Ten Favorite Songs

A friend of mine has a rock radio show and she asked a few of her friends to compile a list of their ten favorite songs and why they like them. I just finished mine and figured I'd share a little bit more of my twisted personality with you folks.

So here they are:

Queensryche - Eyes Of A Strange - This songs brings the Operation Mindcrime album to a close with a fantastic recap of the previous 14 song roller coaster. The last 30 seconds of this track gives me goosebumps every time.

Jimmy Buffet - He Went To Paris - I like a good story, especially one that is tinged with reality. While melancholy, this song is like audio Prozac. If you are happy, it will make you appreciate being happy. If you are sad, it will bring you back to level.

Angie Aparo - Hush - Sappy? Yes. Under appreciated? Definitely. Angie's voice is so unique and this song showcases his range of vocals and emotion. Angie pours his heart out to the microphone and leaves it bleeding.

Southern Cross - - Crosby, Still & Nash You can't deny the fantastic vocal harmony of CS&N. This song can be hummed quietly in your cubicle or cranked to 11 in your car. It works either way.

Pantera - Walk - Want to punch a brick wall? This song will get you in the mood. Sure it was one of their most popular songs, but the infectious guitar riff will give you your marching orders.

Ministry - Every Day Is Halloween - Before Jesus built their hotrod Ministry was a pretty good synthpop band. This goth power anthem still brings the goth kids to the dance floor every time. To me there are two MInistrys, just like there is thin and fat Elvis.

Taylor Dayne - Original Sin - This song was the sole redeeming item from Alec Baldwin's "The Shadow" movie. Sadly the movie could not live up to the epic-ness of Dayne's voice and Jim Steinman's writing.

Digital Underground - Same Song - Another great song from an otherwise horrible movie soundtrack (Nothing But Trouble). I remember trading my friend Richard Bowden a "Bark At The Moon" tape for his copy of "Sex Packets". Music seemed simpler then (and more fun). That tape is long gone and sadly so is Richard.

Cowboy Mouth - Easy - If only Fred LeBlanc's energy could be bottled up and sold as an anti-depressant. Listening to Fred punish the drums while telling you to get off your sorry ass is a great way hit the "reset" button on a bad day.

Garbage - As Heaven Is Wide - This is a great song for driving long distances in the dead of night at high speeds. Shirley's growling vocals matched with the song's urgency make for a hypnotizing ride.

Feel free to add your own list, this could get interesting.

Looking through this list, it could easily be my dads too. Guess who my biggest influence was for music?

Steve Goodman - City Of New Orleans

Best damn train song ever written. I've been on the Amtrak version of the train before, and it closely parallels the trip I used to take to school.

John Prine - Paradise

Another Chicago boy, he was visiting his parents' home town in this song. I used to visit my grandmothers home town on the Green river. He got one of the best songs ever written, all I got was an 8 hour car ride.

Steve Earle - Pilgrim

Melancholy song, but overall a happy one. My dad wants it played at his funeral.

Michael Smith - The Dutchman

A sad, sweet song about old love. I like Steve Goodmans version.

Richard Thompson - Vincent Black Lightning, 1952

To quote Reckless Kelly, "A song about two of my favorite things, which are motorcycles and redheads"

The Rolling Stones - You can't always get what you want

Not a huge stones fan, but I just love this song. I love the organ at the beginning, morphing into one of the best rock and roll songs ever.

Unknown/Traditional - House of the Rising Sun

I prefer the Animals and Doc Watson versions. One of the coolest songs ever written. That organ.... I think that my brother and I drove my mom crazy playing this song on guitar when we were in high school.

Hoyt Axton - Della and the Dealer

Great story song, great murder song. Nothing in here that isn't cool. I've only heard the Kruger Brothers version, but it is in my library for eternity.

Paul Simon - The Boxer

Simon is right up there with Dylan in my book as far as a songwriter goes. I just love this song, it inspires me. I could probably fill this list up with Simons work. For this one, I like the version with Mumford, Simon, and Jerry Douglas.

Jim Croce - Rapid Roy (that Stock Car Boy)

When I was growing up, this was the epitome of cool. Driving a 57 Chevy in the figure 8? Pack of cigarettes rolled up in his sleave? Tattoos that say "Baby", and "Hey"? This was a cool song to a 10 year old boy.

Townes Van Zandt - Panch and Lefty (because 10 was too few)

Another great ballad. Sure wish I wrote this one, simply amazing.

