It's easy to like.

And apparently easy to overrate.

Hooray for the 23rd-best Prince single!

good song none the less!

Make no mistake--my love for Prince songs goes at least a few hundred deep.

Werd. It's pretty weird this one ranked so high. Especially above "How Soon is Now" and few other songs we've already passed.

I'd like to think the b-side had something to do with it.

Such a cock tease.

I guess something came up. Good.

Does anybody have the unedited version where Chuck says "motherfuck him and John Wayne" (referring to Elvis)? I think early pressings of "Do The Right Thing" had that version.
If anyone could post that, it would be greatly appreciated. PE really shouldn't be censored!

Me too. Would've been top 5 for me if it was a legit single.

Sprechen sie Deutches, baby


#9.



Beck - "Loser"
(1183 Points, 18 Votes)

Year: 1994

US Chart Position: #10 / #1 Modern Rock

UK Chart Position: #15

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #1 (year), #5 (decade), #55 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-TIme Singles List: #45

Ranked Highest By: Coolrock (#2) (also ranked #5 by Animals and Men)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Mellow Gold

Legit single?? I don't see a separate list for legit & illegit singles. It was officially released as a single, that's good enough.

The fact that it's been called the 44th (or whatever) best single of this period is disgraceful.

Don't have to watch Dynasty to have an attitude


#8.



Prince - "Kiss"
(1196 Points, 20 Votes)

Year: 1986

US Chart Position: #1

UK Chart Position: #6 / #76 in '88

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #2 (year), #17 (decade), #153 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #146

AMG Says: "By completely dropping the bass tracks from the final version of his 1984 smash "When Doves Cry," Prince demonstrated his willingness to take chances on highly unorthodox arrangements. Yet not even he knew quite what to make of "Kiss," the chart-topping single from 1986's strange and arty Parade; reportedly, he was never completely satisfied with the version that ended up being released, nearly leaving it off the album and retooling its arrangement multiple times for live performances. Yet it's one of the most brilliant moments in a catalog filled with them. Repeating the no-bass trick of "When Doves Cry," "Kiss" essentially strips funk down to its barest essentials and then cuts a little bit more. When the song starts, there's only the sketchiest outline of a harmonic structure in the instruments behind the melody, partly because those instruments are nearly all electronic percussion. The backing is fleshed out a bit more as the song moves along, but much of the time it sounds like disembodied bits of an arrangement floating out of nowhere, especially the backing vocals during the verses. It's a weird, alien soundscape, and added to that effect is the fact that Prince sings nearly the entire song -- except for the last line and one note leading into the last chorus -- in the upper register of his generous falsetto range. The distance in pitch between his voice and the very few instruments playing on the track creates the impression that there's even more space left open, and at that point, all one can really do is marvel that the song works so well with so little. Aside from the drum machine and backing vocals, there's a faintly murmuring keyboard and a gently wah-wahed guitar that mostly plays seventh chords, whether during the chorus or the solo break. Lyrically, "Kiss" can be read as a plea for genuine warmth in the middle of the prosperous, image-conscious '80s, though at bottom it's probably a simpler homage to women with confidence and maturity; given those two traits, the singer of "Kiss" welcomes all comers, regardless of just about anything else. Few other songs in Prince's catalog demonstrate his idiosyncratic genius more startlingly."

Ranked Highest By: Falling and Laughing (#2) (also ranked #5 by Birdistheword)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Parade

The original released version of "Fight the Power," from Do The Right Thing (taken from the soundtrack's original CD issue)

FLAC file, ~40 MB

You probably need to login to yousendit first...

http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?acti...4F820FE33FCA37C

And yes, Flavor Flav (not Chuck D) says "motherfuck [Elvis] and John Wayne."

Not in the UK during the lifetime of the band, not good enough for me (and many others) i'm sure if it had been given a full release in 1986 then it would be in the top 10.

Dude, does ANYBODY have Prince's "Love or Money"? It's the B-side to "Kiss," never issued on CD. Pretty awesome, if anyone can post a digital version, that would cool.

yeah, sorry Bird, I looked for it (though admittedly not that hard) and I couldn't find it

Why does it have to be released in the UK though? A single released in France, Australia or Peru is still a single.

AMERICA IS NOT THE WORLD

Cos the band's from the UK and more importantly I only vote for singles released in the UK.

