A serious question - is this the best song ever?

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFCL-ALoXmY

It's good, but I don't think it's the best ABBA song, never mind best song ever written.

"SOS" is one of the most-covered of ABBA's songs. It has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including John Frusciante, Peter Cetera, Chris deBurgh, and Portishead.

The track has a number of music industry devotees. The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has said "SOS" is one of the best pop songs ever written, adding that when he first heard the song he "was transported by it".

Former Beatle John Lennon declared that it was one of his favourite pop songs, while Ray Davies of The Kinks said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the BBC television show Seaside Special.

American singer-songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that Agnetha Fältskog's "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".

British conductor and producer Charles Hazlewood called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".

John Frusciante has shown the song to be structurally sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1bCsCDMl7M

Oh well, it must be then......

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Originally Posted by TH63

Oh well, it must be then......

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It's a debate, but I am surprised that after all this time, I have never heard a better pure pop song. In fact, they have been regurgitating the ABBA pop formula ever since.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

It's a debate, but I am surprised that after all this time, I have never heard a better pure pop song. In fact, they have been regurgitating the ABBA pop formula ever since.

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ABBA were superb imho, coming just as Punk was in its ascendency, it wasn't "cool" to like them at the time, but they have withstood the test of time and their songs are technically very good, with complex harmonies, vocal and chords.

I like SOS, but for me, Dancing Queen and Winner are better songs.

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Originally Posted by TH63

It's good, but I don't think it's the best ABBA song, never mind best song ever written.

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It's not even the best ABBA song on the ABBA album that SOS was on (ABBA). Which is Mamma Mia.

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Originally Posted by TH63

ABBA were superb imho, coming just as Punk was in its ascendency, it wasn't "cool" to like them at the time, but they have withstood the test of time and their songs are technically very good, with complex harmonies, vocal and chords.

I like SOS, but for me, Dancing Queen and Winner are better songs.

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People like Max Martin have dissected the ABBA sound and it is still prevalent until this day.

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Originally Posted by lardy

It's not even the best ABBA song on the ABBA album that SOS was on (ABBA). Which is Mamma Mia.

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I can't see Frusciante getting away with doing a cover version of Mamma Mia at a RHCP's concert haha :-)

As you are nominating the song for the highest bauble I think that I am justified in pointing out that the lyrics are a bit weak here and there e.g.

"Whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
It used to be so nice
It used to be so good".

It's that word "nice" that makes me cringe. Particularly when followed by "good" as an alternative.

My Swedish is magnificent, of course....

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

"SOS" is one of the most-covered of ABBA's songs. It has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including John Frusciante, Peter Cetera, Chris deBurgh, and Portishead.

The track has a number of music industry devotees. The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has said "SOS" is one of the best pop songs ever written, adding that when he first heard the song he "was transported by it".

Former Beatle John Lennon declared that it was one of his favourite pop songs, while Ray Davies of The Kinks said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the BBC television show Seaside Special.

American singer-songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that Agnetha Fältskog's "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".

British conductor and producer Charles Hazlewood called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".

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Against that, Bert from Archer Road, Ely said SOS was rubbish

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

"SOS" is one of the most-covered of ABBA's songs. It has been recorded and performed in concert by several prominent artists, including John Frusciante, Peter Cetera, Chris deBurgh, and Portishead.

The track has a number of music industry devotees. The Who guitarist Pete Townshend has said "SOS" is one of the best pop songs ever written, adding that when he first heard the song he "was transported by it".

Former Beatle John Lennon declared that it was one of his favourite pop songs, while Ray Davies of The Kinks said that he was taken with the song after seeing the group perform it on the BBC television show Seaside Special.

American singer-songwriter and former Czars frontman John Grant has called "SOS" "one of the greatest pieces of music ever made", adding that Agnetha Fältskog's "perfect" lyrical interpretation and emotional delivery is "a beautiful thing".

British conductor and producer Charles Hazlewood called the song's "supersonic" transition from an acoustic D-minor key to an electric rock motif "absolutely genius".

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D minor is the saddest of all keys. It makes people weep instantly.

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Originally Posted by lardy

D minor is the saddest of all keys. It makes people weep instantly.

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Only to be instantly cheered up by an electric rock motif. It's a roller-coaster of a song

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Originally Posted by lardy

D minor is the saddest of all keys. It makes people weep instantly.

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I love Dm, Fleetwood Mac used it all the time. You can seriously rock with Dm, Bb, C, F :hehe:

Not the best pop song, never mind the best song ever.

