Pick it apart? Oooookaaaaaay!
Melody is the first and foremost thing I look for in Gord's or anyone elses songs. (Melody and tune are the same thing by the way).
While I do listen to a garden variety of music,melody is what I like best. If a song doesn't touch me emotionally,it doesn't mean as much.
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(A "very" close second)Lyrics:As far as Gord goes,his lyrics are tops,especially regarding a subject like love,lost love,the human conditon and human relations. For my $$ no one does it better.
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Third:Beat or rhythm;Todays music is mostly this and while I can stand a little,overall it doesn't appeal to me.
Now,take a song like "Spin-Spin"...it has a great upbeat happy rhythm.
Then the opposite end of the spectrum "TWOTEF" where the slow drum beat represents the waves hitting the ship. It really helps set the mood in concrete,with the help of the above two ingredients.
In the end,all three make not just a "whole" song but make a whole songwriter's thoughts complete.
Even though I "ranked" them,Steve,the truth is...all three do matter and really cannot be seperated.
Without them,all you have is a hollow or half-baked idea and you end up with songs like,"Baby Don't Forget My Number" by Milli Vanilli! ...or other forms that "music" lovers just can't get with. Nor should we try,because in our hearts,we know what we like.
That is why we say "we like the whole of the song",that is,the whole package...the musical paint brush that Gord uses to be that "Painter Passing Through".
There Steve,good enough arguement?? :D LOL!