Close cuts: James Taylor, CSN(Y), Blues Brothers, ACDC, Bela Fleck, and Jerry Jeff Walker. I've just started getting into Jason Isbell, I bet he'll have a few in there in a few years, and Justin Townes Earle might upset some too. And I just realized I didn't include any Robert Earl Keen, which just seems wrong.

Hard to pick 10 faves. How about, 10 I could listen to all day--call it a solid mix tape:

Suicidal Tendencies: Institutionalized
Iron Maiden: Aces High
Misfits: We Are 138
NOFX: Lori Meyers
Ramones: Havana Affair
Rush: Tom Sawyer
Death Angel: 5 Steps Of Freedom
Agent Orange: Bloodstains
D.R.I.: Think for Yourself
Police: Message in a Bottle

Oich. Impossible. A stab, as of this moment. Any or all of these could be different five minutes from now, and going through my mp3s alphabetically had a huge impact:

Elvis Costello: Beyond Belief
Bad Religion: Only Entertainment
Adam & The Ants: Beat My Guest
Bad Religion: New Dark Ages
Blur: Entertain Me
Snuff: Take Me Home (Piss Off)
Jello Biafra with NoMeansNo: The Myth Is Real (Let's Eat)
Siouxsie and the Banshees: Monitor
Dead Kennedys: Moon Over Marin
Devo: C'mon

EDIT: I should've added The Jam's "That's Entertainment" just for the third song with "Entertain" in the title

Tough...

mission of burma "thats when I reach for my revolver

The most perfect pop song ever. Breakaways "walking out on love"

The solo acoustic version ofRobbie Fulks "lets kill saturday night"

Wayne Hancock "thunderstorms and neon signs"

Social Distortion "another state of mind"

I am still a 14 year old kid pissing off my parents everytime I hear Subhumans "religious wars"

Sisters of Mercy "Lucretia my reflection"

Rites of spring "Drink deep"

Eddy current suppression ring "wrapped up"

Leatherface "not superstitious"

Those are the ten I could think of right now. Tomorrow they will likely be different.

so many edits already!!!

10? Oh god.

Pennywise- Bro Hymn Tribute (I prefer the live one on the Key Club)

Metallica- Master of Puppets (This is a gimme)

All That Remains- Two Weeks

That's as far as I've gotten right now. I fall in and out of songs. I'm more of an "album" person.

Beastie Boys gratitude

Iron Maiden 2 minutes to midnight

Kid Rock Cowboy

Tomcraft overdose

Witt/ Heppner Die Flut

Fastway say what you will

Ozzy Oosbourne Crazy train

Aerosmith Mama kin

NWA Straight outta Compton

REM what's the frequency Kenneth

berkeley. I don't think I can do it. But I'm loving everyone else's suggestions!

The first ten that come to mind browsing through my music folder.

Dazed and Confused-Led Zeppelin

Paranoid-Black Sabbath

Tom Sawyer-Rush

Brain Damage/Eclipse-Pink Floyd

Kashmir-Led Zeppelin

Time-Pink Floyd

Empty Spaces-Pink Floyd

Have a Cigar- Pink Floyd

White Room-Cream

Mr. Crowley-Ozzy Osbourne

That's a tough question. I revised the list a few times.

Big Black "Ready Men" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJr0_vR0EIA

LOUD! This song captures my late teenage years perfectly.

Avett Brothers "Beaches" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP--MPBW_kQ&noredirect=1

The story this tells is pretty good, and I really enjoy the choice of phrasing used.

Minor Threat "Betray" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39sGP9Xy58s

Another holdout from my teenage years. The first time I heard this song I was floored, and it has stuck with me ever since.

-Old Crow Medicine Show "Wagon Wheel" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKXFMdyfFgk

This could very well be my personal theme song. New York seems a lifetime ago, and I enjoy it here in Raleigh, NC.

Cowboy Junkies "Sweet Jane" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHRFZFmEq9o

Remakes that surpass the original are always notable, but the acoustics, melancholy and overall hopelessness of the song take a great song and distill it down to its essence.

Grand Ole Party "Look Out Young Son" video shot through a very old camera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xziod5qt03k

The opening guitar riff got my attention, and this is just good, old fashioned rock and roll. What is not to like?

Foo Fighters "Everlong" BUT! It has to be this particular acoustic version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO_15bcZTq8

This acoustic version is more powerful than the original.

Mazzy Star "Fade Into You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImKY6TZEyrI

Haunting and beautiful. I listen to music like this when I'm driving late at night and the wife and kids are asleep. It manages to be ambient yet compelling enough to keep me awake.

