The Greatest Song of All-Time

Completely out of the blue, I want to construct an argument related to a love of mine outside of sports: music. I am here to tell you what the greatest song of all-time is. Now, before we get into the song and my evidence, let's set up a bit of background.

First, I really enjoy most genres of music. That does not mean I listen to pop. Big Balla and I used to get quite frustrated in college when we would ask someone "what kind of music do you like?" and they'd reply with, "I like everything." Do you really? Everything?

Me: "So who's your favorite rapper?"
Friend: "Um...I dunno, I don't listen to that much rap."

Me: Ok then, how about your favorite jazz artist?
Friend: I don't know any jazz artists.

Me: Alright...favorite rock band?
Friend: Not a big fan of rock...but if I had to choose, I'd go with Nickelback.

Me: Shoot them.

When most people say, "I listen to everything," they mean they listen to the Top 40 station. Why? Because society says that the Top 40 station plays all types of music. Generally if you look at the twenty songs on XM Radio's "20 on 20" station, you'll see 10-12 pop songs (ex: Justin Timberlake, Pussycat Dolls, Avril), 2-4 R&B/Hip-Hop songs (T-Pain, Chris Brown), 1-2 country songs (Rascal Flatts counts in a different category, called "crap"...don't get me started), 2-4 rock songs (Hinder, Seether, Evanescence), and maybe a song with no category (Amy Winehouse, Gym Class Heroes). Now just because a person listens to a station that samples from multiple genres does not mean they like all kinds of music. Someone who enjoys many genres typically runs out of pre-set buttons of their radio and has a CD collection that can only be described as "eclectic."

As it relates to me, this means you are as likely to hear Christina Aguilera as 311, Run DMC as John Mayer, Dave Matthews as Subdudes as Alicia Keys as Three-6 Mafia. The Roots? Check. Coheed and Cambria? Got it. Rush? Duh. Now that's an individual who listens to a lot of different kinds of music. Does this make me a music snob? Probably so. Do I look down on people with no music taste? I'm trying to kick that habit. It's a work-in-progress.

All of this description is to say that I have some credibility in deciding the greatest song ever. I am willing to argue my choice with anyone who also has credibility, i.e. listens to more than just one type of music.

Second, I am a musician of sorts. I have played drums/percussion since 5th grade, and fairly well at that. From concert band to quints to a drum set, from tympani to xylophone to the sleigh bells, I've got it covered. This is to point out that I (somewhat) have an ear for quality musical performances. I am no where near a great musician, never have been. However, I fancy myself as intelligent enough in the musical realm to form a credible opinion.

Now that we've set this up, let's talk about the criteria for the greatest song ever. I am working with a limited perspective here, so let's go ahead and be honest about it: Beethoven, Mozart, etc are well and good, but we need a "greatest song" that people can relate to right now. I am also not really talking about the greatest song from a musical standpoint either. For a song to have an impact as grand as this one, it must be pretty simple and easily relatable. It also helps that it is by a band that many people are familiar with. I love many independent-label artists, the grassroots bands that no one has heard of outside their mamas and high school friends. But this is my blog with my criteria, so my readers need to have heard this song before. And know it. This brings me to my point:

The greatest song ever must have three traits: easily sing-a-long-able, transferable to many situations, and of great impact over many years through multiple generations.

I know, I know, this eliminates classics such as Lovefool, Hey Paula, Livin' La Vida Loca, This is Our Country, & Chickenhead. But the above criteria are fundamental in my mind to choose the greatest song of all-time.

FYI, as I write this column, I stumbled across an hour's worth of Jay-Z videos on MTV Jams. I'm in the zone and I ain't talkin' 'bout the 2-3. This is great.

Without further adieu...the biggest moment in The Blue Team history since April 4, 2005: The Greatest Song of All-Time...is...



"We Are the Champions" by Queen.



Three reasons:

1. Everyone knows it, recognizes it the second it comes on
2. It can be played in so many different circumstances
3. Generations have been exposed to it

So I lied a bit earlier. This column is not entirely unrelated to sports. Because the major impact of We Are the Champions is related to sports. Every time a team wins a championship, you hear Queen. Every time you're at a karaoke bar, you hear Queen. An awards banquet? A company function? Queen, you better believe it. I think they even play it in heaven.

"We Are the Champions" was released as the second track on Queen's album News of the World on October 28, 1977. The album went 4x platinum in the United States. "We Are the Champions" was released as a double a-side single with "We Will Rock You." FYI. I love Wikipedia.

