The timeless song...

I'd like to talk about the idea of the Timeless Song. This song could have been the biggest hit of it's time. Played on the radio for years passed it's release date. Heard by each new generation, the song goes through many different contexts for all those who hear it through time. This is the timeless song. A song that is appreciated, understood and relevant forever. It's a great song that transcends its original context.

The Timeless Song could also be a song that was not even heard, or appreciated during its time of release. 100, 200, 5000 years later, the song is listened to. The person who listens to it is intrigued, curious and moved at the same time. The song, although foreign sounding, has some element of familiarity and appeal to that future listener.

Are there songs that you can identify that have these, or similar qualities? I can't. Not off the top of my head. Remind me to tell you about the Timeless Joke sometime. You know, the one that is funny to anyone, anywhere any time in the future or the past.

The Timeless Song is not defined by it's original context. It is able to hold strong and create a place for itself in any context.

What will people think of Madonna in 100, 200 years from now. What about Elvis. No one will remember them. Maybe only a dated picture remains. What then of the music? Removed from its original context, what will be the listeners perception or interpretation of the music. Like it? Dislike it? Understand it? Laugh at it?

I guess it's hard to predict what would be the Timeless Song, but maybe we can identify some from the past. What do you think