Like a Rolling Stone named greatest song ever

Reuters ^ | November 18, 2004 | Steve Gorman

[ConservativeStatement]

"No other pop song has so thoroughly challenged and transformed the commercial laws and artistic conventions of its time, for all time," wrote Rolling Stone senior editor David Fricke in an article accompanying the magazine's list of the top 500 rock songs of all time.

[ConservativeStatement]

Boston's debut album was the biggest seller ever until a few years ago, maybe still is.

[af_vet_1981]

It's not even in Dylan's top twenty songs, much less the greatest song ...

[ConservativeStatement]

I have Sweet Pea in a 45. :-)

[Steve_Seattle]

I never liked "Hotel California" at all, but thought "Desperado" and "Take It To the Limit" were two of the all time greats.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

See, you're mixing your genres again. To wit:

"It's not about (a) wanting to sleep with someone,"
Arguably, wanting to sleep with someone DEFINES rock-and roll. If it has no sexual component, either lyrically or musically, it's probably just jazz or folk.

"(b) sleeping with someone"
That would be R&B (Barry White et al.)

"or (c) moaning over someone you used to sleep with."
Country & Western (also encompasses moaning over the truck, job, or dog you used to have)

"Nor is it about (a) how hard the artist is,"
Not sure what you mean exactly, but maybe Dylan (hard rain) and Paul Simon (I am an Island) fit

"(b) how he can or has killed people who have crossed him"
Rap, of course

"and (c) how his musical abilities far surpass all his contemporaries."
Barry Manilow (I Write the Songs)?

Now that I've fueled the flames, my own personal favorite Dylan songs: "Never Say Goodbye" from Blood on the Tracks, and "Positively 4th Street" from Greatest Hits.

[Lx]

No way, gotta be a tie between Muscrat Love & Loving You...

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I'd opt for "The Anaheim, Azusa, and Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review and Timing Association."

LOL! My fave Jan & Dean song!

There's Patience, Proper & Prudence Prim
You ought to see them do the swim!

[ConservativeStatement]

These lists are made for conversation purposes only. It is all in good fun. I am a huge Zepp fan and I will mention polar opposite compositions like "Achilles Last Stand" and "That's the Way" as tribute to their musicianship.

With that said, putting my Zepp bias aside, if I had to choose a number one tune it would be "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who. Daltry's signature scream accompanied with "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" define rock and roll to me. The Doors' "LA Woman," "Light My Fire," and "Roadhouse Blues" along with Guns 'n Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" merit attention, too, but I could mention so many others.

[ArmyBratCutie]

more favs:

"I Cant Help Falling In Love With You" The King
"Under The Boardwalk" The Drifters ( shag dancing music)

[drjimmy]

Bob Dylan wouldn't know a rock-and-roll song if it came up and bit him on his wrinkly old folkie butt.

Highway 61 Revisited; Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat; Hurricane; It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry; Maggie's Farm; Rainy Day Women #12 & 35; She's Your Lover Now; Tombstone Blues; Like a Rolling Stone. Just a few of Dylan's songs that would bite most rock-and-roll poseurs in the butt.

[Big Digger]

Think I'll stick with jazz

You and me both, Bub.

[wideawake]

I agree with that sentiment. My vote for best Dylan song right now is either 'Idiot Wind' or 'Joey'.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Stardust is considered by many to be the best song of all time.

I'm with you. Nothing Dylan ever wrote even approaches it.

Plus it was written by a Republican (Hoagy Carmichael).

[newcats]

Especially "Hot Blooded."
Yep...nothing like irresponsible wanton sex with an under-aged groupie to promote good values.

[najida]

Feelings!

Either that or Timothy...

Ok, maybe Honey.

Or even Afternoon Delight. ;)

[Taliesan]

After the Beach Boys, the darkness.

[drjimmy]

Now that I've fueled the flames, my own personal favorite Dylan songs: "Never Say Goodbye" from Blood on the Tracks, and "Positively 4th Street" from Greatest Hits.
"Never Say Goodbye" is from Planet Waves. Blood on the Tracks has produced some of my own favorites, including "Idiot Wind," "Tangled Up in Blue," and the heartbreaking "If You See Her, Say Hello."

[wideawake]

LOL! Great post.

[ConservativeStatement]

"Imagine" is so hypocritical if it is analyzed. "No possessions..." but I have always enjoyed the Beatles and their solo work (except for that horrid McCartney stuff with Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson). A few days ago, I heard Rush Limbaugh talk about The Pretenders "My City was Gone" which is about Ohio. Rush played the entire song in election thanks to Ohio. He often plays that song as his intro and he discussed the liberal ideology to the song but he still enjoys it. I do, too.

[The Westerner]

That's closer anyway. Like a Rolling Stone was an anthem for the depressed, hopeless generation of the 60's.