Weekend Listomania's Greatest Hits: Special Carpe Diem, Bitches! Edition

[I first posted this one back in 2008, which is apparently four centuries ago in dog years. In any case, I've substituted a couple of new entries and done some minimalist re-writing, just so you won't get the idea that I'm resting on my well-apolstered laurels in my old age. Enjoy! -- S.S.]

BEST OR WORST POST-ELVIS POP/ROCK SONG OR RECORD WHOSE TITLE REFERENCES TIME -- THE 4th DIMENSION!!!!

Completely arbitrary rule: The word "season" is allowed. Also days of the week.

Okay, that said, here's my totally top of my head Top Ten.

10. Six O'Clock (The Lovin' Spoonful)



For my money, their best record -- a great song, stunning production, and the crack in Sebastian's voice is almost a metaphor for their good time vibe running headlong into the heart of darkness of the late 60s.

9. Time of the Season (The Zombies)



I know, I know, I've never posted this song before.

8. Quarter to Three (Gary US Bonds)



Some of our younger readers (by which I mean those born between the invention of the blowdryer and the premiere of the television series Manimal) may not believe this, but back in the day, my buddies and I killed hours playing the opening few seconds of this over and over again in a fruitless quest to discern the rumored dirty words. Think of that as a sort of hormonal adolescent version of the myth of Sisyphus.

7. Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur)



I have from time to time over the years been surprised by the intensity of the loathing this song evinces in so many of even my most mild-mannered friends. I gotta say, I don't quite get it -- to me, it's always been just a mildly annoying Adult Contemporary novelty tune, almost rendered listenable by a spectacular guitar solo from the underrated Amos Garrett. On the other hand, after re-hearing it, for the first time in ages, for the purposes of this post, I have to admit I have no desire to ever fucking hear it again ever.

6. A tie:

Yesterday (The Beatles)



IIRC this is the world's most covered song. No further point to make about that; I just think it's interesting.

and

Yesterday's Gone (Chad and Jeremy)



I should add that I was surprised to learn Chad actually played the cool acoustic guitar stuff on their records. Hey -- it was a big deal for me!

5. Good Times (Jimmy Barnes and INXS)



The great and often covered Easybeats classic, obviously. None of the covers has ever come close to the original, IMHO, and I was never particularly an INXS fan, but finding this clip on YouTube the other day reminded me that the late Michael Hutchence really was one charismatic SOB.

4. Monk Time! (The Monks)



Pussy Galore is coming down! Fifty years later the world STILL hasn't caught up with what these crazed ex-GIs stranded in the land of the Hun were doing to the noble muse of Music.

3. Time Has Come Today (Chambers Brothers)



More cowbell!!! True sad story: My skinny tie band had a sort of year-long residency at a club in the Village in the 80s. It was several weeks before I realized that the maître d' was the guy singing this song.

2. Business Time (Flight of the Conchords)



For NYMary, obviously, but also because I wanted something recorded in this century. Plus it's a great song.

And the absolute coolest 4th dimensional ditty, it's so obvious why the frick are we even arguing about it, is --

1. She Don't Care About Time (The Byrds)



Genius songwriting by Gene Clark and Roger (nee Jim) McGuinn playing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" on the break. It doesn't get any better.

Awrighty then -- what would your choices be?