It is the act's greatest hit, and yet it is sooo obviously not among their best

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I don't think we have had this thread here before, so here goes:

Starting out with some obvious examples:

Chuck Berry: My Ding-a-Ling
Elton John: Candle In The Wind '97
Cheap Trick: The Flame
Dodgy: Good Enough

Also, in a way, "Somewhere In My Heart" by Aztec Camera. A nice song, but still nowhere near the greatness of Roddy Frame's genius early material.

― Geir Hongro, Friday, 30 March 2007 22:11 (eighteen years ago)

God, this thread is gayer than America

― TynanTynan, Friday, 30 March 2007 22:12 (eighteen years ago)

no we have definitely never had a thread that involves listing songs before, thank god you noticed!!

― rio natsume, Friday, 30 March 2007 22:13 (eighteen years ago)

West End Girls

Lock thread.

― schwantz, Friday, 30 March 2007 22:34 (eighteen years ago)

"Emu"

― marmotwolof, Friday, 30 March 2007 22:39 (eighteen years ago)

"Ebony and Ivory"

― Hideous Lump, Saturday, 31 March 2007 05:42 (eighteen years ago)

"Don't You Want Me?"

― Jack Battery-Pack, Saturday, 31 March 2007 06:22 (eighteen years ago)

b-b-but "Don't You Want Me" is great!

― jamescobo, Saturday, 31 March 2007 07:41 (eighteen years ago)

"Love is the Drug" (at least in the States, pre-Avalon; maybe even post; I'm not all that keen on Avalon either, compared to the first 2-3 albums).

― mark 0, Saturday, 31 March 2007 14:40 (eighteen years ago)

Devo: "Whip It"

― Whiney G. Weingarten, Saturday, 31 March 2007 14:43 (eighteen years ago)

Is "Creep" Radiohead's greatest hit? Because if so, then I choose that.

― j-rock, Saturday, 31 March 2007 15:18 (eighteen years ago)

going by airplay on US radio: DEAR GOD - xtc

― gershy, Saturday, 31 March 2007 15:23 (eighteen years ago)

'love will tear us apart'

― That one guy that quit, Saturday, 31 March 2007 15:33 (eighteen years ago)

smells like teen spirit

― latebloomer, Saturday, 31 March 2007 15:36 (eighteen years ago)

Jeremy--Pearl Jam
Call Me--Blondie
Let's Dance--David Bowie

― kornrulez6969, Saturday, 31 March 2007 17:41 (eighteen years ago)

REM - Losing My Religion or Everybody Hurts, whichever it is.

― Matt DC, Saturday, 31 March 2007 17:45 (eighteen years ago)

Several of the mentioned songs are still loved by lots and lots of people, unlike the ones I mentioned, which are mainly seen as just throwaway today by most people. But OK....

― Geir Hongro, Saturday, 31 March 2007 18:13 (eighteen years ago)

yeah, a lot of these are sooooooo among their best!

― scott seward, Saturday, 31 March 2007 18:20 (eighteen years ago)

call me, smells like teen spirit, love will tear us apart, creep, whip it, love is the drug, don't you want me. all GREAT. and great things to be remembered by if you are gonna be remembered by one song!

― scott seward, Saturday, 31 March 2007 18:22 (eighteen years ago)

Chicago - "Saturday In The Park" (or maybe some later ballad?)

― nickn, Saturday, 31 March 2007 18:48 (eighteen years ago)

well if i were radiohead i wouldn't wanna be remembered by creep

― Surmounter, Saturday, 31 March 2007 19:14 (eighteen years ago)

"Saturday In the Park" couldn't have been as big as "You're the Inspiration" or "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," could it?

I think something like "The Flame" is still loved by many.

― Sundar, Saturday, 31 March 2007 19:19 (eighteen years ago)

i second "losing my religion"
and tho "love is the drug" is a decent song, i can name at least 25 roxy songs that i'd rather here over it

― gershy, Saturday, 31 March 2007 19:45 (eighteen years ago)

"Saturday In the Park" couldn't have been as big as "You're the Inspiration" or "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," could it?

