly not this one. Dum de dum de dum de dum, dum de dum de dum de dum (ad infinitum).
Aren’t all those Motown / songs all a bit samey? And The way Debbie Harry sings “Uuuuuniooon” in Union City Blues” excludes it I’m afraid
I agree re Union City Blues. Didn’t want to pick on it and seem like a grump as I’ve already poo-pooed a couple of songs already.
The Power Of Love is appalling saccharine tosh. I am compelled to veto it.
Did you listen to the remix? Transforms it.
But, but, Jennifer Rush! *sigh*
Whither Huey Lewis?
Huey’s POL is, as you so rightly, the one. Can’t hear it without thrilling to the idea of hanging onto somebody’s towbar while zooming along at 30 on a skateboard.
Pop Fact: All three POLs came out within a year of each other, FGTH’s hitting the top spot in Dec ’84 and the others charting in ’85. Must have been some sort of mid-80s title shortage.
Well, in those days of course pop groups were heavily unionised and had to use nationally agreed song frameworks.
Point of reference to the original comment:
If that’s the same car park where Arsenal always finish third and get knocked out of Europe in March, the guys by the fireplace should come and join me, it’s far more relaxing there.
I set my clocks by it – which reminds me, the time is nigh….
Xxx
Enough already.
I’m too busy setting the clocks, the heating, the barometer, and the cat, for the next 12 months.
Greenwich Mean Time (other ways of measuring are available) has nothing on the collective might of Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil.
Will you please leave me to my time-keeping, BL!
From a time when Rod was “good” – expected to lead to a conversation about the Imperial Phase/The Mercury Years, how he managed to maintain two parallel careers with damn near equal success, and where it all went wrong (Atlantic Crossing ? A Night on the Town ?? Foot Loose & Fancy Free ??? Blondes Have More Fun ????)
Faces – Stay With Me
Nope. Hate it. Beloved of all those lads who look like Tim from The Office and liked Ocean Colour Scene.
I’d go for this one.
But, is this not the greatest song ever written?
(or certainly within the Top 3)
Slade – How Does It Feel
“Flame” is the true sequel to “That’ll Be The Day.”
“Stardust” wants us to believe that the world is as fixated by the lead character’s music as people were with “Sgt Pepper’s.” It fails dismally.
Slade, with “How Does It Feel,” and amazingly for 1975, actually deliver a song that makes you believe it.
The opening credits….drummer leaving factory, handing in his cards, walking away from factory; early morning, dark, cold, urban, bleak…..all to this song, are astonishing.
And yet, incredibly, it was their first 45 for years that wasn’t a Top 10 hit!
How Does It Feel is their Wichita Lineman. It’s that good.
Seconded.
My favourite band from my teenage years & I think How does it feel is their finest song.
Great film & a great soundtrack.
Wonderful stuff.
Thanks for posting it RD.
There is one up there I can’t listen to because I saw them once in concert and hated their vocals. Shan’t say which.
I give you this
A great philosophy for life.
I just looked at my party playlist, confident there must be something there that hasn’t been covered already. Well. You wouldn’t want to come to one of my parties.
that said…
En Vogue… my generation’s Nolan Sisters. (I am not talking about music)
I’d humbly suggest Free Your Mind as well. Tune.
Awesome flute action!
I heard that rumour too.
hurrrr
Plenty of good choices but no word in favour of this, shame on you.
Dancing in the street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc…
I have two suggestions
1) The Theme From Shaft by Isaac Hayes
2) Once In A Lifetime by Talking Heads
Shaft, yes, but something about David Byrne brings me out in hives. I think it is his insufferable smartarsery.
Seeing as I just vetoed somone on the grounds that they’re too much of a smartarse, I will counter-propose, er, Brian Eno…
Love that song.
I love Talking Heads but can’t stand OIAL.
I don’t like the theme from Shaft. No idea what all the fuss is about.
I think you need to be a black private dick who’s a sex machine to all the chicks to really, you know, get it.
Let’s settle this once and for all – Waterloo Sunset
It’s ok. I really don’t see anything special there though, and have never really understood its reputation as a masterpiece. The lyrics clunk a bit to me, and it feels twee. I feel like there are tons of Kinks songs that kick its arse, so I’m using my veto.
So I’m going to suggest You Really Got Me. Everyone loves You Really Got Me.
That’s OK, so long as you don’t actively dislike it then WS is still in the running.
