best ever "pop" songs

solarflarez · Post by **solarflarez** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:02 pm

it may not be cool, but does anyone have any favourite "pop" songs? i mean songs that have charted, or are well known, not obscure album tracks, two recent(ish) ones that are faves of mine i can think of are;
"Pure" Lightening Seeds
"True Faith" New Order
i just think these are perfect, beautiful songs

mkb · Post by **mkb** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:14 pm

I think it depends on how you define pop, it could include millions of songs.

I'd say the best pop song ever is Be My Baby by The Ronettes. More recently, Girls Aloud are an amazing singles group - my favourite of their is probably Biology.

The Pet Shop Boys are all kinds of tremendous as well.

solarflarez · Post by **solarflarez** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:03 pm

are you kidding about girls aloud???? ok, my definition is, songs that have charted, they bands have to be talented in some way, PSB,s , yes , they did some superb pop in the 80s, girls aloud??? .....need shot, they offend me in every way possible

solarflarez · Post by **solarflarez** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:06 pm

â€¢Pop music is a music genre that features a noticeable rhythmic element, melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and a conventional structure.
(wikipedia)

tarzan_undies · Post by **tarzan_undies** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:12 pm

I'm with mkb on the Girls Aloud thing..Biology is fantastic

Post by **MODLAB** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:57 pm

Ever since I can remember, this song has stood out.
My brother played this when I was a toddler and then
gave me his original vinyl.

Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones

I never grow tired of this song.

Truly one of the best pop songs ever.

M

mkb · Post by **mkb** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:00 pm

solarflarez wrote:are you kidding about girls aloud???? ok, my definition is, songs that have charted, they bands have to be talented in some way, PSB,s , yes , they did some superb pop in the 80s, girls aloud??? .....need shot, they offend me in every way possible

I'm 100% serious. I just bought their singles box set - it really is brilliant. Sound of the Underground, No Good Advice, Biology, Wake Me Up, Call The Shots, The Promise, The Loving Kind, Sexy! No No No... are all as good singles as any band has managed this decade. Fair enough, with a group like that there's always going to be a fair amount of shit (usually cover versions or ballads, or both) but their ability to consistently bring out great, exciting, innovative pop songs is unparalleled in modern pop groups.

The production team behind them, Xenomania, are incredible.

Listen to Biology, how it builds up and up, how it's got about 3 different choruses. It's an amazing song.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:13 am

There are so many hundreds of possible answers to this thread that I can't even get started, but I wanted to add my voice to the Girls Aloud fans. There are many superb GA singles.

Post by **runcible** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:30 am

The most perfect pop song ever made is 'I Feel Fine' by The Beatles. Faultless. I never grow tired of it.

I saw Girls Aloud live last year as my kids wanted to go. Managed to meet 4 of them and had my picture taken with them too while proudly wearing a Heads t-shirt.

scratch · Post by **scratch** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:07 am

beatles - paperback writer
sly & the family stone - family affair
prince - sign oÂ´ the times
bowie - heroes
peter gabriel - shock the monkey
kate bush - running up that hill
eurythmics - sex crime
roxy music - more than this
bryan ferry - slave to love
police - roxanne

johnnyboy · Post by **johnnyboy** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:47 am

Poptastic:

La Roux - Bulletproof
Beyonce - Single Ladies
Kylie - Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Nelly - Hot In Here
Madonna - Borderline, Lucky Star, Holiday (plus many many more)
Prince - Alphabet Street and tons more
Take That - Never Forget, Back For Good
Adam & The Ants - Stand & Deliver
Destinys Child - Bootylicious
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On, Work It
Erasure - Sometimes

There's tons of great pop songs.

DON'T FEAR THE POP. Nothing cool about dissing it in an attempt to look all cool and rock n roll. I love a pop tune when it's done well and you can't help but sing along to it on the radio. Beats listening to something like Trout Mask Replica on a sunny day.

Post by **runcible** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:58 am

Pretty much all of The Chills catalogue.

The Posies - 'Dear 23'.

The Human League - 'Dare'.

mkb · Post by **mkb** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:21 pm

johnnyboy wrote:Poptastic:

La Roux - Bulletproof
Beyonce - Single Ladies
Kylie - Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Nelly - Hot In Here
Madonna - Borderline, Lucky Star, Holiday (plus many many more)
Prince - Alphabet Street and tons more
Take That - Never Forget, Back For Good
Adam & The Ants - Stand & Deliver
Destinys Child - Bootylicious
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On, Work It
Erasure - Sometimes

There's tons of great pop songs.

