# Seeking Popular Songs For Demonstrating Audiophile Systems to Non Audiophiles **URL:** \ **Category:** Music\ **Created:** [August 20, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042 "2021-08-20T22:09:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![minnesotafats](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/minnesotafats/32/1696_2.png) [@minnesotafats](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minnesotafats)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/1 "2021-08-20T22:09:38Z")
Hey. I have a variety of non-audiophiles that come to my place and I am trying to find songs that are **(1) popular/readily recognizable** **AND (2) are well recorded**. I find many great artists have crappy recordings. It seems like the more popular the song the higher the likelihood of a crappy recording. For example I bought an Adele record and it just sucks with respect to dynamics and soundstage. Totally compressed. What I am hoping to get with this thread is a list of popular songs from all eras that most non audiophiles would immediately recognize AND demonstrate how a good audio set up can raise goose bumps. Here are a couple of examples that I find bring goosebumps to my non-audiophile friends. I am hoping you can help me compile a list of songs like these. Queen - Somebody to Love Led Zeppelin - Going to California ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/2 "2021-08-20T22:53:26Z")
Daft Punk: _Random Access Memories_ A good number of Michael Jackson songs are well recorded. ---
**Author:** ![vee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vee/32/17567_2.png) [@vee](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vee)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/3 "2021-08-20T22:57:53Z")
Maybe someone can type this up for easy retrieval, but I began looking for hits that have this criteria… here are some 90s hits. ![Screenshot_20210820-155648](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/c/2/c26b385b4238b73b459d85e37de506a4e4be3e2c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![badbeef](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/badbeef/32/142_2.png) [@badbeef](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/badbeef)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/4 "2021-08-20T23:17:02Z")
This is a fascinating concept. Perhaps mostly because…it is a fascinating concept.🤷🏻‍♂️ ---
**Author:** ![George\_P](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/george_p/32/76730_2.png) [@George\_P](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/George_P)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/5 "2021-08-20T23:28:14Z")
I would suggest something mastered well, with full dynamics. Sadly, almost all stuff is compressed these days. So I seek out earlier masterings and audiophile masterings. Some examples: **SACD** Jeff Buckley - Grace - ORG Rage Against The Machine - S/T - AF Bread - Best of - AF James Taylor - JT - MFSL Supertramp - Bfast in America - MFSL Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde - MFSL The Cars - Heartbeat City - MFSL Sinatra - Where Are You? - MFSL Pixies - Surfer Rosa - MFSL Doobies - Takin It The Streets - MFSL Pretenders - Learning To Crawl - MFSL Carly Simon - No Secrets - MFSL Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates - MFSL Joe Jackson - Body And Soul - IR Run DMC - Raising Hell - MFSL Billy Joel - An Innocent Man - MFSL **CD** Anita Baker - Rapture - Diament Depeche Mode - Violator - Sire/Reprise Steely Dan - Aja - Japan for USA, MCA Steely Dan - Gaucho - Japan for USA, MCA Bill Evans - Waltz for Debbie - Gold - Sax remaster Joni Mitchell - Blue - DCC Gerry Rafferty - City To City - DCC Heart - Dreamboat Annie - DCC Madonna - Madonna - 32XD Van Halen - Van Halen - DCC AC/DC - Back In Black - Diament Jethro Tull - Original Masters - DCC Queen - The Game - CP32 Run DMC - Run DMC - Japan for USA Michael Jackson - Thriller - ESCA 5408 Bob Marley - Legend - Diament Gary Wright - The Dream Weaver - AF Suzanne Vega - Solitude Standing Steve Winwood - Back In The High Life - Japan for USA Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross - Japan Sanyo Simply Red - Picture Book - WG Phil Collins - Hello I Must Be Going - AF Phil Collins - No Jacket Required - AF Phil Collins - Face Value - AF Lionel Ritchie - Can’t Slow Down - DADC The Cure - Mixed Up (original mastering) Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky - DCC Jackson Browne - The Pretender - DCC The Police - Synchronicity - DADC Bonnie Raitt - Nick Of Time - DCC Bonnie Raitt - Luck Of The Draw - DCC Eagles - Hotel California - DCC Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle - DCC Steve Miller Band - Book of Dreams - DCC Prince - Prince - SRC Billy Idol - Rebel Yell - AF Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - SRC Pink Floyd - The Wall ---
**Author:** ![rob-c](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/rob-c/32/43053_2.png) [@rob-c](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/rob-c)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:01am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/6 "2021-08-21T00:01:57Z")
I usually let my friends pick whatever music they like. ---
**Author:** ![badbeef](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/badbeef/32/142_2.png) [@badbeef](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/badbeef)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/7 "2021-08-21T00:07:28Z")
Something to be said for that approach, but had a friend over recently from another state who wanted to hear a favorite song that he thought would sound awesome, and it fell flat, audiophile-wise. But music is the first criteria.🤠 ---
**Author:** ![badbeef](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/badbeef/32/142_2.png) [@badbeef](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/badbeef)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:11am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/8 "2021-08-21T00:11:26Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/3X/3/f/3f86db0deb69b5ce75c7dabe7b0523c2a1f7eb90.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![minnesotafats](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/minnesotafats/32/1696_2.png) [@minnesotafats](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/minnesotafats)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/9 "2021-08-21T00:13:18Z")
agreed. it is amazing how many people go blank when I ask them what their favorite song/artist is. I find that once I play a few tunes that they start thinking of some. ---
