As part of the launch of my new book, 101 Forgotten Pop Hits of the 1980s, I did an interview last week with my good friend Mike Atkinson for the excellent local Nottingham publication, Left Lion.
One of the questions I was asked – and one that I really should have been prepared for – was ‘Of the songs you have included in the book, which is your favourite’?
After a bit of deliberation, I picked Gold by Spandau Ballet as the one I would keep for the nation, and Love Changes (Everything) by Climie Fisher as the one I’d keep for myself (I appreciate that is a bit of a cheat of an answer, but there you go.)
Anyway, it got me thinking (as I also did later on when watching the season finale of the always entertaining series Glee) about what is the greatest contemporary pop record of all time. Not my favourite – but the best in objective terms.
Clearly, there are gazillions of records that you could choose, and there’s no way of realistically determining whether one is better than another. Is the Beatles Hey Jude better than Rule the World by Take That? Hanson’s Mmmbop better or worse than Daydream Believer? Is Bohemian Rhapsody a pop record, and is it better than Relax, You’re The One That I Want or Don’t You Want Me?
After some cogitating, I came up with Unchained Melody. For the number of successful cover versions and its enduring popularity, it must surely rank somewhere high on the list.
And just when I thought I might have my answer, I remembered one more song. A song that is so perfect and so well-loved across several generations; a song so beautiful that it sounds as good today as it did when it was recorded; a song that is famous and yet something you never, ever tire of hearing.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhzbzwPNgXA[/youtube]
Is Somewhere Over The Rainbow the best pop record of all time?
…………………………………
Nick Parkhouse is a professional writer. He provides articles, copy, press releases and books and marketing material to a range of local and international clients. He also specialises in sports writing for a number of international sports companies as well finance, property, politics and cinema writing.
Nick’s first book, 101 Forgotten Pop Hits of the 1980s, is also now available at www.authorhouse.co.uk
Pingback: Twitted by nickparkhouse