I wouldn't vote for "Debaser" on all time list just because it as released in 1997 in the UK to promote Death To The Pixies (it went top 40 too) and I view "There Is A Light..." the same way.

Fair enough.. each to his own.

What's for sure, is that if most people haven't voted for it because it wasn't a UK single, then it shouldn't be anywhere on the list - & definitely NOT 44th.

It's one of those songs I still listen to and enjoy but have no interest in talking about again, ever.

"Raspberry Beret" is extraordinarily well-placed. I kinda wish I had voted in at least the singles poll. I know a lot more of these than I thought I would.

"It was so different than anything else out there at the time. Everyone was very serious at the time and Suede were at the height of their powers. And here's this thing that had everything. It was catchy and original. And it was witty and humorous in a way Suede never were." -Stephen Street, 3862 Days


#7.



Blur - "Girls and Boys" / "People in Europe" / "Magpie"
(1248 Points, 20 Votes)

Year: 1994

US Chart Position: #59 / #40 Top 40 / #21 Dance / #4 Modern Rock

UK Chart Position: #5

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #3 (year), #21 (decade), #198 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #35

AMG Says: "It's ironic -- but what isn't ironic, when it comes to Blur, the most ironic band in pop history -- that the single that made Brit-pop a phenomenon had almost nothing to do with what followed, apart from maybe Pulp and the renegade band of freaks that Simon Price labeled as Romos. "Girls & Boys" was retro- new wave disco, a post-modern cross of Duran Duran and Chic. Opening with a bouncing, octave-jumping synth riff that becomes a virtual parody of Eurodisco as soon as the rhythm section kicks in, the undeniably catchy tune at first feels opposed to everything Blur is about, at least on their first two albums. They touched on dance on Leisure, but only as far as it concerned post- baggy hipsters. But here, they made an unabashed dance-club hit. It was only when you dug deeper, looking at the construction and hooks and Damon Albarn's lyrics, that you realized it was totally, undeniably Blur. As a pop song, it is easily one of the best Blur ever recorded (meaning it was one of the best of their era), and they were clever enough (but they ain't half been some clever bastards, have they?) to make it feel exactly like Eurotrash. Not only is the music accurate, they self-consciously twisted the sexuality of the song to make it feel like a bisexual favorite: the chorus is "looking for girls who are boys/who like boys to be girls/who do boys like they're girls/who do girls like they're boys/always should be someone you really love," an absolutely devastating put-down of '90s gender-bending, where even ambi-sexuals didn't know whose fantasy they were fulfilling. Then, the song moves into social commentary -- "Avoiding all work/'Cause there's none available" -- bringing it around full-circle, as it slowly becomes a picture of a culture, adrift in false expectations, dashed dreams, and media fantasias, that was only willing to celebrate hedonism. In that sense, it was an appropriate christening of the Brit-pop era, where hedonism reigned supreme, but again, most listeners missed the fact that Blur was lampooning this situation, even before it reached critical mass. Of course, when it did become a phenomenon, Blur dived right in, but that doesn't diminish the power of one of their greatest singles."

Ranked Highest By: Chocothunder (#2) (also ranked #4 by Big Pink)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Parklife[quote]

Checking the stash by the trash in St. Mark's Place


#6.



The Replacements - "Alex Chilton"
(1252 Points, 20 Votes)

Year: 1987

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #26 (year), #195 (decade), #1121 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #212