**Author:** ![richard.martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@richard.martin](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/richard.martin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/10 "2021-08-21T00:33:52Z")
Early releases of any Clash albums are good, as well as, early releases of REM and Prince (e.g. Purple Rain). Unfortunately many of these have been re-released and are highly compressed. ---
**Author:** ![kerosene](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/kerosene/32/9084_2.png) [@kerosene](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/kerosene)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/11 "2021-08-21T00:34:01Z")
The audiophile who invited a buddy and I to our first high end listening experience told us to bring at least 5 CDs each. We began the evening with him playing a track or two from each of the 10 discs. After that, he briefly and efficiently spoke about how recording and mastering practices produced vastly different listening experiences. Then he played hours of tracks from his best sounding CDs. I only liked about 25% of the music but I was completely engrossed in the sound. I could not believe what I was hearing. ---
**Author:** ![andynotadam](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/andynotadam/32/209087_2.png) [@andynotadam](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/andynotadam)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/12 "2021-08-21T03:43:23Z")
A few sleepers–Take A Walk On The Wild Side, Lou Reed; Magnificent Seven, The Clash; Creep, Radiohead… ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mike\_L](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Mike_L)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/13 "2021-08-21T14:17:00Z")
Given the two songs you listed, I’d give Boston a go. Pretty much any track on their (his) first album should be immediately recognizable to those of a certain generation. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bruce-in-philly](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/bruce-in-philly/32/55_2.png) [@bruce-in-philly](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/bruce-in-philly)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/14 "2021-08-21T15:09:21Z")
Actually, I find a simple (few instruments) old jazz like Brubeck’s Unsquare Dance a great demo for anyone regardless of the style they like. I found it you play something they like, they start thinking about that time in their life, and old friend, or start bopping. When showing off a system, I want them to hear the quality, not recall their memories. Once they hear the quality, then I move to stuff they like… and then point out how bad the recording is. The epiphany is in the delta. Peace Bruce in Philly ---
**Author:** ![owlsalum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47c2d/32.png) [@owlsalum](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/owlsalum)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/15 "2021-08-21T15:22:05Z")
My system has been built from the ground up for the genres of music I prefer. As reflected by my collection. Demos to non-audiophiles have consisted of them bringing whatever they like with them, as long as it’s on a medium my system supports (vinyl, digital files). My view is my taste in music isn’t relevant. Doesn’t matter with what fidelity my system reproduces it if the listener isn’t interested. Either they like what they hear when they play the music they prefer on my system or they don’t. Remember in the end reproduction of music in the home comes down to whether you like the artist and album on artistic grounds first, not necessarily the system it’s played back on. The one concession I make to this rule, looking at my collection, is the Eagles: _Hell Freezes Over_ on vinyl. _Hotel California_ is reference quality and if that cut doesn’t do it for my listener nothing will. ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/16 "2021-08-21T15:40:40Z")
“Old” Stuff: Mark Cohn, Walking in Memphis - Mark Cohn Billy Joel, New York State of Mind - Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Vols. I and II Dire Straits, Money for Nothing - Brothers in Arms Supertramp, Bloody Well Right - The Very Best of Supertramp Michael Jackson, Bad - Number Ones “Newer” Stuff: Christina Aguilera, Something’s Got a Hold on Me - Burlesque Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Daft Punk, Lucky - Random Access Memories Nora Jones, Turn Me On - Come Away With Me The Black Keys, Lonely Boy - El Camino Billie Eilish, Getting Older - Happier than Ever ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 3:44pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/17 "2021-08-21T15:44:55Z")
> [@owlsalum](#): > > The one concession I make to this rule, looking at my collection, is the Eagles: _Hell Freezes Over_ on vinyl. _Hotel California_ is reference quality and if that cut doesn’t do it for my listener nothing will. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![George\_P](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/george_p/32/76730_2.png) [@George\_P](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/George_P)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/18 "2021-08-21T16:43:44Z")
I get what you are saying, but I find it compressed compared to the original CD (or the DCC CD.) DR is under 10. ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/19 "2021-08-21T17:33:18Z")
I have never heard the referenced vinyl recording. However, I am a big fan of the CD. The recording quality is way above the average, mass-produced fare, in my experience. The overall quality and musicality of the Hell Freezes Over CD makes me wonder what could have been (on CD and other formats) back when the Eagles were making new music. A lot of my favorite CDs from the 80’s featuring 80’s and older music are almost unlistenable “at volume” on the Big Rig. Still, the music matters most – most of the time. Cheers. ---
**Author:** ![scott.wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@scott.wright](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scott.wright)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042/20 "2021-08-22T00:18:10Z")
Dire Straits Steely Dan Aja Eagles Tom petty Neil Young [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/seeking-popular-songs-for-demonstrating-audiophile-systems-to-non-audiophiles/25042.md?page=2)