Ok, sorry, this took a bit longer to get out than I'd hope. Got a sick little man at home, though, so don't hold it against me. And we're off...
65. "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years)
Another one of my favorite drum parts. Love that little shuffle roll thing. Plus the lyrics are great, wonderful story telling. Plus, you know, Paul Simon's a God.
Line: " 'The problem's all inside your head,' she said to me."
64. "All Through the Night" by Cyndi Lauper (She's So Unusual)
Love love love Cyndi Lauper's voice. That gritty sweet gravelly whispery thing that not many women could pull off without sounding like Cathleen Turner. The little jig she does around the 2:20 mark is hilarious, too.
Line: "We have no past, we won't reach back, keep with me forward all through the night."
63. "Have You Seen My Love?" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
Yet another "serious" BNL song, and one of the prettiest songs they've ever done. It's kind of a love song, kind of not, kind of hard to describe. It's funny, with how many BNL songs there are on this list, especially from this album, you'd think some of their albums would be in my favorites. But when I did a favorite albums list a few years ago (just for a friend, but it ended up being the basis for this list, and I'll probably do a new favorite albums list after I finish this) anyway, when I did that list, there wasn't a single BNL album in the top 20 or 25, possibly even in the top 50. Go figure.
Line: "There was a dream that we both used to share and we swore we would never wake. Now the dream's a nightmare and the truth, to be fair, is that dreaming was the first mistake."
62. "Bright Lights" by Matchbox 20 (More Than You Think You Are)
Yeah, I'm a homo for Matchbox 20. Just really like a lot of their songs. This is my favorite by them though. Just a really great pop song.
Line: "Baby baby baby when all your love is gone who will save me from all I'm up against out in this world?"
61. "I Alone" by Live (Throwing Copper)
This album, on the other hand (going back to the BNL thing), will definitely be in my top 25. There are few songs on this list that are true "rock" songs, but this is definitely one of them. Love how it lures you in with the nice soft melody and lyrics at the beginning, then just blows up at the chorus. Stellar.
Line: "I sank into Eden with you.|"
The crowd at this show absolutely rules.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Favorite Songs: 70-66
Ok, now this is getting into the REALLY good shit. This is where I'll actually start having some fun with writing this stuff.
Happy New Year to all, and everyone be safe tonight.
On with the show.
70. "Sleep" by Stabbing Westward (Wither Blister Burn + Peel)
This is a disturbingly beautiful song about a girl who's father sneaks into her room at night and fucks her. No way of sugar coating it, sorry. Supposedly it's about the lead singer's girlfriend at the time, and the stuff that was actually happening to her.
Line: Pushing higher on the bed, staring at her father's head, wishing one or both was dead so this Hell could finally end."
69. "Stars" by Hum (You'd Prefer An Astronaut)
I've never heard anything else by Hum, but a friend of mine who likes them a lot says this is actually one of the worst songs they've written. If that's true, then I'm missing out on a shit load. Heard many different interpretations of this song, ranging from being about a break up to being about a suicide to being about drugs. No matter the case, it rocks pretty hard.
Line: "I think I finally broke her."
68. "Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis (...And Thene There Were Three...)
When Peter Gabriel left Genesis... damn... how would they continue? Phil Collins steps up, writes some mediocre songs, changes the band from a progressive artsy band to more of a pop band, and tries his balls off to sound exactly like Peter Gabriel. This is the first good song post-Gabriel (as well as post-Steve Hackett, the original guitarist.) Another instantly recognizable opening guitar riff.
Line: "In your arms I feel so safe and so secure."
67. "This Is A Lie" by The Cure (Wild Mood Swings)
This album was dismissed pretty quickly by critics considering how good it actually is. Admittedly, though, I didn't really listen to it very much until about 5 years after it came out. There are some goofy ass songs, but it's not as bad an album as Wish was, and Wish was a lot more successful, both critically and comercially. Oh well. At one point, The Cure could have retired and been happy knowing they'd made 20 years worth of great, usually consistent music. Instead, they revamp the line-up yet again and make this album, followed by the insanely beautiful Bloodflowers. Still think it's funny that both of those albums were better than Wish, yet every time I've seen a list of best Cure albums, be it in Blender or Spin or whatever, Wish is considered their second best album, behind only Disintegration. At least they get that part right, anyway.
