GutenAbend Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I need all the help i can get here.Im doing a essay on the perfect three-minute pop song.I would like to get everyones opinion on what songs you think are the perfect three-minute pop songs.I know everyone from oasis,greenday to nirvana have mastered this format and many other bands in the history of rock.My paper is due dec.02 and i would like to include at least 50 perfect three-minute pop songs(no more than 4min songs)...Thanks in advance for any insight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 almost everything by fountains of wayne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thecanuck Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 "Don't Worry Baby", by the Beach Boys is the track that first comes to me when I think of pop perfection. From composition to production, the song is flawless. Each layer perfectly complements the other. There are plenty of other Beach Boys selections to chose from as well, but this one particularly strikes me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_fliz1 Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Honestly without sounding too much like a homer Outtasite (Outtamind) is a pretty darn good pop song. It only comes in at 2:34 so I don't know if it is too short. Some others: Sick of Myself - Mathew SweetBlitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones Also look at the Beatles catalog. I'm just spitballing here, but there might be some in there somewhere if you dig deep. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quosh Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 How about: 'There She Goes' by The La's 'Another Girl, Another Planet' by 'The Only Ones'. Definitely 'perfect pop' for me,Alex Sorry man - just re-read your post, I'm not sure of the times, I thought of another one as well 'Sparky's Dream' by The Teenage Fanclub. Good luck. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 The most perfect song ever recorded was Hendrix's original "Little Wing," but it's less than 2:30 if I recall correctly. The chord progression is amazing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Nick Lowe - I Love My Label Easybeats-Friday On My Mind Monkees - Steppin Stone Eddie Cochran - Lots like Summertime Blues Creation - Painterman and a few more ............................................................. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marijn Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Pretty much everything by The Kinks, especially Waterloo Sunset. R.E.M. - (Don't Go Back To) Rockville the Shins - Phantom Limb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 The most perfect song ever recorded was Hendrix's original "Little Wing," but it's less than 2:30 if I recall correctly. The chord progression is amazing. Also, I Can't Explain - The Who (2:05)Twist And Shout - The Beatles (2:33)Get Off Of My Cloud - The Rolling Stones (2:56)Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley (1:58)You Really Got Me - The Kinks (2:13) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Much of the Marshall Crenshaw catalog qualifies. The best-known examples are "Someday Someway" and "Whenever You're On My Mind." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 The La's pick is a great one. But you also need: "September Gurls" - Big Star others:"So It Goes" and "Cruel To Be Kind" - Nick Lowe"Raspberry Beret" - Prince"Live" - The Merry-Go-Round And just about anything by Smokey Robinson Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peqger Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 There's propably a gazillion of these, but Caesars' We Got To Leave is definitely one of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Campaigner Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 So many power-pop classics qualify; 'Precious to Me' - Phil Seymour (2:53)'Baby's Coming Back' - Jellyfish (2:57)'Valerie Loves Me' - Material Issue (3:09) But ditto to whoever said 'Don't Worry Baby'. As perfect as music can be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Miracle Drug by AC Newman. Clocks in at 2:19. Perfect power pop song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 "Don't Worry Baby", by the Beach Boys is the track that first comes to me when I think of pop perfection. From composition to production, the song is flawless. Each layer perfectly complements the other. There are plenty of other Beach Boys selections to chose from as well, but this one particularly strikes me. I like you Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 And while I will reitterate props for the Beach Boys selection, I will come up with yet another option: I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better" - The Byrds I mean, it's simple, it's catchy, and it just flows exactly the way that it's supposed to flow. But it never gets old.Perfect. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cryptique Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Agreed on that Byrds tune. Here's a list of some of my personal favorites ... some are well-known, some are not. "Yesterday's Love" - Any Trouble"Rock & Roll Woman" - Buffalo Springfield"Cry to Me" - Solomon Burke"Fall At Your Feet" - Crowded House (also "Better Be Home Soon")"Losing Myself Too" - John Cunningham"Runaround Sue" - Dion"The Big Lie" - Gigolo Aunts"Rain Hail Shine" - Ice Cream Hands (EP version)"One More Time" - Joe Jackson"Down About It" - Lemonheads"I Don't Want To Know" - Nils Lofgren"Everybody's Talkin'" - Fred Neil"Hellbent" - Superdrag"I've Been Waiting" - Matthew Sweet There are hundreds I could suggest, but these ones crossed my mind this morning (with a little help from my hard drive full o' tunes). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mjpuczko Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 headache - frank black Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 "Our Love" by Rhett Miller Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Another one:"Seems So" - The Apples In Stereo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Either the search function's all screwed or nobody has yet said "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes. I'll pretend the search function is screwed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boywiththorninside Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 "Somebody Made For Me" by Emitt Rhodes - 2:25 "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" by The Walker Brothers - 3:03 "Walk Away Renee" - The Left Banke - 2:43 or "Pretty Ballerina" - The Left Banke - 2:38 "I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5 - 3:03 "You are the Light" - Jens Lekman - 3:23 "Cemetry Gates" - The Smiths - 2:41 or "This Charming Man" - The Smiths -2:44 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Twisted Acres Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell 2:28"God Only Knows" - Beach Boys 2:51"Dancing in the Street" - Martha and the Vandellas 2:40"My Girl" The Temptations 2:45 (although the magnificent mono version comes in at 2:57)"Wonderful World" - Sam Cooke 2:08 (does it ALL in just over 2... no fluff, no BS!)"Candy" - The Astors 3:02"(I've Got A Feeling) You're Gonna Be Sorry" - Billy Butler & The Enchanters 2:20 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tongue-tied lightning Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Town Called Malice-The Jam Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El Picador Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I've always felt that "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure is the greatest pop song ever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.