Been on massive deadline, but I’m doin a list today, dammit. I don’t care if you’re still at work or not.
So I was sittin here the other day listening to Jimi’s “1983,” and it dawned on me how amazing it is that he manages to hold the listener’s attention for like 13 minutes. I have a hard enough time sitting still during sitcoms, let alone for that.
The list this week will be of songs over 6 minutes long that are still fiyah. To me, going over 6 minutes on a song is like going over 150 minutes for a movie–you only do so for great reason (that’s Bill Simmons’ theory, not mine, but he’s right).
Let’s roll…
American Pie – Don McLean. If you read this page, you knew that one was coming. Good gracious, I wish I wrote that.
OutKast – Liberation. Great late night riding music. I hear it’s good for other things, too.
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain. “Play like your mama just died.” And Eddie did.
Bob Dylan – Hurricane. Here’s the thing with those long Dylan songs…they never have bridges or solos or anything. Just him singing. This one bangs, though.
Isaac Hayes – The Look of Love. If you didn’t think he was a genius before hearing this one, you will afterwards.
Weezer – Only in Dreams. Thanks to Kirk for hippin’ me to this one.
Jimi Hendrix – 1983. Even though I’m still not sure what the hell he’s talking about.
Stevie Wonder – Superwoman. When I first did my Stevie list, I made this like #15. After further review, it’s top 3.
Bruce Springsteen – Rosalita. This has been on a list before, too. In fact, I think all of these have. Sue me–I’ve been working all day on a bowl of oatmeal.
Black Sabbath – War Pigs. Geezer could write a song. And Ozzy could make them all his own.
Led Zeppelin – In the Light. Yeah, you expected Stairway. This might be just as good.
O’Jays – For the Love of Money. Has a song ever been more ready-made to be sampled?
Digital Underground – Good Thing We’re Rappin. One of them songs I’m ashamed I like. It’s genius, though.
Prince – pick one, any one. Today, I’ll say the 12″ version of “She’s Always in My Hair.”
The Time – 777-9311. “I got to be cooler than the cat you’re sittin with.” I’ve always wondered if buddy was sittin’ there when Morris said that. He’d have beat the perm off him, if so.
Velvet Underground – Heroin. If Lou Reed was sane, would he have been as good of a musician? Probably not, but insanity led him to say that heroin makes him feel like “Jesus’ son.” It’s so powerful when you hear it, and enough to keep me away from smack. That and my fear of needles.
Metallica – Master of Puppets. I forget where it came from, but Kirk always talks about hearing Les Claypool play the guitar parts of this on the bass. That’s some serious shit.
Bob Marley – No Woman, No Cry. If I have to explain, you’re hopeless.
Beatles – I Want You (She’s So Heavy). Is Abbey Road the most underappreciated Beatles album? Or is it Magical Mystery Tour?
Rolling Stones – Can You Hear Me Knockin. Talk about closing with a bang.
The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again. Instrumentally, The Who might have been the best band of their era. Zeppelin and P-Funk included.
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Tuesday’s Gone. “Freebird” is better. But I just love the piano.
Verve – Bittersweet Symphony. It’s just short of 6 minutes, but I never get tired of hearing this. Even though it’s really a song about being fucked up in the head. But then again, so is “Heroin.”
Sorry these are almost all well known. Too tired to pore through the skull for the more obscure.
22 thoughts on “25 Fantastic, but Long, Songs”
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I’d add “Water” by The Roots to that list. Great list by the way.
Any list of great long songs has to include “My Favorite Things” by the great John Coltrane. It’s over 13 minutes long, and is a classic that you can never get tired of hearing.
You will eternally be my homie for life because you mentioned Bittersweet Symphony, not to mention some other incredible tracks. Have a great weekend.
C
I’d add “Aqueous Transmission” by Incubus. The song just speaks for itself. Check it out — great when you’re half-baked (if you do that stuff). Not saying I do…
By the way, about “Aqueous Transmission”, one person said that “it feels like you’re floating down a river at night-time” — I’d have to agree. Sorry for the two successive posts, probably one of the most annoying things in the history of annoying things.
Was Woodstock ’94.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uva_FrpLU6M&search=primus
“Two Step (Live from Central Park)” by DMB shoulda been included. As well as “The End” by The Doors and “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead. But, man, so many good epic songs to choose from.
