Almost all of my favorite songs have a part that’s just perfect. Where on each listen I’ll wait for the moment when everything comes together. Sometimes it’s a certain chord. Or drum solo or vocal. Many times it’s hard to explain the part to someone, even if they’ve heard of it. After a lot of listening and some editing I’ve narrowed down my top 12 favorite songs parts. I’ll start with my very favorite one but after that I couldn’t rank them. These are the songs I never tired of. What are your personal favorites?
Running to a Stand Still by U2 – One of the few songs that can give me chills. A friend of mine once called it “the perfect song” and I agree. But the part that makes it special is the ending where Bono pulls out the harmonica with soft guitar in the background. It’s hard to describe. If you haven’t seen Rattle and Hum on DVD it’s worth a watch if for only this song. Otherwise you can view it here.
[audio:standstill.mp3]
Bargain by The Who – At about two thirds into this classic, Pete Townsend slows it down with a gorgeous, mesmerizing guitar that leads to a crazy cool drum explosion by Keith Moon. It’s sad that Moon wouldn’t live much longer because this was the time when two music giants fused their sound and made magic.
[audio:bargain.mp3]
I’m your Captain by Grand Funk Railroad – This one is hard to explain. This epic song is nearly ten minutes long, but it’s around the eight minute mark where, in the middle of a jam, vocal lead Mark Farner, yells out, “SOME BAD, SOME BAD” yet many people miss it since it’s a bit muted. I don’t know why I like this so much. Maybe it’s the orchestra. Maybe the build-up or the amazing drums intertwined in it all. I don’t know, but it makes the song one of my favorites.
[audio:yourcaptain.mp3]
A Day in the Life by The Beatles – One of the better known endings in rock and roll and for good reason. It was so amazingly refreshing when it came out and yet nobody has approached it today lest they be compared to the Beatles. The song is weird to begin with and the ending just feels so unexpected the first time you hear it. This massive build up that sounds like it’s going to explode followed by the slight pause and then Mal Evans slams down the final piano chord that makes history. The producers were smart enough to let the piano linger a bit. Absolutely fantastic.
[audio:dayinthelife.mp3]
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap by AC/DC – Probably my favorite opening riff. Sounds so menacing that it’s impossible to listen to unless the volume is cranked way up. I love the methodic drums in the background as they complement that angry guitar from Angus Young. Downright intimidating.
[audio:dirtydeeds.mp3]
I Fought the Law by The Clash – Short but sweet. The cool galloping drums followed by that sweet guitar chord that launches into a great tune. Of all their songs, the first of this song personifies the Clash for me: high-strung, skilled and immediate.
[audio:foughtthelaw.mp3]
Hey You by Pink Floyd – I can’t even imagine how many times I’ve listened to this opening guitar by David Gilmore. Several of my friends who were not Floyd fans were won over once they heard this opening. So simple. So relaxing. Like many of their songs, they are best listened to in the flow of the entire album. But this was the song and the part that won me over to The Wall.
[audio:heyyou.mp3]
Same Old Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg – I know, I know. The song is a bit corny and you’re probably wondering how some mellow 80’s tune makes the list. I’ll tell you why: I’m a sucker for the saxophone. And the ending of this song includes some of the best sax I’ve heard. The song brings back a lot of good memories from that time in life as well. But that sax mixed with background piano is near perfection.
[audio:oldlangsyne.mp3]
Over the Hills and Far Away by Led Zeppelin – It was hard to narrow it down to only one Zep tune. I initially thought about the organ ending of “Thank You” or the opening riff on “Whole Lotta Love”, but I was quickly reminded of the number of times I’ve played this song just to hear the master that is Jimmy Page absolutely nail the ending. I’ve never heard anything remotely close to this and that’s what makes Page that master that he is. For me, he’s the best guitarist who has ever lived.
[audio:overthehills.mp3]
Patience by Guns and Roses – I know it’s been overplayed, but this album came out while I was living in Germany. When I returned to the states I heard this song and immediately loved this mellow guitar from Slash. It’s so clear and calm which is a 180 degrees from most of their music. It hits the perfect chord.
[audio:patience.mp3]
Tom Sawyer by Rush – You know the part. It’s one of the best drum solos in the history of rock and roll. But it’s setup perfectly by some crazy guitar by Geddy Lee. And then Neil Peart puts on a show. He hits his drums so fast and furiously it’s hard to imagine how he pulls it off. Few groups gave them drummer so much leeway as Rush and it paid off. Keith Moon and John Bonham sometimes get more publicity, but I don’t think it gets any better than Peart.
[audio:tomsawyer.mp3]
Out of the Woods by Nickel Creek – This is the song that got me into Bluegrass music and includes the best mandolin part I’ve ever heard. Those few notes from Chris Thile are just amazing. I saw them in concert a few years back and I was so bummed out when they didn’t play this song. The mandolin fits in perfectly with the guitar and violin. I just love this song.
[audio:woods.mp3]
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