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.
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16 comments:
Saturday. December 9. 2000. Kenan Stadium. Chapel Hill. 15 layers of clothes. Green and Gold tobog. Cold as a mofo. Standing on the bleachers. Game over. "We are the Champions" is played.
That image will forever be what I see when I hear that song played.
I like the way you're thinking. Its no wonder we get along. I agree with the criteria choices, but I would hesitate to say that those would produce a "Greatest song of all time." I would say that this song should probably win "Greatest Recognizable Song of all time." Still, your blog, your rules. I ain't mad atcha.
As a point of comparison, Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time does not even mention the iconic song in the top 500. A definite flaw. However, "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You" do make appearances at #163 and #330 respectively.
Good stuff.
PS: xylophone? timpany? and more importantly, sleigh bells?
My initial reaction is that this is a crazy choice for "Greatest Song of All-Time," but the more I try work up a case against it, the more I see your point. Who doesn't like that song?
My best argument is that maybe the "Greatest Song of All-Time" should have some historical significance... like Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence," Lennon's "Imagine," or Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back."
- Jared
Can't go wrong with Queen.
WHOAAAA! you are sooooo musically diverse!! from three six mafia to john mayer? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! oh wait, and you also include COHEED AND CAMBRIA on your playlist?! wait, whaaaat?
now being serious. just because you include artists from different genres (if you're being technical about it, because all the artists you mentioned are pretty poppy if you ask me) doesnt mean that you have good taste,thus, allowing you to be a "music snob".
How on Earth can you be one if you fucking listen to CHRISTINA AGUILERA? probably the worst pop artist since paula abdul.
who are you to judge someone's music preference when you obviously have a shitty one yourself?
stop being a pseudo music-critic and listen to what you actually LIKE, instead of forcing yourself to like oh-so-different artists. you are a moron.
I love your selection of the greatest song ever. "We are the champions", not only cliche, but probably one of Queen's msot mediocre songs.
oh, im not a coward, btw. i just clicked on anonymous by accident.
Nickelback is the best band ever and i love yalls song "FAR AWAY" its the best
BS...man i like rock and a little rap and i say Nickelback is the best and we are the champions sucks balls man...i hate that song..in my opinion the best song in the world at the moment is Nickelback's I'd Come For You or Never Gonna Be Alone...u need to get your brain tested for extreme damage if you think we are the champions is even remotely good...id like to poor a vad of sulfuric acid on Queen becuz of that song
all who think this guy is retarded say I
fffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkk
you bitch and again FUCK U
u mother fuckers i fuckin hate you bitchs go fuck your self
Well, I wouldn't say that Nickelback is necessarily "gay" as you put it, for everyone has different music tastes. I, for one, enjoy Nickelback very much as well as "We are the Champions." While I do have a varied taste in music, ranging from Taylor Swift, Cage the Elephant, Beyonce, The Fray, Green Day, Rissi Palmer, and many others, it won't mean that I know Jazz players. I don't listen to "The Top 40", as you put it, but I also don't stay in one area.
I respect you for putting out your own opinion, and when others comment saying "NICKELBACK IS AWESOME!!!!! (THEIR NOT GAY)"-is perhaps a bit too overdone, not to mention incorrect grammar (lol), but for the sake of Nickelback's fans, this might have been overdone as well. I do like most of your music choices, however. :)
HELLO WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU THIKING I LOVE NICKELBACK! HOW THE HECK DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS. NICKELBACK IS NOT GAY. I'LL HURT ANY ONE WHO SAYS OTHER WISE NICKELBACK IS ALMOST THE NEW GUNS AND ROSES ANOTHER GREAT R&R BAND. SERIOUSLY GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!
I!!!!!!!! I'm with a lot of yall on this one queen was all right but dudwe Nickelback is the bomb. especially their song Animals and Next Contestant.
Nickelback is beast man idk what youre talking about, dush bag queer,poser!they won best top 10 band and you say theyre gay, well there not you and youre artist are!-nazareth, from katy,Texas.
Nickelback is great !
Nickelback is NOT gay! Unlike the person who posted this image in this way, you seriously need to get up off your ass and get a good paying job rather than slander those who are doing good for the world!
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