In Alphabetical Order (By Artists)
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The Beatles-Hey Jude
Length: 7:04
Why: Because if it wasn't included, this list should be nullified. Everyone knows it, everyone wants to sing the nah nah nah singalong at the end of it, and everyone wants to be comforted by the way Paul McCartney delivers his lyrics. There's a reason there was never an edited version of "Hey Jude"....becuase it just wouldn't have been justified._______________________________________________________________________________
Billy Joel-Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Length: 7:37
Why: I don't always like when Billy Joel goes into full out story telling. But I can and will never turn my back on my favorite Joel song, "Scenes From n Italian Restaurant." It's open and end are perfect for candlelight serenading and the mid section starts talking about a couple out of nowhere-Brenda and Eddie still going steady. It's bizarre nostalgic power still works all these years later even if some may find it a bit schmaltzy. I mean how can you deny some of that piano work Joel lays down in the mid section of the song?_______________________________________________________________________________
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Heart + Soul
Length: 7:15
Why: The last song on Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's album "Take Them On, On Your Own" is relentless. It just doesn't end the album on an epic note, it sprints to a finish with guitars blazing at breakneck speed until it's fuzzy distorted finish. Run with this song on and watch your minutes per mile drop dramatically....save me!_______________________________________________________________________________
Black Sabbath-War Pigs/Luke's Wall
Length: 7:58
Why: The lead off song to Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" is harrowing. If it's your first introduction to the band, you get a foreboding siren and a seven minute plus workout of metal with Ozzy Osbourne waxing about the evil side of war. It just adds icing to a timeless story about class and society. 1970 or 2012, this song will always resonate with people._______________________________________________________________________________
Blur-Tender
Length: 7:41
Why: If you haven't seen Blur do this one live recently then you're missing out on what effect it has with a crowd of 80,00 Brits sing along with it. In it's studio form, it's the most "Tender" campfire epic complete with gospel singers. With a large crowd, it's the monster epic it sets out to be. I will always love this song._______________________________________________________________________________
Bob Dylan-Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Length: 7:05
Why: The chorus itself is winning and I've always wanted to be stuck in Mobile at some point of my life. And if I am, I hope I have the Memphis blues when I'm there. Coming in just over seven minutes, it's got Dylan's musings in several verses and then that chorus is one of my favorite's in Dylan's catalog. Plus it's from my favorite Dylan album "Blonde On Blonde" so it has an edge up on other Dylan songs in the 7-8 minute span._______________________________________________________________________________
Bob Mould-Black Sheets Of Rain
Length: 7:41
Why: For one, the guitars are just downright menacing and dirty. And secondly, it sludges along without any big chorus or hooks like any of these songs. You can feel the black sheets of rain as Mould somberly grunts about black sheets of rain following him everywhere he goes and everywhere he's been. An epic sludge song._______________________________________________________________________________
Boston-Forever/Long Time
Length: 7:51
Why: I needed to include this one because the chorus "Well I'm taking my time....", we all know it, is just so damn irresistible. And so is Tom Scholz's slick guitar work. And so is the vocals from Bradley Delp. And so is the sentiment of dealing with time. What am I saying? This song is essential for any epic list._______________________________________________________________________________
Bruce Springsteen-Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Length: 7:04
Why: Because it's so damn charming. Clarence Clemons saxophone lends the perfect carefree swing to one of the boss's first extended classics. Springsteen waxes poetic about his Jersey surroundings and near the end we even get some fist pumping oh's. Senorita, come sit by my fire!_______________________________________________________________________________
Catherine Wheel-Black Metallic
Length: 7:21
Why: Because it feels like you're trapped in the most viciously, beautiful vacuum of sound that bursts in the chorus, steps back during the mid section and then roars home with blistering swaths of guitars. You know those funky patterns that you get on your screen with Windows Media Player? "Black Metallic" is made for those patterns._______________________________________________________________________________
The Charlatans-Forever
Length: 7:28
Why: The Charlatans returned with "Us and Us Only" in 1999 after the death of their longtime influential keyboard player Rob Collins. Their first song? "Forever" an epic sermon which includes a swirling organ that would have probably made Collins tear up a bit if he heard it in heaven. Plus it features one of my favorite Tim Burgess lines: "This could be a myth in the making." Check this one off as an essential epic._______________________________________________________________________________
