List of most unusual/original songs

elie · #1 05-02-2006, 03:53 AM

Following a conversation we had on Lindsey's thread, we thought (Amber and I

) it would be fun to post here all the songs we believe that are somehow unique, really original or unusual. It doesn't necessarily have to be about songs we like, just songs that we believe that do not resemble any other song ever written.
I already have some on my list:

"Tusk" (by FM of course)
"Innuendo" (Queen)
"The Weeping Song" (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)
"All Tomorrow's Parties" (the Velvet Underground) - I've had that on my list for ages.
I also said "Edge of Seventeen"

If I come uo with some more, I will come back.

amber · #2 05-02-2006, 04:07 AM

The trouble is, I don't know that many songs.

I'll think of one, though. It's still a good thread.

I think I'll bring Down Under over from the other thread. And your list.

Mageboy25 · #3 05-02-2006, 06:00 AM

Blondie Rapture, or how about some of the **** off of Autoamerican, Hunter or KOO KOO!

Pat Benatar Red Vision

What's that God awful song Tammy Wynette did with that Euro dance group in the early 90s. As if she didnt need the $ to re furnish her tourbus lol!

madformac · #4 05-02-2006, 06:02 AM

"Echoes" by Pink Floyd
"House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals
"Staying Alive" by The Bee Gees
"Play In The Rain" by Lindsey Buckingham
"Feel Good Inc" by Gorillaz
"Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco
"Biko" by Peter Gabriel
"Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" by Jimi Hendrix
"God" by John Lennon
"The Importance Of Being Idle" by Oasis
"Leaving Beirut" by Roger Waters
"Sunset" by Tan-Hauser Gate

elie · #5 05-02-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madformac

"Echoes" by Pink Floyd
"House Of The Rising Sun" by The Animals

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

Jyqm · #6 05-02-2006, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elie

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

I'm not sure I understand the criteria here. What makes any of the songs mentioned more or less "unique" than anything else?

"White Rabbit," for example, is a fairly traditional march, and the lyrics are based on Lewis Carroll's Alice books.

It seems as though any song is written in the context of a certain tradition and is bound to have some similarities with things that have come before. And even if something is largely new at the time of its inception, there almost always arise later works which try to mimic or expand upon that original composition, so few things stay truly "unique" forever. (As an example, The Beatles' "Revolution 9" was certainly unique at the time it was released, but there have been plenty of pretentious musicians who have since done similar things with tape loops. Or look at David Byrne and Brian Eno's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, which was just reissued. It was a groundbreaking electronic record at the time, but now there are hundreds of artists who make similar music.)

madformac · #7 05-02-2006, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elie

Indeed! And while we 're on Pink Floyd, may I also say that I would include many Roger Waters songs in that list (some songs of the "Amused to Death" album).
And Madformac, lol about the Falco song. It's hilarious, but it is certainly unique.

I was also thinking about Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", I don't know if you agree..
And "With or Without you", U2

I agree on Roger Waters. There are so many I could mention but I thought Echoes (although I chose this predominantly for the Gilmour/Wright work on it) and especially his newer work such as Leaving Beirut are very unique pieces.

White Rabbit yes indeed another example. With Or Without You is a reasonably interesting choice too.

I think a lot of Abba's work is in this area too. Super Trouper is a classic example of a unique song.

elie · #8 05-02-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

I'm not sure I understand the criteria here. What makes any of the songs mentioned more or less "unique" than anything else?

"White Rabbit," for example, is a fairly traditional march, and the lyrics are based on Lewis Carroll's Alice books.

Jyqm, I don't know what the criteria are either

And I agree with you about "White Rabbit' being a traditional march and the lyrics are very obviously based on "Alice in Wonderland". I just think it's a very exciting and powerful song, pretty much different than other songs of that period, even from the same band.

My initial idea of a list didn't have to do with whether we understand or not understand where the inspiration came from (sometimes it is very clear what a song is about)- Tusk is pretty explicit IMO, and certianly all the "jungle" sound is not something that LB first came up with, however it is sort of unique, in the sense that it is not a typical song by a rock band, or something that you expect a band of this sort to write.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

As an example, The Beatles' "Revolution 9" was certainly unique at the time it was released, but there have been plenty of pretentious musicians who have since done similar things with tape loops

That's pretty much what I meant. When it was first released, nothing sounded like it.