Line: How each of us dreams to understand anything at all."
Don't think I've ever heard it with live strings before. Sounds pretty bad ass.
66. "Silverfuck" by Smashing Pumpkins (Siamese Dream)
God I love this song. Some of my favorite drums in any song, just a manic pace from the start til the slow part in the middle, then picks right back up at the end.
Line: "She was my lover, so sweet. She was my angel. And what I've recovered of me I put into a box underneath my bed."
Album version that friggin rules:
Live version that friggin rules:
Just put both because they are both great versions. Love the "Over the Rainbow" break in the live version. Good stuff.
Gonna try to do 5 more real quick, but if I don't finish them they'll definitely be up by tomorrow night. And for the 2 of you that actually leave comments, I usually go back and reply to your comments, but from now on I'll do it in the next post. If I'd been thinking I would have done that from the start.
Happy New Year to all, and everyone be safe tonight.
On with the show.
70. "Sleep" by Stabbing Westward (Wither Blister Burn + Peel)
This is a disturbingly beautiful song about a girl who's father sneaks into her room at night and fucks her. No way of sugar coating it, sorry. Supposedly it's about the lead singer's girlfriend at the time, and the stuff that was actually happening to her.
Line: Pushing higher on the bed, staring at her father's head, wishing one or both was dead so this Hell could finally end."
69. "Stars" by Hum (You'd Prefer An Astronaut)
I've never heard anything else by Hum, but a friend of mine who likes them a lot says this is actually one of the worst songs they've written. If that's true, then I'm missing out on a shit load. Heard many different interpretations of this song, ranging from being about a break up to being about a suicide to being about drugs. No matter the case, it rocks pretty hard.
Line: "I think I finally broke her."
68. "Follow You, Follow Me" by Genesis (...And Thene There Were Three...)
When Peter Gabriel left Genesis... damn... how would they continue? Phil Collins steps up, writes some mediocre songs, changes the band from a progressive artsy band to more of a pop band, and tries his balls off to sound exactly like Peter Gabriel. This is the first good song post-Gabriel (as well as post-Steve Hackett, the original guitarist.) Another instantly recognizable opening guitar riff.
Line: "In your arms I feel so safe and so secure."
67. "This Is A Lie" by The Cure (Wild Mood Swings)
This album was dismissed pretty quickly by critics considering how good it actually is. Admittedly, though, I didn't really listen to it very much until about 5 years after it came out. There are some goofy ass songs, but it's not as bad an album as Wish was, and Wish was a lot more successful, both critically and comercially. Oh well. At one point, The Cure could have retired and been happy knowing they'd made 20 years worth of great, usually consistent music. Instead, they revamp the line-up yet again and make this album, followed by the insanely beautiful Bloodflowers. Still think it's funny that both of those albums were better than Wish, yet every time I've seen a list of best Cure albums, be it in Blender or Spin or whatever, Wish is considered their second best album, behind only Disintegration. At least they get that part right, anyway.
Line: How each of us dreams to understand anything at all."
Don't think I've ever heard it with live strings before. Sounds pretty bad ass.
66. "Silverfuck" by Smashing Pumpkins (Siamese Dream)
God I love this song. Some of my favorite drums in any song, just a manic pace from the start til the slow part in the middle, then picks right back up at the end.
Line: "She was my lover, so sweet. She was my angel. And what I've recovered of me I put into a box underneath my bed."
Album version that friggin rules:
Live version that friggin rules:
Just put both because they are both great versions. Love the "Over the Rainbow" break in the live version. Good stuff.
Gonna try to do 5 more real quick, but if I don't finish them they'll definitely be up by tomorrow night. And for the 2 of you that actually leave comments, I usually go back and reply to your comments, but from now on I'll do it in the next post. If I'd been thinking I would have done that from the start.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Favorite Songs: 75 - 71
Hope everyone had a nice Christmas, and here's to a MUCH better 2010.
75. "I Don't Want That Kind Of Love" by Jesus Jones (Liquidizer)
Yet another fun little post-break up song. Basically a nice way of calling your ex a heart-crushing soul-stealing shit. Man, I love these kinds of songs!
