Works of Art: Songs

The Song: Milk It
The Album: In Utero

Whilst Nevermind achieved the success and is still hailed as their best album, In Utero included angry, jagged rock songs that are an incredible insight into the tortured mind of Kurt Cobain. Milk It is a messily composed song with surreal lyrics and Kurt Cobain at his most undecipherable. A genius song, on an under rated album.

Song: Revolution 9
Album: The Beatles (Aka The White Album)

Although most of the songs by the group are incredible works of art and not just their extensive list of singles, this Avant Garde masterpiece is by far their most distinguished. Over 8 minutes of noise, it divided fans but love it or hate it, it is a masterpiece of composition.

Song: How Soon Is Now?
Album: (First appeared on) Hatful of Hollow

A masterpiece of compostion and lyrics with a strong meaning. The Smiths most unconventional song, perhaps but one of absolute genius.

Song: Dirty Dianna
Album: Bad

Amazing song structure, a hard edge and Jackson's iconic singing voice present and flawless. Not his most famous but certainly amongst his best.

Song: Imagine
Album: Imagine

John Lennon and Paul McCartney were songwriting geniuses and Lennon's most famous solo song shows reiterates just how great he was. Deep lyrics and a lovely piece of Piano. A song that makes you feel warm yet incredibly sad.

Song: Jesus of Suburbia
Album: American Idiot

A 9 Minute long song (with all the chapters), this is arguably Green Day's most ambitious track. Strong lyrics with a satirical edge and awe inspiring music, Jesus of Suburbia shows off the talent of band perfectly. A group that is undeservedly ridiculed yet also have strong fan base that easily dwarfs the haters, songs like this show exactly why we love them.

Song: Invocation
Album: Hosannas from the Basements of Hell

Orchestra mixed seamlessly with heavy Rock and powerful vocals from Jaz Coleman, Invocation is by far the highlight of the bands career (in terms of compostion anyway). Overshadowing all the other epic songs on the album, making them seem less daunting in comparison, Invocation is an indisputable masterpiece.

Song: Stan
Album: The Marshell Mathers LP

Controversial but affecting song telling a fictional but memorable story, Stan has unforgettable, disturbing lyrics and a flawless structure. The inclusion of the chorus from Dido's Thank You in Stan's own chourus is apt. Many other artists do the same but to not quite the same effect, mainly just filler. However, the technique contrinutes stongly in this song. Eminem is a one of a kind rapper. He has funny songs, serious songs and shallow songs (which are less substantial and less likeable, usually only made when he does a duo with another rapper like the awful 50 Cent) and this particular piece shows off his serious side. Eminem is the best rapper because his songs aren't overflowing with vulgar sexual references and misogynistic undertones, opting to do enduring songs that will go down in the history of music.

Song: Straight to Hell
Album: Combat Rock

Calming music contrasting with strong political lyrics. And what a mix it is. Combat Rock was never their greatest acheivment but with songs like this and Rock the Casbah, it was still a sginificant part of their iconic career. Straight to Hell is a deeply emotional song that is certainly not the most uplifting but most masterpieces aren't all about rainbows and sunshine.

Song: One
Album: ...And Justice for All

Powerful, unforgettable song that is often overlooked by other lesser Metallica masterpieces such as Enter Sandman. 'One' has a magnifcent guitar riff that, rather than overshawowing and breaking away from the mood of the song, maintains the it. Deeply affecting lyrical content is also a fine feature. Perhaps one of the darkest of their songs, One remains an iconic and effective songs. A pillar of 80's Metal.

Song: November Rain
Album: Use Your Illusion I

Epic song with Slash's best guitar riff(s) of his career. Sweet Child of Mine his best? What are people on? The final riff basically makes the song but every other music arangement all contributes to the song greatly.

Song: Money Money Money
Album: Arrival

One of the better known of all ABBA singles (obviously behind Dancing Queen and Waterloo), Money Money Money is great mostly for its composition, as were all ABBA hits. The songwriting is also great, perhaps a satire on the perception of money in life and how it is inextricably linked to happiness.

Song: Atmosphere
Album: Substance

Haunting, depressing...and a masterpiece. Lyrical genius, musical genius and vocal genius. The stand-out song of the entire Joy Divison catalogue that shows a clear insight into lead singer Ian Curtis' life through just how it sounds. Although not my favourite song of theirs, it is certainly their masterpiece.

Song: Holiday in Cambodia
Album: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

Jello Biafra's energetic vocals and outspoken lyrics contribute strongly to this masterpiece. The views on on politcs, the unflinching immortalisation of the rich and the evocative description of third world life in a politcally corupt Cambodia is masterful. A vivid highlight of the band's career.

Song: Don't Bring Harry
Album: The Raven

Don't Bring Harry is a dull song but in a good way. A strong analogy of drugs, Don't Bring Harry is a depressing song that works as an indictment of just how good The Stranglers are. And goes to show just how under rated they are too. It wasn't a conventional Stranglers song. It wasn't even a conventional song for any band at the time. Jean-Jacques Burnel's vocals are distinctive and were a suitable diversion from Hugh Cornwall's usual lead singing. This is a song I strongly recommend but if you like it, that is another matter.

Song: Bohemian Rhapsody
Album: A Night at the Opera

A mesmerisingly progressive song, which is in itself a versatile piece, from a versatile band. No matter how much this is played on music channels and how many times I listen to it on my own, I can never get bored of it.

Song: Bela Lugosi's Dead
Album: Several 'Best of' albums (originally released single only)

Nearly 10 minutes in length and mostly instrumental, Bela Lugosi's Dead is a haunting gothic song that did much to establish the genre. An incredibly unique sound and Pete Murphey's vocals compliment each other; the mix creates one of the most iconic gothic songs of all time.

Song: Invincible
Album: Black Holes and Revelations

Consistant with other Muse songs as well as being a signifcant varation on their usual sound, Invincible is an epic song that evolves magnificently as the song continues. A flawless combination of instruments create a marvelous sound and Matt Bellamy's vocals are as perfect as usual. Most of Muse's songs are creative and epic but this one stands out in that field the most.