No, I do actively dislike it for its (IMO) undeserved status. Veto.
Fair enough, but is ruling out a song on the basis of what you see as an undeserved reputation the same as disliking the song? There would be. Few other Kinks songs I would have ahead of this one as my personal choice, but were looking for ones which no one dislikes.
To be fair to Friar, the lyrics are a bit, you know, clunky, compared to, say, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Go Blow Monkeys!
Fair point about the Blow Monkeys. Forgot about that song. But it’s largely solid gold Spector / doowop / r&b with three really good bits of 80s power balladry thrown in.
Just teasing F. We like what we like and it’s hard to justify either way sometimes. Time of My (or is it Your?) Life? My idea of the music playing in the lift to Hell personally. It takes all sorts.
To remove any uncertainty, I most certainly do actively dislike this song. Sappy twee lyrics and a melody that wouldn’t be out of place in a nursery rhyme. Plus it is always held up as an exemplar of the Swinging Sixties, which sound frankly terrible to me, like Britpop but worse. At least Echobelly aren’t still clogging up the radio.
Okey dokey – out it goes!
Surely no one can dislike this?
Al Green – L.O.V.E. Love
Posted this on a different thread a couple of weeks ago.
I think this is magnificent.
For your consideration
Donna Summer – I feel love
This would have been a great record in any era. Superb.
Agreed. Stonking track.
Magnificent.
I don’t really believe it’s possible to dislike a single song on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
Time of My Life? Is ‘She’s Like the Wind’ on it? I confess I’ve never seen the film, but did go to a Dirty Dancing based stage show for The Light’s birthday last year.
I like both of those.
Ah, but I don’t. By the rules of this thread I win. Sorry about that.
The answer is, of course, David Bowie. But which one to choose? I posit this one and ask you to resist punching the air in delight.
Not vetoing this but I would have gone for Starman.
Who is this croonsome cyclops? He’ll go far!
Veto from me I’m afraid. Never liked that song. Or Starman. Would propose Ashes to Ashes or Be My Wife instead.
“Propose Be My Wife” – nyo-ho-ho-ho!
….
…ahem.
Go and listen to some Zappa M!
“…..and the band plays some of the most terribleist shit you’ve ever heard”
Yay! That wasn’t difficult, was it?
Did I tell you my anecdote about nearly being involved in a traffic accident during that song?
No? I wouldn’t worry, it’s not very good.
Right
There is always Life On Mars?
I am bringing the hammer down on Ashes to Ashes, but in Be My Wife you have hit upon my most favouritest of Bowie tunes.
Wot no HJH?
A Day In The life?
That one about Octopuses is quite catchy.
No. no. no. Dreadful load of bobbins, . Veto.
Tough crowd.
What about that one they invented reggae with – Oh Bloody or something?
Are you thinking of Roots Bloody Roots by Sepultura? Because that’s a song I can get behind.
Not quite. Something about Desmond and Dolly in de market place?
Here’s a little thought experiment; just imagine what the reaction would be if Scouting For Girls released that song…
Although it would probably be called “Ob La Di, Ob La Festival Fitties In Hunter Wellies”, or similar. Might skew things a little.
What’s not to like?
Just got Prince’s Raspberry Beret on. Surely that’s a candidate?
He spoke to me and he wants it back.
Bloody titfer pilferers.
Ha ha, as you can see below I was so concerned about pinching it, I double posted.
You can’t fool me, you millinery villain.
I haven’t seen Elton in that straw hat for years. That’s all i’m saying.
*artfully shoves Richard Thompson’s beret under a pile of jumpers.
Freedom for Unhalfbricking!
Emphatically not vetoed here. What a great record.
How about Raspberry Beret by Prince?
I will just leave you with a text-based ear worm…. “Hey hey we’re the Monkees…”
What a shame Jonny C isn’t here to remind us that they didn’t play their own instruments or write their own songs, thereby invalidating any claim that Monkees records even exist.
Nilsson doing Everybody’s Talkin’?
Madness doing Our House?
Althea and Donna doing Uptown Top Rankin’ ?
I’m vetoing Our House. I liked the earliest Madness singles, and the later (pre-reformation) gloomy stuff, but utterly loathed the cheery celebration of everyday life songs – Our House, House of Fun, Baggy Trousers; all of them make me yearn for a Gatling gun and a sympathetic jury. Horrible. Just horrible.
