It all began because I tried in vain to list my top 13 songs of all time – 130 would be nearer the mark. So then I thought of my top 13 acts and tried to pick one song. I started to write that these are probably the band’s one defining song (think Journey: Don’t Sop Believing, Billy Joel: Piano Man, Meatloaf: Bat Outta Hell), the one most people expect to hear if they go to a live show. But then I realised those weren’t the ones I’d necessarily pick as a favourite – iconic, for sure, but not my go-to on my comfort-songs playlist – these tend to be longer than normal, usually a story song, huge arrangements bordering on operatic and when the last note dies, you need a pause because you’ve been put through a massive emotional journey.
A Magnum Opus.
I’d intended to call these “Opus” songs, but after a lively debate with my better half, decided on epic instead.
To my mind, these are the exact definition of a magnus opus – “a large and important work of art, music, or literature, especially one regarded as the best work of an artist composer, or writer.” The first one of those, for me, was Keith West’s awesome “Excerpt From a Teenage Opera” in 1967, ending poignantly with a bunch of kids singing:
“Grocer Jack, Grocer Jack, is it true what Mummy said, you won't come back? Oh no, no.”
After that, there were a bunch of standout songs, all the way to Queen’s unashamedly operatic offering in 1975 – which most people would have as their number one. But for me there were a couple which are more personal to me for one reason or another.
This post will be a work in progress as I remember more and more I can’t leave off the list.
1.
Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear the Reaper 1978
2.
Disturbed – Sound of Silence 2015
3.
Whitesnake – Still of the Night 1987
4.
Thin Lizzie – Still in Love with You 1974
5.
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody 1975
6.
Billy Joel – Scenes from an Italian Restaurant 1977
7.
John Miles - Music 1976
8.
Richard Harris – MacArthur Park 1968
9.
ELO – Mr Blue Sky 1978
10.
Ultravox – Vienna 1981
11.
Slade – How Does it Feel? 1975
12.
Styx – A.D. 1928/Rocking the Paradise 1981
13.
Carpenters – Goodbye to Love 1972
Interesting that 8 of them were from my favourite decade – the 70s.
And only one from this millenium!
As ever, I had so many, so here’s another bunch:
Journey – Change for the Better 2008
Spandau Ballet – Through the Barricades 1986
David Bowie – As the World Falls Down 1986
City Boy – Ambition 1979
Manfred Man’s Earth Band – Joybringer 1973
Meatloaf – Paradise by the Dashboard Light 1977
My Chemical Romance – Welcome to the Black Parade 2006
Foo Fighters – Everlong 1997
Wings – Live and Let Die 1973
Python Lee Jackson – In a Broken Dream 1972
Richard Marx – Hazard 1991
Hollies – Air that I Breathe 1974
Sad Café –Every Day Hurts 1979
Beach Boys – Good Vibrations 1966
Rush – Spirit of Radio 1980
Peter Gabriel & Kate Bush Don’t Give Up 1986
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich – Legend Of Xanadu 1968
Keith West – Excerpt From a Teenage Opera 1967
Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballe – Barcelona 1987
Bee Gees – New York Mining Disaster 1941 1967
