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 When does a song become a classic?

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T O P I C    R E V I E W
Llamadance Posted - 11/06/2006 : 04:24:06
I ask this because there are adverts on the TV at the moment proclaiming The Kooks to have a classic song ffs. Ridiculous.

So, is it time and popularity? Should time come into it? If so when is the cutoff? 5 years? 10? 20?

Are there any other criteria for a song to gain 'classic' status or is it just abitrary media hokum?


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Homers_pet_monkey Posted - 11/08/2006 : 04:59:24
'Generally' considered'? By whom? Certainly not the majority of the world's music listening population, or else nothing would be a classic.


I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
Llamadance Posted - 11/08/2006 : 02:07:22
Looking at the definition of classic here I'd say that that these are good benchmarks....

An artist, author, or work generally considered to be of the highest rank or excellence, especially one of enduring significance.

A work recognized as definitive in its field.

Having lasting significance or worth; enduring


Those kind of back up what Obfuscate/Cheeseman were saying. You can't really tell what music is definitive/influential till years later though, when new music comes through and cites these influences either verbally or musically.
although this may come into it as far as this discussion goes...

Adhering or conforming to established standards and principles: a classic piece of research.

You could for instance argue that Oasis fall into the latter definition but not necessarily the previous ones.


Homers, I think it's called empathy, not blind faith.


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Ziggy Posted - 11/08/2006 : 01:40:19
I'd like a forum trip to burn down the offices of the NME.
Carolynanna Posted - 11/07/2006 : 10:50:17
Honestly, I think nothing becomes classic until its old enough. It can't be from the last decade but the decade before that. And that goes for fashion as well. For example, right now the 80s are all the rage.

__________
Aw geez, my duodenum's acting up.
Cheeseman1000 Posted - 11/07/2006 : 10:48:19
quote:
Originally posted by ObfuscateByWill

I just ask myself what is being done differently and if it is being done well.

These are good criteria, I think, surely an album can't be a classic if it's: ripping off something else; or not done very well, despite the band.


Numberwang?
ObfuscateByWill Posted - 11/07/2006 : 10:43:43
I'd consider Chrome's "Half Machine Lip Moves" a classic album. Not especially popular/well-known, but well ahead of it's time and doing it's part to spawn/spread a new sound.

Daring and artistry are what makes a song/album remarkable. (Sounds cheesy)

Some familiar album titles:
Sgt. Pepper
Trout Mask Replica
Music for Aiports
Pink Flag
20 Jazz Funk Greats
Drums & Wires
London Calling
Remain In Light

I'd say most of us know these albums well and would agree that they are classics.

I just ask myself what is being done differently and if it is being done well.

*Release the bats!
pixiestu Posted - 11/07/2006 : 10:05:49
I agree with Homers, it's individual to each listener.

"The arc of triumph"
Homers_pet_monkey Posted - 11/07/2006 : 09:53:36
quote:
Originally posted by Llamadance



Bohemian Rhapsody for instance. A lot of people dislike it but surely it's regarded even by them as a classic song. I'm not a fan of Motown really, but I'd find it hard to deny certain songs were classics, maybe because I'm aware of the general strength of feeling about them.


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So why would you lable it classic? Because other people told you to?

See that fire over there?


I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
Carolynanna Posted - 11/07/2006 : 09:25:45
A song becomes classic when an intricate bandmember (most likely the lead singer or the songwriter) dies. The more dramatic the death the better.

__________
Aw geez, my duodenum's acting up.
whoreatthedoor Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:52:12
Don't you think one day the latest White Stripes albums will be considered "classics"?


This time we ride roller coasters into the ocean
We feel no emotion as we spiral down to the world
Llamadance Posted - 11/07/2006 : 08:15:13
not so speedy :(





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speedy_m Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:44:37
Now you're just being mean.


maybe I'll kick it
GypsyDeath Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:42:57
quote:
Originally posted by Llamadance
I'd find it hard to deny certain songs were classics, maybe because I'm aware of the general strength of feeling about them.



exactly!



"I'm not much like my generation,
Their music only hurts my ears" ~ Kasey Chambers
speedy_m Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:39:59
11 seconds Llama. I suck.


maybe I'll kick it
speedy_m Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:39:24
But you could say that the Beatles were rubbish and still consider them to be classic. So maybe classic albums transcend individual taste, and in a way represent the tastes of the mass culture. In retrospect now every publication in the world is ready to jump on the Pixies bandwagon. Before the reunion I doubt that would have happened, at least not to this degree.


maybe I'll kick it
Llamadance Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:39:13
I disagree. There are things that are generally and widely regarded as classics. Even though I might dislike a song/album I could easily acknowledge it was a classic. The same could probably be said for literature.

Bohemian Rhapsody for instance. A lot of people dislike it but surely it's regarded even by them as a classic song. I'm not a fan of Motown really, but I'd find it hard to deny certain songs were classics, maybe because I'm aware of the general strength of feeling about them.


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Homers_pet_monkey Posted - 11/07/2006 : 06:16:27
There's no such thing as a classic album or song really. People like what they like, so it's individual to each music listener.



