Buffalo soldiers.
Artist, album and year: Mercury Rev, All Is Dream, 2002
Why is it a classic?: The band from Buffalo, New York had a cult underground indie following and never really had too much commercial success. This song was their biggest commercial hit, reaching number 16 in the UK singles chart.
You have to just listen to this song to appreciate the beauty of its melody. It’s one of the most heart-rending songs you’ll ever hear.
Epic is a word bandied about all to fleetingly when describing better than average, but epic is almost an understating it when describing this song.
It starts with the huge sound of symphonic grandeur and is as dramatic and epic as you can get and is intersected by the achingly beautiful voice of lead singer, Jonathan Donahue.
Upon first hearing this song, it stopped me in my tracks. It was like an epiphany. A song of so much beauty, ambition and sheer grandeur. Not many songs make me emotional. This song has me in ribbons most of the times I hear it. Stunning.
Did You Know? Lead singer Jonathan Donahue was also a member of The Flaming Lips for two years as lead guitarist.
The lyrical hook: “I always dreamed I’d love you, I never dreamed I’d lose you, In my dreams, I’m always strong,”
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