I didn't remember any later song titles, though I did kind remember they had some success with ballads (I'm assuming the two you mention are later ballads), that's why I phrased it like I did.

Also, The Bangles - "Manic Monday" or "Eternal Flame". I don't remember which was bigger, but neither is as good as their earlier stuff (MM is much better than EF, though).

― nickn, Saturday, 31 March 2007 20:06 (eighteen years ago)

no it's not!!!

― Surmounter, Saturday, 31 March 2007 21:15 (eighteen years ago)

The Clash - 'Rock The Casbah'

― BlackIronPrison, Saturday, 31 March 2007 22:29 (eighteen years ago)

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come on Eileen

― ailsa, Saturday, 31 March 2007 22:51 (eighteen years ago)

I love "Somewhere in My Heart," bitch.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Saturday, 31 March 2007 23:02 (eighteen years ago)

Watching some terrible "oh god, what were we thinking!" list show on BBC3 right now, it has dawned on me that the correct answer is Tubthumping by Chumbawumba.

― ailsa, Saturday, 31 March 2007 23:14 (eighteen years ago)

"Eternal Flame" was rather obviously The Bangles' biggest hit I would say. Not at all a bad song though.

Chicago good call although there are probably still zillions of people who love "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" too.

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 1 April 2007 00:19 (eighteen years ago)

"Je T'Aime... Moi Non Plus" - Serge Gainsbourg
"Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira
"Dry Your Eyes" - The Streets
"I Don't Feel Like Dancing" - Scissor Sisters

― danzig, Sunday, 1 April 2007 00:57 (eighteen years ago)

"Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love"

― Rock Hardy, Sunday, 1 April 2007 01:15 (eighteen years ago)

How about the serious musicians who are mostly remembered for their "funny" songs?

Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science

― Hideous Lump, Sunday, 1 April 2007 02:38 (eighteen years ago)

Most Bow Wow Wow fans roll their eyes when "I Want Candy" comes on. FACT!

― Bimble, Sunday, 1 April 2007 03:01 (eighteen years ago)

who are these ultra-purist bow wow wow fans!!!!????

bow wow wow fans don't get much more crazed then me and i would die to defend i want candy.

― scott seward, Sunday, 1 April 2007 13:50 (eighteen years ago)

if thomas dolby had another song as brilliant as she blinded me with science i never heard it. maybe one of our submarines?

― scott seward, Sunday, 1 April 2007 13:51 (eighteen years ago)

"Stairway to Heaven" and "Whole Lotta Love"

Not exactly a "My Ding-a-Ling" situation?

― Sundar, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:49 (eighteen years ago)

brown eyed girl

― deadbears, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:50 (eighteen years ago)

I'm pretty sure that Sonic Youth's biggest hit would qualify, whatever it was. "Bull In the Heather?" "100%?" "Kool Thing?" (I actually like the latter two but they're not amongst the band's best.)

― Sundar, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:54 (eighteen years ago)

I like the song OK and I know many will disagree but "Owner of a Lonely Heart."

Peter Gabriel - "Sledgehammer"?

― Sundar, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:56 (eighteen years ago)

Also Ween, whose biggest hit was 'Push th' Little Daisies', which even they regard as one of their worst songs

― deadbears, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:58 (eighteen years ago)

Pixies Where is my Mind

― mehlt, Sunday, 1 April 2007 16:58 (eighteen years ago)

I second "Sledgehammer". "Owner Of a Lonely Heart" too, except it is the very best of their AOR songs.

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 1 April 2007 17:01 (eighteen years ago)

"The Clash - 'Rock The Casbah'

-- BlackIronPrison, Sunday, April 1, 2007 1:29 AM (18 hours ago)"

easily their best song!

