25 Fantastic, but Long, Songs

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.