i think big audio dynamite put it best, during that sampled bit in the middle of "rush":

"the only important thing these days is rhythm and melody ... rhythm ... and melody"

interesting that no one's mentioned rhythm yet. but it's rhythm that makes rock rock, and that makes hip-hop hop, and that makes virtually all pop music popular.

or, as duke and ella put it, "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing."

i'd also put sound in my top two. before i hear a melody or grasp the beat in "ticket to ride" -- my all-time favorite song -- i've been completely bowled over and knocked flat by the sheer sound of the electric guitar, the drums and the bass.

heart is nice and all, but the world is full of awful songs made by very big hearts.

as for r. stevie's comment: man, if you don't know, i'm not sure i want to know either!

matty