My Bloody Valentine "Shallow" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyYMzEplnfU

Takes me straight back to college. This type of music is also really good for me while I wrench on cars, as it fades into the background but is upbeat enough for me to bring it back to the front and sing along a bit if I need a break from turning bolts.

Hellblinki Sextet "Don't Go Down to the Woods Tonight" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDNWco7C8y0

One of the members of this band videotaped my son singing a song she performs as he sang it to her (Bella Ciao) when we ran into them. I like their music, but they're great people, too.

There's some great stuff in this thread. I tend to flow in and out of genres on a twice monthly basis, so chances are if this threads around come January, I will have ten different favorites to post.

Dramamine - Modest Mouse. This song is but one of many from this band that will astound me every time I hear it.

Seek and Destroy - Agent Orange. The first time I heard this version floored me, as it was always one of my fave Metallica jingles. The next time i heard Metallica's version, it sounded weak in comparison.

Yofo - Molotov. Its in Spanish, so I have no idea what its about, but if it comes on my Ipod, I'll whistle along through the store. Plus, when I quoted the lyrics in a Latino poker room on MySpace, the guy who had been bullying me left with a whimper.

Till I Get To My Driveway - Sunny Ledfurd. A friend of a friend, and a good buddy of Dale Jr, I love Ledfurd's stuff. Alt Country at its finest.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Beatles. Classic George Harrison. Nuff said.

Slaves - Wolves At The Gate. Modern metal at its best. Whisper to a scream, ala Pantera... without the guilt as its "Christian Metalcore". Intense.

Run Like Hell - Kittie. Yeah, its a Pink Floyd cover, which could be blasphemous if it didn't kick so much arse. Chicks can rock.

My Kind Of Music - Ray Scott. Booming bass driven Country, with a great hook and a better punchline.

Grey Matter - Oingo Boingo. Worlds best xylophone solo, and the song still rocks after all these years.

Devil Running - John Butler Trio. Great Aussie band, great song, on a great album. Would make a great backdrop for an Aussie V8 Supercar highlight reel. Bluegrass riffs in a blues heavy rocker.

White Riot- The Clash cause punk doesn't get much better then this song IMHO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2TYKmQc0L4

Crazy Eddie's Last Hurrah- Reckless Kelly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjH7LdwWva4

Kiss Me I'm E36 M3faced- Dropkick Murphys usually sung at the top of my lungs after a couple beers too many. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YOEO7jtIs4

Tobacco Island- Flogging Molly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYqmOjhERlI

Crazy Rap- Afroman Takes me back to high school and it is funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmPJSbutHn4

What I Got- Sublime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc3ZrmhDN4

Gravel Pit- Wu Tang Clan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujqcr25-WCk&list=PLYn_Si1v4KcvyfWiSQn2C5khtgoXGH_Ej

Radar Love- Golden Earring http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwqMKf7r7Xg

Ace of Spades- Motorhead http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iwC2QljLn4

And just to be festive, The Season's Upon Us- Dropkick Murphys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTx-sdR6Yzk

Here are ten of my favorite songs, listed in no particular order.

Reckless Kelly: Seven Nights In Ireland Drinking, traveling, a bit of gambling, an all around good time. Throw Ina catchy tune and it makes for a song I can listen to over and over.

Garth Brooks: Rodeo It was tough picking one Garth Brooks song. He got bashed a lot by friends of mine for being too popular but sometimes when a something is popular it's because it's good. I like most of his music but Rodeo is probably my favorite.

Robert Earl Keen: Shades of Gray A story of a good kid and his shiny happy person friend. They end up puking in a ditch surrounded by cops but get turned loose in the end. Who hasn't had a weekend or two like that.

Sugar Hill Gang: Rappers Delight A throwback to when rap was fun. As a kid my first exposure to rap can be blamed on HBO. We had a free month and they would run Beat Street regularly. Before long we were in a friend's basement with a big piece of cardboard, a boom box and the finest knockoff Adidas mom could find gyrating like epileptics on speed in a scale model of urban blight in an unassuming suburban basement.

Billy Joel: Billy The Kid As a Long Islander I was required to be a Billy Joel fan. He is one of the few musicians I am a big fan of. The first concert I went to was to see him at Nassau Coliseum with my aunts during the Storm Front tour. This song didn't get played much on the radio due to it's rather salty subject matter, but growing up it could have been about any number of people I know.

Billy Joel: Miami 2017 Another song that didn't get on the radio much unless it was "Two for Tuesday" and the dj was particularly "edgy". A song about NYC being plunged into chaos and sunk at sea. A ridiculous idea for a story. It sounds corny but I heard this for the first time in a long time right after 9/11 waiting to pick up firemen to go to ground zero. For some reason it just kind of hit home and has been a favorite since.

