Many of us know when we hear a generic song that has some basic formula to its composition or performance. But what about the original songs that really stand out? They may not always be labelled as the best songs but they can be right up there, mixed in with the generic tunes. The next time you visit iTunes, consider buying some of these songs. Many were ahead of their time and some haven’t been surpassed.
The Song List
These songs are no particular order.
Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
Jon Anderson and Vangelis – The Friends of Mr. Cairo
Fergie – Clumsy
Sisters of Mercy – This Corrosion
Guns N’ Roses – Rocket Queen
Pink Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall
Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack – Time Warp
Bran Van 3000 – Drinking in LA
Eminem – Stan
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Soft Cell – Torch
Pink Floyd – The Great Gig in the Sky
Wall of Voodoo – Mexican Radio
Boys Don’t Cry – I Wanna Be A Cowboy
Oh Yeah (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) – Yello
Rockit – Herbie Hancock
One Night in Bangkok – Murray Head
New Order – Blue Monday
Trio – Da Da Da
Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Blondie – Rapture
Toto Coelo – I Eat Cannibals
99 Red Balloons – Nena
Chris De Burgh – Spanish Train
Mr. Roboto – Styx
Devo – Whip It
Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City
Enya – Orinoco Flow
Gary Jules – Mad World (Tears for Fears cover)
Apocalyptica – Enter Sandman (Metallica cover)
Peter Frampton – Guitar Talk Box
Big Country – In a Big Country (Guitars sounding like bagpipes!)
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Depeche Mode – Everything Counts
About The List
There are no set rules for this list. The main criteria for this list were basically that the song had to be popular (not a pop song per say, as it could be a hip hop song, alternative 80s song, etc) and be something that would be played on commercial or college radio. The main focus was typically the musical style as being more important than the words (but not always). There has to be something unique about the arrangement of the song, the use of musical instruments or voice overs within the genre, and anything else that might differentiate it from the typical song. Sometimes just the fact the song changes drastically to almost become another song partway through is enough to make the list.
Add Your Own!
What songs do you think are exceptionally original, use unique instruments for their genre or just plain belong on the list? Add them below!
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