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Originally Posted by Taunton Blue Genie

As you are nominating the song for the highest bauble I think that I am justified in pointing out that the lyrics are a bit weak here and there e.g.

"Whatever happened to our love?
I wish I understood
It used to be so nice
It used to be so good".

It's that word "nice" that makes me cringe. Particularly when followed by "good" as an alternative.

My Swedish is magnificent, of course....

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And now they sing about dildos, so what is the point you are trying to make? :hehe:

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Originally Posted by bobh

Not the best pop song, never mind the best song ever.

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Well now you have to come up with a counter argument ...

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the music industry rates Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks as the best pop song.

To answer the question posed in the title of this thread, certainly not, but it's always been my favourite Abba song as it turns out.

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Originally Posted by ian gibson

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the music industry rates Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks as the best pop song.

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It's taken me fifty years, but I've finally realised what all the fuss was about Ray Davies in these past few months.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

Well now you have to come up with a counter argument ...

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Gershwin, for one, wrote some fine songs which have stood the test of time.

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Originally Posted by ian gibson

I'm sure I've read somewhere that the music industry rates Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks as the best pop song.

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I take your point and I love that song, but for the last 40 years the pop blueprint has been ABBA, and you can trace it all back to SOS.

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Originally Posted by lardy

D minor is the saddest of all keys. It makes people weep instantly.

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So why is it called 'Sunny D'?

For me Steely Dan's FM is musically perfect, a fusion of soul, funk, rock and jazz, beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3zWSawJiw

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

I take your point and I love that song, but for the last 40 years the pop blueprint has been ABBA, and you can trace it all back to SOS.

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And keep going to motown and the Beatles.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

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It's your opinion and I will respect that because it is a superb song and one of my favourites from them.
It's a strange one for me because at the time Abba were around I liked their music but I wasn't really a fan.
These days I love their music and Abba gold takes pride of place in my cd collection.
My 10 year old granddaughter loves them, so that tells me their music as stood the test of time.
A few months ago we took her to see Mamma Mia in Cardiff and she was blown away. It was absolutly brilliant.
Going back to your question. In my opinion the best song ever is Romeo and Juliet, by Dire Straits.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

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It's not in my top 1000

Radio two are doing the definitive top records of our generation . I bet SOS is no where to be seen in the top twenty .

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Originally Posted by ian gibson

For me Steely Dan's FM is musically perfect, a fusion of soul, funk, rock and jazz, beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3zWSawJiw

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Can't Buy A Thrill is a magnificent album.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

And now they sing about dildos, so what is the point you are trying to make? :hehe:

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Back to Steely Dan then.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

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OK, you've had a few too many drinks last night, you're reminiscing on lost loves and past mistakes, you're feeling a little bit too emotional and you feel the need to communicate.

We're here for you mate but please don't burden us with your shit taste in music and don't try to justify it.

Try 116 123

:thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

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And GSOH, no doubt.

This Charming Man - Is the most universally loved song I think.

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Originally Posted by LordKenwyne

This Charming Man - Is the most universally loved song I think.

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It's all about personal taste, isn't it? And very often it's about music that touched us in our youth. It has a lot to do with time and emotional place.

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Originally Posted by TH63

ABBA were superb imho, coming just as Punk was in its ascendency, it wasn't "cool" to like them at the time, but they have withstood the test of time and their songs are technically very good, with complex harmonies, vocal and chords.

I like SOS, but for me, Dancing Queen and Winner are better songs.

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Sex Pistols Sid Vicious loved Abba he once saw them arriving at an airport and ran to meet them only for Abba to get freaked out and had their security to stop him :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

John Frusciante has shown the song to be structurally sound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1bCsCDMl7M

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That's an excellent rendition by Frusciante. great song but, the greatest?, it's too broad a subject

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Originally Posted by stan butler

Sex Pistols Sid Vicious loved Abba he once saw them arriving at an airport and ran to meet them only for Abba to get freaked out and had their security to stop him :thumbup:

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Wise move on ABBA's part.

Look what happened to Nancy Spungen. Better safe than sorry.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

When I was a young lad, this song stood out as being better than anything I had heard before.

I am a person with exquisite taste, and as weird as it may seem, I don't think this song has ever been beaten as a pop masterpiece.

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I can think of many better

Love - Alone Again Or
Beach Boys - God Only Knows
Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
Beatles - In My Life
Beatles - A Day in the Life
Beatles - Yesterday
McCartney - Coming Up
Stevie Wonder - Yesterme, Yesteryou, Yesterday
Kinks - Waterloo Sunset, Wonderboy, Sunny Afternoon
Bowie - Life on Mars


SOS is a great song though.