Define What Makes a Good Song

[TerraMortim]

Ummm ... I'm not sure I understand. The Eagles, a one-hit wonder?

Now I'm not a huge Eagles fan, but I was just wondering which one hit you were talking about?

Life in the Fastlane
Desperado
The Best of My Love
Hotel California
Already Gone
Tequila Sunrise
Take It Easy
Lyin' Eyes
New Kid in Town
One of These Nights
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Take It to the Limit
The Long Run
Victim of Love
Witchy Woman
Heartache Tonight
I Can't Tell You Why
Seven Bridges Road


Well that's all the huge hits I can think of right off the top of my head, though I'm sure there's more. So which one hit were you talking about?

The only song that was really the type of hit that most people, these days would know of is Hotel California...less people might know Desperado, but it's somewhat doubtful. Most of those songs might have been somewhat flash in the pan hits but the only song that made it through the test of time was Hotel California. Hell, I even know some of their material, and have never heard of some of those songs...some yes, but some just don't ring a bell. Not to say they're terrible songs, I just wouldn't use the Eagles as an example of people who write good songs every time, just because there is primarily one song that stands out to most people. A quick flash in the pan hit is a bit different, and has a lot less to do with the quality of songwriting than a song that stands the test of time.

 

[Scoot]

The only song that was really the type of hit that most people, these days would know of is Hotel California...less people might know Desperado, but it's somewhat doubtful. Most of those songs might have been somewhat flash in the pan hits but the only song that made it through the test of time was Hotel California. Hell, I even know some of their material, and have never heard of some of those songs...some yes, but some just don't ring a bell. Not to say they're terrible songs, I just wouldn't use the Eagles as an example of people who write good songs every time, just because there is primarily one song that stands out to most people. A quick flash in the pan hit is a bit different, and has a lot less to do with the quality of songwriting than a song that stands the test of time.

With all due respect TerraMortim, those songs to me are all hits in my childhood and teenage years. Perhaps the Eagles weren't your kind of thing or you were not around at the time to really appreciate them compared to the bands in the same era but those guys are "still going" aka Pink Floyd, The Stones etc. I rate them up there as superb songwriters and musicians.

Some people may say the same of Led Zep - their only classic being Stairway to Heaven ?????

Anyway I may not agree with what you say but I do agree you have the right to say it.

 

[gvdv]

You could look at this question from 2 philosophical standard points.

Platonic: There is a perfect formula for writing the perfect song that through rational experimentation and aggregation of experience we will eventually understand. That’s really old school – now sit down and listen to the expert and I will enlighten you.

Constructivist: That meaning is transient and based on the context in which we find ourselves. So it is better to write well for your self and hope that a lot of people are in a similar context and resonate with your work.

I think what you are referring to gvdv is the second. Your previous knowledge of the sitar was limited by cultural exposure, but as it grew and your ability to make meaning from the work increased your engagement.

Obviously everyone has had their ‘heart broken’ so in a world where we all make our own meaning it would be a better bet to write about that. That said however a couple of billion Indians just love Ravi.

I think it was stated above that a good song could be considered good in terms of whether or not it achieves its purpose – Does it impress the girl next door enough to get her to out with you? Does it sell a billion? Does it do both?

Whatmysay,
You've got me pegged good and proper. Can't agree with your more.

And interestingly, my psychotherapy practices has a post structural/constructivist base.

GVDV

 

[gvdv]

Does anyone here feel there is a difference between a good song and good record (i.e. performance or performance of a sound)?

To me, a good song evokes a mood or in some way engages me - maybe because of the lyric or emotiveness of the music - beyond having an interesting sound, riff or performance.

Led Zeppelin fall into the good record category for me - sounds and riffs that engage me for the duration of the record but have absolutely no meaning for me beyond that. The Beatles, on the other hand, not only gave classic performances, melodies, riffs and so on, but wrote songs that articulate emotion, make me think, feel and experience on many different levels.

Does anyone else draw this distinction?

 

[Nicole_Rose]

what's good is subjective. depends on what you like and what genres you like, and what culture you're from. millions of people like trashy country. i hate country. but the stuff still makes it to the top of the charts. i'm reading a book by a producer, scientist, and music theorist, Daniel J. Levitin. it's called "This Is Your Brain On Music" it talks about that a fair bit. you all might find it an interesting read.