Have loathed Our House ever since first hearing it. With that and the one about carsz you could suddenly see that they were cynically writing lowest common denominator singles. Soz! Baggy Trousers anyone? Embarrassment?
But Our House was in The Young Ones? BRUTES! BRUTES!
And I have met both Suggs and Chas Smash. They were really nice pleasant chaps!
On that basis, I have met both Roger Chapman and Rob Townsend and therefore vote for Burlesque by Family.
Geacher, remember him, @geacher won’t.
Baggy Trousers is genius. Joyous.
Cue curmudgeonry……
Family! Surely there’s a band we can all agree on.
Sorry gangle. I’ll give your that was an excellent Young Ones moment. The song should be accompanied by mindless looting!
Actually I think My Friend the Sun would be less divisive. Wonderful, wonderful song.
I’ll just leave this here…
Great, great record. I saw this on Top of the Pops when I was six (six!) and recognised that it was a record that was taking the piss and i liked it for that reason.
Wait. It’s taking the piss!!? I have based most of my major life decisions on the philosophy espoused in this song!
You mean you moved to Munich for nothing???
Genau! Ich fühle mich beraubt
Seconded.
Well, I’m astonished to have scrolled down and found that no-one has yet suggested Pick Up the Pieces by the Average White Band. I commend it to the House.
*waves order papers in the air*
Hearrrrrrr Heaaaarrrrrrrrr!
Oh, good shout.
Spiffing
A funk record, led by a man called Hamish Stuart. How can it not be brilliant?
Yes, but isn’t “Cut the Cake” so much better?
There is nothing wrong with either this song, or this performance
That video is skirting dangerously close to veto territory…
Great great song, even better in the Searchers version…
Let me try this one:
and one for our friends in the south coming online as Europe goes to sleep:
No, he says “Carribbean” wrong.
Does he spell it wrong too?
No, why?
(tee-hee!)
Phew!
Good call sal. Nice to see some world music on this thread at last! Love that line about Vegemite sandwiches.
Just going to leave this here late at night, while there’s no one about…
A very brilliant mind, because back in the days when he was only in his thirties he realised he was going to go bald early in life, he decided he was always going to rock the cap.
Smart, as the POTUS would say.
The suggestion of “My Baby Just Cares For Me” up there may have been vetoed, but surely no one can argue with this….
Nina Simone / Sinnerman….
Its Gospel, its Jazz, its 10 minutes long so covers the Prog element. Overall, its ace….
Can’t disagree with this choice:
https://salwarpe.wordpress.com/2017/01/03/write-here-write-now-3-sinner-man/
Yes, yes….Sinnerman is one of my favourite songs ever.
And another suggestion- Etta James I’d Rather Go Blind
This is a great post and thread, but am I the only person wondering what kind of churches Bingo attends if they have bars in them?
The clergy have had to move with the times. Hawkfalll. I’ll have a martini, padre, and let’s listen to this.
A classic Cole Porter song by the magnificent Ella Fitzgerald. Surely everyone will like that?
I fear the jazzers will say there is not enough honking and the rockers will find it far too smooth and silky and will long for a drum solo.
Just sublime..
Anyone who doesn’t like this, the most perfect pop song backed by the most perfect pop video, won’t be invited round to Wrongness Manor for tiffin anytime soon
You love Ella. I love Nancy. Looks like I might be getting an invitation to tiffin at Wrongness Manor.
Is there a dress code?
Emboldened by not having Ella vetoed (yet) I’ll try this one. Two of the late greats of Brazilian music, Tom Jobim and Elis Regina: Aguas de Marco. A beautiful tune performed with great gusto.
Makes me feel like I’m trapped in an elevator. Veto!
My hopes were not high. Strange how one’s man elevator music gives another chap a big lift.
Too much information!
You are British, Bingo. It’s a lift. Standards, dear boy, standards.
Yankees pay my wages and set the parameters of my vernacular. My cultural identity is up for sale to the highest (or should I say, “bigliest”) bidder.
Love in a Lift…. not inspiring. I’ve found.
How about the Grassroots?
Well, I like it myself.
It’s easy to make uncontroversial choices when nobody’s heard of them. 😉
Without wishing to hijack @bingo-little‘s rules, I think the real challenge here is to find a song that everyone *loves* rather than “can tolerate”. Cos there’s tons of stuff on this thread which is total inoffensive wallpaper but nobody is ever going to defend to the death as a work of unarguable amazing genius.
