The Bluemoon Song Cup 2023

[dublinblue12]

A day in the life isnt exactly a song you would throw on at a party or even whilst driving, the orchestra bit that makes the song also breaks it for me, hurts the ears. Years ahead of its time, love the intro, love the ahhhhhhhh refrain from Lennon, love how it switchs to Paul's bit and the final note. A truly epic song. Jimis version of Watchtower is a fantastic version of an already great song, better than the original, he done it with many songs. Effortless for him, and working with an already great song here - you could throw that on at a party and no one would complain but gone with The Beatles, very hard to go with a cover against a Musical Milestone

 

[PinkFinal]

Watchtower is for me one of the high points of 20th century music. It's just godlike.

 

[threespires]

Agree with those who point out the 'greatness' of A Day In The Life and it is an important song. However the reality is probably 8 times out of 10 I would be more inclined to put All Along the Watchtower on.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Agree with those who point out the 'greatness' of A Day In The Life and it is an important song. However the reality is probably 8 times out of 10 I would be more inclined to put All Along the Watchtower on.

. . . which is why you should vote for Watchtower. But I like ADITL and would be more inclined to play it. One big difference is the Watchtower fade out at the end seems so abrupt whereas the end of ADITL is not only supremely powerful, but absolutely iconic. Could be the most iconic ending in popular music actually now that I think about it.

 

[BlueHammer85]

. . . which is why you should vote for Watchtower. But I like ADITL and would be more inclined to play it. One big difference is the Watchtower fade out at the end seems so abrupt whereas the end of ADITL is not only supremely powerful, but absolutely iconic.

Lennon, McCartney, Starr and Evans shared three different pianos, with Martin on a harmonium, and all played a E-Major chord simultaneously. The chord was made to ring out for over forty seconds by increasing the recording sound level as the vibration faded out.

The Beatles were different level.

 

[Bob Hope]

Watch Tower is the greatest cover of all time but the Beatles greatest song will beat any song hands down

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

The Beatles were different level.

So popular that they could be. Very few if any bands could get away with no touring and retreating into the studio to do whatever they wanted then. They used every ounce of that privilege creatively.

Hundreds of years from now they'll be considered the Shakespeare of their time IMO.

BTW this conversation is why I don't think it's at all a guarantee that a Manc artist wins this -- especially given the last draw that pitted the Smiths vs Oasis . . .

 

[normskih]

So popular that they could be. Very few if any bands could get away with no touring and retreating into the studio to do whatever they wanted then. They used every ounce of that privilege creatively.

Hundreds of years from now they'll be considered the Shakespeare of their time IMO.

BTW this conversation is why I don't think it's at all a guarantee that a Manc artist wins this -- especially given the last draw that pitted the Smiths vs Oasis . . .

I agree.

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

You've convinced me to change my vote, but not guaranteeing I won't change it again.

Part of the issue with some of the older songs is, whilst undoubted classics, it's hard to put them in historical perspective. I was always a rock fan but recall being blown away by Smells Like Teen Spirit on Steve Wright, of all places. I could put things like Aerosmith and Run DMC or the Beastie Boys in the same category of still remembering hearing them for the first time (and of parents complaining about noise). I'm sure it would be the same for the songs in the 50s and 60s if you hadn't grown up with them

For something like a Day in the Life, brilliant song but in a way I'd heard many other times, so hard to appreciate how ground breaking it was. So I've given it the respect it deserves (sorry, Jimi)

Brits get to claim a whole host of contenders for greatest band ever, but back to an off-topic I've brought up before -- who's the greatest American rock band? "Band" because I'm leaving off artists like Dylan and Springsteen and Elvis as "solo" artists.

It's very, very controversial, and I wouldn't do it, but I actually think you could craft at least a credible argument for Beastie Boys in terms of popularity and influence. A topic for another time though.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

Brits get to claim a whole host of contenders for greatest band ever, but back to an off-topic I've brought up before -- who's the greatest American rock band? "Band" because I'm leaving off artists like Dylan and Springsteen and Elvis as "solo" artists.

It's very, very controversial, and I wouldn't do it, but I actually think you could craft at least a credible argument for Beastie Boys in terms of popularity and influence. A topic for another time though.

Over The Beach Boys?

Both popular and they influenced The Beatles to make Sgt Pepper. I like the Beastie Boys but I think you would be stretching it to say they are the most influential, let alone popular. I'm not hugely into US bands but even the likes of the Pixies, Nirvana and maybe Metallica could say they were more popular than the Beasties and more influential?