Two weeks from today, you'll know my favorite song EVER. Let the speculation begin!
12. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER-SIMON & GARFUNKEL (1970)
ALBUM: Bridge Over Troubled Water
A number of years ago, VH-1 ran a special in which the hundred greatest compositions of the rock era, selected by a number of artists
and record industry folks, were counted down (it was no Boneys, but it wasn't bad lol). With each song, 3 or 4 quick sound bites from
music people were featured. I don't remember what number this song came in at (it was up fairly high, but not right near the top),
but I do remember that James Taylor called this song "heroic". That description stuck with me, as I found it pretty accurate. It is one
of those rare compositions that I listen to and find it almost impossible to believe that a mere mortal created it. A work of breathtaking
brilliance, with an equally transcendent vocal by Art Garfunkel. In recent years, Art hasn't always hit that last note quite so solidly,
as I understand, but when we saw them on their reunion tour a few years ago, he not only hit it dead on, he held it longer than he did on
the record. I don't mind admitting that there were a couple of tears running down my cheeks. The song is that powerful.
11. NO MATTER WHAT-BADFINGER (1970)
Album: No Dice
This is a PERFECT pop song. The opening guitar riff grabs your attention immediately. It doesn't waste time doing the usual verse-verse-
chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus thing, it goes directly to the chorus and an insanely catchy melody. Hell, the bridge and the guitar solo
even have no shortage of hooks. Harmonies are sharp, the drums kick out of the second bridge to wonderful effect, and then comes the cherry
on the top: the three beats of silence before it all comes back in for the final couple of lines. Like I said...perfect.