It’s also interesting to find out that a lot of “yeah whatever” rock standards genuinely arouse passion in anyone. I’m amazed anyone proper LOVES Rebel Rebel. It just kind of… is. But then I feel that way about a surprising amount of the “classic” era and I think lots of us in our early forties and probably younger do. It’s a bit like when people say I Claudius is the greatest TV drama ever but then you go back and watch it and it’s stagey, hammy crap that would be panned if it got released today. They just didn’t know how to make TV drama back then cos the art form hadn’t settled down. Netflix is how it’s done.
(I know I’m being a bit naughty but I think to people who were born in the mid 70s rather than living through them a lot of the mythmaking is a bit puzzling. Like, I told a brilliant joke to my kids the other day. Fucking genius it was. Tried telling it to someone else and it fell flat cos it was only funny in that particular moment)
If it’s a song that everyone “loves” then I say it can’t be done.
If it’s “likes”, then as others have said, just pick a track between 1 and 15 on a Mowtown’s Greatest Hits and we’re done.
I think people have to actively like it though, at least, don’t they? A meh is as good as a veto in these circumstances.
I hereby propose the following: that this thread shall, henceforth, forthwith, forthright, and other forths, be used to determine a list of songs which no one dislikes. Where obscurities are suggested, they should be accompanied by video, and the attended are warmly invited to sample the goods and express their pleasure, or otherwise.
Once in possession of a good, solid list of songs that no one dislikes, we will simply decant said list to an adjacent thread and lend our shoulders to the busy work of determining whether any of the constituents of said list can accurately be said to be universally loved.
Only at the glorious and molten climax of such process will we be able to declare with certainty and conviction that we have arrived at our stated goal: the one true tune to rule them all.
As to the issue of whether the songs posted on this thread should be liked at all, I can only state that the posters of mediocre suggestions will be subject to all manner of rough treatment on the secondary thread, wherein their offerings will rub alongside the great and good and become overly apparent by their paucity.
Huzzahs.
I’ve now listened to this. And I don’t like it.
Might as well lob three more hail marys.
Loser – Beatles
Fairytale of New York – Pogues
Rock and Roll – Velvet Underground.
Sorry but I can’t abide Al Green, Do you believe in magic, or Rebel, rebel
Veto for Loser. It’s so annoyingly jaunty. Beck’s cover version is also vastly superior.
Rock and Roll is a great shout. Surely everyone likes Rock and Roll?
Nope to VU. I love the Gary Glitter tune of the same name though, like all right-thinking folk.
Sweet Jane
Right let’s stop messing about. No-one dislikes this
This is true. The Blockheads were as tight as any James Brown or Wrecking Crew band weren’t they? Gnat’s. Chuff.
Stop right there – a winner!
Close but no cigar. I raise you the more concise and knowing “What a Waste” by the Hendrix of the lyric.
I see your What a Waste and raise you what surely unites us all:
These may not be everyone’s favourite due to over familiarity…but could anyone actively dislike these two?
elton. Very definition of meh. sorry.
Northern Sky is a good one.
I do like the Gillianesque juxtapositioning of those two videos – it looks like the northern lights in Nick’s video are all bursting out of the top of Elton’s head.
doh! Gilliam – not Gillian.
Um How about this:
London Calling – Clash. Probably my age, but I don’t think I know anyone who doesn’t, at the very least, like this
That’s because only a bona fide, copper-bottomed, first class wrong’un would dislike that song.
*Waves…..
Damn yoooooou.
The Fabs aren’t featuring nearly enough here. What about that final half hour of the recording session for their first album when Lennon just about holds his voice together to deliver this song…
The thing about the Fabs, right, is that I find their music incredibly irritating. Not all of it, but the vast majority of it, and probably moreso for having spent several years on this blog. The experience has become a little like having a group of people tell you, at great length and in excruciating detail, why Hattie Jacques is the most beautiful woman who has ever lived – AND INDEED WILL EVER LIVE AND I’LL KILL ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE.
I don’t want to be a tiresome Beatles denier and ruin everyone’s fun, but on the other hand nor do I want to sit here pretending I don’t dislike music that actually rather grinds my gears.
Fortunately for everyone, you’d identified one of the Beatles songs to which I’m at least mildly partial, so everyone’s a winner! Let’s just hope no one else dislikes this.
