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Introduction
Music is an essential part of our lives, and it has been around for centuries. Throughout history, music has evolved, and different genres have emerged. Music can be fast, slow, or even last for hours. Have you ever wondered what the longest recorded song is? If you have, then you are in the right place. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the world of music and discover what the longest recorded song is.
The definition of a song can be broad, but for the purpose of this post, a song will be defined as a piece of music that has lyrics and is performed by a singer or a group of singers. Instrumental pieces of music will not be considered as songs. With that in mind, let us explore the world of music and discover the longest recorded song.
The Longest Recorded Song Ever
The longest recorded song ever is “The Rise and Fall of Bossanova,” a masterpiece by a New York artist named Matthew Herbert. This song is a staggering 1,218 hours long, which is equivalent to 50 days and 18 hours. The song was recorded in 2014 and was released on a USB drive. The USB drive contained 300 tracks, and each track was approximately four hours long.
“The Rise and Fall of Bossanova” is an experimental song that features sounds from everyday life, such as a car engine starting or a coffee grinder. The song is not meant to be listened to in its entirety, and Herbert himself has stated that the song is more of an art installation than a traditional song. Nevertheless, the fact that a song of this length was recorded is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the artist.
The Longest Pop Song
While “The Rise and Fall of Bossanova” is the longest recorded song ever, it is not a pop song. Pop songs are usually short and catchy, and they are meant to be listened to repeatedly. However, there is a pop song that holds the record for being the longest.
The song is called “Apparente Libertà” and is performed by Italian artist Giancarlo Ferrari. The song is a whopping 76 minutes and 44 seconds long, which is longer than some entire albums. The song was released in 2016 and features a blend of different genres, including pop, rock, and electronic music.
The song is a story about the cycle of life, and it features Ferrari’s signature guitar playing. Ferrari is a talented musician who has played with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Sting and Eric Clapton. The fact that he was able to create a pop song that is almost an hour and a half long is a testament to his creativity and talent.
The Longest Rock Song
Rock songs are known for their hard-hitting sound and catchy riffs. While most rock songs are between three to five minutes long, some are longer. The longest rock song ever recorded is “Thick as a Brick” by the British progressive rock band Jethro Tull.
“Thick as a Brick” was released in 1972 and is a concept album that tells the story of a young boy named Gerald Bostock. The album consists of one song that is split into two parts and is 43 minutes and 50 seconds long. The song features intricate instrumentals and complex time signatures, which are typical of progressive rock.
The album was a commercial success, and it topped the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom. The fact that Jethro Tull was able to create a rock song that is almost 44 minutes long and still make it a commercial success is a testament to their talent and creativity.
The Longest Classical Song
Classical music is known for its complexity and elegance. Classical songs are usually longer than pop or rock songs, and they often feature multiple movements. The longest classical song ever recorded is “Requiem for Hitler” by German composer Hans-Jürgen Syberberg.
“Requiem for Hitler” was recorded in 1975 and is an opera that tells the story of the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler. The opera features 12 acts and is 11 hours long. The opera is a blend of different genres, including classical, jazz, and rock.
Syberberg’s “Requiem for Hitler” is a controversial piece of art, and it has been criticized for its portrayal of Hitler. However, the fact that Syberberg was able to create an opera that is 11 hours long and still make it coherent is a testament to his creativity and talent.
Other Long Songs Worth Mentioning
While the songs mentioned above are the longest recorded in their respective genres, there are other long songs that are worth mentioning. One of them is “Karn Evil 9” by Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. The song is 29 minutes and 36 seconds long and features intricate keyboard and guitar solos.
Another long song worth mentioning is “Autobahn” by German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk. The song is 22 minutes and 43 seconds long and features a repetitive electronic beat that is reminiscent of a car driving on a highway.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of music is vast, and there are countless songs of different genres and lengths. While “The Rise and Fall of Bossanova” by Matthew Herbert is the longest recorded song ever, there are other long songs worth mentioning. “Apparente Libertà” by Giancarlo Ferrari is the longest pop song, “Thick as a Brick” by Jethro Tull is the longest rock song, and “Requiem for Hitler” by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg is the longest classical song. These songs are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the artists who created them, and they continue to inspire musicians around the world.