I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
GypsyDeath Posted - 11/06/2006 : 14:59:39
I would say you couldnt classify a song as a classic until 10 years later - to prove it still stands the test of time. IMO.

IMO...its all subjective. To me a 'classic' has two meanings. A classic when you are in a club/pub/whereever and everyoen has the overwhelming sense of nostalgia and, i guess, joy. Filled with passion for a time forgotten...I think a lot of brit pop has that effect - oasis particularly,. And i dont even like oasis.

But for me personally, 'classic' songs are sogns that defined a particular era, or movement at the time. Whether it be in the world in general, or whether it be in my personal life.

But as my bf quite rightly says - how can you define a classic? in '100 classic album' lists, are they saying that album 101 is not a classic? There is too much grey area to ever come up with a real answer to this question






"I'm not much like my generation,
Their music only hurts my ears" ~ Kasey Chambers
Cheeseman1000 Posted - 11/06/2006 : 14:44:53
quote:
Originally posted by mcil

Arctic Monkeys album seems to be popping up in best albums of all time polls

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.myspace.com/mcil13

One week after it was released, this album was number 5 on NME's 100 greatest albums ever poll.

The conclusion? When the revolution comes, NME writers will be first against the wall as a danger to society.


Numberwang?
Cult_Of_Frank Posted - 11/06/2006 : 14:38:42
That's... unsettling.


"Now you're officially my woman. Kudos. I can't say I don't envy you."
mcil Posted - 11/06/2006 : 14:21:48
Arctic Monkeys album seems to be popping up in best albums of all time polls

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.myspace.com/mcil13
Llamadance Posted - 11/06/2006 : 10:24:38
well, I'd have thought there should be a fair amount of critical agreement. That's why I wondered about different genres having classics, they wouldn't necessarily have wide appeal except within the people that buy that kind of music. I don't think a personal classic would count, that would just be your favourite song or album. I certainly wouldn't consider any of my top 5 songs/albums to be classics.

For instance, is Norah Jones' debut album considered a classic? What about Definitely Maybe - Oasis? Bowie's Low? Bat for Lashes - Fur & Gold? Pixies - Doolittle?


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coastline Posted - 11/06/2006 : 10:14:42
Does classic have to mean that there is mass appeal? Can people have personal classics?


I could not find my honeycomb.
Crispy Water Posted - 11/06/2006 : 08:52:59
Taste and judgment aside, we all know no album is truly a classic until the label launches an advertising campaign to that effect.

Nothing is ever something.
Carl Posted - 11/06/2006 : 08:27:26
quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000

I'd put Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea more recent (1998), which is generally and widely regarded as a classic. Quite right. But, I'm sure there's more recent.


http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/story/0,,1937570,00.html

Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)


How can you explain to your two-year-old daughter what you're doing when you take her around Anne Frank's house? Easy if you've played her Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea: an album about singer Jeff Mangum's obsession with Anne Frank's ghost. This album - on the surface a skittery, lo-fi assortment of acoustic guitars, soaring brass instruments and cracked vocals - has a hypnotic power and rhythm that makes jaded adults and bouncy toddlers alike sing along. What is all the more exceptional is how life-affirmingly upbeat it is. The genius of Aeroplane lies in Mangum's ability to take topics such as Anne Frank and two-headed boys floating in jars and make their stories into celebrations.
Andrew Schagen

Cheeseman1000 Posted - 11/06/2006 : 06:13:29
I think to be 'classic' neccessitates some sort of time to elapse, but how much depends on the record.


Numberwang?
Llamadance Posted - 11/06/2006 : 05:58:38
Well, see, that's what confused me. If that's an oxymoron then that implies some kind of time constraint. Have there been instant classics? I guess they need time to slip into the music world's psyche. And I guess it depends on your frame of reference - I've never heard In the Aeroplane Over the Sea described as a classic.


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Cheeseman1000 Posted - 11/06/2006 : 05:38:17
I'd put Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea more recent (1998), which is generally and widely regarded as a classic. Quite right. But, I'm sure there's more recent.

Remember the oxymorons game? How about "instant classic"?


Numberwang?
Llamadance Posted - 11/06/2006 : 05:20:38
what does it mean to you Steve?


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PixieSteve Posted - 11/06/2006 : 05:03:05
there are different contexts for the word classic. that is all.


FAST_MAN  RAIDER_MAN - June 19th
Llamadance Posted - 11/06/2006 : 04:57:26
Zane Lowe has always faintly annoyed me.

No, the Kooks won't reach that status, it just got me thinking about classic songs/albums.

Like, what's the most recent album widely regarded as a classic? Does OK Computer come into it? Do other musical genres apart from rock/pop have widely regarded classic albums or songs? Or does a classic album have to be widely popular? Ach, I'm thinking too much.


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Cheeseman1000 Posted - 11/06/2006 : 04:28:26
I wouldn't say there's a set time or anything, I would say that however long it takes, the Kooks won't reach that status.

Let me guess, Zane Lowe's voice on the ads? That guy is really starting to annoy me.


Numberwang?

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