What do The Breeders "Divine Hammer," R.E.M's "Get Up," The Beatles "Lovely Rita," and Fugazi's "Burning Too" have in common? Well nothing, other than the fact that they are 2 minutes and 42 seconds long. According to the Morning News writer, Joshua Allen - the clock time of 2:42 is the perfect length for a pop song. Frankly, Allen has quite lost his mind. Although he provides evidence with a handful of songs that were everything from underground hits ("This Charmin Man" by the Smiths) to giant success stories (Mamas & the Papas "California Dreamin") - his theory doesn't quite hold up. What about the Righteous Brother's "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" - the most played song on the radio in the 20th century, which clocks in long over 3 minutes. Back to the drawing board sir, your hypothesis needs further testing. [The Morning News via Boing Boing]
I just worked out the numbers, and mathematically... 2:42 should be the perfect pop song. Interesting.
makingsenseofthings
My personal favorite pop gems at 2:42:
Wild Mountain Nation by Art Brut Emily Kane by Art Brut Helplessly Hoping by CSN&Y Michelle by the Beatles She Cracked by the Modern Lovers Tally Ho by the Clean Leave the Planet by Galaxie 500 Drop it Doe Eyes by Los Campesinos! Strange Powers by the Magnetic Fields Streets of Fire by the New Pornos Manchuria by Pinback St. Augustine by Band of Horses The President's Dead by Okkervil River Fly Around my Prettly Little Miss by Built to Spill
I thought the Charmin mascot was a bear, not a fey Mancunian.
Nice mention of "Get Up," one of R.E.M.'s more underappreciated songs.
I just worked out the numbers, and mathematically... 2:42 should be the perfect pop song. Interesting.
makingsenseofthings
My personal favorite pop gems at 2:42:
Wild Mountain Nation by Art Brut
Emily Kane by Art Brut
Helplessly Hoping by CSN&Y
Michelle by the Beatles
She Cracked by the Modern Lovers
Tally Ho by the Clean
Leave the Planet by Galaxie 500
Drop it Doe Eyes by Los Campesinos!
Strange Powers by the Magnetic Fields
Streets of Fire by the New Pornos
Manchuria by Pinback
St. Augustine by Band of Horses
The President's Dead by Okkervil River
Fly Around my Prettly Little Miss by Built to Spill