― That one guy that quit, Sunday, 1 April 2007 17:18 (eighteen years ago)

― scott seward, Sunday, 1 April 2007 17:43 (eighteen years ago)

blur - 'song 2' yipyip

― CharlieNo4, Sunday, 1 April 2007 17:50 (eighteen years ago)

i think there was another thread on ilm that was similar. about the one hit that the band had or the one song that a band is known for not being representative of how great the band was. i would say talk talk or it's my life, but i like those just fine too.

okay, i thought of one. don't you forget about me ain't nowhere near as great as the greatest simple minds stuff. ditto omd's big hit. basically any band that had a song on a john hughes soundtrack was probably not represented by their best stuff. even the version of pretty in pink on the pretty in pink soundtrack isn't the original, right?

― scott seward, Sunday, 1 April 2007 18:06 (eighteen years ago)

OMD's biggest hit was "Souvenir", which is also among their greatest songs.

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 1 April 2007 18:40 (eighteen years ago)

And "Song 2" OTM if we're talking US (but I don't for a UK band, and "Country House" is brilliant!)

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 1 April 2007 18:40 (eighteen years ago)

i think *if you leave* was the biggest omd song in the states. it has to be! and i would hardly call that one of their greatest songs.

― scott seward, Sunday, 1 April 2007 18:50 (eighteen years ago)

A lot of rock bands had a relatively boring ballad as their biggest hit, e.g. Soundgarden - "Black Hole Sun"
Was "Winds of Change" the biggest Scorpions hit?

― Sundar, Sunday, 1 April 2007 18:54 (eighteen years ago)

is the flame really cheap trick's biggest or "greatest" hit? i know it was a hit. come to think of it, it probably was as far as chart position. i want you to want me was probably their only other huge one, right?

"The Flame" hit Number One, their cover of "Don't Be Cruel" hit #4. "I Want You To Want Me" peaked at #9. I do hear the latter more often than "The Flame" though, if that counts.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Sunday, 1 April 2007 19:01 (eighteen years ago)

House of Fun, or for the US people, Our House = Madness

― mark e, Sunday, 1 April 2007 19:01 (eighteen years ago)

(I love "The Flame" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" though.)

― Sundar, Sunday, 1 April 2007 19:09 (eighteen years ago)

I do hear the latter more often than "The Flame" though

Because it's a better song.

House of Fun, or for the US people, Our House = Madness

Both great. Particularly "Our House".

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 1 April 2007 21:08 (eighteen years ago)

well Geir, as much as i like the Madness tracks, i would say that neither of them are among their best.

― mark e, Monday, 2 April 2007 07:15 (eighteen years ago)

Where is my Mind

this wasn't even a single!

― energy flash gordon, Monday, 2 April 2007 07:35 (eighteen years ago)

"Yesterday"
"Kokomo"

― mike a, Monday, 2 April 2007 18:00 (eighteen years ago)

Thought "One Step Beyond" was Madness' hit? It's the only one I've heard AFAIK anyway.

― Sundar, Monday, 2 April 2007 18:52 (eighteen years ago)

Ghostbusters--Ray Parker Jr.

I unironically love RPJ, but Ghostbusters belongs in the lower reaches of is ouvre.

― kornrulez6969, Monday, 2 April 2007 19:53 (eighteen years ago)

his ouvre, sorry.

― kornrulez6969, Monday, 2 April 2007 19:53 (eighteen years ago)

his vuot?

― t**t, Monday, 2 April 2007 20:08 (eighteen years ago)

(sorry)

― t**t, Monday, 2 April 2007 20:08 (eighteen years ago)

I'm pretty sure that Sonic Youth's biggest hit would qualify, whatever it was. "Bull In the Heather?" "100%?" "Kool Thing?" (I actually like the latter two but they're not amongst the band's best.)

SY has never been in the Hot 100, but "100%" hit #4 on the Modern Rock charts, so I guess that would be their biggest hit (followed by "Kool Thing," "Bull in the Heather," "Teen Age Riot," and "Superstar" [the Carpenters cover]).

― jaymc, Monday, 2 April 2007 20:12 (eighteen years ago)

frank zappa's "valley girl"

this was his only "big" radio hit, right?