Line: "Well, you're not very nice. You made me feel small."
Video note: There's an actual video for this song out there, but the only video I could find is a mix of 4 Jesus Jones videos - "Info Freako" "Never Enough" "Bring It On Down" and "I Don't Want That Kind Of Love" which starts at the 4:25 mark. All 4 songs are pretty good, all from the debut album, Liquidizer.
74. "Nights In White Satin" by Moody Blues (Days Of Future Passed)
Back in the day, groups would make what were known as concept albums, and Moody Blues were no exception. But where some bands succeeded (Pink Floyd's The Wall, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis, Tommy by The Who), Days Of Future Passed was quite... umm... pathetic, really. Until you get to the final song, anyway. Fade from previous song, with a little orchestration... quick fade in with the classic and instantly recognizable guitar and drum beat... dum... bang... dum dum dum... bang... dum dum... bang... dum dum dum... bang... dum dum... "Nights in white satin... never reaching the end..." What a fucking song! Makes me want to go eat steak and screw like 50 women! Or... ya know... just sit here, thinkin about the wifey.
Line: "Beauty I'd always missed with these eyes before."
73. "By My Side" by INXS (X)
Just a great song about love and devotion, but with a little obsessiveness thrown in for good measure. Michael Hutchence could deliver a song with more soul than damn near anybody else. Such a shame. And how amazing would it be to play in front of almost 90,000 people at Wembley? Yeah, that would be a nice little feeling.
Line: "The room's full of strangers, some call me 'friend', but I wish you were so close to me."
72. "Soma" by Smashing Pumpkins (Siamese Dream)
Easily one of the most beautiful songs of the '90s, on one of the best albums of the '90s. The slow (and I mean slow) build up to the crashing crescendo is pretty much perfect. Just some amazing atmospheric guitars, sparse drums, soft vocals, all building for, oh, 3 and a half minutes or so, then just exploding. Awesome. This is also another of my all-time favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Wrapped my hurt in you, and took my shelter in that pain."
71. "Come Undone" by Duran Duran (Duran Duran)
Duran Duran had pretty much fallen off the face of the Earth for about 6 years. Then, with no warning at all, they unleash this monster upon the unsuspecting masses. Oh yeah, they were back. But... well... then they pretty much disappeared again a couple years later.
Line: "Who do you need? Who do you love when you come undone?"
(Hunt the actual video down. It's pretty good.)
Comments? Questions?
75. "I Don't Want That Kind Of Love" by Jesus Jones (Liquidizer)
Yet another fun little post-break up song. Basically a nice way of calling your ex a heart-crushing soul-stealing shit. Man, I love these kinds of songs!
Line: "Well, you're not very nice. You made me feel small."
Video note: There's an actual video for this song out there, but the only video I could find is a mix of 4 Jesus Jones videos - "Info Freako" "Never Enough" "Bring It On Down" and "I Don't Want That Kind Of Love" which starts at the 4:25 mark. All 4 songs are pretty good, all from the debut album, Liquidizer.
74. "Nights In White Satin" by Moody Blues (Days Of Future Passed)
Back in the day, groups would make what were known as concept albums, and Moody Blues were no exception. But where some bands succeeded (Pink Floyd's The Wall, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis, Tommy by The Who), Days Of Future Passed was quite... umm... pathetic, really. Until you get to the final song, anyway. Fade from previous song, with a little orchestration... quick fade in with the classic and instantly recognizable guitar and drum beat... dum... bang... dum dum dum... bang... dum dum... bang... dum dum dum... bang... dum dum... "Nights in white satin... never reaching the end..." What a fucking song! Makes me want to go eat steak and screw like 50 women! Or... ya know... just sit here, thinkin about the wifey.
Line: "Beauty I'd always missed with these eyes before."
73. "By My Side" by INXS (X)
Just a great song about love and devotion, but with a little obsessiveness thrown in for good measure. Michael Hutchence could deliver a song with more soul than damn near anybody else. Such a shame. And how amazing would it be to play in front of almost 90,000 people at Wembley? Yeah, that would be a nice little feeling.
