I sort of think of a signature song as one you associate with an artist, its quite loose but as Suedehead has said, its the songs that everyone would think of when asked to name a bit hit by said artist, for some its harder than others (as I said in the other thread)

 

some of these are pushing it though, Owl City has had ONE massive hit, probably doesn't count yet! :lol:

 

some that haven't been mentioned:

 

John Lennon - Imagine

George Harrison - Got My Mind Set on You/My Sweet Lord (its easy to think of one for these two, but its harder for Paul and Ringo)

Oasis - Wonderwall (lots of contenders, but I think this just takes it)

U2 - With Or Without You/One

REM - Everybody Hurts/Losing My Religion

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (even though it wasn't a single!)

Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy

Radiohead - Creep

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O'Mine

Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This.../A Design For Life

Spice Girls - Wannabe

 

in the case of Abba and Elvis, I would say their most signature would be Dancing Queen and Suspicious Minds, but there are lots of other contenders for that title

 

 

George Harrison - Got My Mind Set on You/My Sweet Lord (its easy to think of one for these two, but its harder for Paul and Ringo)

Oasis - Wonderwall (lots of contenders, but I think this just takes it)

U2 - With Or Without You/One

REM - Everybody Hurts/Losing My Religion

Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven (even though it wasn't a single!)

Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy

Radiohead - Creep

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O'Mine

Manic Street Preachers - If You Tolerate This.../A Design For Life

Spice Girls - Wannabe

 

For George Harrison couldn't it be "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"? I know it wasn't solo, but it's the one I most associate with him in the same way I associate "Hey Jude" and "Mull of Kintyre" with Paul McCartney.

 

And I seem to be the only one who thinks Madonna's is "Like A Prayer".

some of these are pushing it though, Owl City has had ONE massive hit, probably doesn't count yet! :lol:

 

Yes, but he has a lot more songs out there than Pixie Lott or Iyaz (!!). I count 3 albums worth, plus an EP, plus some other side projects, so if we're going by material, he has enough to warrant a signature hit[/loon]

 

Besides, if you say 'Fireflies' in conversation, people will generally know which song you are talking about without having to mention the artist.

 

And at this rate, he'll never count. :cry: But it does raise a good point, do extreme one-hit wonders HAVE a signature hit, especially when the song itself is well known that it could count as one?

Surely the term can only apply to people who have had lengthy careers (i.e. at LEAST 5-10 years) and they have that one song everyone associates with them despite having a back catalogue with plenty of hits? (i.e. 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head'). It certainly can't apply to one hit wonders like Owl City or newer acts like Pixie Lott etc.

 

One nobody mentioned... Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Murder On The Dancefloor :lol:

Yes, but he has a lot more songs out there than Pixie Lott or Iyaz (!!). I count 3 albums worth, plus an EP, plus some other side projects, so if we're going by material, he has enough to warrant a signature hit[/loon]

 

Besides, if you say 'Fireflies' in conversation, people will generally know which song you are talking about without having to mention the artist.

 

And at this rate, he'll never count. :cry: But it does raise a good point, do extreme one-hit wonders HAVE a signature hit, especially when the song itself is well known that it could count as one?

 

Sorry, I was only using him as an example, as the other examples had already been mentioned :lol: I don't think a One hit wonder really has a 'signature' hit as they don't really have any alternatives, it depends on the back catalogue and length of career for an artist to have a signature song imo, I would describe Fireflies more as 'his one hit' more than his 'signature hit' if that makes sense

 

I'd agree that Like a Prayer would be one of Madonna's signature hits, although she does have a LOT to choose from

Edited January 29, 201213 yr by C.W

Sorry, I was only using him as an example, as the other examples had already been mentioned :lol: I don't think a One hit wonder really has a 'signature' hit as they don't really have any alternatives, it depends on the back catalogue and length of career for an artist to have a signature song imo, I would describe Fireflies more as 'his one hit' more than his 'signature hit' if that makes sense

 

Yeah, I didn't pick him up at first, because it seemed so obvious. But the fact is, I do listen to him A LOT (3rd on my last.fm against all odds), and Fireflies still stands out amongst his large (floppy) back catalogue for me, and he's more of a successful artist in the industry than a load of the other artists mentioned here. He just doesn't have a large amount of hits.

