10 Best Piano Songs
2. I agree with the above commenter- too many Beatles-related tunes, and "Let it Be" is not even one of the Beatle's best in this category.
However, I realize that this is just a list made from people's ratings of songs in the Piano Rock section. Still, it shows how the general public doesn't really have a clue about good piano songs.
For example, Coldplay's "Clocks" uses the piano very minimally throughout, more like a rhythm instrument; you can't really even call it a piano song. Compare this to a classic like Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”, where the piano leads the song, rather than following it.
I would have also preferred to see Sarah Mclachlan's "Angel" included, and a list like this simply cannot be taken seriously without the iconic "Linus and Lucy" near the top.
Posted at 12:49PM on Apr 16th 2010 by DavidCyrus
3. I agree too and I would have to throw in "Your Song" as well.
Posted at 4:32PM on Jul 16th 2010 by Ben Mills
4. Thank you for your review and critique!
I appreciate your efforts, but I must agree with the other commentators. Your list is very well intended but highly inaccurate. Here’s where you hit the mark: Elton John (Let’s face it, you could have placed 4, 5 or 6 Elton John Songs on there and received only a little argument).
Billy Joel? Yes, I have to agree the Piano Man is somewhere on a top 10 list for its influence and social relativity alone (even if it is magnificently rudimentary in theory and execution).
Mark Cohn? Yes! I completely agree. This may be one of the most underrated piano-driven songs of all time. It’s pretty much the perfect gospel/rock song. Despite my numerous efforts to provide constructive critique to that spontaneous 1991 addition to American culture, I simply cannot. It might be one of the most perfect rock/gospel songs ever written or recorded.
If you ask any of the Baaaaeetles, they will tell you they were not a piano-centric band and never, ever meant to be. I think your inclusion of the Baaaaeetles is erroneous, although I recognize them as the most important rock band in the history of the Universe (although Pink Floyd will always be my favorite . . .).
Let me suggest the following inclusions—I will offer more than enough suggestions numerically to round out the count, but I am hoping that others will come along and strike me down with their own suggestions.
No Supertramp? Really? I know they did not record on “real” acoustic pianos, but rather used the Wurlitzer 200A and derivatives thereof, but Holy Shit can you really rule out “The Logical Song,” “Long Way Home,” “Fool’s Overture,” “Bloody Well Right,” “Crime of The Century,” “Goodbye Stranger,” or “Breakfast in America”???? Supertramp epitomizes a piano-driven band and, whether you like Roger Hogston’s or Richard Davies’ voices or not, they are a distinctive and important part of Rock history.
What about “Nobody Home” by Pink Floyd (Okay, I know it would not make many top 10’s, but it’s at least worth a thought . . .).
Also, you gotta at least consider “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey (I cannot think of a song that is more piano driven in the first 30 seconds).
What about The Fray’s “How to Save A Life” ( I know we all burnt out on that song thanks to radio overplay and “Grey’s Anatomy,” but it is a great piano-driven song nevertheless). And what about Five for Fighting’s “100 Years”?
No Ben Folds? Really? I mean, REEEEAALLLY?? What about “Jesus Land”? What about “Brick,” or about 17 other of his songs that could seriously be considered??
Surely there has to be at least one cheesy 80’s or 90’s hair band who represented the blind squirrel who found the elusive nut . . . What about “The Angel Song” (Fly . . . Lonely Angel) . . . by Great White. A fairly formulaic song with the exception of the fantastic piano solo that gently gives way to a respectable guitar solo. A simple song in C Major/A minor; but what a passionate execution of the CM/Am scales on both piano and guitar that blended effortlessly with Jack Russell’s vocals which seemed to be perfect for that Major/minor key combination.
What about “Precious Things” or “Cornflake Girl” by Tori Amos? For that matter, how can you not consider just about any song she has written? I know she is not old school “Rock-n-Roll,” but her songs are: 1) Angry, 2) perfectly executed, 3) complex and difficult, and 4) genuine. I think that qualifies her to be included with the likes of Coldplay and Mark Cohen. Don’t you think? Just LISTEN to her body of work. Amazing. Even if you don’t like it.
I welcome critique and disagreement. Cheers and blessings to all.
Shane
Posted at 2:24AM on Aug 24th 2010 by IndyShane
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1. Here's my razszy cheer for you: "Boo! Hiss! What a lame list!" I'll agree with the Cohn and Elton John picks. But three Beatles tunes? THREE?! They weren't even known for being pianists. The trite "Piano Man" is chosen over far richer, more complex Billy Joel tunes like the manic mood switches in "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" or his evocative, musically rich, urban anthem "New York State of Mind"? Why is there not one Ben Folds tune here? By far one of the most innovative piano rockers of recent years. What about "Layla" with its iconic piano solo? I could keep on going finding far better choices from the past 40 years. No Jerry Lee Lewis? No Carole King? Nothing from the past five years when pianists started returning to rock in droves? This list covers a period stretching barely 20 years and is far too heavy on 1970s music. Frankly, these choices for BEST PIANO show little knowledge of what the instrument and the composers who excel at piano music can achieve in rock.
Posted at 12:14PM on Feb 26th 2010 by Acoustic Keyboard Fan