Today, I’m looking at one of my favorites blogs, BoingBoing, which mentions an article by Joshua Allen of The Morning News that discusses the perfect length for a pop song. According to this man, all pop songs must be 2:42. Even one second, in either direction will ruin it.
What else is at 2:42? “Don’t Do Me Like That” by Tom Petty. “Divine Hammer” by the Breeders. “Helplessly Hoping” by Crosby, Stills & Nash. “Get Up” by R.E.M. “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & the Papas. “This Charming Man” by the Smiths.
You need more proof? Jerk. Let’s look at Sgt. Pepper. “Lovely Rita” is two minutes, 42 seconds. It delivers that psychedelic vibe and a coda but then gets the hell out of your life.
Compare that to “With a Little Help From My Friends.” It’s a mere two seconds longer but feels like it drags on for hours. Maybe it’s Ringo, maybe it’s the tedious melody—or maybe it’s the two goddamn seconds.
Then over here we have “Good Morning Good Morning,” rightfully discarded by the masses as a throwaway. Why? Two minutes, 41 seconds. Hey, Beatles, maybe next time think about tacking on an extra second to give a song the grandeur and majesty it deserves.
Naturally, after reading this article, I had to check the time on LOUIE LOUIE. I grabbed my copy of “Love That Louie,” the consummate LOUIE collection, featuring the finest digital transfers of the iconic LOUIE LOUIES that define the LOUIE genre.
The Kingsmen version of LOUIE LOUIE clocks in at 2:42.
Paul Revere & the Raiders version of LOUIE LOUIE is 2:41.
LINK:
http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/oped/two_minutes_and_42_seconds_in_heaven.php