On Go this past Saturday, Brent was asking the question what is the best song ever. "London Calling" by the Clash was given much respect from the outset and I once again was amazed listening to the lyrics in the chorus:
The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming inMy grade eleven adoration of this song and the entire double lp was intensified by the title being a reference to the post-colonial relic which was the BBC World magazine London Calling which I happened to have a subscription to, nerd that I
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Cause London is drowning - I, I live by the river
But that is not my pick for best song. It is up there as silver medal winner with "Redemption Song", "Happy Family" by the Ramones, and every ska tune ever recorded. The winner of first prize has to be Elvis Costello's "(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes" which begins:
Oh I used to be disgustedWhile The wheat is growing thin is a great line and nuclear fear was the rumbling undertone to my teens, the prospect of the Almighty's henchmen needing a hand and getting it from a loser who can't get a date is perfect. Besides, Elvis and me had breakfast for some reason in my last dream this morning (I dropped his toast as I passed it over) and ever since he became a Canadian-in-law I have felt some greater kinship than that of a mere somewhat lapsed fan what with the knowledge that there is a chance one day of him sitting on a sofa sitting eating pork roast and mashed spuds off a TV tray with brothers in law on Grey Cup Day staring at the tube and asking why they are Ti-Cats and what is an oskeeweewee between sips of 50.
and now I try to be amused.
But since their wings have got rusted,
you know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.
But when they told me 'bout their side of the bargain,
that's when I knew that I could not refuse.
And I won't get any older, now the angels wanna wear my red shoes.
Alternative suggestions?
Comments
Hans - June 21, 2004 11:31 AM
the best song ever is not "London Calling" but the honour certainly does have to go to The Clash:
"Complete Control" from the North American release of the self-titled debut "The Clash".
Nothing before or since is as passionate, angry, melodic, catchy, rocks as hard and has great guitar riffs, a great guitar solo and great lyrics.
Alan - June 21, 2004 2:03 PM
I might also say "Jennie Jones" from the same lp.
Mike - June 22, 2004 11:09 AM
"Lost in the supermarket" and "White Man..."
8-)
Hans - June 22, 2004 11:39 AM
... So its agreed we can safely assign 25 of the top 50 best songs to The Clash? Its kinda like when some asked Johnny Cash who his favourite country singer was and he said: You mean, after George Jones?
Rob MacD - June 22, 2004 2:50 PM
Speaking of George Jones... Frank Sinatra supposedly said "George Jones has the second best voice in America" Or something like that. As for a non-Clash Best Song, lately I've been kind of obsessing over "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths. Fantastic.
Alan - June 22, 2004 3:33 PM
So many songs by The Smiths could be in the hunt. "Girlfriend in a Coma" is a particular and perfect little twisted scene.
Johnny O. - January 3, 2007 1:09 PM
I love London Calling but I think there is better. The site <a href=http://www.rankopedia.com>www.rankopedia.com</a> has Stairway to Heaven as the best rock song ever.