List of Top 10 Longest Songs, Ranked in Order of Excellence
In the realm of music, long songs have always held a special place, offering listeners a chance to immerse themselves in a sonic journey. Two such tracks that have caught the attention of music enthusiasts are "Runaway" by Kanye West and "Venice Bitch" by Lana Del Rey.
"Runaway," from Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, clocks in at 9 minutes and 7 seconds, featuring an extended vocoder section. This track is considered the centerpiece of the album, and its chorus is about toasting douchebags, while its verses are shared between Kanye West and Pusha T.
"Venice Bitch," on the other hand, is a 9-minute, 37-second epic by Lana Del Rey. However, despite its length, it does not find a place in the top 10 list of the best long songs, a list that, unfortunately, was not specified in the provided sources.
When it comes to long songs, there are certain criteria that set them apart. A minimum length of eight minutes is often used to qualify as a long song. However, it's not just about the length; a truly great long song is one that is engaging throughout, regardless of whether it is constructed of different sections or the same section extended to a heroic length.
Interestingly, the average song intro length has decreased significantly over the years, from 20 seconds in the 1980s to just five seconds in the 2010s. This shift in structure might be due to the changing nature of music consumption and attention spans.
However, it's worth noting that some songs, like "Free Bird," "Marquee Moon," and "I Am the Resurrection," are often excluded from lists of long songs due to extended instrumental sections tacked onto them. Similarly, a lot of jazz and electronic music are also often left out due to extended solos and long stretches of repetition.
In conclusion, while "Runaway" by Kanye West and "Venice Bitch" by Lana Del Rey are both lengthy tracks, they each offer unique experiences for listeners. As for the best long songs, while there are many contenders, a definitive top ten or top five list remains elusive. Nonetheless, the allure of the long song continues to captivate music lovers, inviting them to embark on sonic journeys that span beyond the usual three-minute pop song.