 

Fireflies HAS transcended into popular culture, so from that angle it is a successful song, but he just doesn't have a foundation. It's like Rihanna's well built mansion up against Owl City's stick thin tower (silly analogy). :(

Did we come up/agree with one for Coldplay? I'm finding theirs quite hard. It's definitely 'Fix You', 'Yellow' or 'Viva La Vida' for me though.

If you've got to discuss it, it's pretty sure there isn't one signature track.

This link isn't going to be accurate, it's a wiki, but it could be useful...

 

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SignatureSong

 

Coldplay's one is listed as Clocks or Viva La Vida. Could be, but Fix You and Yellow could be also. :unsure:

Definitely Clock and Viva La Vida for Coldplay.

 

Some more 90's:

 

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way.

Fugees - Killing Me Softly and Ready Or Not

Ace Of Base - The Sign

2 Unlimited - No Limit

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn...I'm glad I'm mentioning this lol.

George Michael - Freedom, Faith, Careless Whisper, Last Christmas...I can't believe this many songs from GM can associate as his signature hit.

 

Ciara/ Goodies or Love Sex Magic

Destiny's Child/ Survivor

Pussycat Dolls/ Don't Cha

Swedish House Mafia/ Miami 2 Ibiza

Tinie Tempah/ Written In The Stars

Florence + The Machine/ You've Got The Love

 

For Flo I think Rabbit Heart would be her song. I don't think a cover should be classified as hers, its rubs me the wrong way

Torn is also a cover :P

 

But I see your point, and I agree. As both versions aof YGTL are prominent I don't think Florence has quite done enough to eclipse the original, whereas it's safe to say Natalie has, as many people don't even know it's a cover :lol:

This link isn't going to be accurate, it's a wiki, but it could be useful...

 

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SignatureSong

 

Coldplay's one is listed as Clocks or Viva La Vida. Could be, but Fix You and Yellow could be also. :unsure:

 

well that answers most of our questions then :o :lol: (even though half of those don't really have a signature hit!) I mainly completely agree with those, although an odd choice for Electric Light Orchestra - admittedly, I'm not familiar with most of their back catalogue, but Mr Blue Sky is unquestionably their signature song imo

Edited January 29, 201213 yr by C.W

Definitely Clock and Viva La Vida for Coldplay.

 

Some more 90's:

 

Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way.

 

Everybody (Backstreet's Back) as well, surely?

That list was an interesting read, though them giving Anjulie and Afrojack signature hits is questionable, while we're at it Livvi Franc's signature hit is Now I'm That Bitch... :lol:

Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From The Block

 

Surely J-Lo's would be Waiting For Tonight or On The Floor?

What's making everyone think 'Clocks' for Coldplay? I don't know anyone (unless they're a fan of them) who would say that over 'Fix You', 'Yellow' or 'Viva La Vida'. :lol: But seeing as most people on here have suggested it, I guess you're right aha. Is it for the riff/melody/whatever you want to call it? :lol:

Surely J-Lo's would be Waiting For Tonight or On The Floor?

Nah. For J. Lo I'd say 'Ain't It Funny', 'Jenny From the Block' or 'Love Don't Cost A Thing'. It's hard to suggest and think OTF as it's so new, but it could get there I guess.

Why Ain't It Funny? I don't even think I can remember how it goes :lol:

 

I'd say either Jenny From The Block or Waiting For Tonight, just because OTF is so new. It could get there in time though as Jonjo said.

The vast majority of them aren't signature songs.

 

Just because these people I've listed aren't internationally huge doesn't mean that they have a song that people instantly associate with them, thats why they're called signature songs.