I 'm not sure if I make any sense (again, hard to explain yourself in a language other than your own *sigh*), but then again it is not so important. I guess it's all about songs that strike to us as unique, or unusual. (And as to your question what makes a song less or more unique than others: most Pulp or Suede songs are very good and fun to listen to, but IMO, if it weren't for Roxy Music in the 70's, I don't think that those two groups would have been what they are, in terms of style and sound).

strandinthewind · #9 05-02-2006, 08:04 AM

Dreamboat Annie - Heart

I think the style was cool for that time period and the sound of the waves and driving beat made it unusual.

Gold Dust Woman - the structure of that song is so esoteric at times that it almost is not like it is a song, then they and she bring it back to the three part harmony - then the sublime ending - I know of no other way to say that

cliffdweller · #10 05-02-2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elie

"The Weeping Song" (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)

Many of his songs could be in this category. His songs are strangely beautiful and unique.

JazmenFlowers · #11 05-02-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madformac

I think a lot of Abba's work is in this area too. Super Trouper is a classic example of a unique song.

you took the words out of my mouth.

JazmenFlowers · #12 05-02-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mageboy25

What's that God awful song Tammy Wynette did with that Euro dance group in the early 90s. As if she didnt need the $ to re furnish her tourbus lol!

oh god! I know that song...something ancient...it's going to bug me till I figure it out.

Ancient and Justified? is that it?

strandinthewind · #13 05-02-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

oh god! I know that song...something ancient...it's going to bug me till I figure it out.

Ancient and Justified? is that it?

It is by KLF - and called "Justified and Ancient"

I LOVE it and used to dance my a$$$ off to it in the very early 90's - I guess you had to be there

All bound for Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(hey)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land
(Bring the beat back!)

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they like to roam the land.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
I hope you understand.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
They called me up in Tennessee
They said "Tammy, stand by The Jams"
But if you don't like what they're going to do,
You better not stop them 'cause they're coming through
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Ancients of Mu Mu)

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

They're Justified, and they're Ancient,
And they drive an ice cream van.
(just roll it from the top)
They're Justified and they're Ancient,
With still no master plan.
(to the bridge, to the bridge, to the bridge now)
The last train left an hour ago,
They were singing "All aboard"
All bound for Mu Mu Land,
Then someone starting screaming "Turn up the Strobe"
(bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
(Bring the beat back)

Justified and Ancient, Ancient and a-justified,
Rocking to the rhythm in their ice cream van
with the plan and the key to
enter into Mu Mu
Vibes from the tribes of the Jams

I know where the beat is at,
'cos I know what time it is
Bring home a dime,
Make mine a "99"

New style, meanwhile, always on a mission while
Fishing in the rivers of life
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers
Fishing in the rivers of life (hoi)

Voo-va-voolie
Za-shi-va-zom
Voo-va-voolie
(Bring the beat back)

(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (justified)
(Hey hey)
All bound for Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)

They have travelled the world
With the ice cream van
Their voyage, the bottom of time
They have entered the place
with the Mu Mu mate
And their children so pride
Mine as a "99"
(Bring the beat back)

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
Mu Mu Land (Ancients of Mu Mu)
All bound for Mu Mu Land

Mu Mu Land
Mu Mu Land
All bound for Mu Mu Land

http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/k/klf7...tte272876.html

madformac · #14 05-02-2006, 08:56 AM

"Tales Of Brave Ulysses" by Cream. I think this was the first real mainstream use of a wah pedal, before Hendrix was known for it. A very original song IMO.

JazmenFlowers · #15 05-02-2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

It is by KLF - and called "Justified and Ancient"

I LOVE it and used to dance my a$$$ off to it in the very early 90's - I guess you had to be there

damn. I astound myself.

I like it in a very camp kind of way too. not sure if I'd dance (seriously) to it, but I like it.