Saturday, October 09, 2021

Andy 60s Music - Long Songs Of Long Ago - Ballads.

When I first heard El Paso by Marty Robbins, and this was in the late 50's, I thought it was one of the longest songs I have listened to, because, comparatively, pop songs of yesteryear were only two to three minutes in duration, and another minute would be mighty trying. But checking the statistics today, I found it was only four and a half minutes, a fraction of the length of some songs today.

El Paso was a ballad [slow song, themes of love, loss, etc.], in this instance, a gunfighter's tale to tell but definitely a bit lengthy for me. Today, it's a different mouse tale. Imagine the longest song in the Guinness Book of Records called Devil Glitch to be 69 minutes in length. But even then, there are many songs that are longer, as current rock and rap lyrics can be.

Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby, a 70's disco number is something else. With up to 10 million views, there's something special to it but then, it's just disco muse with the title repeated... Oh. Nearly 17 minutes.

The very short list below are songs I am familiar with and very much on the top 10 before. They are pretty lengthy for me. 

If you know any 60's or 70's popular songs with more interesting vital statistics, just send in the details.

El Paso - A ballad by Marty Robbins.
YouTube video - V.A. HOSS

Songs From the 60s and 70s With Duration

1   Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan - [6 minutes, 9 seconds]

2  Hey Jude - Beatles - 7.11

3   McArthur Park - Richard Harris - 7.21

4   American Pie Don McClean - 8.37 [featured in 2021 movie, 'Black Widow']

5   El Paso - Marty Robbins - 4.38 [for comparison]

6   November Rain - Guns n Roses - 8.37

7   Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin - 8.03

8   Love To Love You Baby -Donna Summer - 16.53

9   Chariots Of Fire - 20.41 [instrumental]

10  The Boxer - Simon n Garfunkel [5.08]'''

11  Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna [5.30]'''

10 Devil Glitch - Chris Butler - 69.00

Richard Harris - McArthur Park
YouTube by gb

Don McClean's, American Pie was featured in 
Disney's Black Widow starring Scarlet Johannsson.
Image Credit - Marvel Studios.

Connect to American Pie stories

'''Contributed by suituapui.

Images Google.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's cool 60's Music <3

FRANCIS ANTHONY ROZELLS said...

This song is around 9 minutes long.

[reference to AMERICAN PIE]

STEPHEN HAN said...

These artistes are my favourite singers.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Surely Stephen and Anthony.
The songs are many minutes long.
AMERICAN PIE by DON McLEAN is featured in current Avengers movie, BLACK WIDOW.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND COMMENTS.

suituapui said...

Don't cry for me, Argentina is very long too! And The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel, both over 5 minutes.

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks for the tip.
Yes, I guess they are too.
Will add them to the posted list.

CEDRIC CORK [THE MOONGLOWS - DRUMMER EXTRAORDINAIRE] said...

Yes Andy

I used to sing Al Paso when I was In Jockeys Pub with The Moonglows and it had 6 pages ! Singing, Drumming & turning of the pagers, now that’s what U call Multi Tasking !!

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...



I always love your sense of humour Cedric.
It's more than multi-tasking.
It's a geniusin the music business.
Thanks for such a comment.
It reveals what true musicians are; they work hard.
CHEERS BRO.

ALSO THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK SOME TROUBLE TO MAKE A COMMENT.

AC THOMPSON said...

Macarthur Park?

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...


AC Thompson thanks for the question.
Sorry if I didn't answer earlier.
Yes, it is.
Familiar, are you.
Beautiful song actually.

CHAKAP CHAKAP said...

Why is MacArthur Park the worst song?

"MacArthur Park" has been recorded by everybody from Donna Summer to the Four Tops to Frank Sinatra. It was written by Jimmy Webb about the end of his relationship with Susan Ronstadt, sister of Linda. The song was originally part of a longer piece that ran for 22 minutes, which is why the Association turned it down.

16 Nov 2011.

JIMMY APPUDURAI-CHUA - ENGLAND said...

El Paso my. fav tune, 'One night, a wild young cowboy came in
Wild as the West Texas wind...'

FRED CHING said...

I still have this album bought 30 years ago - The Long Versions Pop Classics. This double album is simply fantastic.. from The Eagles to Genesis to Steely Dan to Santana.. it just goes on.. every song is a jewel.

I’m 65 years old now and I feel blessed to have experienced these music in my lifetime. Brother Andy, many thanks for this post!
👍❤️🙏

ANDY: Pop Music Not Pills. © said...

Thanks Fred, for a young man like you and having seen so many live concerts I take off my El Paso hat in admiration and honour.
Lucky guy. Love this CD that you have.
Groups are favourites for many a fan.
And long versions.
WOW.
CHEERS.

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