In all honesty, the biggest impact on me from Queen's "We are the Champions" is within the world of sports. It's so cheesy and over-the-top, but when your team wins a championship, the night is not complete until you get a dose of Queen. Rednecks, thugs, sorority girls, athletes, it doesn't matter: they all want some Queen. It's been around forever and stadiums are filled with people today who still know the words. On top of that, during its heyday, Queen filled stadiums for sold-out concerts that included "We Are the Champions" on the setlist. This is arguably the quintessential power-rock band of its generation, pop kings who were larger than life. Therefore, I feel their longevity and impact as a group contributed to the popularity and staying power of "We Are the Champions."

"We Are the Champions" is also such a positive song. Generally, people can only associate positive memories with hearing the song. Personally, winning the state football title senior year of high school & the Tar Heels' national title in 2005 top my list. Queen was present during the celebration of both events.

Finally, this is a song that has become a part of American culture that will remain well into the future. Lil' Kyle will win his first tee-ball championship and we'll listen to this song on the way home. Lil' Kylie will dominate a high-school volleyball tournament and Queen will be cranking on the bus ride back. Carolina will win its 14th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship with Roy Williams as head coach (he'll be around 90 or so) and the team will celebrate with Queen playing in the Georgia Dome II. And I can't wait to sing along.

If you disagree with my choice, that's fine. Post your case in the "comments" section. Just don't get mad at me when you pass on and get to heaven, only to find DJ Peter rockin' out to "We Are the Champions."

We are the champions my friend
And we'll keep on fighting til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
of the world.

Three Quick Hitters

From a magically delicious Saturday of sports, let's hit these fast and go to sleep. First up, the game that occupied the main television with DVR from 2-4:30 pm. Carolina defeated Kentucky for the fourth straight season, its second straight victory at Rupp Arena. It was a rough game for the most part, as Kentucky tried to ugly things up enough to hang close to a more talented team. In the end, a rough play illustrated this game and gives me hope (Adam Lucas mentions it in his game perspective story as well). With about six minutes left in the second half, nursing a 19-point lead, Carolina pressured Kentucky in a half-court trap. A loose ball ensued and multiple Tar Heels hit the floor after the ball. Yes, in case you missed the game (which should not happen), there were multiple Tar Heels on the floor, diving after a loose ball. This is noteworthy for two reasons: 1.last year's squad did not tend to intentionally dive at all; 2. this is a quality found in most teams who play in late March/early April. I never got to write my "why Carolina will not win it all this year" column and it might be a good thing. I'm not 100% convinced yet, but I think this team is more championship-inclined than I initially thought. This level of toughness was missing last year and the first three games this season after being a prominent characteristic of the 2005-2006 "underdog" team. Danny Green eventually knocked the loose ball to Bobby Frasor, who passed it from the floor, then sprinted to the right corner where he caught a pass from Deon Thompson and proceeded to deposit a three-pointer to extend the lead. I personally lept from my recliner and hollered "that's what I'm talkin' about" for a minute straight, clapping feverishly. If you are interested in hanging another large banner in the Smith Center anytime soon, that should be your reaction to such plays as well. Because it's plays like that in which good teams become great, talented teams become tough, and contenders become champions. More Carolina analysis to come soon.

By the way, Cobie Caillet's video "Bubbly" just came on MTV Hits. And every fiber of my manly body cringed.

Second topic is my quasi-employer, Virginia Tech, came through with an ACC football title today, defeating Boston College 30-16. This is a brief topic, as there is not much to cover other than I will be making the trek to Miami for the Orange Bowl and drinking mojitos for a few days. This is exciting, lest my rental car roll onto the wrong side of the tracks in Miami.

Third topic is probably the one I am the most fired up about: college football and the complete cluster that is the Bowl Championship Series. I wrote about my feelings related to the BCS a while back and admitted to defending it in a speech for a communications class in college. It was a good speech, actually. As I wrote previously, I have gotten frustrated with the BCS. While it is good in theory, it does not work in reality. I am not alone. Go to any major sports website today and I bet you someone is slamming the BCS. But that's not what I'm here to slam. I'm slamming everyone who is hiding behind the BCS. Brent Mussberger said tonight during the Big 12 Title Game that the BCS does not work, but that a playoff is "impossible." Why? No one has said why a playoff is not possible. I've heard excuses for years, but never a legitimate reason for why we cannot have a playoff in Division One College Football. This is now officially being introduced as the "Because I Said So" hypothesis, as in "we can't have a college football playoff because...um...because I said so. I mean, we just can't." That does not cut it anymore. As previously mentioned, all major sports use a playoff post-season system, as do all of the other branches of college football. And we're having to deal with the BCS because the Rose Bowl does not want to lose its Big Ten vs Pac 10 matchup? I just hope that by the time Lil' Kyle is 10 years-old or so that I'll be telling him how the BCS used to work while we're watching the college football playoffs. Heck, maybe Carolina will even be playing in them. Nah...

Wrapping it up for now. "It starts in my toes and I crinkle my nose"

remix: and I can't stand that song, it makes me want to throw dem bo's...