I don’t think it would be fair to include jazz songs on this list, and I’m on the fence about long Prog-Rock epics.
Funkadelic—One Nation Under a Groove, Atmosphere, Wars of Armageddon, I’ll Stay;======
Curtis Mayfield—move on up;======Chic—Good Times; ======Gentle Giant—School Days;====== Genesis—Supper’s Ready;======War—Slippin Into Darkness;======Isaac Hayes—By The Time I Get to Phoenix;======Stevie—Maybe Your Baby;======Marvin Gaye—Is That Enough;======MJ—Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough;======James Brown—The Payback;======Harold Melvin &the Blue Notes—I Miss You;======Ohio Players—Good Luck Charm, Skin Tight, Angel;======The Doors—Light My Fire, The End, When The Music’s Over;======Stereolab—Refractions in the Plastic Pulse;======Tortoise—Djed; ======D’Angelo—The Root;======Badu—Green Eyes; ======Madlib—6 Variations of In The Rain; ======Digable Planets—Black Ego; ======Outkast—Stanklove, Growin Old, Spottieottiedopaliscious;======Roots—Water;======Sufjan Stevens—Come on Feel The Illinoise!
Another Doors suggestion that’s not “Riders on the Storm.” Interesting. And I personally slipped not listing Cryin’ Lenny. But a reminder–no longer Top 25 lists, these are just lists of 25 unless otherwise noted.
like you, i have a hard time sitting through much of anything. hence, it always amazes me that i can listen to “Liberation” back to back, as many times as i see fit.
like you, i have a hard time sitting through much of anything. hence, it always amazes me that i can listen to “Liberation” back to back, as many times as i see fit.
i love your list. i almost freaked when i saw “maggot brain”. man, i love that song.
i love your list. i almost freaked when i saw “maggot brain”. man, i love that song.
I would say “The End” by The Doors is a good omission. There is some serious Oedipus Complex stuff goin’ on there.
As for the Beatles, “Abbey Road” is absolutely not underappreciated. Every Beatles-phile gives props to that album… but, you are correct in assuming Magical Mystery Tour is… Another u.a. album by the Fab Four is Rubber Soul.
And finally, my favorite long song growing up in the 70s was the album version of Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).” by The Jacksons. I wore the needle out on my record player with the whole “Destiny” album.
Wow, I forgot “Can You Feel It.” My favorite MJ related tune.
I would say “The End” by The Doors is a good omission. There is some serious Oedipus Complex stuff goin’ on there.
As for the Beatles, “Abbey Road” is absolutely not underappreciated. Every Beatles-phile gives props to that album… but, you are correct in assuming Magical Mystery Tour is… Another u.a. album by the Fab Four is Rubber Soul.
And finally, my favorite long song growing up in the 70s was the album version of Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).” by The Jacksons. I wore the needle out on my record player with the whole “Destiny” album.
Wow, I forgot “Can You Feel It.” My favorite MJ related tune.
Yes-Roundabout; Jacko-Thriller & Smooth Criminal; Dream Theater-Lie & As I Am (kinda prog metal epics tho but w/vox) there’s more I can’t think of right now
Yes-Roundabout; Jacko-Thriller & Smooth Criminal; Dream Theater-Lie & As I Am (kinda prog metal epics tho but w/vox) there’s more I can’t think of right now
I want to add Lenny Williams Cause I Love You. If you ever with the one you love and you want a song that pours out what’s in your heart Lenny does it best. The fact that the man can go through the myriad of emotions he goes through and still make you go damn at the end that is a great long song. Oh and Outkast Spottieottiedopaliscious, the beat alone gets me going. And finally I’m surprised nobody mentioned Cruisin’. I prefer Smokie my finance the D’Angelo version.
Some definite goodies on your list. Two to consider:
Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
Aint’ No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
Some definite goodies on your list. Two to consider:
Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
Aint’ No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
It’s sad that I know all the words to “American Pie” but can’t remember anything that would help me pass Principles of Economics.
It’s sad that I know all the words to “American Pie” but can’t remember anything that would help me pass Principles of Economics.
paradise by the dashboard light!!! i love meatloaf