End of day update. The following remain songs which no one dislikes…
Up The Junction
Get Ready
Just For You
Butterfly
A Change Is Gonna Come
Bring It On Home To Me
Voodoo Child
Be My Baby
Baby I Need Your Loving
Da Doo Ron Ron
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Then He Kissed Me
Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
I Wanna Be Like You
Robin Hood and Little John, Running Through The Forrest
Another Girl, Another Planet
(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
Mrs. Robinson
Twist & Shout
Unfinished Sympathy
King of Rome
London Calling
Northern Sky
Reasons to Be Cheerful
Every Time We Say Goodbye
These Boots Were Made For Walkin
Sinnerman
Break Stuff
Down Under
A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court
What A Wonderful World
Free Your Mind
My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It)
Be My Wife
An Ending (Ascent)
Pop Muzik
Uptown Top Ranking
When You Walk In The Room
Pick Up The Pieces
I Feel Love
Quite a few tracks we can all agree on, in the end.
I did veto What a Wonderful World, sorry. To me schmaltzy – love the twenties Louis cooking up a storm with the Hot Five, but strings n soup ballads no.
Somewhat confusingly, the “What A Wonderful World” listed above is the Sam Cooke song, not the Louis. Veto duly noted!
Perhaps as this thread begins to peter out, we should construct a final shortlist of songs without a veto and then ask the massive to vote on that shortlist – thereby identifying the song of songs which rules them all, so to speak. Just a suggestion.
I concur heartily with this suggestion.
I propose to close the voting at approx 5pm tomorrow, at which point the final list of survivors will be posted to a separate thread and voting may begin, and continue across the weekend, for the high accolade of the One Tune To Rule Them All (OTTRTA).
yes, I’m being pedantic and self-preserving, but …
there was no veto, or disparaging comments against Slade – How Does It Feel
I now declare that track the winner (with the possible exception of Another Girl, Another Planet)
I hereby veto How Does It Feel.
How about Be My Wife? Who vetoed that?
It’s on the list above, Tigs.
So it is. For some reason I assumed the list was in alphabetical order. As you were.
Ooh devious, snuggling it right in the middle there in the hope it won’t get chucked – these are the best of tunes, these are the Durst of tunes – I use my veto to eliminate “Break Stuff”. Down Under is godawful too.
If that means I have to put something forward, I would ask who doesn’t like Ghost Town by The Specials? It is the national anthem, after all..
Other selection: Higher And Higher by Jackie Wilson.
Foiled!
Those are great suggestions.
Down Under is vetoed? Good.
Horrible, horrible shite.
I veto “London Calling” because I don’t like it.
I nominate “Wooly Bully” by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs in it’s place.
Unless I’m still barred for my attempt at an admittedly mean-spirited block veto far up above…
Of course not, Mike – consider yourself unbarred, and feel free to have at the remaining candidates!
As Down Under has been knocked out, I’m going to knock out another comedy record – “A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court” – dreadful old pap.
And I’m going to veto Another girl, Another Planet (wake me when it’s finished) and Reasons to be Cheerful (Ian Dury songs make me break out in hives).
If I need to nominate something else I’ll say Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone by The Temptations.
Oohh yes! That is a great choice. I’d vote for that one. Not least for the superb intro.
If I have to try another one (having had both my suggestions vetoed, then I’m going for this –
Incidentally, did Terry Hall never think of suing Robert Smith, Morrissey and Tracey Thorn for stealing his image?
Some people find it charming that Banarama, who never sounded any better than three random schoolgirls singing on the bus, could somehow have massive success.
I don’t. Next!
I can’t see why Green Onions has been given the boot, but if it has I’d suggest replacing it with What’d I Say by Brother Ray.
Had to look this one up, but…. VETO!
This one is quite good, although in danger of being shot down for not being the original version, or maybe you don’t like Taylor’s voice. Whatever, Tin Pan Alley proper songwriting, gorgeous chords, and that middle eight!
And indeed this, not really pop, not even sung in English, and no chorus.
Sorry, I’ve always disliked YGAF for some reason. Bit sappy.
Maybe this one instead?
Absolutely not. This however can’t possibly be rejection material: a highpoint in the Pink Floyd catalogue, even if is sung by Mr Grumpy. Oh, the middle-class voice…? And the Species at the end don’t count.
All Pink Floyd is summarily vetoed because they’re bloody awful.
Earnest strummers (including Joe) are banned.
