Audience Front and Centre: A Prime Viewing Experience
In the world of music, the art of crafting a long song has been a captivating element that has left audiences in awe. From the 1980s to the 2010s, the average song intro length has significantly decreased, yet the allure of the extended track remains. Here, we present a list of the 10 best long songs, ranked, that stand the test of time, regardless of structure or genre.
First on our list is "Runaway" by Kanye West, a remarkable 9 minutes and 7 seconds long. This track, considered the centerpiece of the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, features verses from Kanye West and Pusha T, and is notably known for its extended vocoder section. The chorus of "Runaway" is about toasting douchebags, adding a unique twist to this musical masterpiece.
Moving on to the second spot, we have "Venice Bitch" by Lana Del Rey, a 9 minutes and 37 seconds long track that, contrary to popular belief, is not mentioned in the list of excluded long songs due to extended solos or repetition. This song, however, is not listed as a song with extended instrumental sections.
The third entry on our list is "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, a timeless classic that clocks in at over 8 minutes. This iconic song, often considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time, is a testament to the power of a well-crafted long song.
Fourth on our list is "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, another legendary track that, unfortunately, does not make it into our top 10. Despite its length, the song is often associated with extended guitar solos and repetition, which led to its exclusion from this particular list.
Coming in fifth is "Marquee Moon" by Television, a post-punk anthem that, like "Free Bird", did not make it into the top 10. This song, known for its intricate guitar work and extended instrumental sections, is often cited as one of the greatest long songs in rock history.
The sixth spot goes to "I Am the Resurrection" by Joy Division, a song that, despite its length, did not make it into our top 10. This post-punk track, with its powerful lyrics and atmospheric sound, is often considered one of the greatest long songs in the genre, but falls short of making the cut in our ranking.
Seventh on our list is a song that, unfortunately, we cannot confirm due to the lack of available data. However, it is known that the search results do not provide a list of the ten longest songs over 9 minutes long that exclude Kanye West and Lana Del Rey.
Eighth on our list is "Lazarus" by David Bowie, a hauntingly beautiful track that, at just under 7 minutes long, is shorter than some of the other entries on our list. However, its poignant lyrics and emotional depth make it a worthy addition to our ranking.
Ninth on our list is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, a groundbreaking song that, at just over 5 minutes long, is shorter than many of the other entries on our list. Regardless, its unique structure and memorable chorus have solidified its place in music history.
Last but not least, rounding out our top 10, we have "Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)" by AntonΓn DvoΕΓ‘k, a classical masterpiece that, at just under an hour long, is significantly longer than the other entries on our list. This symphony, with its lush orchestration and memorable themes, is a testament to the power of a truly great long song.
In conclusion, the art of crafting a long song is a fascinating aspect of music that has captivated audiences for decades. While the average song intro length has decreased over the years, the allure of the extended track remains. Whether it's the intricate guitar work of "Marquee Moon" or the haunting beauty of "Lazarus", these 10 long songs stand as a testament to the power of music to captivate and inspire. We advise our readers not to skip through this list of long songs, as each one offers a unique and compelling musical experience.
