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Short songs vs. long songs

Short songs - anything upto 3mins
Long songs - anything over 6mins.

Myself, I prefer long songs. They need more attention. Some songs can drag on a bit if the band haven't done enough to make it interesting e.g. Wilco and Mars Volta in their 'White Noise' phase. Don't get me wrong, I do still like short songs - Futureheads' debut is still one of my favourite albums.
Which do you prefer?



  • Long and hard for me

  • both good

    next

    • depends

      on what the song is, no? That's like saying cold food or hot food.

      • Good point.

        Well made.

      • Easy

        I like hot food

        I (generally) like longer songs.

  • I'd rather be left wanting more.

    Too many people don't have the balls self edit enough.

    • ^

      definately.

      short albums and short live sets are my favourite.

      no matter how fantastic an album/live performance is, if it hits the point when you start to lose interest slightly it spoils the whole thing.

      i'd say Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a perfect length record for me, but I Am Trying To Break Your Heart is pretty lengthy (and great all the way through).

  • MEW

    i agree about the futureheads etc. i think its good to vary it about. i dont think it should "define" a band to be good at short or long songs. i think Mew are one of the best at doing this, using amazing melodies, but not overdoing it in the sense that "chorus mongers" like the fratellis do so cheaply.

    • ..

      Any song off Double Nickel On The Dime vs Marquee Moon. Now I am confused.

  • I like good short songs and good long songs equally

    I prefer bad short songs to bad long songs as they finish quicker.

    I think I just like good songs

  • I think I like songs the most

    (those between 3 and 6 minutes).

    However, many of my favourite songs are long songs. Although in general: songs > long songs.

    • i think those are medium songs

      also good

  • The funny thing is

    The types of music I like specialise in extreme short songs and extreme long songs.

    My love of Minutemen, Descendents, Minor Threat, early Husker Du etc points me towards short songs, but nothing beats a towering rock song with a huge fuzzy riff.

    So I don't like Medium songs. Extremely short, or extremely long, please.

  • p.s

    Guided by Voices, Minutemen and Sebadoh do shorties best.