Anyone Else Dislike Most Long Songs?

sopsych · 08-12-2012, 10:42 AM

I dislike most songs that exceed 6 minutes. Usually they're boring and repetitive or rambling. Anyone else agree?

**Janszoon** · 08-12-2012, 10:45 AM

Can't say I agree. Some are boring, others aren't, but that's true of all songs regardless of length.

Unknown Soldier · 08-12-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wisdom

I dislike most songs that exceed 6 minutes. Usually they're boring and repetitive or rambling. Anyone else agree?

In this day an age, 6 minutes is not really considered long for song.

Duraddict · 08-12-2012, 10:54 AM

Depends. I listen to them less because they take more concentration, but I wouldn't say it's a rule of thumb.

Trollheart · 08-12-2012, 10:57 AM

Absolutely not. If I like a song, then the longer it is the better (within reason). Songs like "Supper's ready" by Genesis, "Grendel" by Marillion, "Freebird", "Stairway to Heaven", "Bat out of Hell"... I could go on. Brevity is by no means any measure or guarantee of quality. Sometimes you have to let the song have time to develop to fully appreciate it, and that's seldom (though not never) possible with a 3/4 minute song.

14232949 · 08-12-2012, 11:09 AM

Depends if the song needs to be that length.
Creating long-winded pretentious 20 minute pieces for the sake of making them long helps nobody.
But a longer running time can help tell a story;

Words don't even need to be included, a story can be told through musical progression.

Burning Down · 08-12-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wisdom

I dislike most songs that exceed 6 minutes. Usually they're boring and repetitive or rambling. Anyone else agree?

Depends on the genre. I listen to lots of jazz and classical, where something under 6 minutes is considered short, especially with classical music. I mean, some orchestral pieces can be an hour or more in length (this is rare and mostly occurs with choral works for the Church.)

Quote:

One important difference comes in regard to duration. Popular songs are usually brief; most of them are under five minutes long. Classical compositions, on the other hand, range from 20-second pieces to works that last several hours. The average symphonic concert work lasts perhaps half an hour, and this requires a change of perspective for those accustomed to listening to popular songs. How does a composer make such a large piece of music hang together? It's a question worth asking of any piece of music, but for classical compositions it's one of critical importance.

Classical vs. Popular Music

Some of my favourite music is over 6 minutes long, and it is NEVER boring. Examples:

Spoiler for youtubes:

Some jazz songs:

Spoiler for youtubes:

But you won't listen past 6 minutes because it'll get boring for you, so....

Salami · 08-12-2012, 12:13 PM

I'm going to completely disagree with the OP - for me the longer the better. There's little I dislike more than an idea I'm starting to appreciate being snuffed out too early. I'm not saying I like sounds to be repeated and carry on forever, but I do like to be able to really get a feel for what I'm listening to. Six minutes and upwards I think is best because that gives time for experimentation within the idea of the song, or in the case of Bob Dylan type songwriters the opportunity to build up to a climax.

I'll give an example of a song that ought to be a lot longer that is not selected for any particular reason but because I happen to be listening to it:
"Personal Jesus" - Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash is indisputably one of the greatest country artists of all time and his wonderful voice inimitable. The nearest song I can think of which sounds like it is "Whorehouse Blues" by Motorhead, but the point is it's a great idea, well written song but damn it only lasts for three minutes. Perhaps some sort of instrumental section in the middle further exploring the dark aesthetic the song has been producing, even a little guitar solo, but it's over too quickly.

**Goofle** · 08-12-2012, 12:27 PM

The better the better. Regardless of length.

Paedantic Basterd · 08-12-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofle11

The better the better. Regardless of length.

I came in here more or less to make this point.

08-12-2012, 10:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	Anyone Else Dislike Most Long Songs? I dislike most songs that exceed 6 minutes. Usually they're boring and repetitive or rambling. Anyone else agree?

08-12-2012, 10:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Can't say I agree. Some are boring, others aren't, but that's true of all songs regardless of length. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

08-12-2012, 10:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	Absolutely not. If I like a song, then the longer it is the better (within reason). Songs like "Supper's ready" by Genesis, "Grendel" by Marillion, "Freebird", "Stairway to Heaven", "Bat out of Hell"... I could go on. Brevity is by no means any measure or guarantee of quality. Sometimes you have to let the song have time to develop to fully appreciate it, and that's seldom (though not never) possible with a 3/4 minute song. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

08-12-2012, 11:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Depends if the song needs to be that length. Creating long-winded pretentious 20 minute pieces for the sake of making them long helps nobody. But a longer running time can help tell a story; Words don't even need to be included, a story can be told through musical progression.

08-12-2012, 12:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Salami Get in ma belly Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 1,385	I'm going to completely disagree with the OP - for me the longer the better. There's little I dislike more than an idea I'm starting to appreciate being snuffed out too early. I'm not saying I like sounds to be repeated and carry on forever, but I do like to be able to really get a feel for what I'm listening to. Six minutes and upwards I think is best because that gives time for experimentation within the idea of the song, or in the case of Bob Dylan type songwriters the opportunity to build up to a climax. I'll give an example of a song that ought to be a lot longer that is not selected for any particular reason but because I happen to be listening to it: "Personal Jesus" - Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash is indisputably one of the greatest country artists of all time and his wonderful voice inimitable. The nearest song I can think of which sounds like it is "Whorehouse Blues" by Motorhead, but the point is it's a great idea, well written song but damn it only lasts for three minutes. Perhaps some sort of instrumental section in the middle further exploring the dark aesthetic the song has been producing, even a little guitar solo, but it's over too quickly.