the greatest pop song ever?


apropos of absolutely nothing, i just listened to the song "five o clock world" by the vogues for the first time in perhaps 20 years. i heard it on a really good lexus (levinson) sound system and have concluded that it's arguably the greatest pop production ever--the damn thing's incredible. in the space of a quick two minutes you get 12 string guitar, marimba, horns, incredible drumming and a really wild honky-tonk piano, all on top of those weird doowop harmonies. add to the mix a really tight melody and sorta meaningful lyrics and you have something that makes phil spector look unambitious and timid.

also from left field, i've been touting a song called "i can see you" by someone or something called june and the exit wounds as the single most beautiful tune ever written. as far as i know, it's only been released on a sampler by parasol records (an indy label out of urban il). this song sounds like some lost brian wilson masterpiece and is well worth finding for those in search of audio nirvana.
loomisjohnson
Slaw,

If you're going Hall & Oates (BTW, an excellent idea IMO, re: Hall, anyway), I think you go with Sara Smile before anything else.

Although She's Gone IS awfully good, I'd still take Sara
a big +1 to Slaw for his picks. Abandoned Luncheonette is a masterpiece. Glen Campbell has many, and Wichita Lineman is certainly one of them. Let's not forget Galveston.
Slaw,

One more from Daryl Hall (& Oates) - "Every Time You Go Away". Even though Paul Young had the hit with that song, Hall & Oates' original version is IMO every bit as compelling. Now, none of these Hall & Oates tunes may actually be the "best pop song ever", but Hall & Oates gave us some truly great pop music. Plus, if I could sing like one person, Daryl Hall would be on my short list. That guy can sing anything.
Not claiming best ever, but pretty darn good...

Brother Louie as done by Stories
(a cover version of the original by Hot Chocolate...I just learned)
Schubert, I happen to possess the 1st press vinyl of "At Last". It's definitely a great song, but I don't think it's a popular song. The number of releases of that particular album and that particular song were very limited and finite.
Czarivey, "At Last" was a # 1 Billboard crossover hit, it's been on millions of records and Cd's, you can go down to Wal-Mart today and find one.

NOBODY mentioned on here could carry Etta James music.
Oh, you must be referring to that recognizably huge flat spot in her voice. Yea, wow. Great tune though.
it's today Schubert and her reissues came in fairly recently I believe just a year or couple ago.
Jebel, if it's the song I think it is--I think it was on the charts in the 60's before Sesame Street existed.
I recently heard on a radio station that Hall & Oates are the best selling pop duo of all time.

Having said this, I think we forget about the disco era. The Gibbs? Need I say more?
1. Break by Aphrodite´s Child, not sung by Demis Roussos but Lucas   Sideras
2. End of the World by Aphrodite´s Child, 1969 sung by Demis Roussos
3. A Whiter Shade of Pale & A Salty Dog by Procol Harum
4. Rain by Uriah Heep, 1972 sung by David Byron
5. Ring Ring by ABBA 1973 sung by Agnetha Fältskog & Anni-Frid Lyngstad
6. So many ABBA songs...
7. Venus & Never Marry a Railroad Man by Shocking Blue, 1969
8. Coutless Italian singers... Si by Gigliola Cinquetti, etc...
9. California Girls by The Beach Boys
10. California Dreaming by Mamas & Papas
11. Cat Stevens... many
12. 10 cc... many
13. He Ain´t Heavy He´s My Brother by The Hollies + many more
14. We Can Work It Out & Girl & Something & ... The Beatles
15. Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum, 1970... also sung by David Byron + many more covers he did
16. You´ve Got a Friend by Carole King
17. You Are So Vain by Carly Simon
18. When Will I See You Again by The Three Degrees
19. Follow You Follow Me by GENESIS, 1978 sung by Phil Collins
20. Non mi rompete by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, 1973 sung by Franceco di Giacomo RIP
21. Moby Dick by Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, live 1992

Thank you for the Music

Grazie tutti
And last but not least... A special nomination, the happiest pop music ever...
Middle of the Road featuring lovely Sally Carr
https://youtu.be/rm_bhJ7-ddA

Soley Soley
Sacramento
Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
The Talk of All the USA
Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum
Yellow Boomerang ...and many more

:)

Badger: "One Hit Wonders Of The World Unite". A great, great Power Pop song with a killer hooky chorus. Cheap Trick’s "Surrender" is another, as is The Rubinoos' "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend".