This has been done a lot. What is your choice for the best "popular" song of the 20th Century. Try to explain your choice. This is a difficult question because many of the greatest American songs ever written were written before any of us were born. There have been several generations of song writers and performers since 1900. My choice is Hogy Carmichael's signature song, Stardust, which was written in 1929. I think it has been recorded more than any other American song. Fifteen years ago, it had been recorded 75 times. Stardust is beautifully written, arranged, and orchestrated. It has a hook that compells most listeners to whistle the tune after hearing it for the first time. The lyrics are poetic in the romantic old style. My favorite version of Stardust was sung by the incomparable Nat King Cole, who is in my opinion, the greatest male (popular music) singer of all time. Stardust And now the purple dusk of twilight time Steals across the meadows of my heart High up in the sky the little stars climb Always reminding me that we're apart You wandered down the lane and far away Leaving me a song that will not die Love is now the Stardust of yesterday The music of the years gone by. Sometimes, I wonder why I spend the lonely night dreaming of a song The melody haunts my reverie And I am once again with you When our love was new And each kiss an inspiration But that was long ago Now my consolation is in the Stardust of a song Beside a garden wall When stars are bright, you are in my arms The nightingale tells his fairy tale' Of paradise where roses bloom 'though I dream in vain In my heart it will remain My Stardust melody The memory of love's refrain
Grateful Dead Ripple If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung, Would you hear my voice come thru the music, Would you hold it near as it were your own? It’s a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken, Perhaps they’re better left unsung. I don’t know, don’t really care Let there be songs to fill the air. Ripple in still water, When there is no pebble tossed, Nor wind to blow. Reach out your hand if your cup be empty, If your cup is full may it be again, Let it be known there is a fountain, That was not made by the hands of men. There is a road, no simple highway, Between the dawn and the dark of night, And if you go no one may follow, That path is for your steps alone. Ripple in still water, When there is no pebble tossed, Nor wind to blow. But if you fall you fall alone, If you should stand then who’s to guide you? If I knew the way I would take you home. La dee da da da, la da da da da, da da da, da da, da da da da da La da da da, la da da, da da, la da da da, la da, da da.
GOD BLESS AMERICA America's unofficial National Anthem. Author: Irving Berlin, 1918; revised 1938 Spoken Introduction: While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above From the mountains To the prairies, To the ocean white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home. And sung by Kate Smith Absolutely nothing can be any better than this one!
Most Popular song: umm. how about "Old McDonald had a farm" or "Happy Birthday", I think at one time or another every person in this country has sung it. Favorite Song: "Mack the knife" jumps into my head by Bobby Darin but that was originally from the German Play translated into "A Three Penny Opera" or something, so I have to pick a more American song which would be umm lets see, Led Zepplin, Stones, Beatles, Sex Pistols, U2, UB40, The Kinks, Ann Lenox, Pink Floyd,Depeche Mode,etc....all are from Great Britian so um I guess I will pick Irving Berlin's "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" for the Irony since he was Jewish.
After long hours of peering thru a loup and knowing I still have 2/3s of a bag left to look at, my favorite song is - THEIR COMMING TO TAKE ME AWAY HO HO HEE HEE HA HA TO THE HAPPY HOME WHERE LIFE IS GAY.
David Allen Coe The Perfect C&W Song ???????????????????????????????????????? It was all that I could do to keep from cryin' Sometimes it seems so useless to remain You don't have to call me darlin', darlin' You never even call me by my name. You don't have to call me Waylon Jennings And you don't have to call me Charlie Pride. You don't have to call me Merle Haggard, anymore. Even though your on my fightin' side. CHORUS And I'll hang around as long as you will let me And I never minded standin' in the rain. You don't have to call me darlin', darlin' You never even call me by my name. I've heard my name a few times in your phone book I've seen it on signs where I've laid But the only time I know, I'll hear David Allan Coe Is when Jesus has his final judgement day. CHORUS... Well, a friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song and he told me it was the perfect country and western song. I wrote him back a letter and told him it was NOT the perfect country and western song because he hadn't said anything about Momma, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or gettin' drunk. Well, he sat down and wrote another verse to the song and he sent it to me and after reading it, I realized that my friend had written the perfect country and western song. And I felt obliged to include it on this album. The last verse goes like this here: Well, I was drunk the day my Mom got outta prison. And I went to pick her up in the rain. But, before I could get to the station in my pickup truck She got runned over by a damned old train. CHORUS So I'll hang around as long as you will let me And I never minded standin' in the rain. No, You don't have to call me darlin', darlin' You never even call me, I wonder why you don't call me Why don't you ever call me by my name. Bone
Ivring Berlin loved this nation and appreciated what he had here and he was loved in New York when he was with us. People used to gather outside his brownstone and sing his songs to him. It is said he used to come out with cookies and milk and talk awhile before going to sleep. I never went myself for my singing would be disrespectful for anyone to hear. But now I wish I went to see. Another wasted opportunity. Woody Allen also is known for playing in a small jazz club on what I believe was Tuesday night. I was never sorry not seeing him. I went out with a print and walkway model off and on for two years when I lived in the lower midtown area. I'm glad I saw her.
The best American song of the 20th century? No question: Don McLean's "American Pie." I remember being 8 (I'm almost 20 now) and knowing all the words to that song, having listened to them often on my dad's old record player. It's a true classic American song that I hope will never get lost in all of this new rap and metal and techno crap. ~AJ
I'll never decide, I'm always humming something in my head. I'm just glad my hearing is still good. Usually the best song of the Century is the one i'm thinking of now. Unfortunately the one now is Warner Bros Industrial Music. My bids on the last century.. Beethoven's 9th, Amazing Grace, Battle Hymm of the Republic, The Marsellaise <sp> and too lazy to look it up, Star Spangled Banner.... oh forget it.. I can't stop there either GlacierMI P.S you've all picked good one... Stardust is my favorite shower song
Ah yes the La Marseillaise. The year was 1984 and I was in the military stationed in Germany. Several fellows and myself decided to take some leave (military vacation time) and go over to Paris for a few (10) days... fast forward thru a few days of debauchery, you know wine, women, song. So Tom Tribandes (sp) jumps up on the deckhouse of this vintage touring ship in the middle of the Seine River and sings acappella the La Marseillaise flawlessly. Allons enfants de la Patrie Le jour de gloire est arrivÈ. Contre nous, de la tyrannie, L'Ètandard sanglant est levÈ, l'Ètandard sanglant est levÈ, Entendez-vous, dans la compagnes. Mugir ces farouches soldats Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes. Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons. Amour sacrÈ de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs, LibertÈ, libertÈ cherie, Combats avec tes defÈnseurs; Combats avec tes dÈfenseurs. Sous drapeaux, que la victoire Acoure ‡ tes m‚les accents; Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire! Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons. The rest of us just stood there in shock as we never knew Tom could utter a word of French. However, the locals thought it was WONDERDUL and broke out in a ROARING cheer. Free booze to all of us for as long as we could stand it. And that's how I met my wife, LOL. Bone
Hey no problem Nobody famous involved. Tom (wherever he's at now) was booted out of the USAF for smoking HASH a year or so later. Bone