A couple more from me for your consideration.
I have to confess to not having read the whole trail but I would be disappointed if, for different reasons, no one had proposed Ooh Ah Just a Little Bit – Gina G’s masterpiece. And if you can find anyone not bowled over by that monster, then ‘Trenchtown Rock’: ‘One good thing about music – when it hits you feel no pain’.
One of these suggestions is a masterstroke.
I’m vetoing the other. Sorry, Gina.
Horrible. Veto!
“Is it just me, or is ‘Veto’ starting to sound REALLY good?”
Phoebe Buffet, the Noughties.
Speaking of masterstrokes, isn’t it about time Uncle Ray made his presence felt:
Maybe this…
This song reminds me of a very happy time in my life. Great choice.
Bingo likes Van? Wow.
Love me some Van the Man.
Cripes.
Next we’ll find out that Burt hasn’t been available because he’s been mainlining Skrillex.
Sir may also enjoy my fondness for The Loving Spoonful, documented above.
I very much enjoy your fondness for the loving.
Your, uh…. your hand’s on my knee.
Prince – Kiss?
This version is amusing while we wait for his songs to become more readily available on YouTube.
I’ve long assumed that that video is inspired by The Girl Can’t Help It. I may be wrong.
Nearly 400 comments already and no consensus yet.
I predict no outright winner will be found.
We’re a far too picky and cantankerous bunch for that.
Dude, we choose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard
The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds, innit..
I think a thinning down exercise needs to be done because it’s not that I actively dislike most of them – it’s just that I can’t summon up enough energy to have a strong opinion. So – from that list – the 5 I would support for the crown are:
Heroes
Kiss
Mrs Robinson
I Feel Love
Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay
I think a portcullis should be slammed down on vetoes now that we have had a couple of days. It’s make your mind up time!
I would refer the right honourable gentleman to OP Bingo’s post at 19:24 on 16/02 above..
OK sorry I missed that. As you were.
I make Dock of the Bay a red hot favourite to win this thing.
Oh now look. Obviously I’m not going to actually read the 400 posts before this, but if any of you miserable shut-ins have vetoed this glorious piece of continuously-ascending joy then you are as dead to me as your cold grey hearts are in your own breathless chests.
Chiz – I think I might love you. To veto this song would be to deny the very essence of music itself.
Somehow Butterfly by Crazy Town has so far managed to survive the cull, probably because it was released this century and most Afterworders are unaware of its horrors. VETO. I suggest I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 instead.
I did wonder how on earth that little gem was hanging on in there.
IWYB is a tremendous suggestion.
IWYB – Jackson 5. Great suggestion
Ugh. Veto I Want You Back. HATE The Jacksons.
Doh! How could you not like the Jacksons with that cute, little lead singer?
How many vetoes are one allowed? I mean, Is one allowed? Sorry, just to clarify: Is one allowed more than one? Sorry, I mean, More than me?
If so, I withdraw all previous vetoes and would like, in the same move, to crush Jackthebuscuit because I really don’t like Otis Redding. Kindly remove Dock of the Bay forthwith.
Unlimited vetoes, but I reserve the right to disqualify anyone suspected of attempting to game the system or undermine the premise.
Dock of the bay is gone. You monster.
Any of you cloth eared eejits gonna veto this? Doesn’t matter. I won’t hear you. I’ll be off yonder, cutting a rug with the cool kids.
I would like to nominate ‘Happy Together’ by the Turtles
Go on then, have at it
Bleeeeuuuuurgh. The worst kind of hippy dippy sunshiney sixties bollocks. Veto!
Miss! Miss! I mean Bingo! Bingo! Friar’s using up all the blog’s vetoes! *stamps foot*
It’s a really horrible song though. I’m doing you all a favour.
Not to worry – we’ve a brand new shipment of vetoes arriving round the back as I type. Pop into the kitchen and just load on up.
LAST CALL: a little more than three hours left for nominations and vetoes.
Please do give the thread a last scan to root out any undesirable suggestions, because the shortlist will be locking at 5pm.
While I’m here: surely everyone likes This Woman’s Work.
FAOD: there will be no further vetoes after 5pm. Smoke ’em while you got ’em, folks.
September – Earth, Wind and Fire.
Boogie Wonderland’s a good ‘un, too.
September is a shout, but I cannot abide Boogie bleedin Wonderland.
