My Five Favorite Songs
a.k.a. Cliched Blog Filler
There are several web logs that I read on a fairly regular basis. During my regular readings, I've noticed a theme that has been sweeping the blogosphere lately. Bloggers have been listing their Top Five Favorite Songs, so I thought I would join in the fray.
5. State of Love and Trust by Pearl Jam. Fell in love with this song from the Singles Soundtrack. Stands out from other PJ songs due to its lack of screaming angst, experimental tunes or preachy lyrics. Their music ability and passion are both captured in this song.
4. So Lonely by The Police. Had trouble selecting which Police song would make this list, but I knew they would be represented. This song is completely cathartic and catchy.
3. Angels of the Silences by Counting Crows. Adam Duritz's lyrics come as hard and fast as the guitars, but can shift gears quickly into melody. The beauty of this song comes from the alternate versions that Counting Crows have used, plus a couple of laid back covers.
2. That Song by Big Wreck. Obscure song from the mid 1990s with an incredible melody. The lyrics self describe the nostalgia that a song like this rekindles.
1. Drown by Son Volt. The perfect song to me. Descriptive, poetic lyrics sung by a seasoned raspy voice. Heavy chords, supporting an excellent melody. Toes the line between every genre which makes it nearly impossible to categorize.
I highly recommend other bloggers to post their own Top Five Song list. What? No blog? Well, I guess you can post your Top Five song list here in the comments section.
My criteria for favorite songs tends to be based on the affect it had on me at the time plus shelf life/longevity then actual quality of song.
5. Anarchy in the UK by Sex Pistols. I came to this a few years late as I was 7 when it was released and while it may not be the best written song in the world the energy blew my 13ish year old mind and showed me what, in a jr high school world of Ratt and Quiet Riot, what hard rock and attitude could be.
4. Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits. The first time a guitar spoke (or cried or sung as the case may be) to me. A beautifully aggranged, written and performed song about the musical life.
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Rules changed. Punk didn't have to be about the government or have a bad mix (see 5 above). It could be ridiculously personal, angry, scared, and rockin'. Especially after there had been a few years of it being tough to find music with a lot of depth (since I'd somehow missed Uncle Tupelo)
2. Where the Streets Have No Name by U2. I had been listening to and playing music for 17 years, but on that Spring day in 1987 music was all of a sudden in color. The way Edge's echo-reverbed guitar fades in the drives its way all the way through (without heavy volume or distortion) then gets joined by Larry's nearly highhat-less and cymbol-less drums, Adam's unusual baseline and topped of by one of Bono's best vocal performances. Damn.
1. Driver 8 by R.E.M. After the first verse I had a new favorite band. After this I had to learn how to play the guitar. I had to be part of a band in some capacity. I had to figure out what Stipe was saying. I had to have every R.E.M. record. Pre-Warner Brothers R.E.M. is probably still my biggest musical influence and its all about this train song with a train video to match. I even had my best friend ride the Southern Cresent (its in the song) to visit me in Clemson and see R.E.M. This is my southern rock.
There are a number of honorable mentions that are either no rock songs or may yet to stand the test of time, e.g., The Very Thought of You by Nat King Cole, Windfall by Son Volt, and Ridin' Dirty by Chamillionaire.
So its a little all from '77-'92 (or my hearing of it was '82-'92)but I was never much of a 'classic rock' guy and I don't know what else will have the shelf life.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://mariahcareylyrics.net
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