Ross Douthat links to a some discussion going on on the blog of vituperative social conservative Jonathan Last regarding what is the single best rock song of all time. Last brought up the uber-cliched "Born to Run", to which Douthat responds with the slightly less cliched (and superior) "Thunder Road". In the comments I bring up "Badlands" as being superior, as long as were limiting ourselves to cliche Springsteen anthems. I also excoriate Douthat for being like the millionth person to bring up that time when Christopher quoted "Born to Run" to Silvio (Steven Van Zandt) on The Sopranos as some sort of supercool moment because - you get it - Steven Van Zandt was actually in the E-Street band. He's quoting Springsteen to a Springsteen guy! Whatevs. I found that to be annoying, cutesy, pretentious, self-indulgent crap that took me right out of the episode.
Anyway, my point isn't really to link to the discussion, which is fine, though every song proffered is pretty safe and predictable. My point is to call attention to the headline Douthat gives the item: "Pressing Issues of the Day". It's supposed to be a funny title. Yet, it really is a pretty significant topic no? What was the best example of a major part form? Yet, he's saying "look how silly I am for posting this when there are more pressing matters out there". If this is his idea of fluff he really needs to get out more.
UPDATE: Now there's some real fluff. That's more like it.
I'm partial to "Prove It All Night."
The whole "Darkness on the Edge of Town" album is pretty great.
Posted by: Yehudit | October 14, 2005 at 03:17 PM