THE GREATEST OF ALL TUNES (G.O.A.T.) is a salute to the greatest songs of all time, one song per artist.
Before today, here’s how far I got in my top 100 list:
- Layla by Derek and the Dominoes (1970) (link)
- Better Things by The Kinks (1981) (link); and: Covers of the top 30 Kinks songs here and here
- Misfits by the Kinks (1978) (link); and: Covers of the top 30 Kinks songs here and here
- Grindin’ by Clipse (2002) (link)
- Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum (1969) (link)
So, where does this song fit in?
Hot Fuss was a great album that exploded in a way few albums do—especially in this Century. Between this song and Mr. Brightside, The Killers became ubiquitous—and the album Hot Fuss went triple platinum.
It’s a fairly simple song, but it’s the kind of tune that you can’t unhear and can’t forget. It grabs you with a tongue-twisting chorus that forces you to think a little to understand it: “Somebody told me you had a boyfriend who looked like a girlfriend I had in February of last year.” It went to #1 in Europe, but only got to #3 in the U.S.—despite garnering three Grammy nominations.
Further listening: Mr. Brightside, All These Things That I’ve Done, Bones.
Now, as for its rank. I definitely have listened to this song more than the other five on the list, but…Layla and Better Things move me more. Close call, but I’m putting it at #3 so far–knocking Misfits down the list.
Covers:
