We all have that mental list: favourite songs of all time (or perhaps the top ten songs by our favourite artist).
I have both those lists, but there’s another: a list of perfect songs.
These are not necessarily favourite or sentimental or emotional songs. They aren’t that one song that reminds me of that time when I was 23. They aren’t the songs I love to sing along to in the car.
Rather, they are the songs that send a small shiver down my back. Or the hair lifts a little on the back of my neck when I hear it. Songs where I have to stop what I’m doing and just listen, because every note is just right. A song where I think there is not a note or a word or a transition out of place. Not a thing that could be done to make it better.
Of course, everyone’s list of perfect songs is different. What makes me sigh in gratitude may sound boring to you.
There is after all no accounting for taste. There are ways of dealing with differences in musical taste, though. Our family method, which began in the car when Jack was small and now applies whenever we are all together and listening to music, goes like this: Songs that one (or some or all) of us don’t like fall into one of two categories: dismal or boring. On these grounds it will be skipped. But any member of the group who just loves that song can play their veto card, and we all have to listen to it. (Our view is that if a song is not dismal or boring, you might as well listen to it anyway.)
Fired up by the idea of a list of perfect songs for my blog post, I asked that same family to come up with their suggestions.
Here’s that list
I’ve grouped them by person (Bob and I being the people of a certain age, and Anya and Jack being the Gen Zs) and by alphabet. My own offerings have some notes on why they strike me as perfect, but of course I can’t speak for the others in the household because of the aforementioned taste thing. I’ve added some thoughts or information on those where I surmised they might be helpful.
Links are to official YouTube channels for each musician where I could find them.
MY SONGS
America (Concert in Central Park) – Simon & Garfunkel – it’s the timing of guitar, Art Garfunkel’s soaring voice. And the words – the loneliness, the yearning, the sadness. It’s about an America that couldn’t be found. And still cannot be found. An intensely personal and political song, from 1981..
Blackbird – The Beatles – I’m slightly too young to have been a Beatles fan. But this 1968 song featuring a guitar and Paul McCartney’s voice must be one of the simplest and most beautiful things ever made.
Blue Moon – Ella Fitzgerald – the opening bars are hopelessly old-fashioned. But then Ella starts to sing.
If I Should Fall Behind – Bruce Springsteen – one of the most stripped-back Boss songs ever, and the best song ever written about marriage. And in this video, members of the band step forward and sing, making it also one of the best songs about friendship and loyalty ever performed.
Purple Rain – Prince – the voice, the guitar, the exquisitely slow timing. One of the most perfect songs ever made. If I had to pick a No 1 perfect song, this would be it.
Surfing U.S.A – Beach Boys – the official start of summer song. And those boys could harmonise.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – George Michael – his voice. No more needs to be said.
BOB SEDDON
Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin – a cover version of a song written by Kris Kristofferson.
Nothing compares to you – Sinéad O’Connor – for the record, all other family members think this is dismal. But Bob loves it, and pulls that veto card every time.
Paradise Road – Joy – in 1980 South Africa this perfectly produced song, featuring three Black women and promising better days and “a burning bridge behind us”, was mesmerising. It still is. Also on my own list of perfect songs.
Reason to Believe – Rod Stewart – he is camp and ridiculous. But there is no better voice for a broken-hearted love song.
RESPECT – Aretha Franklin – the vocal harmonies. The rhythms. That voice.
Something So Right – Annie Lennox – another woman whose voice should be a wonder of the world, doing a cover of a Paul Simon song. Goes on my list too.
Thunderstruck – ACDC – the ultimate road trip song.
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves – happiest song ever made.
ANYA CLOETE
Everlasting – Matt Maeson – Perfect lyrics. Mesmerising backtrack. And then there is a violin.
No One Noticed – The Marías – YouTube description is exactly right: “jazz percussion, hypnotic guitar riffs, smoke-velvet vocals and nostalgic horn solos.”
The River – Daisy Jones & The Six – Daisy Jones & The Six is a fictional American musical drama television miniseries. The series, set in the Los Angeles music scene of the 1970s, tells the story of the rise and fall of a rock band, inspired by the real-life dynamics of bands like Fleetwood Mac.
Seventeen – Sharon van Etten – indie rock, beautiful lyrics about growing up.
The End – November Ultra – Also called nova, November Ultra is a singer-songwriter from Paris. Soaringly beautiful voice.
JACK SEDDON
I will follow you into the dark – Death Cab for Cutie – a gorgeously simple love song from an American alternative rock band.
Tell me your perfect songs?
As I said – not all these songs are to my taste. But the newly discovered songs by November Ultra, Matt Maeson and Death Cab for Cutie have all given me that exact shiver of pleasure. I hope some of the songs on the list do that for you too.
And let me know your perfect songs – please? Email is best: renee@safehands.co.za
Main picture: Edu Grande, Unsplash
Other things I have written
When communication is a generational thing – Everyone – from business leaders to parents – has something to learn from Gen Z communication styles…
Life’s compasses: What I learned from Bruce Springsteen – Life compasses are the guides and themes that help us navigate life – and they can be found in unlikely places. This post: Bruce Springsteen.
Small joys and enduring pleasures – From appreciating life’s small pleasures to life-long relationships with books and music… time to reflect on what keeps us going.
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