Top 10 long rock songs--at least 8"

[BlueMiles]

We don't even think twice when a jazz piece runs 8-10 minutes. In rock, though, such pieces/songs tend to be absolutely epic. Yes, there are plenty of bloated songs--and in rock that could set in before the 4-minute mark. But many of rock's greatest artists have produced fantastic long tracks, and I wanted to consider several that run at least 8 minutes (many more would make the cut if I took the minimum down to 7). I tried to ensure that no one appeared twice, but I just had to put in two Dylan songs--he is is the all time greatest spinner of lengthy song narratives.

My top 10:

1. Jungleland—Bruce Springsteen
2. When the Music’s Over—The Doors
3. Maggot Brain—Funkadelic
4. Like a Hurricane—Neil Young
5. Wonderful Remark—Van Morrison
6. Hurricane—Bob Dylan
7. Desolation Row—Bob Dylan
8. I Heard it Though the Grapevine—CCR
9. Paradise by the Dashboard Lights—Meat Loaf
10. Yours is No Disgrace—Yes

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Madame George -- Van Morrison

Sad Eyed-Lady Of The Lowlands -- Bob Dylan

By The Time I Get To Phoenix -- Isaac Hayes

East-West -- Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Going Home -- Rolling Stones --

Alice Restaurant -- Arlo Guthrie

Do What You Like -- Blind Faith

Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys -- Traffic

In A Gadda Da Vida -- Iron Butterfly

Take A Stroll Through Your Mind -- Temptations

[baksheesh]

Whenever I hit a jukebox in a bar I always go for these as value for money:

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
Led Zeppelin - In My Time Of Dying
Metallica - Master of Puppets
The Doors - The End
The Doors - When The Music's Over
Jimi Hendrix - Hear My Train A Comin'
Bob Dylan - Desolation Row
Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Live Version)
The Allman Brothers - Whipping Post (Live Version)

[BlueMiles]

I would not have guessed that Isaac Hayes and the Temps had songs this lengthy. Are they live tracks?

[Robert de St. Loup]

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

[Bourne]

Can Riders On The Storm gain an honorable mention? It's just 50 seconds short of the criteria.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine would be my top pick.

[steve(thelil)]

How doe you tell which songs are 8 inches or more?

[Bourne]

Somebody had to finally say it.

[steve(thelil)]

The fact that everybody was already thinking it is NOT enough reason for me to resist, apparently.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

I would not have guessed that Isaac Hayes and the Temps had songs this lengthy. Are they live tracks?

Nope, regular album tracks

One of my dancing buddies suggests the disco version of the Beach Boys "Here Comes The Night," 12 minutes plus and he has an unopened copy

[larrycohen]

I don't feel like coming up with 8 or 10 right now, and some would repeat what's been mentioned above, but 2 more of my favorites:

The Doors - Soft Parade
Cream - Spoonful (the live version, from Wheels of Fire).

[Kevin L]

Elvis Costello - I Want You [doesn't quite make the 8 minute cutoff but whatever]
Drive Like Jehu - Sinews
Drive Like Jehu - Luau
Bob Dylan - Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Bob Dylan - Desolation Row
Bob Dylan - Highlands
Stereolab - Refractions in the Plastic Pulse
Stereolab - Jenny Ondioline
Yo La Tengo - Night Falls on Hoboken
Yo La Tengo - Big Day Coming [the slow version / doesn't quite make the 8 minute cutoff but whatever]

[BFrank]

10 that haven't already been mentioned, and in no particular order:

Fairport - Matty Groves
Neil - Cowgirl in the Sand
Jimi - Voodoo Chile
Jimi - 1983... (A Merman I Should Turn to Be)
Mayfield - Move on Up
Mayall - California
Yes - Roundabout
Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
Who - My Generation (f/Live at Leeds)
Bowie - Station to Station

[BlueMiles]

Oh, man, somehow I left "Won't Get Fooled Again" off my list--it sure belongs there.

[Robert de St. Loup]

Alas, Cortez the Killer is only seven and a half minutes.

[Robert de St. Loup]

The Rock and Roll Animal version of "Heroin"

[john williams]

Blindness : The Fall
Empire State (Son House In Excelsis) : Mercury Rev (falls short by 30 secs)
Helen Said This : The Dead C
The End of Radio : Shellac
Sidewalking (extended version) : The Jesus and Mary Chain
Gun : John Cale
Wheels of Confusion : Black Sabbath

[steve(thelil)]

The Rock and Roll Animal version of "Heroin"

Also the Rock and Roll Animal version of Sweet Jane is pretty sweet. It's long. Maybe not 8 inches though.

[The Alex]

No mention of "Sister Ray" yet?

[BlueMiles]

Eight inches is a really good length, ya know!

[Captain Hate]

Or "Marquee Moon"?

[BlueMiles]

Also worthy of inclusion is "Loan me a Dime" by Boz Skaggs.

[BFrank]

Or "Marquee Moon"?

Absolutely!

[baksheesh]

I'd second Marquee Moon, and add a propos of post #7

Aerosmith - Big Ten Inch Record

[Kevin L]

Yes, totally forgot Marquee Moon and Sister Ray when I made my list. Not to mention "The Diamond Sea" by Sonic Youth.

[Frisco]

In Memory of Elizabeth Reed

Yes, that's #1 on my list
and I'll second Voodoo Chile & Desolation Row

Echoes (Pink Floyd)
Gumbo Variations (Zappa)
Spare Chaynge (Jefferson Airplane)
Hey Frederick (Jefferson Airplane)
Interstellar Overdrive (Pink Floyd)
Flame Sky (Santana)
Underture (The Who)
The Fool (Quicksilver Messenger Service)
Oh Well (Fleetwood Mac)
Louisiana Blues (Savoy Brown)

[clinthopson]

MacArthur Park has to be the ultimate long and boring thing in my experience

[steve(thelil)]

MacArthur Park has to be the ultimate long and boring thing in my experience

Yeah, but I'll never have that recipe again.

[mjb]

Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Love - Love is More Than Words (Or Better Late Than Never)

[mjb]

I am very fond of Clark Hutchinson's A=MH² (pretty sure I got it in 1970) - shortest track is just over 7 minutes.