― Ben H, Monday, 2 April 2007 20:35 (eighteen years ago)

"Son of a Preacher Man". She was much better at the slow, torch-song ones.

― bidfurd, Monday, 2 April 2007 20:43 (eighteen years ago)

"Son of a Preacher Man," are you nuts? (in a very charming way, I am sure...) since Gear Hongo started it and I didn't take time to read all of it because I am so bummed out by the fact that I really hate the new Mary Weiss record, 10cc's "I'm Not in Love."

― whisperineddhurt, Monday, 2 April 2007 21:20 (eighteen years ago)

frank zappa's "valley girl"

this was his only "big" radio hit, right?

Yeah, that might be the best example on this thread, aside from "My Ding-a-ling".

― Rock Hardy, Monday, 2 April 2007 21:24 (eighteen years ago)

"Kokomo" was a big hit, surely, but not The Beach Boys' biggest. That would be "I Get Around", I guess.

― Geir Hongro, Monday, 2 April 2007 21:42 (eighteen years ago)

Haha, tons of dance artists to thread. Ramon Zenker's biggest hit was "Toca's Miracle", Mauro Picotto's was "Komodo" (which doesn't even remotely sound like the nosebleed hardtechno he was doing at the time), Tiesto's is "Traffic", Prydz "Call On Me", Morillo "I Like To Move It", Kevin Saunderson "Big Fun", Westbam "Mayday", etc.

― Siegbran, Monday, 2 April 2007 22:14 (eighteen years ago)

Weezer - "Beverly Hills"

― Mr. Snrub, Monday, 2 April 2007 22:15 (eighteen years ago)

I guess "I Believe In The Power Of American Natives" was hardly the artistic highlighy of Dance 2 Trance's ouput either.

― Geir Hongro, Monday, 2 April 2007 22:17 (eighteen years ago)

I beg of answerers, please stop listing really good songs (Let's Dance, e.g.) in this thread. The questioner is looking for songs that are "sooo obviously" not among the best of the artist.

― Matt Armstrong, Monday, 2 April 2007 22:53 (eighteen years ago)

"Last Kiss" by Pearl Jam. Their biggest single to date.

― Jiminy Krokus, Monday, 2 April 2007 23:04 (eighteen years ago)

Underworld - "Stand Up"

― Mr. Snrub, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 03:23 (eighteen years ago)

even the version of pretty in pink on the pretty in pink soundtrack isn't the original, right?

And how. But the first thing I thought when I saw this thread was "Love My Way," which is pretty much the only Furs song anyone knows and wouldn't even make a Furs POXX.

― rogermexico., Tuesday, 3 April 2007 05:16 (eighteen years ago)

modest mnose - float on. the new record is amazing. i should start a thread.

― 7seasjim, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 05:27 (eighteen years ago)

In what universe is "Stand Up" Underworld's biggest hit?

― Siegbran, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 10:20 (eighteen years ago)

Wake Up Boo.

― the next grozart, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 10:21 (eighteen years ago)

aren't 99% of all bands and artists ever eligible for this list for crying out loud?

― blueski, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 10:26 (eighteen years ago)

Someone else remembers Dance 2 Trance!!!!

Keels over in shock!

― Richard Graham, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 11:29 (eighteen years ago)

Dance 2 Trance (or at least Jam El Mar) had bigger hits as Jam & Spoon though.

― Siegbran, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 12:41 (eighteen years ago)

"aren't 99% of all bands and artists ever eligible for this list for crying out loud?"

i don't think so. a lot of groups hits were some of their best work. as people are proving by listing all these great songs.

― scott seward, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 12:45 (eighteen years ago)

Cut Your Hair - Pavement

― Venga, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 12:58 (eighteen years ago)

I was initially offended when I was called out by someone on this thread calling out 'rock the casbah' as best song for the Clash - I will now change my answer based on a good sitdown with Clash records last night - the correct answer is indeed "should I stay or should I go"

― BlackIronPrison, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 14:01 (eighteen years ago)

i like the one they did about thunder calling.