DON'T FEAR THE POP. Nothing cool about dissing it in an attempt to look all cool and rock n roll. I love a pop tune when it's done well and you can't help but sing along to it on the radio. Beats listening to something like Trout Mask Replica on a sunny day.

From start to finish, this post is correct.

Post by **MODLAB** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 1:59 pm

test.

niamhm · Post by **niamhm** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:08 pm

mkb wrote:
johnnyboy wrote:Poptastic:

La Roux - Bulletproof
Beyonce - Single Ladies
Kylie - Can't Get You Out Of My Head
Nelly - Hot In Here
Madonna - Borderline, Lucky Star, Holiday (plus many many more)
Prince - Alphabet Street and tons more
Take That - Never Forget, Back For Good
Adam & The Ants - Stand & Deliver
Destinys Child - Bootylicious
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On, Work It
Erasure - Sometimes

There's tons of great pop songs.

DON'T FEAR THE POP. Nothing cool about dissing it in an attempt to look all cool and rock n roll. I love a pop tune when it's done well and you can't help but sing along to it on the radio. Beats listening to something like Trout Mask Replica on a sunny day.

From start to finish, this post is correct.

See thats what I like ,its all about opinions everyone`s is different ,
mind if you played that lot round my place I`d have to put you out, the best of The Ronnettes is a cool pop album, every song,although it seems to be a bit pricey these days.

Post by **spzretent** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:46 pm

Bernadette- Four Tops
Bittersweet Symphony- Verve
On Islands- New Musik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuRHzHN ... PL&index=9
OK. So its a homemade thingy. Close your eyes and enjoy the power of POP!

bunnyben · Post by **bunnyben** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:13 am

there's all of the phil spector records including dion's solo album http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R5Oo4sdbzI
spector possibly the best pop song writer/producer ever

i really like hurt by natalie imbluurrrreraghhhhhhhhhhh until it gets to the guitar solo at the end then all the good work is undone.

scott walker songs

oasis songs

the coral- dreaming of you

sinatra- strangers in the night (whoever wrote it)

brel- if you go away

francoise hardy (anything)

elvis of course!

etc

spunder · Post by **spunder** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:55 am

Beatles - a hard days night
The Who - cant explain
Pink Floyd - see emily play
Rolling Stones - honky tonk women
James Brown - sex machine....

...i'm sure theres a few more......

johnnyboy · Post by **johnnyboy** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:17 pm

Pushing the boundaries of what you class as 'pop' on here. Surely Honky Tonk Woman, as an example, is rock n roll rather than pop. I wouldn't class my Stones, Beatles, Floyd, Spector albums as pop. Maybe the line has blurred bewteen what was once classed as pop and now what I see as classic rock n roll, soul or funk songs. But then everyone has their own opinion of what pop is I suppose. I always see it as your La Roux, Duran Duran, Girls Aloud, Yazoo type stuff. If not then I'll bung in the VU's 'There She Goes' into my original list......(just to show some street cred and that

.....and because it's a great song).

Post by **runcible** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:25 pm

johnnyboy wrote:Pushing the boundaries of what you class as 'pop' on here.

I was starting to think that too. There goes my idea to suggest Electric Wizard's 'We Hate You' and Butthole Surfers 'The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave'.

niamhm · Post by **niamhm** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:15 pm

runcible wrote:
johnnyboy wrote:Pushing the boundaries of what you class as 'pop' on here.
I was starting to think that too. There goes my idea to suggest Electric Wizard's 'We Hate You' and Butthole Surfers 'The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave'.

I think maybe pop being an abreviation of popular ,anything that makes the top 40 by definition is pop.

flokie · Post by **flokie** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:27 pm

niamhm wrote:
runcible wrote:
johnnyboy wrote:Pushing the boundaries of what you class as 'pop' on here.
I was starting to think that too. There goes my idea to suggest Electric Wizard's 'We Hate You' and Butthole Surfers 'The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey's Grave'.
I think maybe pop being an abreviation of popular ,anything that makes the top 40 by definition is pop.

Can't agree there, I tend to think of it more as a genre rather than anything top 40.

