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
Ras 422,

I always thought that The Showmen were overlooked. Everyone hailed Brian Wilson when he fused vocal music (doo wop) with Chuck Berry, Cal sunny lyrics and his own lunatic production vision. Meanwhile, over on the East Coast, Allen Toussaint was doing something similar with Johnson and The Showmen - but in a low key manner that lacked the production values. Even though the music had IMHO more emotional resonance, no-one seemed to notice.

Johnson got his due later with The Chairmen of The Board and a more Motown approach. He also wrote "Patches", my nomination for the best truly bad song ever written.

IMHO, Johnson's a great singer and generally cool guy who had a great, largely unappreciated contribution to RnR over its first two decades.
I agree with Tvad. Special mention should go to Chuck Berry's: "Johnny B. Goode"
This is kind of a silly thread, who can name ONE "greatest pop song EVER", lol. But having said that, I think "Brandy" by Looking Glass is right up there.

another vote for the Monkees version of "I'm a Believer" as well.