― blueski, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 14:03 (eighteen years ago)

In what universe is "Stand Up" Underworld's biggest hit?

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9foxqe5ldae~T51

― Mr. Snrub, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 14:07 (eighteen years ago)

Metal(lic) bands own this thread...

Kiss - Beth
Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood
Metallica - Enter Sandman
Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'
Queensryche - Silent Lucidity
Anthrax - Only

― NYCNative, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 15:16 (eighteen years ago)

But the first thing I thought when I saw this thread was "Love My Way," which is pretty much the only Furs song anyone knows and wouldn't even make a Furs POXX.

Actually, the Furs' only Top 40 hit is "Heartbreak Beat."

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 15:17 (eighteen years ago)

29 Psychedelic Furs Heaven
18 Psychedelic Furs Pretty In Pink

― Mark G, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 15:37 (eighteen years ago)

Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth. Grebtest video, yes, not their best song, no.
The Church - "Under The Milky Way"
Neil Young - I'm not sure what to include in amoung his best but Harvest and Harvest Moon would not be in it.
Feel The Pain is differenlty not the best Dino Jr tune.
Talk Talk's Talk Talk or It's My Life in no way prepare one for Spirit of Eden or Laughing Stock

― Mr Noodles, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 15:44 (eighteen years ago)

"call me, smells like teen spirit, love will tear us apart, creep, whip it, love is the drug, don't you want me. all GREAT. and great things to be remembered by if you are gonna be remembered by one song!

I agree with several of the songs that you listed, but "Creep" sucks, and I really like Radiohead.

― j-rock, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 16:13 (eighteen years ago)

Talk Talk's biggest UK hit during their original chart run (according to everyhit.com) was "Today." Definitely not one of their best.

― Mr. Snrub, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 16:19 (eighteen years ago)

"Kiss - Beth "

I'm with ya on this one, if it's indeed their biggest hit.

"Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood
Metallica - Enter Sandman
Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin' "

all three of these songs are awesome. I've always disliked the Dr. Feelgood guitar solo, but it's a powerful song for sure.

― Matt Armstrong, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 16:31 (eighteen years ago)

I don't mind any of those songs per se (except Dr. Feelgood which is dreck) but compared to the rest of those respective bands' catalogue, they are sooooo obviously not among thir best.

And Beth was famously Kiss' biggest hit much to everyone but Peter Criss' chagrin.

― NYCNative, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 16:36 (eighteen years ago)

Strictly in UK terms:

Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
I Just Called To Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
Frankie - Sister Sledge
I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) - Aretha Franklin
Show Me Heaven - Maria McKee
Country House - Blur
Ain't Nobody - LL Cool J
I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
Chocolate Salty Balls - Isaac Hayes
(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles (featuring Brian Potter & Andy Pipkin) - The Proclaimers

― mike t-diva, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 16:42 (eighteen years ago)

"Release the Bats" - The Birthday Party

Still good, though.

― Ivan, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 18:14 (eighteen years ago)

Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd

― wesley useche, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 18:24 (eighteen years ago)

Camisa Negra - Jaunes

― wesley useche, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 18:45 (eighteen years ago)

blue monday - new order
don't you want me - the human league

― electroghost, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 18:51 (eighteen years ago)

strings of life

― lfam, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 19:21 (eighteen years ago)

(Don't Fear) the Reaper-Blue Oyster Cult

I don't think it's "sooo obviously" not their best, but I don't think it's their best. I'll go for "Hot Rails to Hell" or "Astronomy" instead.

― Bill Magill, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 23:09 (eighteen years ago)

Nina Simone - I Loves You Porgy.

I believe it's her only song to chart. It's a wonderful song, but still...

― The Brainwasher, Tuesday, 3 April 2007 23:14 (eighteen years ago)

I was going to answer ROCK N ROLL ALL NITE which is obviously a bigger hit than Beth, and an even better answer to the original question.

― Reatards Unite, Wednesday, 4 April 2007 02:16 (eighteen years ago)

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