for those about to rock

partial list of songs i think i could listen to about 20 times in a row without getting sick of

"radiation vibe" - fountains of wayne
"interstate love song" or "trippin' on a hole in a paper heart" - stone temple pilots
"novocaine for the soul" - the eels
"blue orchid" or "my doorbell" - white stripes
"sometimes always" - jesus and mary chain
"eye know" - de la soul
"heavy metal drummer" - wilco
"the world has turned and left me here" - weezer
"the streetbeater" - quincy jones
theme from "barney miller" - someone(s) awesome
"anyway, anyhow, anywhere" - the who
"today your love, tomorrow the world" - the ramones
"search and destroy" - stooges
"how to kill a radio consultant" - public enemy

off the top of my head. with an exception or two, these all run a perfect length, and i think that probably plays the biggest role in their greatness. come up with an irresitible candy riff or melody or line, play it enough to establish it as a hook, end the song before you've worn out the hook's welcome. simple as that on paper, but restraint is difficult in practice. there'd be SO many more great songs if it were as easy as it sounds.

posted by jomilkman @ 12:03 PM