AMG Says: "A homage to Paul Westerberg's underdog songwriting hero, "Alex Chilton" succinctly captures Big Star fans' feelings about that band's music with one simple line: "I'm in love with that song." For Jim Dickinson, the producer of the Replacements' album Pleased to Meet Me (1987) that features the tribute, the song must have felt like coming full circle. Though he had already put together an impressive resumé -- with gigs working with the Rolling Stones, among others -- Dickinson had also produced Big Star's shambolic, arty masterpiece Third/Sister Lovers in 1974 at Ardent Studios, where the Replacements made the pilgrimage to record their album. As if acknowledging that it would take an alternate world for a scenario where, "Children by the millions/Sing for Alex Chilton/When he comes 'round," Westerberg begins the song's imaginative lyric with: "If he was from Venus/Would he feed us with a spoon?/If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?" But in Westerberg's mind, as with many other fans, the breathtaking indifference that greeted the classic Big Star records is simply astounding. As with Westerberg's other subjects and protagonists, Chilton serves as the ultimate outsider. In the view of Westerberg and other fans, Chilton's intelligent power pop anthems and gorgeous ballads should have resulted in rock stardom for him and his band, where those "millions" did flock to see him. The beauty of the writing is that the author can create such a wishful scenario, even if it is only imagined. Alas, the similarly influential Replacements also enjoyed precious little commercial success and, like Big Star, never really graduated beyond cult-band status, while those directly influenced by them reaped far more rewards. Obviously, this is one reason Westerberg identified with Chilton. "I never travel far/Without a little Big Star." Dickinson layers the track with multiple acoustic and electric guitar tracks with part-specific precision -- explosive, overdriven small-amp sounds and driving Keith Richards-esque riffs. Instead of guitars getting more huge on the chorus, Dickinson has the band singing a pad of harmony "ooh"s as Big Star themselves might have on their earlier, more Anglophile albums. Also included is a percussive cowbell and handclaps during the chorus. One annoying element of the production is sample-like '80s giant snare drum sound, which may have been right for the arena sound of Brian Adams, but not for bar band heroes the Replacements. Live versions of the song were usually performed closer to the band's well-known full-tilt abandon. While he retains the Replacements' edge, especially with the inherent raw vocals of Westerberg, Dickinson brought the band to the closest thing they had to a radio hit. And the catchy single surely influenced more than a few curious fans to investigate some Chilton/ Big Star music."

Ranked Highest By: Voodoodaddy (#3) (also ranked #5 by Scarymuppet)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Pleased to Meet Me

#1121 all time, obviously should have been in the top 5.

I don't understand the bitching about "There is a Light..." when it's not even close to the best Smiths single.

YOU!!!!


#5.



The Cure - "Just Like Heaven"
(1290 Points, 17 Votes, Three #1 Votes)

Year: 1987

US Chart Position: #40 / #27 Dance

UK Chart Position: #29

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #10 (year), #57 (decade), #385 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #21

AMG Says: "In American terms, at least, the one Cure song everyone seems to know. Little wonder why -- though later Cure singles turned into bigger hits, "Just Like Heaven" was the band's well overdue breakthrough smash in the States, all over MTV and gaining plenty of airplay to boot. Instantly memorable, sparkling with rough energy (compared to the amount of glossy pop on the air in 1987, "Just Like Heaven" seems like a rough demo), it's a perfect showcase for Robert Smith's ear for wistful, romantic numbers. His main guitar line, a descending, gently chiming melody, contrasts perfectly against the fuzzier mix of the rhythm guitars, while Simon Gallup's bass and Boris Williams' strong, immediate drums make for a great introduction to the track. Top it off with some lovely synth and piano work from Lol Tolhurst, especially on the midsong break, and all that was left was the main lyric and its delivery. Smith nailed both, his words about a dreamy day near the seashore with a loved one sung at his absolute best, his familiar semi-wail turned into passionate joy from his bright "Show me, show me, show me!" start. An undisputed '80s classic that just gets even better with time."

Ranked Highest By: BobtheSquid, Chocothunder and Dano (#1) (also ranked #2 by The Luscious Phil, #4 by Animals and Men and #5 by Bobzilla)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

Let's ave it!

Make every song your favorite tune


#4.



Oasis - "Live Forever" / "Cloudburst"
(1327 Points, 18 Votes, Two #1 Votes)

Year: 1994

US Chart Position: #2 Modern Rock

UK Chart Position: #10

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #1 (year), #6 (decade), #67 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #44

AMG Says: "The just-right drum pound at the start sets the stage, but when the intermingled guitar line, piano notes, and vocals from Liam Gallagher cut in, something special is in the air. Voted the all-time favorite Oasis song by the band's fans via its official website, "Live Forever," the band's third single, was arguably the one which showed the band really had something, hot wiring the group's obvious love of the Beatles at its uplifting best into something even more fiery. Noel Gallagher's lyrics were rarely so direct or heartfelt -- "Maybe you're the same as me" may not seem like much on its own, but in a world of self-obsessed songwriting, it's a low-key acknowledgement that dreams belong to everyone, a statement both romantic and person-to-person on all levels. The pace is slower than some Oasis numbers, but just right for it, shimmering guitars and a not-bad solo all over the place, the occasional steps back before the whole band comes in again simple but effective. The slight variation at the end, Noel Gallagher adding in a brief descending glam chord as his brother repeats the title line with an ache in his voice, all before one last searing solo, is the final cherry on the cake."