Line: "The room's full of strangers, some call me 'friend', but I wish you were so close to me."
72. "Soma" by Smashing Pumpkins (Siamese Dream)
Easily one of the most beautiful songs of the '90s, on one of the best albums of the '90s. The slow (and I mean slow) build up to the crashing crescendo is pretty much perfect. Just some amazing atmospheric guitars, sparse drums, soft vocals, all building for, oh, 3 and a half minutes or so, then just exploding. Awesome. This is also another of my all-time favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Wrapped my hurt in you, and took my shelter in that pain."
71. "Come Undone" by Duran Duran (Duran Duran)
Duran Duran had pretty much fallen off the face of the Earth for about 6 years. Then, with no warning at all, they unleash this monster upon the unsuspecting masses. Oh yeah, they were back. But... well... then they pretty much disappeared again a couple years later.
Line: "Who do you need? Who do you love when you come undone?"
(Hunt the actual video down. It's pretty good.)
Comments? Questions?
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Favorite Songs: 80 - 76
80. "Black" by Pearl Jam (Ten)
Yeah, I know. Totally obvious and totally "safe" pick. But I really do think this is a great song. One of the few by Pearl Jam that I still like. Boy did they get annoying quickly.
Line: "I know some day you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a sun in somebody else's sky but why, why , why can't it be, why can't it be mine?"
79. "Who Needs Sleep?" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
There's that damned band again...
This song probably wouldn't even have made it on this list a year ago. I just never listened to this album that much, and when I did, I just kind of ignored this song. Then one day I messed up putting songs on my mp3 player, it ended up in the play list, and I was like, "Wait, where the fuck did this little ditty come from? And is that a flute?" Indeed. Indeed it is. The most surprising thing is that I didn't pay attention to it even though it's about insomnia, which I've had off and on battles with since high school.
Line: "Now I lay me down not to sleep."
78. "Regret" by New Order (Republic)
So, what happens when one of the biggest Electronica/ New Wave/ whatever you want to call it bands of the '80s puts out their newest synth-pop album the same year Nirvana's Nevermind, Pearl Jam's Ten, and Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream come out and totally destroy the known musical landscape? Well, it gets ignored, like Republic did. Shame, too, because it's got some of their best music on it. This one may not be the best, but it's my favorite.
Line: "Maybe I've forgotten the name and the address of everyone I've ever known, but there's nothing I regret."
77. "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak (Heart Shaped World)
Yeah, I'm a total fag for this song, I'll admit it. And Jesus that is one sexy ass video. Oh. The song. Right. It's awesome. And did I mention the video? Dayum. In seriousness, though, there are very few songs that are delivered with this much passion. And if you actually put your dick away and listen to the lyrics, it's just a phenomenally written song. 4 and a quarter stars, says Ed McMahon. (And if you get that reference you get a prize.)
Line: "I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you. And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you."
76. "Sound" by James (Seven)
This will probably be one of the songs that cause me to go deaf. At which point I will become irreversibly depressed and take out my anger on frogs. Why frogs? Why not? Sorry, just in a goofy ass mood tonight. Really though I crank the shit out of this song. The live version below was from the "farewell" James show, in 2001. (Luckily 7 years later they got back together and released the outstanding Hey Ma.) Sorry, I'm tired, keep getting sidetracked. Let's try this again. The live version below is from the "farewell" James show, in 2001. They released the show (or shows, actually - they played two shows, then took the best bits of each) as a live double album that spanned pretty much their entire career up til then, and this song was one of the main highlights. The album version is a bit shorter (yeah, sorry bout that 10 minute running time...) and a little better, I think, especially at the end, when it just descends into chaos. This version is pretty damn good too, though. I especially like the little tribute to his dad around the 7:45 mark. Nice little touch.
Line: "Do everything you fear. In this there's power. Fear is not to be afraid of."
Comment away.
Yeah, I know. Totally obvious and totally "safe" pick. But I really do think this is a great song. One of the few by Pearl Jam that I still like. Boy did they get annoying quickly.
Line: "I know some day you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a sun in somebody else's sky but why, why , why can't it be, why can't it be mine?"
79. "Who Needs Sleep?" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
There's that damned band again...
