What do you think is the most complex structured pop song under 3 minutes?

The alternate "cantina" version of the Beach Boys' Heroes And Villains is a mere 2:57 long.

 

I never understand why Jeff Lynne is hailed as a genius when when the vastly more fluid and sophisticated compositions of the Abba guys are generally just tolerated as good pop.

Abba > ELO.

 

How about, "C'mon Marianne" by The Four Seasons? Lots of great changes in that arrangement.

Chris C

 

Bittern Storm Over Ulm - Henry Cow
Don't Eat The Yellow Snow - Frank Zappa

another vote for: See Emily Play - Pink Floyd

 

Now you've got me wondering...what IS the structure? Everytime there's a significant change in tone, meter or arrangement I'm calling it a new section:

A --Guitar riff in 4/4
B --Verse ("From the dew soaked hedge...")
C --Friday Evening
D --Tea
B --Verse
E --I like my football
F --This is my street
G --Cause all the people I meet
H --"Come On Home"
B --Verse
I --Yes Yes Yes Yes
A' --Same riff as beginning, but now in 9/4

So....pretty much exactly as you say! I switched "E" and the second B, that's about it over here.

 

Some faves in the "complicated structure" department:

Lou Christie "Lightning Strikes"
The Easybeats "Friday on My Mind"
Bonnie Tyler, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (a little longer, yes).

Each of these songs keeps moving into a new section that makes you think, ahh, NOW we're reaching the chorus....but not....yet!

 

Is 3:10 "under three minutes" in Bender World?

 

See post # 17. OP says over three minutes is ok.

 

Oops - sorry! Don't bend me!

 

Okay, then: "Supper's Ready" by Genesis.

 

Thanks for your opinion! I would never bash another person's opinion, after all it's your opinion, I think Jeff has gained a lot of respect outside of ELO with all the legendary production work he's done, in addition to the historic ELO recordings. I feel his overall resume invokes more respect from his peers and the public because he's continued to do valid work outside of ELO and since ELO. Abba, although hugely underrated in my opinion, have been out of the public consciousness for decades. Please understand I am not bashing you or Abba, I like you both!

 

Although I'm sure you're just playing "devil's advocate" regarding song length. is that really a "pop song?"

 

hey man whenever you are over 20,000 posts, you can be forgiven for one little mistake Your accuracy percentage overall is still pretty darn swell

 

I didn't always think this, but I did after I heard the song on a comp cd about 15 years ago

 

My vote is for Andrew Gold's "Lonely Boy". What a nice little deceptively simple-sounding pop song.

 

In my Life by the Beatles. The harp record and played backwards is clever...maybe complex ?! Plus, amazing song...

 

The Beach Boys' Friends is the most notable album of short complex pop songs I can think of. Only 2 songs are over 3 minutes and 6 songs are under 2 minutes.

 

I'm sure it's not at the top of anyone's list, but I'll lob out "Girls Talk" by Dave Edmunds.

Sounds simple enough until you try and play it note-for-note in a cover band. We ended up dumbing it down a bit and using Linda Ronstadt's arrangement.

 

"Please Please Me" and they do it under 2 minutes!

 

At about 3:15, Amy Grant's version of Sing Your Praise To The Lord is very complex, especially in dynamics.

 

+1

Another vote for "Autumn Almanac"!
Love it!!!

 

I agree with these comments.