Ranked Highest By: MitchellStirling and The Luscious Phil (#1) (also ranked #3 by Paul, #4 by Saskadelphia and #5 by Slackmo)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Definitely Maybe

really wish i had voted for just like heaven

nice teaser.

worst #4 ever

no kidding

Who was the second #1 vote on "Live Forever"?

whoops, fixed

Children, shush.

Face me
Don't displace me


#3.



Sonic Youth - "Teen Age Riot"
(1368 Points, 17 Votes, One #1 Vote)

Year: 1988

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #1 (year), #21 (decade), #170 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #66

AMG Says: ""Teenage Riot" is the pivotal song in Sonic Youth's career. The opening track on 1988's breakthrough Daydream Nation, it's the first song to combine the quartet's trademark Glenn Branca-inspired sonic assaults with a genuinely catchy melody, hummable guitar riffs and witty lyrics that look askance at the mainstream popular culture of the late '80s and imagine Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis as President of the United States. (The inventive video suggests an alternate pantheon of heroes, incorporating clips of Sonic Youth faves ranging from Pee-Wee Herman to Neil Young to Black Flag to Sun Ra.) The seven-minute-plus song opens with a characteristic extended wash of sound, Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo's guitars pealing out overtones and note clusters under Kim Gordon's mumbled chanting of phrases like "Spirit desire" and "We will fall" (not to mention the playground diss "Say it, don't spray it," evidence of the group's quirky sense of humor), all of which slowly build and coalesce until an actual hook appears, ushering in the first honest-to-goodness pop song of Sonic Youth's by then six-year-old career. It was an enormous college radio hit, which combined with Daydream Nation's uniformly ecstatic reviews to get Sonic Youth signed to a major label within a year, indirectly ushering in the early '90s alternative explosion."

Ranked Highest By: Animals and Men (#1) (also ranked #2 by Dano, Hector Gilbert and Pavement Ist Rad)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Daydream Nation

what an awesome top ten so far

So pleased that wasn't #1.

I didn't vote for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but it makes so much more sense as a #1 then BLT (which I did vote for) really. God damn do I never need to hear that song again though.

BLT has this in the bag.

I can't imagine a lot of people who weren't around for 91 voting for it that high.

was down to the last vote on this one


Resembles deodorant


#2.



Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
(1516 Points, 21 Votes, One #1 Vote)

Year: 1991

US Chart Position: #6 / #1 Modern Rock

UK Chart Position: #7

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #1 (year), #1 (decade), #4 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #4

Ranked Highest By: Birdistheword (#1) (also ranked #2 by Diesel and #3 by Agrimorfee)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Nevermind



I don't know what this could mean


#1.



New Order - "Bizarre Love Triangle"
(1538 Points, 18 Votes)

Year: 1986

US Chart Position: #4 Dance / #98 in '95

UK Chart Position: #56

Acclaimed Music Ranking: #10 (year), #136 (decade), #810 (all-time)

Rank on Our All-Time Singles List: #2

AMG Says: "During the mid-'80s, New Order began to move away from the legacy of their previous incarnation as Joy Division and pursue their own dance-influenced, electronic sound. Judged as being shallow and/or inauthentic by many of their previous fans, they were often written off as a dance-pop confection. Despite this, they managed to be one of the most influential bands of the new wave era; those who looked closely at their music also realized that it was not nearly as light as it seemed. "Bizarre Love Triangle," their highest-charting dance hit in the U.S., was a perfect example of the complex and often dark songwriting that the band produced, and its macabre simplicity was stripped bare by an unusual acoustic cover produced by the Australian band Frente for their 1994 record Marvin: The Album. Separated from its synth pop beat, the song was a beautiful skeleton that helped not only propel Frente's career, but also renewed interest in the work of New Order as a whole."

Ranked Highest By: Bobzilla, Jdubs3 and Scarymuppet (#2) (also ranked #3 by Animals and Men, Dano and No Magnets, #4 by Mad Clown and #5 by Stphone)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Brotherhood[s]

Bill, as always, excellent job.

Hook/Sumner dominate 75-94

gg

BLT- Oh yeah.

Bill you are the king- These list things are the greatest. Keep it up.

New Order, nice one.

the first and probably only time New Order will top a SOMB poll. Very acceptable.

I just realized I like Blur.

Great job, GDB.

Thanks Bill.