Song that best defines Sonic Youth
 

probably a million threads about this but did a search and couldn't find one.

anyway.

if a person who'd never heard SY asked you what they sounded like, and you could only play them one track, which one would you choose?

Shoot. It's my all time favourite Sonic Youth track which I think totally epitomises the band to a tee.

Probably "Titanium Exposé"

Catholic Block or Candle.

I replied to a thread like this some months ago and I can't remember what song was it. but now that I've listened to The Eternal, i'm pretty much sure it's Anti-Orgasm.

the sprawl? mote? i don't know.

TRILOGY
a)
b)
z)

Cliche, but....The Diamond Sea. It has the poppy parts, the noise, and the songwriting. The only thing it's really missing is the early 'darker' sounds from CIS and BMR

Teenage Riot. Why? They enjoy playing this song and they always (almost) play it. it's not one of my favourite songs, tough.

Yes, I share your "cliche" opinion

schizophrenia, is my choice, you got some kim and thurston

yeah, schizophrenia or The Diamomd Sea

The Diamond Sea sums it all imo.

I´d say Express way to yr skull, same qualities as the Diamond Sea AND the early "darker" sounds

I think the last time there was a thread like this I said Death Valley '69. I disagree with my past self.

I'm going to go a little off from the original question and give an EP of sorts:

1)Schizophrenia
2)Candle
3)I Love You Golden Blue
4)Mote
5)The Diamond Sea

There's a lot of tracks to choose to show, it really depends at which time period we're talking. If I had to narrow it down to JUST one.... At this moment, I'm going to have to say Candle. Now after three seconds I'm also thinking Sunday really shows their selling points as well.....

~Jeremy~

Saying Diamond Sea sorta gives you an EP unto itself... same if you choose Trilogy. Both show many facets, both would work. Both are, obviously, awesomeness.

Jams Run Free: beauty, dissonance, climax, more beauty, without a single extraneous note.

~25 years in one track? It can't be done my friend. Find a song from Rather Ripped that sounds like it belongs on Confusion is Sex.

See? :D

I might be flamed/stoned to death for this, but "Or" could have maybe worked on CIS, but just maybe.

Cross the Breeze, probably. The Diamond Sea would be too long for most people. :7P

Mariah Carey and her slimey lotion.

for me?

it's 100%. I've listened to it first.

Kill your Idols

Just throw on DDN, that could get anyone hooked!

dirty boots

Expressway or Trilogy

i love her all the time played simulatiniously with a silver sessions track whilst being overpowered by mote.

There's a rare B-side called We are Sonic Youth.* The lyrics go:

We are Sonic Youth
A noisy guitar band from NYC
We formed in the early 80's,
We use a lot of strange tunings

I think that song best defines them.

* No, there isn't.

Expressway To Yr Skull
I Love Her All The Time
The Sprawl
New York City Ghosts And Flowers

I think I'd go with Catholic Block, Brave Men Run, or I Love Her All the Time.

Kotton Krown
The beauty and loving lyrics surrounded by lullaby like guitars that sound like they could fall apart at any minute, with singing in the same vein.
That's the best of Sonic Youth in a nut-shell to me.

I'd say Mote.

tom violence or schizophrenia maybe?

schiz

So hard to narrow down 25+ years of excellence to one song...

For me though, the 'Diamond Sea', since it does seem to represent all facets of their fantastic music making ability. It encompases melody, noise, lyrics, etc. to perfection.

I also agree with a lot of you, that Schizophrenia and Teenage Riot are well represented tracks for the band as a whole...

Mote, just cause it's so catchy.