Are songs timeless?

**Jim Colyer** · 02.21.07, 05:59 PM

Writers like to think their songs are timeless, but is there such a thing? I went to Neil Sedaka's site. "Laughter In The Rain" was referred to as timeless. The song reminds me of driving through Chicago in November, 1974, when Neil broke out after a decade of the British dominating radio. Nothing timeless about that! Positive thinking is the theme which, in a human context, can be called timeless. Shakespearean themes are thought of as timeless although his language is obviously not. Dinosaurs ruled 160 million years and passed away. The sun will expend its energy, and the universe will die. Can 3 minute songs be eternal? The ones most closely approaching timelessness are Christmas songs because Christmas returns annually and because no new, good Christmas songs have appeared in the last 50 years. "Silent Night" and "White Christmas" become relevant each December.

**Blind Lemon Loons** · 02.21.07, 08:28 PM

Bob Dylan's songs are timeless.

"Bob, your songs are gonna last forever."--Bono

**darthadv** · 02.21.07, 08:39 PM

i take it you didn't care for twisted sister's christmas album?

**Blind Lemon Loons** · 02.21.07, 08:49 PM

Or Neil Diamonds'?

**darthadv** · 02.22.07, 07:08 AM

oh yeah? well TS is coming back with a follow-up christmas album (or at least that's the plan)!

**cyberfiddl** · 02.25.07, 11:30 PM

I recall John Lennon wrote a very, very good Christmas song. He also played in a little known band that created timeless music. As for the relevance of the sun and dinosaurs to this thread...beats me.

**Blind Lemon Loons** · 02.27.07, 09:30 AM

Reuben had a train
Law'd, he drove it in the rain
Reuben stole my gold watch and chain
Law'd, he stole my diamond ring

**Blind Lemon Loons** · 02.27.07, 09:38 PM

http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/music.html

AT · 02.28.07, 03:31 AM

The term "timeless" is indeed over-used. Though redundant, there was some wisdom in Sammy's lyrics: Only time will tell if we stand the test of time.

Songs (and music in general) that has transcended generations could be considered "timeless." What is relevent years after its inception would seem to have the ability to continue on as "timeless" (The Wizard Of Oz, etc.).

As far as the life of our sun (approximately 4.6 billion years old, with another 4.6 billion or so still to go), we human beings box things up to fit in the context of our time, not existence as a whole. The link posted about Voyager 1 is interesting, though.