So I was thinking about the death of modern popular music this morning and I got to thinking. If you opened up a billboard magazine top 40 listing from just about any time in the 60s 70s and even 80s you'd find dozens of memorable, original tracks that clearly stood the test of time. Today, nearly everything is rubbish.

So from someone who doesn't really listen to the radio all that much and tunes in to VH1 every now and again to see what's playing, I'm curious to get some thoughts.

What was the last truly great, original pop song that you feel confortable saying will still hold the test of time 10-20 years from now?

I don't even have an answer to my own question because I'm that out of touch, but I'd probably go with something from Adele (even though she isn't THAT popular).

Thoughts?

728huey said:

GREAT call!!! I actually have that album specifically because of that song. That was 2004 right?

I always need a bit of time for hindsight to make things clearer.

But from where I am, the following hits can spar with songs of other decades:

"Umbrella" Rihanna

"Rehab" Amy Winehouse

Certainly "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Everyone, all ages, loved that joint.

And I'm willing to bet that there is a Lady Gaga tune somewhere that will be fondly recalled 10-20 years from now, I just don't know which one I would pick. She's certainly on that Cyndi Lauper level by now at least.

Anyway, that brings us a bit more up to date than old-ass "Hey Ya"

PANDURITO said:

It's official. That was a great song from a great album. We still had a great ALBUM in the 00s.

ew what if it's something like Baby One More Time which IS getting credit? *gag*

alphastreet said:

ew what if it's something like Baby One More Time which IS getting credit? *gag*

you're going back in time for that one.

Let's not speak of anything older than 2006 which gave us "Crazy" and Amy Winehouse

My memory says "Single Ladies" from Beyonce. I'm sure there have been others though.

whitechocolatebrotha said:

My memory says "Single Ladies" from Beyonce. I'm sure there have been others though.

I can sorta see this considering its wide appeal, dwarfing other hits in Beyonce's repetoire, and remade a few times already.

For some reason it still felt a bit half-baked as a "song".

4 me personally this is the greatest chart song of the past decade and I really hope it goes on 2 be a classic...

Cinnie said:

And I'm willing to bet that there is a Lady Gaga tune somewhere that will be fondly recalled 10-20 years from now, I just don't know which one I would pick.

ugh. "fuck 'er face"? "paparazzi"?

When it's all you've been fed for 2 years, it's kinda hard to call it "great". I guess that's my problem with "single ladies" too.

I mean, "Me So Horny" was popular and you might hear it now and then but is that one you think of off the bat when you think of great popular 80s songs?

Off the top of my head, I'd say "Umbrella" or "Viva la Vida."

When M.I.A. Broke into the top 40 I started listening to pop radio again just to hear her. Now I realize that pop can produce alot of silly songs that you just love, but it can also produce songs that are just fucking fantastic.

I would say the pop song that sticks out the most for me of this past year would have to be:

I mean the Kanye part aside, what a fucking jam!

and another song that I think is a fucking masterpiece, you guessed it:

It has such an increadible climax, and the chanting and ooohhh ing just stay in your brain all day.

No WAYYY at "Run This Town"!! Sorry to poo-poo your suggestions, but I don't see that song actually having the appeal that radio insisted it had keeping it in rotation.

I liked "Bad Romance" but it seems like it has already sorta fizzled?

Hell, I've seen more mom's singing "Love Game" than "Bad Romance"

Cinnie said:

No WAYYY at "Run This Town"!! Sorry to poo-poo your suggestions, but I don't see that song actually having the appeal that radio insisted it had keeping it in rotation.

I liked "Bad Romance" but it seems like it has already sorta fizzled?

Hell, I've seen more mom's singing "Love Game" than "Bad Romance"

I just think the hook in run this town is killer, same with Bad Romance. I don't know if you could say it fizzeled when it is the most watched youtube video of all time, and was downloaded over 4 million times in america, compared to Lovegame's 2.5 million.

but I see your point. Not everyone goes gaga over these two.

"Paper Planes" was truly great.

Cinnie said:

PANDURITO said:

It's official. That was a great song from a great album. We still had a great ALBUM in the 00s.

That was the first song that sprang to mind when i saw this thread.

Forreal. I guess until someone makes something comparable to Amy Winehouse, we'll probably never agree on a more recent truly great pop record.

comegetwild said:

4 me personally this is the greatest chart song of the past decade and I really hope it goes on 2 be a classic...

Wow I thought this was a Jason Mraz song all along .

therevolutionwillnotbe said:

Try newer than 2006, but of that same caliber

Cinnie said:

therevolutionwillnotbe said:

Try newer than 2006, but of that same caliber

Honestly, this was one of the last times I had reason to listen to US radio.

Popular song? I'd have to think about it. POP song?

VERY well written.

BlaqueKnight said:

Popular song? I'd have to think about it. POP song?

VERY well written.

now there is one co-signed by my crazy 46yo ex-housemate who only liked 70s music. i recognize its value.

what year was it?

Alright, Cinnie, someting post-2006...

...but its popularity in North America didn't extend beyond the dance clubs.

[Edited 7/4/10 21:14pm]

Maxwell Pretty Wings

Funny how nobody mentioned the Black Eyed Peas so far, their singles ruled every country in the past year.

There'll always be "truly great popular songs" but even the biggest ever hits were appreciated only by a certain segment of the listeners, even something like "Billie Jean" would be dismissed by rock or diva fans that it was "overrated" and such.