Top 10 Epic Songs of All-Time

My reasons for creating this post is four-fold.  a.) Clarke told me to (See comments from Costello's "I Wish I Knew How to Quit You") b.) The last issue of Rolling Stone had the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.  The list was horrible so I'm attempting to provide a list worth reading. c.) I'm bored. d.) I just like top 10 lists.

That being said, I'm not exactly sure what makes a song "Epic".  Some of the questions I asked and considered for this list include: Is the song longer than usual (I think an "Epic" song should be long.... right?), Does the song deviate from standard song formats, Does the song have an "Epic Moment"?, and Could the song be considered "Visionary" for its time?  

These questions formed the basis for the criteria of an "Epic" song... according to me.  Some of the songs meet all the criteria, some may not meet any of the criteria... depending on your view. Without any further ado... I present the definitive list of THE MOST EPIC SONGS OF ALL-TIME........

10) Trapped in the Closet by R Kelly.  

When I thought about this "song", I didn't know what to do with it.  I have no idea what the intent of the song is suppose to be.  Is it a joke? Is it an artistic statement? Can it possibly be a narrative based on actual events?  I was going to include this song as an "Honorable Mention" but I had a hard time getting to 10, so here it is.  BTW, if for some reason you haven't watch the videos yet, please take an hour out of your day do so.  

Epic Moment: Doesn't really have one, though my favorite part is when the midget is introduced to the story line.

9) Echoes by Pink Floyd

The Floyd have plenty of songs that could be considered "Epic" and maybe some that deserve to be on this list in lieu of "Echoes", but I chose this song because, as an one time die hard Floyd fanatic, I feel like this song really encompasses the best of the "Golden Age" of Pink Floyd that existed prior to the band becoming uber-famous with the release of Dark Side of the Moon and prior to the band being dominated by Roger Waters direction.  I also liked getting stoned and watching "Live at Pompeii" in the attic. 

Epic Moment: The interlude between the first and second verse especially the last few bars leading into the second verse.

8) Overture by The Who

The opening track to "Tommy" is the only mostly instrumental song (There are a few lines regarding Captain Walker and his whereabouts) to make the my list.  I love how this song sets the tone for the whole album which was definately visionary for it's time.

Epic Moment: About 35 seconds into the song when the horns kick in for the first time.

7) Three Days by Jane's Addiction

I wish Jane's Addiction made more than 2 albums (I'm not counting the one they released 2003).  This song, like most of JA's work, doesn't get it's due credit for be awesome.  JA, along with the Pixies, were really the first "Alternative" bands.  They existed before Nirvana/Pearl Jam but were not a part of the 80's hair metal scene.  So when you listen to a song like 3 Days, it's hard to fit it into the context of it's own time, which to me makes it a visionary song.  Over 10 minutes long, with 3 distict parts, this song fits all my criteria and should probably be higher on the list.....I guess I don't give JA enough credit either.

Epic Moment:  Dave Navarro's Guitar solo with Perry Farrell screaming "All now with wings!"

6) Paranoid Android by Radiohead 

You know I have to have Radiohead on the list.  Paranoid Android is a modern day "Bohemian Rhapsody" that still sounds futuristic despite being 10 years old.  10 years from now, it will still be ahead of it's time... I don't know if time will ever catch up with this song... If that makes sense.  

Epic Moment: Johnny and Ed's 2 guitar solo.... I love the tone they used for the guitars.

5) The End by the Doors

I'm pretty sure Jim Morrison would approve of me classifying this song as "Epic".  I think about the Doors every time I drive to L.A.  I try to imagine what the city was like when Jim and the gang were playing their music at the small clubs in Hollywood and Sunset Strip.  Must have been something.

Epic Moment: "Father?... Yes Son?... I want to kill you.... Mother?.... I want to fuck you all night"  

4) Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

Like Pink Floyd, there are plenty of songs from Dylan's catalog that could be considered "Epic".  Maybe "Tangled Up In Blue" would be a better choice, but I'm going with "Rolling Stone" because of the revolutionary factor.  It was one of the first long songs (over 6 minutes) to be commercially successful (#2 billboard).  Plus it is simply one of the best songs ever.

Epic Moment: The whole song is epic... but the best part is at the beginning of each chorus when he asks "How does it feel?"

3) The Abbey Road Medley by the Beatles

My favorite part of my favorite Beatles album.  Technically it's 7 songs that are spliced together to form a 16 minute piece of perfection.  One of the songs being titled "The End" which makes two songs of the same name appearing on my list.... interesting.

Epic Moment: "The End"..... opens with the only drum solo Ringo ever did, middle section features guitars solos by John, George, and Paul and a nice little rhyming couplet to close out the album (sans "Her Majesty").

2) Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

Not really much to explain here... 

Epic Moment: The end of course.... "As we wind on down the road...etc"

1) Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Like I said at the beginning... I'm not sure how to define "Epic" but I'm pretty sure this is it.  It's like porn.... I'm not sure how to describe porn, but I know it when I see it. 

Let's end with that.