Do you know any good songs?

Subject: Do you know any good songs?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:33 AM

What makes a song a good song? ...and why?

You've only one minute, and then... your reply?

good luck! ttr

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:52 AM

1. a memorable melody. 2. intelligent words

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 02:16 AM

A memorable melody and intelligent words? No wonder rock-and-roll never caught on!


Doug C

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: greg stephens
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 03:38 AM

Memorable. "Never do a tango with an Eskimo" and "The Teddy Bears' Picnic".

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,Banjoman
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:35 AM

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,Banjoman
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:36 AM

No - Its like the libraryt, where the only Good Books are the ones that are in.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:38 AM

If it's a song or a tune it's a good thing.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,fantum
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 07:39 AM

good tune
good lyrics that sing well
something the audience can join in with easily
good fun to sing
audiences like it

anything that meets that lot is a great song

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: kendall
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 08:15 AM

If I like it; it's good.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 08:23 AM

No, no, NO! People only read good books, so all the good books are checked out of the library. Libraries only contain lousy books.

All songs are good. Any song is better than none.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 09:39 AM

anything with a chorus that I can join -

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:05 AM

"Any song is better than none. "

ummm...well....if the only song anyone was willing to play for me was "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", I'd just as soon listen to traffic noise, thankyouverymuch.

I like a song that is well 'crafted', like, perhaps "Lorena"..with no lame, awkward phrases that seem to be there because the author couldn't seem to think of anything else.......and if it has a tune that doesn't wear on you after 3 listenings, so much the better. Many Scots ballads and tunes are good examples. Many modern 'navel gazing' songs are bad examples, as they are often just chanted sentences about introspective musings. (Kate Wolf did this about as well as it can be done...a lot of the others trying to follow her are pretty shallow.)

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: InOBU
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:10 AM

Well what makes a great song? Read the post, Victory Song for the USA... Cheers Larry (I got a million of 'em) Otway

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: breezy
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 10:39 AM

I know lots,which include a clutch of those written by GEORGE PAPAVGERIS.
His 3rd CD is now available.
PM El Gerkin for further details.
Or hear him at Herga , Maiden head, and then there's St Albans this Friday 11th April with ANDY Irvine who will perform 'when the boys are on parade' what a classic song for this particular moment in time.
Good songs are wasted on the masses, thay only want dross.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 11:55 AM

Fit

Regards

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:10 PM

Since ours is primarily a singalong band, a good song (for us) is one people immediately want to sing along with and CAN sing along with. Not necessarily a simple song, but one where the melodic line has some internal logic they can grasp instinctively and where the lyric is phrased to the rhythm just right. And yes, we do know a lot of good songs. And thank God we choose the right ones, because they make us seem much better than we actually are!

Because we have a commitment as individuals and as a band to build people up, for us a good song is also something that does this rahter than arousing upset. A REALLY good song, for us, is also healing.

And because we want people to keep the songs we present, and to look forward to singing with us again, a good song for us sets their toes tapping as they leave, with pieces of the melody still trailing from their ears and emanating from their mouths, whistled or hummed.

OK, that was a minute.

The sound of a crowd who has enjoyed hearing, singing, and tapping these songs is remarkable, and we were stunned to hear it fresh one day, caught on tape.... we had left the recorder running during the long period it took for people to leave. It sounded like a happy party, with people telling each other things, sharing private thoughts, laughing, giggling, and humming pieces of songs. If I ever lose the urge to do these songs, I'll pop that tape in to hear again-- it's better than applause and it sticks to your ribs. Makes toting the equipment around so worth it all.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Don Firth
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:28 PM

Yeah, a couple. . . .

A memorable melody, of course.

And a good song (thinking specifically of folk songs and ballads, but it probably goes for all songs) should tell a story, or imply a story. It shouldn't tell the whole thing in great detail, it should leave something to your imagination (like any good story), and it should leave you with either a definite emotional response or something to think about--or, preferably, both.

And for you'uns and me'uns, it should leave us wanting to learn it and sing it.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 12:38 PM

A good story told clearly

A simple melody easily remembered

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: GUEST,Me to You
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 02:08 PM

Music that talks to the Soul
      Lyrics that chalk oup to the Mind

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 03:03 PM

A good song is when you've known it all your life, and then someone sings it and you realise for the first time what it is all about. Or when you can sing it and have that happen to someone else.

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: UB Ed
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 03:09 PM

Based on audience response, apparently not!

Subject: RE: Do you know any good songs?
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 09 Apr 03 - 09:33 PM

Thanks fer all the great responces y'all!

leenia... 3. soulful combinations of 1 and 2.

Doug... Maybe Rock n Roll doesn't need good songs, cause everybody is having so much fun 'jamming'!

Greg... um... intellegent?

fantum... for me, great is not necessarily good... but I find your criterion quite friendly!

Kendall... too bad you haven't heard me and/or my CD... I could have been so good!

Bill... I agree... but don't tell anyone I said so!

breezy... OK, I'll check out George Papavgeris... wish I could make it to see Andy Irvine, but...

Martyn... I scratched my head and laughed!

Susan...I really got some good from your post! Thanks for sharing!

Don F... I felt the underlying relevance of your post when I reread it, and like a good song, it can be read again and again to good effect!

Don M... Yep

Me to you... Stimulated Fantasies over pleasant notes, Ties us all together once adrifting in our boats

McGrath... You're a cut above, and in between...

UB ed... Remember how vast your excellent spirit is while you are singing, and fill that space with the reliable confidence brought forth by genuinely believing in the best in each and every person in the audience. Heal.

ttr