180 Seconds

A long while back, John Scalzi wrote a post in which he invited readers to look at their iTunes libraries and list out the songs that came in at exactly three minutes - the idea being to take a tongue in cheek at the oft-repeated claim that three minutes is the perfect length for a pop song. Now at the time, I didn't have my music library all digitized, but now I do and I was curious to see which pop songs in my collection were at that ideal length.

Is That All? - U2
Not a classic pop song, really, more of a dirge-y type of thing.

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Ella Fitzgerald
The very definition of perfection, methinks.

Spirits in the Material World - The Police
Pretty good, tight pop song.

Gimme' Some Loving - The Loving Spoonful
Another pretty perfect pop song. This might work!

Sloop John B - Beach Boys
Another tough one to argue.

Rumbleseat - John Mellencamp
This is awesome? Another great, punchy, burst of a song.

The Great Unknown - Elvis Costello
Still good.

Sleigh Ride - Johnny Mathis
Yep.

Let's Begin - Ella Fitzgerald
Yep.

Dance Naked - John Mellencamp
Yep.

Halloween (Live) - Dave Matthews Band
Not perfect, no.

So Sad About Us - The Who
A great Who pop song.

Watch Your Step - Elvis Costello

Pinball Wizard - The Who
Come on!

John Wesley Harding - Bob Dylan
Dream - Ella Fitzgerald
This Year's Kiss - Nina Simone
Ring Then Bells - Bob Dylan
O Tannenbaum - Nat King Cole

Can't Help Falling In Love
Sheer perfection.

St. Louis Blues - Louis Armstrong
Orange Blossom Special - Johnny Cash

That was kind of a fun experiment.