AND THE WINNER IS....
A dear reader posts the following question: "Hey, smarty pants, now that the end of the year approaches, what would you say is the best song of all time?". Let's hear the answer after a few words from our sponsor...
I think this is one of the deepest most philosophical questions anyone can ask me... And of course my first instict is to take the easy way out and name one of the 3 songs most media would agree that qualify as the best of all time: "Stairway to Heaven", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Hotel California"... Ah... But that's too easy... And I know you expect better from me.
If it were totally up to me, I would say that the best song of all time has to be "Thick as Brick" by Jethro Tull... C'mon, this is a 45 minute epic masterpiece... Profound lyrics, thundering drums, majestic organs, and mischievous flutes, guitars combine in an odyssey of rock, folk, jazz and classical elements to create a marvelous experience... I sincerely do not see Justin Timbarlake or Britney Spears topping that anytime soon. The runner-up would be Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" written by none other than the Lord of Excess himself Mr. Jim Steinman... An emotional rollercoaster that can only be summed up in two words: passion and artistry.
However, let me entertain a couple of thoughts for a while... What if we do not measure "greatness" by crictical acclaim or artistry... What if we measure "greatness" by social or cultural impact. Then we should talk about songs that inspire... that everyone knows... Songs that when they come on the radio, everyone stops whatever they're doing and listen...
On this train of thought, how about songs that have had other songs written about them?... For example, Bowie's "Space Oddity" that spawned Bowie's "Ashes to Ashes" and Peter Schilling's "Coming Home". Another very clear example is Don MacLean's "American Pie" about which Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly with His Song" was written. And how about the most successful single song of all time?... mmm... that would be... "Candle in the Wind '97" by sir Elton John, which knocked out Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" from the very top after almost 50 years. 37 million people around the world bought the "Goodbye England's Rose" single... and guess what?... I'm one of them. Now, the most recorded song of all time is "Yesterday", which has been reportedly recorded more than 2500 times by other artists over the years... Bugger!... and I have never actually heard any version but the original.
However, let me offer a diffefent approach here. How about an eternal song?... a song that will just live forever, and will be played over and over... and will be known by people from everywhere and from all walks of life?... Let us take into account, then, Mildred and Patty Hill's "Happy Birthday to you", whose original lyrics actually read "Good Morning to All". And how about Richard Wagner's Bridal March, which is known around the world as "Here Comes the Bride". In recent rock history, there is such a song... Whether it is at the FIFA World Cup final, or at the Super Bowl, or at the Big Brother VIP finale, or anywhere where anybody wins any match, game or contest... you will hear... Queen's "We Are the Champions".... a truly eternal song that will play on forever.
So, what is the best song of all time?.... All things considered... All points of view taken into account... I'll have to say that the winner is.... drum roll, please....
Beethoven's 4th movement from this 9th symphony (Ode to Joy)....
Have you just gotten an image of Beethoven being carried in arms by his friends as "We Are the Champions" plays in the background?... mmm...
