The Best Song. Ever.

Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, rolling into the night
People so busy, make me feel dizzy, taxi light shines so bright
But I don’t, need no friends
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset’s fine

And the answer is; Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks. Released as a single in 1967, and featured on their album Something Else by the Kinks it hit #2 in the UK and top 10 throughout most of the rest of the world. It was composed and produced by Kinks frontman Ray Davies.
It tells the story of 2 lovers – Terry and Julie (thought to be Terrance Stamp and Julie Christie) be watched by the narrator/singer as they cross the river Thames

Terry meets Julie, Waterloo Station, every Friday night
But I am so lazy, don’t want to wander, I stay at home at night
But I don’t, feel afraid
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset’s fine.

What makes it the best song. Ever. I have no idea. It’s simple. It’s beautifully sung and written. It’s perfect song. A London FM radio poll in 2004 named this the “Greatest Song About London”. It holds spot #42 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Musicians Paul Weller and Damon Albarn cite the song as their favourite of all time and music journalist Robert Christgau has called the song “the most beautiful song in the English language”.

Millions of people swarming like flies ’round Waterloo underground
Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
And they don’t, need no friends
As long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset, they are in paradise