There are songs out there that I consider "Perfect Songs". I don't know what criteria result in a perfect song, but I will do my best to illustrate with examples. I encourage all you 225 folk to do the same either in individual posts or the comments for this post (just try to keep it consistent).
I will give my examples for what I consider to be "Perfect Songs" and rationale. Hopefully from this I (perhaps with your help, faithful readers) can generate a definition or a list of criterion for a perfect song. On with the show:
- "Here Come the Warm Jets" by Brian Eno
Eno does a lot with this album, but I think what he really captures with this song is the most basic enjoyment of rock and roll. Every teenager with a guitar has found one riff that s/he can play over and over without stopping. From this he adds: rythm guitar chugging in the background, drums that are introduced offbeat and softly yet crescendo into a banging beat, and vocals that perfectly sing what you want to hear with this sound, but they don't need to say anything in particular. This is you rocking out in your bedroom at 15 realizing just what song your riff could eventually become.
- "Teenage Riot" by Sonic Youth
I can't think of any example where the guitar had been played the way it was in this song before. Rock music was changed forever after this song. I'm constantly amazed at how intricate yet simple the play between the two guitar parts sounds. I don't know if I'll ever fully figure this song out, but it sounds fucking great. Every. Single. Time.
- "Come in Alone" by My Bloody Valentine
The term "shoegaze" is kind of stupid, but it is applied to a kind of music that I find very enjoyable. I really like layered, dense, heavily effected guitar sounds and this song delivers it in spades. I feel that this song is the definition of the "shoegaze" sound and Belinda Butcher's beautiful vocals on top of Kevin Shields' awesome production of the album create a song that can only be described as beautiful.
- "In the Nervous Light of Sunday" by Circle Takes the Square
This song may not be the best song on either album it's featured on, but it holds so much promise that the band explored it on two separate albums. Frankly, the production values on the self titled album pale in comparison to "As the Roots Undo" and this song was just good enough to warrant further exploration on the band's most recent album. I feel that this track is a band trying to define itself and it just straight up works. The CTTS sound is fully defined in "As the Roots Undo" (I mean the album overall) and this song just shows it in comparison to their previous work. This is a very young band who everyone should look forward to. They're amazing and though some may scoff as the "screamo" label, this band shows a serious thoughtfulness to their craft that any band should use in their approach to music. Give them a chance because these guys are fucking meticulous.
- "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed
I will preface this with the following statement: I love rock music appropriately orchestrated with string instruments. Reed adds to this sweet organ sounds, his typical cool persona and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen. This song is basically an anthem to being an awesome dude and banging chicks in the typical cool Loud Reed style. It's a pretty song, it works and it uses Reed's typical cool dude style. On top of all this, it's the best song that I have personally heard from his solo career. Please prove me wrong.
Please friends I beg you to add to this. My reasoning is only that of one drunk music fan and I have grown weary of trying to come up with more examples. I will add to this if you will. Help me define what makes a perfect song and enlighten me (and others) as to what other perfect music is out there.
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