Hugely difficult choice, however I have decided to go for two songs, one each from my two musical heroes Bruce Springsteen and the Beatles. The third choice was extremely difficult and I was tempted to put in a Bob Dylan song (possibly Desolation Row or Chimes of Freedom), but decided to go for a song which for me is just so uplifting and timeless it had to be there; So here we go;
Jungleland; Bruce Springsteen- I could have chosen any one of many, many songs from my all time music idol, but decided to go for this masterpiece. Nine minutes long, it's more a rock opera than a song. Incredibly cinematic. For me it shows the man's brilliance as a storyteller as do so many of his songs, but it's the quality of the music, the arrangement, the power, the story, the drama, the amazing Clarence Clemons sax solo..everything. To think the guy put all this together when he was only 23 years old. Mindblowing.
Here, there and Everywhere; The Beatles- Paul McCartney said this was the most complete song he ever wrote. George Martin said it was his favourite McCartney song from the Beatles era. I agree with them. Beautifully put together by the master melody man. Lovely simple words which say everything a love song should say. The melody, arrangement, harmonies. Just McCartney at his brilliant best and at the peak of his creativity.
Bridge over Troubled Water; Simon and Garfunkel- How many times has this jewel of a song been covered ? Lyrically brilliant and incredibly moving, arrangement first class, lovely melody. Paul Simon was truly one of the great songwriters of our time. For me this was his best song and in my opinion one of the best songs ever.
