Is "45" The Best Gaslight Song EVER?

It's good, but best ever certainly not, and in my opinion it isn't even top 10. I also agree with those who have suggested that it's probably their weakest opener yet.

Its a great song but not even the best song on the album and that's how good I think this album is.

To me "45" is a track that is solid on record, but ultimately the whole purpose of its existence is to be played live.

simo wrote:

To me "45" is a track that is solid on record, but ultimately the whole purpose of its existence is to be played live.

After the Chapel Hill show, I totally agree. First time seeing it live and it's just a beast. It was a major highlight of the show for me.

In terms of songwriting quality, absolutely not. Not even close.

However, it's the best 'single' they've ever written, just topping '59 Sound. So catchy, so fun, and will be a live classic in no time.

I really like it, its grown on me particularly over the last month. But their best song ever? Hmmm, it would probably still, at this time at least, struggle to make my top 10. It's not in the same class as Bring It On, Film Noir and The '59 Sound.

can't believe some of the answers in here. someone said it was a terrible album opener.... what?!

45 and Handwritten is an astonishingly good 1-2 punch to start the album. I LOVE 45, but it's not their best song IMO. One of my favourites, for sure.

simo wrote:

To me "45" is a track that is solid on record, but ultimately the whole purpose of its existence is to be played live.

The music to '45 is great, too bad Brian can almost never sing that chorus.

another thing on 45, it's the free-est song on handwritten. no influences, just the band stepping up and playing in their purest style. throwback to SoS

bakerfall wrote:

simo wrote:

To me "45" is a track that is solid on record, but ultimately the whole purpose of its existence is to be played live.

The music to '45 is great, too bad Brian can almost never sing that chorus.

Well it's better now that they dropped the key a half-step. But really it's one of those things you don't notice when you're there in the moment, cause you and everyone else are all singing it too. I couldn't even tell you if Brian sang it well the two times I saw them play it on this tour. But I know it was fun.

simo wrote:

bakerfall wrote:

simo wrote:

To me "45" is a track that is solid on record, but ultimately the whole purpose of its existence is to be played live.

The music to '45 is great, too bad Brian can almost never sing that chorus.

Well it's better now that they dropped the key a half-step. But really it's one of those things you don't notice when you're there in the moment, cause you and everyone else are all singing it too. I couldn't even tell you if Brian sang it well the two times I saw them play it on this tour. But I know it was fun.

I agree that you don't notice it live, but it's always going to be iffy because it's still pushing the range. I didn't notice it when seeing them either, then you watch Letterman. Eek.

Yeah it's just gonna be one of those things you notice when you watch videos.

I think it's way way too early to decare best ever....let's see if it stands the test of time...I really, really like it...but who knows how we'll feel in 2013...

Probably not the best gaslight song ever but maybe best single released ever, i rate it that much.

It's definitely not one of my favorites, and for openers I'd say Great Expectations & Boomboxes (I just can't choose) > American Slang > 45. But I do love 45, I'd rank it with the songs that are just below my favorites.

Taken on its own, without reference to anything else they've done, I think it's a great song. And then when I think about all the bands I've loved for years, who then sign with a major label and release a single orchestrated to appeal to a wider audience by sounding nothing like themselves, I appreciated it that much more. With most bands, that ends up being my least favorite song. But 45 will get a lot more people interested in the band, while actually being a classic TGA song, true to their style.