Ned Pepper's Outrages

Friday, March 18, 2011

The world's greatest song?

Ned found himself musing last night on the greatest song ever written. He came up with several possibilities and will add more as his brain functions properly. First, 'In The Still Of The Night' by Cole Porter came to mind--a haunting, mystical melody with wonderful lyrics. Ned would add 'As Time Goes By' naturally, and 'September Song.'
Also, another Porter favorite, 'Begin The Beguine.' We also must mention that Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, 'Some Enchanted Evening' from South Pacific, itself inspired by James Mitchener's 'Tales of the South Pacific.' Anyone who has engaged in living intensely for a week, month or year or so, and then had to go back to humdrum life, can appreciate Mitchener's haunting tales. And, perhaps, that is what makes a great song: some sort of elusive, mystical, haunting quality, that none of Schubert's 'Lieder' can aspire to, or is Ned being too ungracious?
Update: Ned adds to his list 'Someone To Watch Over Me', 'Try To Remember' from' The Fantasticks' and 'Stardust.'

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