Interesting subject. There are a number of prog rock songs that would easily fit the bill. I almost feel dismissive of 6/8, 3/4 or 12/8 because they are also really common - even Happy Birthday is in 3/4 and virtually every blues song is in 12/8, the time signature of a shuffle. But, I'll give it a go. Tom Sawyer - Rush (the middle section is in 7/8) Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles (the bridge goes 6/8, 5/8, 4/4, 7/8) The Ocean - Led Zeppelin (the verse is partially 7/8, the end is 12/8)
As a side note you will notice the Gilmore guitar solo is over a 4/4 passage... not that I am not a fan - I am. Hendrix - Manic Depression - 3/4
I’m not sure if April Wine was ever very popular down there, but this was a pretty popular song in Canada back in the day. I’ll let some musical smartypants figure out what the time signature is. I have no idea what this video is about, btw. This was just the one copy of this song I could find quickly. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SqtLlTOI1Wk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SqtLlTOI1Wk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel (7/4) Outshined - Soundgarden (7/4) - they have a lot of songs in odd time signatures. Pyramid Song - Radiohead (?/?) - ditto There are a ton of other, more obscure, bands that play in odd meters but I figure this thread is more for the "hey, look what I know!" content than anything else.
I wouldn't say that - it's "best," not "all," after all, and it's not as though time signatures aren't taught in public schools across the land. It just seems to me that it's more difficult to ROCK!!1 in non-4/4 and so it's notable when that is done successfully. I do, however, win the thread, because the songs I picked are better than everyone else's. Don't feel bad, though, I got to go first. BUT SERIOUSLY, FOLKS. Hadn't thought of "Here Comes the Sun" or "Solsbury Hill," which are both damn smooth. FB - I had never heard "Jocko Homo," so I found it on youtube, and now I think I'm frightened and may have to call out of work today. Is that a typical reaction?
Barracuda - Heart (they add and drop beats all over the place) Heart of Glass - Blondie (same as above) Changes - Yes (beginning alternates between 7/8 and 5/8) Any song by Rush or Tool
James Brown called it "backed to one", as in 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, ... If you have ever heard or better yet danced a waltz, the musical phrasing is 3 beats (or 1-2-3, 1-2-3, ...). thus, waltzs are in 3/4 time. The first number in the time is the most import one. The second number is how the music is written down. In 3/4 time, a single beat is a quarter note while in 3/8 time it is an eight note.
Zappa used a lot of unusual time sigs: 9/4: "Watermelon In Easter Hay" Frank Zappa 11/8: "Black Napkins" by Frank Zappa - towards the end of the song, measure of 4/8, followed by a measure of 3/8, followed by a measure of 11/8 19/16: "Keep it Greasy" by Frank Zappa - the vamp in the end is 7/16
