A few specific songs come to mind, each for a different reason:

You Are My Sunshine - the first song I learned because my mother would sing it to me.
O Holy Night - Favorite Christmas Song
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. I have always loved the line "I've finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road."
Dust in the Wind by Kansas. I always wanted that one for my funeral. *see Ren's thread on Funeral music

Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull.

Someone else has already chose Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, but I presume I can do so too?
The most emotional song ever must be Elton John's rendering of 'Candle in the Wind', sung at Princess Diana's funeral (though I realise the commercial recording was not made live).
I also really like Ray Charles singing 'I can't stop loving you', the Beatles 'Twist and Shout', and Elvis Presley's 'Can't help falling in Love'.

For me, it's a three way tie among "A Day In The Life" by the Beatles, "I'll Be There" by Al Green, and "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven. And please don't think I'm an old fogie who doesn't love rock and roll. I started out in punk bands back in 1879. I just love good music.

Another vote here for Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

I agree with you Aramis, Candle in the Wind for Princess Diana's funeral was very emotional

I also love Angels by Robbie Williams

crossroads by cream,another brick in the wall,bohemian rhapsody

Hi :Picing one particular song is hard but if I have to then be it:
Stairway to heaven by Led Zeppelin

However the lyrics I like the most are
from the song "Sometimes" by a group called :Made in sweden

I was just perusing the forums as a newbie and came across this one. As a 60's music fanatic, I have MANY songs and bands that I adore, but if I was truly pressed to pick one that sends me into fits of nostalgia and absolute love of the song (and the astounding lyrics) it would be Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Yes, they "borrowed" the gorgeous melody from Bach, but made it their own. P.S. Annie Lennox does a beautiful rendition of this on the "Medusa" album. Have a great day!

I have many songs on my "Desert Island" playlist but just a few weeks ago my six yar-old asked me this very question so I will answer yours with the same response I gave to him.

My answer is Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street". My reasons for loving this song aren't that impressive, but I just love it. Maybe it's because it takes me back to a simpler time in my life, but mostly it's the lyrics and horns.

This is my "Desperado", Seinfeld fans will understand this reference.

I like jaknife's selection esp ZZtop...but as someone said, there are soooooo many...anything off Dark Side of the Moon, or most Floyd albums for that matter....Traffic, The Low Spark of High- Heeled boys,Dixie Chicken and Down on the Farm,Little Feat, somebody stop me........Fools to the Left of me, Jokers to the Right....and while we're on the subject, What if the Hokey-Pokey IS what it's all about!?

I'm going to throw in
"Golden Brown" The Stranglers,
"House of the Rising Sun" Animals,
"Thunderstruck" ACDC,
"Fade to Grey" Visage,
"Blue Monday" New Order,
"Riders on the Storm" Doors
"Whiter Shade of Pale" Procol Harum
"Itchycoo Park" Small Faces,
but how in the world can anyone actually pick the greatest song ever, we all have such different tastes, my favourite genre is "New Wave" especially British. I can't even decide which is my favourite song of all time. It used to be "Dream a Little Dream of Me" Mama Cass. On a recent "Best of" special on one of those music channels on Austar "Bitter Sweet Symphony" the Verve was at the top of the list.

What's the best song ever?

The one that you haven't heard yet

Lost In Love by Air Supply

This is a very interesting question. I was reading the other posts, and I was shocked that one song was missing (granted, it is from popular American culture).

My best song ever is "We Will Rock You" by Queen.

"If I had 1,000,000 dollars" by BareNaked Ladies is a fine little ditty. (Its actually doctor prescribed for smiling.)

"Wild Horses" by Rolling Stones, "She Talks to Angels" by the Black Crows, and "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springstein are all worth a quarter's throw into the juke box.

I couldn't answer this question for myself but I have no problem answering on my Father's behalf. For him the best song ever? Ever and always was:


Stardust
by Hoagy Carmichael

Hotel California - The Eagles
A Horse With No Name - America

I agree that individual tastes are so widely different that it is impossible to decide on the best song ever but the debate is always interesting. A lot of it has to do with association of songs / experience

Try
'Suzanne' - Leonard Cohen
'Like A Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan
'Everybody Hurts' - REM

Also take a look at how many artists in all fields have recorded 'Danny Boy'. An allegedly Irish song which I as an Irish person absolutely detest. Nonetheless, artists from Bing Crosby to Eric Clapton sing its praises

Imagine-John Lennon

To me the best song ever is a song that I dedicate to Kirk Fogg and JD Roth and that song is "How Did I Fall In Love With You" by the Backstreet Boys from their Black and Blue CD.

There are too many great songs to pick just one. I'll mention some of my favorites though.

"The Wall" no, not the Pink Floyd song, but the Kansas song.

"No Sugar Tonight" by The Guess Who

"Bargain" by The Who

"Wonderland By Night" Leo Kottke

"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole

and last but not least,

"If I Had a Bulldozer" (artist's name escapes me.)

I have 3
Isn't Life Strange-Moody Blues
Unchained Melody-Rightous Brothers
and of course Stairway to Heaven

I like those picks, jarsma63! They certainly reflect the standouts in my lifetime, now that I think about it.
I'd have to add a few Bowie and James Taylor tunes, of course ...