This song probably wouldn't even have made it on this list a year ago. I just never listened to this album that much, and when I did, I just kind of ignored this song. Then one day I messed up putting songs on my mp3 player, it ended up in the play list, and I was like, "Wait, where the fuck did this little ditty come from? And is that a flute?" Indeed. Indeed it is. The most surprising thing is that I didn't pay attention to it even though it's about insomnia, which I've had off and on battles with since high school.
Line: "Now I lay me down not to sleep."
78. "Regret" by New Order (Republic)
So, what happens when one of the biggest Electronica/ New Wave/ whatever you want to call it bands of the '80s puts out their newest synth-pop album the same year Nirvana's Nevermind, Pearl Jam's Ten, and Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream come out and totally destroy the known musical landscape? Well, it gets ignored, like Republic did. Shame, too, because it's got some of their best music on it. This one may not be the best, but it's my favorite.
Line: "Maybe I've forgotten the name and the address of everyone I've ever known, but there's nothing I regret."
77. "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak (Heart Shaped World)
Yeah, I'm a total fag for this song, I'll admit it. And Jesus that is one sexy ass video. Oh. The song. Right. It's awesome. And did I mention the video? Dayum. In seriousness, though, there are very few songs that are delivered with this much passion. And if you actually put your dick away and listen to the lyrics, it's just a phenomenally written song. 4 and a quarter stars, says Ed McMahon. (And if you get that reference you get a prize.)
Line: "I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you. And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you."
76. "Sound" by James (Seven)
This will probably be one of the songs that cause me to go deaf. At which point I will become irreversibly depressed and take out my anger on frogs. Why frogs? Why not? Sorry, just in a goofy ass mood tonight. Really though I crank the shit out of this song. The live version below was from the "farewell" James show, in 2001. (Luckily 7 years later they got back together and released the outstanding Hey Ma.) Sorry, I'm tired, keep getting sidetracked. Let's try this again. The live version below is from the "farewell" James show, in 2001. They released the show (or shows, actually - they played two shows, then took the best bits of each) as a live double album that spanned pretty much their entire career up til then, and this song was one of the main highlights. The album version is a bit shorter (yeah, sorry bout that 10 minute running time...) and a little better, I think, especially at the end, when it just descends into chaos. This version is pretty damn good too, though. I especially like the little tribute to his dad around the 7:45 mark. Nice little touch.
Line: "Do everything you fear. In this there's power. Fear is not to be afraid of."
Comment away.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Favorite Songs: 85 - 81
85. "Waiting For the Night" by Depeche Mode (Violator)
OK, so I was wrong. Dave Gahan does the primary vocals on this one, not Martin Gore. My bad. Violator is such a supremely bad ass album. If only they'd skipped that whole "Personal Jesus" song... I wonder how many people bought this album just for that song, and of those people, how many even bothered to listen to anything other than "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence"? And if you don't think that kind of thing happens, how many people bought Los del Rio's album only for "Macarena" or Aqua's album just for "Barbie Girl"? Yeah, those HAD to be quality albums. Sorry, just had to rant. Anyway, I wish I could have found a video with the album version of this song because the live version doesn't have the same kick. The music's not as haunting, and it doesn't have the pseudo violin and pseudo oboe parts that made it such a great song.
Line: "To my surprise, with half-closed eyes, things looked even better than when they were open."
84. "Kite" by U2 (All That You Can't Leave Behind)
This is such a phenomenal song. Another one written for Bono's dad, with whom he had an extremely strained relationship up until a few years before he died. Such a beautiful song.
Line: "I want you to know that you don't need me anymore."
83. "Primary" by The Cure (Faith)
This song took a long time to make a good impression on me, for whatever reason. There was just something about it that I didn't really like. Eventually, though, it grew on me, and now it's one of my favorite Cure songs. Go figure.
Line: "The very first time I touched your face, I thought of a song and quickly changed the tune."
82. "Hold On" by Sarah McLachlan (Fumbling Towards Ecstasy)
This song has always kind of conflicted me. It brings out one group of emotions because it's about someone dying of cancer. It brings out another group because it is so damned sultry and sensual, between the beats and her voice. I'm including the regular version as well as the live version, because they are both absolutely awesome. And damn she was so much hotter with long hair.