Chicago-Beginnings
Length: 7:51
Why: Because it's early Chicago and it's charm is bliss. Besides the great horn section, why I really like "Beginnings" is the anticipation for the finale of percussion that could go on for days in my book._______________________________________________________________________________
Counting Crows-Mrs. Potter's Lullaby
Length: 7:46
Why: Counting Crows hit jackpot with this freewheeling album track from 1999's "This Desert Life". It has an inviting piano line, slide and acoustic guitars add some tension to the groove and Adam Duritz has the chance to wax about whatever nonsense he wants, which he does. And the chorus is instantly memorable and likable._______________________________________________________________________________
Crosby, Stills & Nash-Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
Length: 7:26
Why: Harmonies need to be on point if you're going to work them into a seven minute plus epic. Fortunately, Crosby, Stills & Nash always have one of the best harmonies in rock history. And for all these years, I've been fascinated with the ending of this one. Doo Da Doo Da Doo...Doo Do Dooo Doo Doo. What have you got to lose?_______________________________________________________________________________
The Cure-Pictures Of You
Length: 7:29
Why: Well every song on The Cure's magnum opus "Disintegration" soars on layers of icy guitars and synths, but only one of two songs (the other is "Homesick" which could be the most melancholy on the LP) fits the 7 to 8 minute length criteria. That would be the excellent single "Pictures Of You" where Smith ponders about lost love for over half of the song's running time. Beware, make sure if it's a jukebox pick that it's the original version so you get the whole interlude of guitars that goes on for almost 2 minutes.Wider than snow epic._______________________________________________________________________________
Deep Purple-Lazy
Length: 7:20
Why: The first half is a Jon Lord workout on the keyboard. The second half is a slice of boogie blues highlighted by Ritchie Blackmore's fantastic guitar work. Together, it's a seven minute plus blast of a time. Especially when Ian Gillan hits vocal chords that no one knew were humanly possible to get to back in 1972._______________________________________________________________________________
Deerhunter-He Would Have Laughed
Time: 7:29
Why: Another two part song, Bradford Cox wrote this as a tribute to the late Jay Reatard. The first part trickles along with Cox sounding like a ghost delivering haunting vocals broken only by a harpsichord. The second part breaks down under it's own weight to a glorious conclusion._______________________________________________________________________________
Derek & The Dominoes-Layla
Length: 7:05
Why: This one is almost a no brainer. The first part is Eric Clapton's most instantly recognizable guitar workout with one of the finest choruses in classic rock. The second half instrumental is the answer to anyone looking for a rainy day piano suite. And it always makes me think of dead bodies showing up in the movie "Goodfellas."________________________________________________________________________________
The Doors-L.A. Woman
Length: 7:29
Why: Because I've never visited Los Angeles before. But when I do, I'm renting a car (maybe even a motorbike) and I'm getting on the highway with a song that I figure portrays the hues of a L.A. dusk with perfection. Sure "Light My Fire" and "Riders On The Storm" fit the category of 7-8 minute songs, but "L.A. Woman" would be my personal favorite of these three._______________________________________________________________________________
Drive-By Truckers-The Company I Keep
Length: 7:03
Why: Because it fits the Truckers' mold to a T. Here's another story about a miserable loser who loses three wives, is lower than the company he keeps, and is sometimes so high he's afraid to go to sleep. It would be just another Truckers' character song if it wasn't for a chorus that would make Hank Williams Jr. blush. "Sometimes I feel like shit, sometimes that ain't half of it," Patterson Hood grunts and you believe every word he miserably delivers. Southern picking abounds throughout the whole song._______________________________________________________________________________
Funkadelic-One Nation Under A Groove
Length: 7:29
Why: Because it could easily be one of my favorite funk songs of all time. And at an epic running time, it's got a groove that never quits. Feet don't fail me now, I'm getting down just for the funk of it._______________________________________________________________________________
George Harrison-Isn't It A Pity
Length: 7:13
Why: Becuase it's bittersweet and poignant. It builds and swoons. Once the strings swell up in the second half of the song, you never want it to end. For my money, I'll take Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" over any of the other Beatles' solo offerings. And "Isn't A Pity" is the "Epic" reason that drives it._______________________________________________________________________________
Jane's Addiction-Ted, Just Admit It....