Just in case nobody’s had the good sense to veto “I Wanna Be Like You”, I hereby consign it to the bin.
That song is so irritating!
I nominate “Man Of The World” by Fleetwood Mac in it’s place.
I HATE the guitar sound on Man of The World. Sorry, Mike.
Just over an hour to go, and I thought I’d collate the last men and women standing, so as to ease the process of smiting them down.
Gaze upon the below, and ask yourself: are you really going to allow THAT aural monstrosity to grace the list of candidates for The One True Tune To Rule Them All?
Up The Junction – Squeeze
Get Ready – The Temptations
Just For You – Sam Cooke
A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
Bring It On Home To Me – Sam Cooke
Voodoo Child – Jimi Hendrix
Be My Baby – The Ronettes
Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops
Da Doo Ron Ron – The Crystals
Will You Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles
Then He Kissed Me – The Crystals
Today I Met The Boy I’m Gonna Marry – Darlene Love
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – Aretha
You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman – Aretha
Robin Hood and Little John, Running Through The Forrest – Robin Hood
Mrs. Robinson – Simon and Garfunkel
Twist & Shout – The Beatles
Unfinished Sympathy – Massive Attack
King of Rome – The Unthanks
Northern Sky – Nick Drake
Every Time We Say Goodbye – Ella Fitzgerald
These Boots Were Made For Walkin – Nancy Sinatra
Sinnerman – Nina Simone
What A Wonderful World – Sam Cooke
Free Your Mind – En Vogue
My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It) – En Vogue
Be My Wife – David Bowie
An Ending (Ascent) – Brian Eno
Pop Muzik – M
Uptown Top Ranking – Althea and Donna
When You Walk In The Room – Jackie DeShannon
Pick Up The Pieces – The Average White Band
I Feel Love – Donna Summer
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
Heroes – David Bowie
Trenchtown Rock – Bob Marley
That Lucky Old Sun – Ray Charles
Wonderful Remark – Van Morrison
Kiss – Prince
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
I Want Your Love – Chic
This Woman’s Work – Kate Bush
September – Earth, Wind and Fire
Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
Woolly Bully – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
I’m also going to propose this little gem. The sound of a good time being had.
And this. The original black clad leather threat of rock n roll.
Now THAT’s what I’m talking about. Still sounds dangerous today.
I don’t think Green Onions was ever vetoed, unless it’s disqualified because not having lyrics means it isn’t a song.
It was this comment that provoked me to strike down Green Onions.
“But isn’t it a bit, um, obvious/ubiquitous. (Sure, it’s fecking brilliant but, hey, can’t we be more arcane or something. This isn’t Mojo magazine.)”
If @Retropath2 can confirm this wasn’t intended as a veto, I’d have happy to reinstate – because it’s ace.
I get the feeling that in the final wash-up a winner will emerge and someone will say – “I hate that f**king song”
It’s a racing certainty. But, you know what: you snooze, you lose.
All vetoes in by 5pm, please chaps and chapettes. After that time, you risk having to grin and bear it while a song that you detest is perennially referred to as The One True Tune To Rule Them All on this blog….
Everyone likes this. Fact.
Not that I’d be surprised, but was Ghost Town vetoed?
I considered picking The Jackson 5 and Loaded but I was sure they’d get the boot, so good luck with that!
Gah – it wasn’t, I missed it. Will add it back on to the final list.
Oh oh oh. I nearly forgot, speaking of black clad leather rock n roll.
JAMC – Head On.
Awful. 3-chord wannabies. We’ll have Elvis’s Heartbreak Hotel in its place.
Given it hasn’t been vetoed, Sissel (upthread) is still there . To remind y’all
Sorry, I know it’s agonizingly close to the wire, but I just listened to this and it creeped me out. Veto!
VETOING NOW CLOSED
Veto!
Surely “Like a rolling stone ” is untouchably popular.
Thank you for your interest in the One True Tune To Rule Them All nominations procedure.
We regret to inform you that you have now missed the deadline for submission of One True Tune To Rule Them All nominations. As a result, your nomination will be discounted.
We hope that you are still able to enjoy the One True Tune To Rule Them All voting procedure, and that you will, in time, come to accept, and perhaps even love, your new sonic overlord.
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The Friends Of The One True Tune To Rule Them All, Afterword Chapter
That brigand, Bingo, vetoed the Waters of March. This evening I heard this English version by Stacey Kent and Suzamme Vega. What a song!