Beastie Boys: So What'cha Want You don't hear enough kick ass organ music. A fun song to blast with the windows down and sing along with.

Alison Krause: Whiskey Lullaby I love her voice. I could listen to her read a phone book. A sad love song where to people drink themselves to death, almost the perfect country song.

CW McCall: Convoy As a little kid I had an odd fascination with trucks. I would drag out my record player, put this on and line up all my toy trucks and push them around my room running things over.

Will Smith: Summertime.
A fun song about being something most of us did when we were young. Who didn't enjoy spending a Saturday cruising around with there friends in a car they just spent the morning cleaning.

Holy smokes there is some good stuff in here. Keep it up folks, I'm updating my Grooveshark playlist now.

I could have fifteen different top ten lists..

REO Speedwagon: Riding the Storm Out

Billy Joel: Captain Jack/Billy the Kid/Miami 2017 (or find the album "Songs in the Attic"

Eric Clapton: Layla

Marshall Tucker Band: Cant You See

Poco: Good Feeling to Know

CSN&Y: Ohio

Meatloaf: Bat Out of Hell/Paradise by the Dashboard Lights(corny but just like Radar Love, you will be caught speeding every time you listen to it)

Amazing Rhythm Aces: Dancing the Night Away

Jackson Browne: The Loadout/Stay

Jefferson Airplane: White Rabbit/Some Body to Love

Iron Butterfly: Inagaddavida

Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven(no list from my era of music could be complete without it)

and this one will get me toasted but.... Elton John: Funeral for A Friend/Love Lies Dying

It is just me, or are people kind of dating themselves by what music they like?

Brett_Murphy wrote: It is just me, or are people kind of dating themselves by what music they like?

Only 2 of my songs were written in decades that I have lived in. Admittedly, a few of htem were recorded when I was alive.

I'm sure this is true for everyone, but the great thing about lists like this is if you ask me in a week it'll probably be different (just as it would have been a week ago).

Front 242: Welcome to Paradise. Been done so many different ways over their history, and every one is as good as the last.

Ministry: You Know What You Are. Perfectly bridges the gap between "old" Ministry and "new" ministry.

Van Halen: Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. Marks the last moment in human history when mainstream rock 'n' roll could still sound dangerous.

Skinny Puppy: Inquisition. Amazing work at the end of an era for a watershed band. You could feel it all coming apart, but somehow it still sounded amazing.

BT: Never Gonna Come Back Down. Proof that classical training in the arts and modern techniques can mix. Fun, funky and brilliant.

Killswitch Engage: Turning Point. Feels like the entire history of a band in one song.

OhGr: Pissage. When industrial guys try traditional pop song structures, this is what happens.

AC/DC: Whole Lotta Rosie. Whether it's Bon Scott or Brian Johnson belting it out, 3 chords + screaming rarely sounded so good.

Skinny Puppy: gamBatte. Sounds like a song from the future trying to explain the entire history of electronic music.

Foo Fighters: All My Life. Proof that FF is the best band Dave Grohl has ever been in.

jg

These threads are always fun. I add new music to my collection each time

Brett_Murphy wrote: It is just me, or are people kind of dating themselves by what music they like?

I'm 21, the newest song on my list is from 1981.

My top 10 list would change depending on the day, or even what mood I'm in on the same day.

z31maniac wrote: My top 10 list would change depending on the day, or even what mood I'm in on the same day.

This. Plus I would probably get flamed for some of the stuff I like

I love doing this. Makes me remember all the music that I forget to listen to.

There is some good music appreciated on this forum.

"Folsom Prison Blues" - Johnny Cash

"In the Zone" - Dave Weckl Band

"A Living Prayer" - Alison Krauss

"Reckless Side of Me" - The Steeldrivers

"Fistful of Sand" - Five Iron Frenzy

"The Good Guys" - The Elms

"Fortunate Son" - CCR

"Ways of Man" - Old Crow Medicine Show

"Lazy" - Deep Purple

"The Winner" - Shovels and Rope

NOFX: The Decline/ Cream: SWLABR/ Jimi Hendrix: Castles made of sand/ Led Zeppelin: In my time of dying/ Jimmie Rodgers: Any old time/ Drivin N Cryin: Fly Me Courageous/ Nine Inch Nails: The Wretched/ Nirvana: Scentless Apprentice/ The Damned: Neat Neat Neat/ The Carpenters: Superstar

Now thats a weird list looking back on it.