Length: 7:22
Why: Because the cameras got those images and that's nothing shocking. It's packed full of memorable lines ("Everybody' so full of shit", "Sex is Violent", "The news is just another show", Dave Navarro's terrific guitar work and an ending meant to make your hair stand up on the back of your head. Oh, and there's a sample of an interview with Ted Bundy for who the song is written about. Devastatingly fantastic epic._______________________________________________________________________________
LCD Soundsystem-All My Friends
Length: 7:37
Why: James Murphy has several songs that fit into the 7-8 minute category. But nothing is as heartbreaking as the rambling keys that run through "All My Friends." The hint of melancholy is felt most when he delivers lines about regret of losing friends because of waiting too much time in a broken relationship.The song hits hardest with it's big climax and Murphy asking, "Where are your friends tonight?" Devastating beauty._______________________________________________________________________________
Led Zeppelin-When The Levee Breaks
Length: 7:08
Why: Forget about "Stairway To Heaven" folks. Where the real action is on Zeppelin's fourth album is on the last number "When The Levee Breaks". The atmosphere is apocalyptic, Plant sings the lyrics like he could actually be Lucifer, and John Bonham sounds like he's playing the drums like he's being dragged along by runaway horses. And I didn't even mention Jimmy Page's always masterful guitar work. Probably one of my three favorite Zeppelin songs. Works best in the summer heat._______________________________________________________________________________
Lou Reed-The Kids
Length: 7:55
Why: Lou Reed's "Berlin" is looked at in some circle as Reed's "Epic" failure to his breakthrough success "Transformer." I find it it to be relentlessly charming. Like on "The Kids" where domestic heartbreak reaches a new height. They're taking her children away...and then he has the audacity to add in screaming kids to end of the song to drive the point home. Remarkably, an eye opening epic of a song._______________________________________________________________________________
My Morning Jacket-Circuital
Length: 7:20
Why: The title track from last year's My Morning Jacket album works it's theme of dealing with life as you get older like a sermon. But it does so in a carefree way that makes you want to celebrate it's joys rather than it's disappointments. Now that's why I call writing the feel good epic of the batch._______________________________________________________________________________
Nine Inch Nails-We're In This Together Now
Length: 7:20
Why: So maybe the ending drains itself into a minute and a half of a stark piano and white noise to get to the needed time length. But what leads up to it is a blitzkrieg of a song with Nine Inch Nails most satisfying chorus in their catalog. Trent Reznor has you believing that the two of you are really in this together now. A love song has never sounded so sinister._______________________________________________________________________________
Oasis-Champagne Supernova
Length: 7:28
Why: Let's forget about the four songs from Oasis' bloated "Be Here Now" and concentrate on the gorgeous landscapes of this closer to their 1995's "(What's The Story) Morning Glory." Do you think Noel Gallagher was going for epic on this one? I'll bet a thousand pounds he was. The guitars open up in the chorus with gratuitous rewards. Where were you when were getting high? I'm still not sure._______________________________________________________________________________
Pink Floyd-Us And Them
Length: 7:41
Why: For my money, I'll go with "Us and Them" as my 7 to 8 minute pick from Pink Floyd. It's atmospheric and that saxophone always brings a tear to my eye._______________________________________________________________________________
Primal Scream-Loaded
Length: 7:03
Why: Because we're going to get loaded, we're going to have a good time and we're going to party. All you have to do is get lost in the feel good house music for seven plus minutes of this simple but wonderfully effective classic from Primal Scream No singing required at all because there are no lyrics. Just good vibes. No way baby, let's go!_______________________________________________________________________________
The Rolling Stones-You Can't Always Get What You Want
