Music Trivia -> Super Long Pop Songs -> T
Blame Hey Jude, but there have been some very long songs that have made the radio. For the purposes of this page, please stick to songs with lyrics, that are intended for radio play (singles).
"Tainted Love," Soft Cell Lenght:9:00
Back in 1981, the British duo Soft Cell recorded a 12" dance disc about a spurned lover, "Tainted Love" that quickly became a favorite world wide in gay and straight dance clubs. Soft Cell realized from the start that the 9:00 minute version probably wouldn't get much airplay on U.S. top 40 stations and did their own edited version for the album release (along with the 9 minute 12" version). But to the surprise of Soft Cell (perhaps not realizing that the American radio market was changing with FM taking over even for Top 40 stations) and radio stations liking the 9:00 12" version decided to play that version which had mixed into the song a medley or perhaps an early attempt at sampling of the Supremes' 1964 Motown #1 hit, "Where Did Our Love Go". Both versions were played on Casey Kasem's "American Top 40" syndicated radio show. And mainly because of this, "Tainted Love" spent the most time in the Top 40 charts of any single to date.
Peter
"Tarkus," Emerson, Lake & Palmer Lenght:20:40
Made up of 7 shorter songs and continuous flow. Some of the best keyboards you're likely to here
Ean
"Taxi," Harry Chapin Lenght:6:44
1972 song about a meeting in a San Francisco between a man named "Harry" and his ex-lover Sue. He recorded a 1980 sequel (entitled "Sequel") where Harry and Sue meeting ten years later. (it's about as long as the original, with the similar style and music.)
MOR
"Tender," Blur Lenght:7:41
Rory
"Thankyou For Talkin' To Me Africa," Sly and the Family Stone Lenght:7:16
This is essentially a slowed down version of their number one song, Thank You Falettin MeBe Mice Elf Agin. It closed the There's A Riot Goin' On album.
JD
"Thick as a Brick," Jethro Tull Lenght:22:37
This was one of two albums that Jethro Tull released that it was only one song. There is an edited version of this as well.
Paul Warren
"This is the End," The Doors Lenght:11:43
Not to be confused with "The End" by the Beatles, this "End" song was ironically off of the FIRST album of the Doors. ~Ra'akone
Ra'akone
"Thriller ," Michael Jackson w/ backing vocals by Vincent Price Lenght:5:57
A little shocked no one has thought of putting this tune up before now. "Thriller" is both the name of the best selling album of all time, but also the name of the title tune of that album. The album "Thriller" was originally released on December 1, 1982 but would produce hits for Michael Jackson all the way into the spring of 1984. "Thriller" quickly became a huge seller of an album and the hits were numerous from it, "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "Pretty Young Things", etc. This was also during a time when MTV was finally showing African American artists' videos, something that was making African American Civil Rights activist angry before 1983. And this was long before much of Michael's later legal troubles started. "Thriller", the title song, wasn't released for over a year after the release of the album, December 24, 1983, yes the day before Christmas was it's release. And the video, which was even longer than the tune (the tune actually wasn't that long, in reality, but still fits for long radio pop tunes) was first shown on Christmas Eve on the then NBC Friday night Video show. It became an instant smash hit, going all the way to #4 on Billboard Magazine's HOT 100 charts, with backing vocals by horror movie actor Vincent Price, which would turn out the last major bit of acting Price would do before his death.
Peter
"Through the Fire and the Flames," Dragonforce Lenght:7:24
This song has an incredible guitar solo, which Dragonforce are known for.
TBuck
"Ticking," Elton John Lenght:7:36
One of the most unusual songs in EJ's canon and probably the most violent lyrics Bernie Taupin ever wrote.
JD
"A Time to Love," Stevie Wonder Lenght:9:17
Erin
"Tonight, Tonight, Tonight," Genesis Lenght:8:50
A rather interesting rock song, with the "chirping crickets" background, and a few obscure Beatles references at the beginning.
Ra'akone
"Trapped in the Drive-Thru," "Weird Al" Yankovic Lenght:10:51
Jake
"Try Again," Supertramp Lenght:12:03
The song was taken from the 1970 self-titled debut album.
Mickey D.
"Tubular Bells (Pt. 1)," Mike Oldfield Lenght:25:36
Theme from "The Exorcist." The song was cut down to 3:18 for a #9 Hot 100 hit single. Part 1 was played entirely on Side A.
Mickey D.
"Tunnel of Love," Dire Straits Lenght:8:08
The outro at the end is considered one of the most heartbreaking guitar solos in history
Ra'akone
"The Turn Of A Friendly Card," Alan Parsons Project Lenght:16:15
Basically, a medley with a theme. But still one long song.
Rotahn
New entries in this section are currently reviewed by Below Average Dave. Previous editors (if any) are listed on the editors page.
Submissions
If you have a creative/humorous idea, please submit it.
