What are the most classic, original AND distinctive songs you have ever heard?

Be sure to include my classic soul/funk contribution...

 

tUnE-yArDs - "Bizness"

 

Talking Heads - "Once in a Lifetime"

 

Poco, Crazy Eyes.

 

Off the top of my head “Midsummer Night” by The Neon Philharmonic

 

The Yardbirds had several of them, especially Shapes Of Things. I don't think there was anything like it at the time: loud, very electric, changed tempo, cool lyrics and a great ending. And it made the top 10. Also Over Under Sideways Down, Still I'm Sad and Happenings Ten Years Time Ago.

 

Smokestack Lightnin’ - Howlin’ Wolf
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
Summertime - Sam Cooke
Venus in Furs - Velvet Underground
Archangel - Burial

 

Focus, "Hocus Pocus"

 

Espers - Mansfield and Cyclops
The Open Mind - Magic Potion
The Move - Message from the Country
Can - Vitamin C
The Only Ones - The Whole of the Law
Twink - Fluid
The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Anenome

 

Yeah, I went back and forth on that, but I'd include it, too. It's not a power ballad, it's that specific type of grand statement that only Pete Townshend could write and Daltrey/Moon/Entwistle could pull off.

I'd also include some of their live renditions, especially Young Man Blues, Shakin' All Over, and Water. Nobody else could do that.

 

Define, "classic". Because I'm pretty sure I don't know anybody who uses it correctly, but everybody seems to know what they're talking about, until I press them on it.

(Just in case I'm actually intent on using the term correctly, I'm goin' with "Sylvia", by Focus)

 

The Black Page
21st Century Schizoid Man
Brilliant Corners
Strawberry Fields Forever
Paint It Black

 

This, of course.

 

clas·sic
/ˈklasik/
adjective

1. 1. judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
   "a classic novel"
   synonyms: definitive, authoritative
   
   
2. 2. remarkably and instructively typical.
   "Hamlet is the classic example of a tragedy"
   synonyms: typical, archetypal, quintessential, vintage

 

Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon . An Original classic by a very unique artist

 

The Electrician-Scott Walker

 

3.3. When you do get how significant it is, but everybody in your peer group seems to without establishing criteria
"What, the 4th single off the 3rd Van Hagar album? It's a classic...!"

4.4. a behavior others remember fondly for no discernable reason
"So, he left with your girlfriend, and brought your SUV back with the radio missing, and now, she dumped you...?!"
"Yep. Heh - Classic Dwayne...!"

 

Television's Marquee Moon still blows me away. Epic.

 

Good suggestion, and also the first single I ever bought. The second would also fit for this thread: “Flowers of Romance” by Public Image Limited.

 

I would definitely take 'Gimme Shelter' especially from this list...

 

Yes In Every dream home, of course!!

 

Good call though I prefer 'The Gift' ! !

 

Born under punches, for the sheer madness of the guitar track!! Adrian Belew, I think...

 

You Keep Me Hanging On by The Supremes.
It sounded different than most Motown releases.