Best ever songs... that'll take some thinking. 2009 favourite: Little Boots. I'll have "Remedy", "Stuck on Repeat", "Mathematics" and "Perfect Symmetry" (w/ Phil Oakey) from the album please.

jadams501 · Post by **jadams501** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:01 am

George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
Verve - Sonnet
Oasis- Live Forever
Nirvana - All Apologies
Jackson Browne - Somebody's Baby
Al Green - Livin' For You
Any number of Beatles songs
Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Frank Sinatra - Strangers In The Night, Somethin' Stupid

toomilk · Post by **toomilk** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:54 am

The Cars - Just What I Needed
The Smiths - This Charming Man
Echo and The Bunnymen - My Kingdom
The Jam - Town Called Malice
The Supremes - Can't Hurry Love (see what I did there?)
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
The Beatles - I'll Follow the Sun

jesus son · Post by **jesus son** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 9:35 am

Phil Spector, arguably the ultimate pop producer, drove himself to (further) madness to produce what he wanted to be regarded as the ultimate pop song, River Deep Mountain High. It only reached number 88 in the charts in the States.

Stuart X.Hunter · Post by **Stuart X.Hunter** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:31 am

solarflarez wrote:â€¢Pop music is a music genre that features a noticeable rhythmic element, melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and a conventional structure.
(wikipedia)

To me it has to have a consistent beat; be around about 2 (or 3) verses with a memorable chorus and either have an interesting bridge or instrumental section between the second and third verse (or first verse repeated).
The length of a pop song "should" be coming in about 3.5 minutes. Lyrics should be simple with the vocal style echoing the predominant tune.
Nowadays the music video is key...it allows those who interact too get an instant feel for what's being said without really listening.

For me; a great pop song must have some sort of connection too or escape from reality.

I'm still disgusted by the amount of "words by numbers" supposed American R&B that gets into our charts. *mini-rant to follow* Kanye West is a prime example and all those that follow him; with the Gucci, Prada (fucking toffs boating gear!!!), cars, Japanese drumming, vocoder/voc-synth, celebrity guest singers that goes on.
To be honest if ever anyone looked out of place it was when he came up against Estelle...who oozes controlled cool *mini-rant ceased*. Speaking of cool;

"Sweet Jane" - Velvet Underground. Classic storytelling of some ordinary folks carried out with shrug-shouldered humour.
"Rock 'n' Roll" is another. Remember when Radio was cool!
"Transmission" - Joy Division...."Radio...Live Transmission" boomed as if coming from some out of there different planet. "Dance, dance, dance, dance....dance to the radio" then that drum fill...
"Love will Tear us Apart" - I still have no idea what Curtis is mumbling through the verses but I get the feel...an overwhelming brood that no matter what...nothing ever last for ever.
"Nothing ever Last Forever" - Echo and the Bunnymen. Sweeping strings...bittersweet....
"Bittersweet Symphony" - Could anything have added to this song better than the whole copyright issue. Damned if you do, damned if you dont but sometimes, sometimes there's just moments...
"Waiting for the 7.18" - Bloc Party..."Just give me moments...not hours or days"

Pop is beautiful, sexy - "Slow" - Kylie Minogue
Pop is self destrcutive, disparate - "China Girl" - Iggy Pop
Pop is desire, longing - "Unfinished Symphony" - Massive Attack

And finally; Pop is about overcoming - "True Faith" - New Order

There are endless great Pop songs and I'm happy to say that Spiritualized have left a dent in the anthemic mould with "Soul on Fire' in my 30's, the way "Live Forever" did in my 20's and the way "Made of Stone" hit me in my teens.

Great topic but sadly under-discussed...is it because it's too vast?

Best,

Stuart

clewsr · Post by **clewsr** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:57 pm

Stuart, I'd still struggle to put most of your [good] choices into what I think of as Pop. Its a bit of a problem when non of us can quite agree on what is pop and what isn't!

They most enjoyable pop song I've heard recently is Lilley Allen's Not Fair. I think its the only song I'v heard about crap sex, it makes me laugh each time i hear it, as well being a great song.

Stuart X.Hunter · Post by **Stuart X.Hunter** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:02 pm

clewsr wrote:Stuart, I'd still struggle to put most of your [good] choices into what I think of as Pop. Its a bit of a problem when non of us can quite agree on what is pop and what isn't!

They most enjoyable pop song I've heard recently is Lilley Allen's Not Fair. I think its the only song I'v heard about crap sex, it makes me laugh each time i hear it, as well being a great song.

I dunno either; perhaps it's of the now...disposable but it can't be that either because great Pop songs are forever...Oh I dunno...I like Lilly Allen stuff too...I love her non-plussed delivery...

It's funny hearing people in my work singing the lines to it without really digesting what they are saying out loud.

Best,

Stuart

Already There · Post by **Already There** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:34 pm

solarflarez wrote:it may not be cool, but does anyone have any favourite "pop" songs? i mean songs that have charted, or are well known, not obscure album tracks, two recent(ish) ones that are faves of mine i can think of are;
"Pure" Lightening Seeds
"True Faith" New Order
i just think these are perfect, beautiful songs

I prefer New Order's Crystal. ^^
Um... What else... Oh well, I quite like Sunday Bloody Sunday at the moment, but let's talk about this in a couple of months again...

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:39 pm

clewsr wrote:It's a bit of a problem when non of us can quite agree on what is pop and what isn't!

I agree with this.

niamhm wrote:I think maybe pop being an abreviation of popular.

That's what I thought and since the introdution of weekly charts back when, time has been kind to pop music and perhaps it got accepted as a genre rather than actually starting out as one.

Far too many to mention but these five are on my list...

Transvision Vamp - Baby I don't Care.
The Four Tops or Donnie Elbert - I Can't Help Myself.
Gloria Jones or Soft Cell - Tainted Love.
Billy Ocean â€“ Red Light Spells Danger.
Noel's favourite, The Beatles - Ticket To Ride.

Already There · Post by **Already There** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:57 pm

I've never been too much of a Ticket to Ride fan.

But Daytripper and A Hard Days Night are some of my favourites.

radioshack · Post by **radioshack** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:10 pm

clewsr wrote:
They most enjoyable pop song I've heard recently is Lilley Allen's Not Fair. I think its the only song I'v heard about crap sex, it makes me laugh each time i hear it, as well being a great song.

God I hate Lily Allen. But then again I loved 2 of Lady Gaga's singles, so really I can't judge.

I like

There She Goes by The La's
Almost all the Smiths' singles
All Night Long by the Mary Jane Girls
The Model by Kraftwerk
Whatever by Oasis
The Beyonce song (i think it's called All The Single Ladies)
If I had to pick a Beatles single, it would be Hello Goodbye

StellarMainlines · Post by **StellarMainlines** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:14 pm

JesamineThe Casuals
Definately

Post by **runcible** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:15 pm

Did anyone suggest 'Dancing Queen' by Abba? Also 'I Feel Love' by Donna Summer. Step to the side here but both are worthy.

Post by **spzretent** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:50 pm

Donna Summer? Dim All The Lights for me.
Dizzy by Tommy Roe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN7JKtnODwE

Crimson & Clover by Tommy James/Shondells

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ-P8Fgfhvk

Pop w/just enough psychedelicness tossed in.

sunray · Post by **sunray** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:38 am

The Teardrop Explodes - "Reward" and The Aliens "Happy Song".

Post by **runcible** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 3:12 pm

Squeeze - Up The Junction.

I played a Squeeze compilation today and was reminded of just how strong so many of their hits were. Up The Junction just happens to be very moving at the same time, but there are plenty of other fantastic songs - 'Another Nail In My Heart', 'Pulling Mussels From The Shell', 'Labelled With Love' etc.

ononist · Post by **ononist** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:44 am

I saw Squeeze at Latitude in the summer. They were great.

bunnyben · Post by **bunnyben** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:37 pm

Stuart X.Hunter wrote:
solarflarez wrote:.
"Love will Tear us Apart" - I still have no idea what Curtis is mumbling through the verses but I get the feel...an overwhelming brood that no matter what...nothing ever last for ever.
Stuart

When the routine bites hard
and ambitions are low
And the resentment rides high
but emotions won't grow
And we're changing our ways,
taking different roads

Then love, love will tear us apart
again (4)

Why is the bedroom so cold
Turned away on your side
Is my timing that flawed,
our respect run so dry?
Yet there's still this appeal
That we've kept through
our lives

Love, love will tear us apart again (4)

Do you cry out in your sleep
All my failings expose?
Get a taste in my mouth
As desperation takes hold
Is it something so good
Just can't function no more

When love, love will tear us apart
again (4)

bunnyben · Post by **bunnyben** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:41 pm

there is no defintion. if you asked someone who goes the the britney forum or the cure forum etc they would have a different list but over every forum there would be songs that were all the same. also it is about exposure. if the radio played hank williams- love sick blues and it got in the top 40 would that then be a pop standard? or cover versions of hallelujah, dylan etc. is mr tamborine man pop? is the byrds mr tamborine man pop? what is the difference if there is any?

Saint_Hooligan · Post by **Saint_Hooligan** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 4:27 pm

My favourite pop song ever is

Bonny by Prefab Sprout

Closely followed by

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell
My Ever Changing Moods by The Style Council

and

Move On Your (the long version actually) by Curtis Mayfield.