What qualities must a song have to be called the 'greatest'? The natural beauty of Lennons Imagine? The outrageous invention of Bohemian Rhapsody? The attitude and arrogance of the Stones Satisfaction? Or the anger and pain of Nirvanas Teen Spirit? Pink Floyds Comfotably Numb? Or Led Zepellins haunting Stairway?
We all have our favourites, thats the beauty of music. It affects us all in different ways and changes with our moods. Theres music for romance, anger, adulation, success, drunken nights out, drunken nights in. Whatever the moment may be. It depends if you like rock, pop, trance, techno, jazz, classical. Brought up in the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s and where your hometown may be. For the younger generation it may be something from Britney or Christina. For the parents, something from Elvis. For the grandparents something from Bing.
Somewhere deep inside each of us there must be those chosen few songs. I tend to ignore the 'official' lists (although some do cross over) as they tend to be the views of a select few. For me its the songs that create the greatest emotion. Songs that no matter how many times you listen, you still feel in awe. I cant limit this to one particular style but they would reflect the different times of my life and make me smile when I think about them now.
Music is a wonderful thing. Without it the world would be a sad place. No matter how much music you think you know, there is always more to be heard and appreciated.
I would never mock those who listen to the likes of the Spice Girls and Britney (although I dont approve of it) and other manufactured pop crap, as we are all individual and have our different tastes. What makes a song the greatest for you?
Maybe one day I will hear that song that surpasses Bohemian Rhapsody or Comfortably Numb. The wonderful thing is that I look forward to it.