Length: 7:29
Why: Because I briefly thought about putting "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" in for the Stones then came to my senses and put in one of the first songs I remember singing as a young child. Not only has their always been a communal vibe running through this one, it also has a universal message that will never get old. If you try sometime, you might find, you get what you need._______________________________________________________________________________
Steely Dan-Deacon Blues
Length: 7:37
Why: It's easy to get caught in the smooth jazz leanings of Steely Dan's album "Aja". "Deacon Blues" may be the smoothest on the album. Not many songs have me anticipating the chorus as much as this one. They've got a name for the winners in the world...I want a name when I leave._______________________________________________________________________________
Stevie Wonder-As
Length: 7:08
Why: The early parts of "As" from Wonder's awesome "Songs In The Key Of Life" are touching musing on love. And by the point where Wonder sings in a deeper baritone about our great great grandchildren, you know the love he feels is deeper than anything we'll ever know. Plus female background singers delivering the chorus with Wonder equal maybe the best epic love song of all time._______________________________________________________________________________
Titus Andronicus-A More Perfect Union
Length: 7:10
Why: Starting with a passage from Abraham Lincoln, Titus Andronicus goes on for the next seven minutes delivering a fist pumping epic with lead singer Patrick Stickles throwing out references to the Garden State Parkway and New New Jersey that would make the boss proud. Each song on their 2010 reaches for that epic feeling but nothing touches the brutal honesty of "A More Perfect Union." Tramps like us, baby we were born to die!_______________________________________________________________________________
Velvet Underground-Heroin
Length: 7:13
Why: Because I can't think of another song that fits the bill for heroin use as much as this Velvet Underground classic. From Reed's stately vocal delivery to the percussion resembling a heartbeat, this epic drives the thematic point home all the way to John Cale's screeching viola at the end of the song._______________________________________________________________________________
The Verve-The Rolling People
Length: 7:02
Why: Probably my favorite dream rocker of the bunch, just a flat out rocker from one of the best albums of the 90's "Urban Hymns." The guitars soar, the bass rumbles along and Richard Ashcroft hits the chorus with a convincing fury. It's hard to resist it's spaced out boogie.______________________________________________________________________________
Weezer-Only In Dreams
Length: 7:59
Why: Weezer's never been known for long, drawn out budding epics. But let's not forget the way their debut album ended with an almost eight minute song that literally jumps out of it's skin as the song roars to a finish. And Rivers Cuomo actually has the chance to throw in the words oxygen and carbon dioxide in here for good measure. The forgotten epic of the 90's? Perhaps._______________________________________________________________________________
The White Stripes-Ball & Biscuit
Length: 7:19
Why: People may be more familiar with this song from recent vodka commercials. What I remember is one lean and mean blues workout from The White Stripes', let's call it classic now, "Elephant." White's guitar howls like an old blues guitar player from yesteryear (take your pick)._______________________________________________________________________________
Wilco-I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Length: 7:00
Why: The sparse opener to "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" just bounces along at a leisurely pace with Tweedy throwing out great one liners about being an American aquarium drinker who assassins down the avenue and asking you to please take off you band aid because he doesn't believe in touchdowns. It meanders like no other epic but has a hint of melancholy at the end of each stanza "What was I thinking when I let go of you?". And then it falls apart at the end. The perfect opening epic to an essential album.
Source: http://www.jhostation.com/2012/06/40-favorite-songs-between-7-8-minutes.html
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