- Why?
- ...because musical poetry that doesn't suck is quite rare
...because Bob Dylan's composition meets its perfect mate in Brickell's strong, raw vocals
...because every line is a symbolic masterpiece, waiting to be unravelled
Listen:
- ...to this song and Simon & Garfunkel's The Sounds of Silence back to back
2) A Lifetime - Better than Ezra
- Why?
- ...because BtE still exists, damnit
...because the imagery is overpoweringly vivid
...because the hook is well-crafted and anthemic
Listen:
- ...to the dynamic shifts, and how well they serve the theme
3) A Sorta Fairytale (Album Track) - Tori Amos
- Why?
- ...because it's worth remembering that Tori knows how to write simple, hooky songs
...because the radio version is cruelly chopped, and sacrifices the effectiveness of the bridge
...because we've all felt a dream dissolve
Listen:
- ...to the way the spare backing vocals entwine about the lead
4) A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
- Why?
- ...because few songs can manage a reference to Vestal Virgins with a straight face
...because, for me, it always conjures images of The Canterbury Tales, and that's pretty impressive
...because if you're going to listen to a song with "White" in the title, it should be this one, and not Nights in White Satin
Listen:
- ...to one of the best meandering organ lines this side of The Band