Greatest Songs Ever Mixed?

[sg327]

Songs always stand out for one reason or another. Some may have great vocals, others may have great guitar solos or drum parts.

There's a few songs that will always shine above all the others because of something "unique" that was mixed in during the recording process.

The Beatles..."A Day In The Life".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiFYOn1AFms
(There's quite a few on this one...definitely the string section/orchestra)

Fleetwood Mac..."Tusk"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGDtYrIo9nQ
(The addition of a "marching band")

I'm sure these probably aren't the "greatest" but a couple that really stand out for me. Would be interesting to see what some others might be....

[Kriller]

This ones defenitly known for its weird mixes.

Considered the most psychedelic song of All Time! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=tSTwM7bnFvI)

[rockfresh126]

Not really a song, but the Dark Side of the Moon album has always been known as a masterful piece of producing. From the reports I've read, the album as recorded was kinda bad. They stopped playing it live early because they couldn't reproduce it, and didn't do it again until the Division Bell tour

[BhindBluEyes430]

Mr. Blue Sky is amazingly mixed I love how everything in that song fits together.

also most Gnarles Barkley stuff is amazing Danger mouse (the white guy with the Fro) is a master at mixing songs he did "the Grey album" (Mixed the white album and the black album)

[sg327]

This ones defenitly known for its weird mixes.

Considered the most psychedelic song of All Time! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=tSTwM7bnFvI)

You're right...really makes you think "circus".


Not really a song, but the Dark Side of the Moon album has always been known as a masterful piece of producing. From the reports I've read, the album as recorded was kinda bad. They stopped playing it live early because they couldn't reproduce it, and didn't do it again until the Division Bell tour

"Money" was one of the ones I was thinking of. The sound of the cash register mixed in through the song is pretty neat.


Mr. Blue Sky is amazingly mixed I love how everything in that song fits together.

also most Gnarles Barkley stuff is amazing Danger mouse (the white guy with the Fro) is a master at mixing songs he did "the Grey album" (Mixed the white album and the black album)

E.L.O.'s got a couple that are pretty cool. The one you mentioned. "Fire On High" with the backwards vocals at the beginning and "Telephone Line".

[polishdog90]

I've always really liked Are You Experienced? by The Jimi Hendrix Experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4yZXb4aD2Q

[sg327]

I've always really liked Are You Experienced? by The Jimi Hendrix Experience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4yZXb4aD2Q

That's one that I wouldn't even have thought about. I'd have to put that one in the top 5 somewhere. Great pick....

[sg327]

Here's one you can add to the "mistakes" made during recording. A friend of mine played in a local band and got me hooked on a couple songs they played. One was "Born On The Bayou" by C.C.R.. The other one is this song...If you listen close at the beginning you can hear the "squeaky" base pedal.

The Searchers..."Needles and Pins"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2YRIMXNjw

[Kelvis]

Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

[polishdog90]

Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Ahh I forgot about that one. I would love to see how this song was mixed. There has to be at least 40 vocal tracks alone.

[sg327]

Ahh I forgot about that one. I would love to see how this song was mixed. There has to be at least 40 vocal tracks alone.

They have some pretty interesting shows on one of the music channels...I'm pretty sure it's VH1 Classic. They go back and talk about "milestone" albums and groups. A couple I've seen are Fleetwood Mac and Deep Purple.

They go back and talk about songs on different albums and what they did to mix 'em. It's really interesting. I'm almost positive they have a show like that for one of the "Queen" albums.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Us and Them by Pink Floyd. The hypnotic guitar part, the sax solos, and the constant ride cymbals just keep me enticed.

[sg327]

Us and Them by Pink Floyd. The hypnotic guitar part, the sax solos, and the constant ride cymbals just keep me enticed.

You're right...I think Pink Floyd's got a few songs that should at least rank in the top 20. "Money's" been mentioned earlier. I think when they mixed "Comfortably Numb" too they were clicking on all cylinders. There's a lot going on in that song that just pulls you in and makes you wanna listen to the whole thing.


Here's another thing that's always stood out for achievement for me. Steve Winwood recorded the albums "Arc Of A Diver" and "Talking Back To The Night" at his home in Gloucestershire. He played every instrument on both albums....pretty impressive!!

[rockfresh126]

Continuing on the Pink Floyd theme...Shine On you Crazy Diamond or the non-edited version of Echoes.....good lord there's a lot of stuff in that.

Other stuff.....see entire NIN catalog

[DJFreddyG]

The hardest part of coming up with the "Best Mixed Songs" is that so many of the truly best mixed recordings (especially modern recordings) are done so well that it's hard to distinguish all the tracks and vocal over-dubs.

That being said here are 4 that are so far unmentioned:

1. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
2. The Phil Spector recordings (feat. the Ronettes for example)
3. Strawberry Fields - Beatles
4. California Dreaming - Mama's and the Papa's

[Hastyl3]

Slayer's entire Reign In Blood Album. It is probably the best quality album from the 80's non-remastered.

[Kelvis]

Slayer's entire Reign In Blood Album. It is probably the best quality album from the 80's non-remastered.

:( You should really broaden your horizons bud.