I was re-reading The 50 Greatest MC's by Kool Moe Dee and he made a point that a great song is not always a great record. So that made me think for a second, because we often use the terms interchangeably but they are completely different. For my own understanding and definition a great song is a lyrical/ musical gem that can be interpreted and reinterpreted time and time again. It does not have to be wonderfully producedThe example that immediately comes to mind is Yesterday by the Beatles. This song has remade by everyone from Marvin Gaye to En Vogue and always sounds good.
On the flip side a great record in my estimation is a great product, where the sonics, lyrics and vocals serve each other. Before you know it you are caught up and singing along whether you like the record or not. Ice Ice Baby anyone. Not that I didn't like it but it was the first time I realized that I sang along even when I did not want to. In my next post I will list those that I find to great songs and great records. What is your definition? What are your examples? Or is Kool Moe Dee wrong? Notice I said Moe Dee not Rashid. ;) Uno
2 comments:
Silent Night, A change Gone Come are two of my favorite pieces done time and again. Silent Night can be sung sans music and still sound good. Ice Ice Baby just had a catchy hook and a tried and true bass line, wonderfully produced horribly used. Alicia Keys first album a little overproduced nut wonderful album. Juicy has been sampled numerously and provides a hit for just about anybody who uses it. So a great song is like classic style that stand up throughout time. A great record is like trendy clothes. song=songwriting record=product/producers/artist. Really no need to give a diff def it is, what it is. All apart of the song(making)process. Take Silent Night by the Temptations. They recorded it twice, the first one they did I thought it sucked but on that second album they re-recorded it and set it on fire. Star Spangled Banner anyone?
Excellent examples, I would also throw in Always and Forever, Ribbon in the Sky, and a Song for You in that classic song category. Where it can be reinterpreted again and again. The Star Spangled Banner is that broadest of songs where everyone with an ear can find themselves.
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