The Roundtable
You can make the world listen to one song - so what is it?
Alyssa Vincent - Okay world, here's your soundtrack. "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys. Now, if I look at my iTunes play count, I apparently feel that the only song the world needs to hear is "Transatlanticism." However, when it comes down to song structure and sentiment, I can't help but side with the Boys. The Beach Boys managed to craft some of the best pop music in existence, and loads of current bands owe their sound to...well, "Pet Sounds." As for this specific song, it starts out as a backhanded love song--"I may not always love you." Really? Is that the foot you want to start out on? However, as the lyrics develop, along with the endearing tambourine and harmonies, listeners are treated to one of the most simple and beautiful songs. Whether you have someone special in your life or not, it's practically impossible to listen to this song and not be happy for it's duration. And in today's world, we could all use a few minutes of pure, pop-induced happiness.
Amy Dittmeier - This is like asking, “You’re only allowed to drink one beverage for the rest of your life.” It’s hard to pick ONE song. On one hand, you want to pick a song that the world probably hasn’t listened to, making your choice important and prominent. But what are the odds of that? So instead I have to instill all of my personal self into one single song. This is a lot of pressure to put on one person. I think I’m getting hot flashes.
If I had to pick a song, and we’re talking only life or death here, I would pick “Stand Inside Your Love” by the Smashing Pumpkins. It’s not from my favorite Pumpkins album, but it’s one of the last songs in their catalogue that truly represents what they were in the 90s. There’s that hint of electronica that’s all over Machina/The Machines of God but that wild rock that shot them to the top on Siamese Dream comes back for it’s final farwell before Zeitgeist. It has Corgan’s beautiful lyrics, Chamberlin’s pounding drums, and James Iha’s final attempts of putting up with Billy’s antics. Even Melissa Auf de Mar sounds great on this track. It’s a love song for the modern world, and my last love for the band that made up my youth.
Cory Roop - It can be confusing at times in life when you're trying to figure out how to scrape together the cash for your lover to get a sex change operation. People probably think that counterfeiting money or selling extra kidneys on the black market are viable choices or maybe something a little more conventional, like bank robbery. However, The Gay Blades would like to caution you against that last choice. Their song "Dog Day Afternoon" is not only a true story, but it is a cautionary tale about this very situation. The scary fact is that there are countless people around the world who would turn to bank robbery as a simple solution to money problems. The Gay Blades warn, nay urge, you to reconsider your choice. Although you will get to have sex on a giant stack of money in the vault and maybe execute a few hostages, the story will only end in disaster as a federal agent of some kind or another kills you. So to save the lives of hundreds or thousands of people, everyone on the planet needs to listen to "Dog Day Afternoon" by the Gay Blades.
Lisa White - Sure, the world would probably be a better place if we all listened closely to “Imagine” or some other song that would inspire us to be better people, but when it comes down to it, not everyone wants to be a better person. And then that pesky problem that we all speak different languages, so I’m going with a song that is pure exaggerated destructive fun. I think everyone in the world should listen to “Paradise City” by Guns N’ Roses.
Hear me out people. You’ve got your angry head banger section, you’ve got your sexy guitar part in the middle and at the end (sexy guitars cross any language barrier), you’ve got your chanting chorus, and you’ve got some wishful lyrics in there that even your Mommy can agree with on some level. It’s hopeful, nostalgic, over the top, and indulgent, and you can’t help but pump your fist in the air and sing along. Try playing this in a car with the windows rolled down and see if not everyone sings along. I’d bet money on it. It’s just enjoyable and fun, and that is what music should be on the most basic level.
Posted by Wes Soltis on Apr 27, 2009 @ 12:00 am
