What is the greatest song ever written?

[Fab Foodie]

I was pondering this very question after I realised what I thought it might be. And I have to say that I think for me it's the German Christmas Carol 'Stille Nacht/Silent Night'.
It's has a very simple melody, anyone can sing it, it's beautiful as a solo or as a choir, it harmonises well, it may even be a cannon. But it's so much more than that, the melody evokes the words so well, they form a clear picture in one's mind, it's peaceful and still and somewhere something wonderous is happening. It's forever tied to Christmas day in the trenches of Flanders, where somehow a bit of humanity was shared amongst the carnage of WW1. Something simple yet powerful.

That's my thoughts, what are yours?

 

[Hacienda71]

Don't know why but I really like O Come O Come Emanuel. Reminds me of Christmas as a child and translates well from the original Latin version to the version we hear today. I wouldn't put it forward as the greatest song ever written but it is a damn fine carol.

 

[vernon]

Hills of the North Rejoice takes some beating.

 

[Fab Foodie]

btw, it doesn't have to be a Christmas song ....

 

[hotfuzzrj]

Mr Blobby's eponymous hit?!

 

[Crankarm]

No here's a big question that simply doesn't and will never have a definitive answer. Christmas carols aren't really songs in the popularist sense like those written by Lennon and McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Jagger and Richards, the screachy one Adele ...............

 

[Keith Oates]

If we are talking about 'songs' in the very general sense, I think most of the Christmas Carols are enjoyable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fnaar]

Rockaway Beach by the Ramones has some singalong charm... but seriously an impossible question to answer. That's my fave now, as I heard it this morning. By lunchtime, this will have changed, no doubt.

 

[swampyseifer]

I have heard so many christmas songs in the last few weeks (the wife keeps putting on some 24/7 christmas song radio channel) that I am thinking I will be glad when its over next week!

as for my favorite song ever...has to be Gone Away by The Offspring....yes the lead singer may not really be that good at singing, theres no complicated music to it and its from a punk band. But I dont know, there's just something about the lyrics and the feelings behind it...often makes me well-up listening to it

 

[tyred]

Silent Night is beautiful without a doubt, and if we're talking carols, I would also add Hark the Herald Angels Sing for consideration.

But my favourite song is The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, especially when sang by the late Ronnie Drew. So beautifully written.

 

[Dayvo]

But my favourite song is The Band Played Waltzing Matilda, especially when sang by the late Ronnie Drew. So beautifully written.

I haven't heard that one, but I really like The Pogues' version of the same song.

 

[dan_bo]

 

[numbnuts]

O Come O Come Emanuel
I like that one too, we sung it at Mass sunday before last.

 

[srw]

Favourite Christmas hymn: It came upon the midnight clear.
Otherwise, there are so many good songs it's untrue, but Peter Warlock's settings of Sleep, Bethlehem Down and The fox take some beating.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Favourite Christmas hymn: Coventry Carol
Favourite song ever? too many to chose from, and whatever is favourite today won't be favourite tomorrow.