Line: "My love, let nothing come between us. My love for you is strong and true."
81. "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead (The Bends)
I've never really been one of those "Radiohead are Gods" types, and in all honesty I don't really think they're all that great other than "Creep" and this song. Maybe I just don't get them? I dunno. Whatever. I listened to this song a lot when I was going through a pretty rough patch of about a year or so, and for that it will always be one of my favorite songs. Just my own personal reminder of how much worse shit could be. And I absolutely love the line talking about fake tits. You know, this one...
Line: "He used to do surgery for girls in the eighties. But gravity always wins."
Comments?
OK, so I was wrong. Dave Gahan does the primary vocals on this one, not Martin Gore. My bad. Violator is such a supremely bad ass album. If only they'd skipped that whole "Personal Jesus" song... I wonder how many people bought this album just for that song, and of those people, how many even bothered to listen to anything other than "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence"? And if you don't think that kind of thing happens, how many people bought Los del Rio's album only for "Macarena" or Aqua's album just for "Barbie Girl"? Yeah, those HAD to be quality albums. Sorry, just had to rant. Anyway, I wish I could have found a video with the album version of this song because the live version doesn't have the same kick. The music's not as haunting, and it doesn't have the pseudo violin and pseudo oboe parts that made it such a great song.
Line: "To my surprise, with half-closed eyes, things looked even better than when they were open."
84. "Kite" by U2 (All That You Can't Leave Behind)
This is such a phenomenal song. Another one written for Bono's dad, with whom he had an extremely strained relationship up until a few years before he died. Such a beautiful song.
Line: "I want you to know that you don't need me anymore."
83. "Primary" by The Cure (Faith)
This song took a long time to make a good impression on me, for whatever reason. There was just something about it that I didn't really like. Eventually, though, it grew on me, and now it's one of my favorite Cure songs. Go figure.
Line: "The very first time I touched your face, I thought of a song and quickly changed the tune."
82. "Hold On" by Sarah McLachlan (Fumbling Towards Ecstasy)
This song has always kind of conflicted me. It brings out one group of emotions because it's about someone dying of cancer. It brings out another group because it is so damned sultry and sensual, between the beats and her voice. I'm including the regular version as well as the live version, because they are both absolutely awesome. And damn she was so much hotter with long hair.
Line: "My love, let nothing come between us. My love for you is strong and true."
81. "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead (The Bends)
I've never really been one of those "Radiohead are Gods" types, and in all honesty I don't really think they're all that great other than "Creep" and this song. Maybe I just don't get them? I dunno. Whatever. I listened to this song a lot when I was going through a pretty rough patch of about a year or so, and for that it will always be one of my favorite songs. Just my own personal reminder of how much worse shit could be. And I absolutely love the line talking about fake tits. You know, this one...
Line: "He used to do surgery for girls in the eighties. But gravity always wins."
Comments?
Favorite Songs: 90 - 86
Feels like I haven't written on here in a month, so time permitting I'm going to try to do the next 2 sets of 5 back-to-back. And away we go.
90. "Sometimes" by James (Laid)
There are a lot songs on this list that really tell a story, but few of them do it this well. The first part of the story is about a boy holding an antenna on the roof during a massive rain storm, then he (predictably enough) gets hit by lightning and dies. The second part is about an old man trying to take pictures of a rainbow, but can't get anything but the rain to come out in the pictures. Then some random thing about being able to hear the sea through the old man's ear... I dunno... random, like I said.
Line: "Sometimes when I look deep in your eyes, I swear I can see your soul."
89. "Of Monsters + Heroes + Men" by James (Hey Ma)
Back-to-back James songs? You betcha. Going from the first James album I bought, back in '93, to their newest one, from last year. The first few times I heard this song, I was like, "Hell yeah, good tune" but I was always impatient for the song that follows it, which is one of the top 5 songs on this list and my favorite song by them now. (Yay! More foreshadowing!) This is more of a stream of consciousness lyric, not really telling a story, but doing so at the same time. Odd, I know. I love the end verses, which are several repetitions of the following:
"Rambling poets, manic with vision
We are the drivers, yet we feel driven
Moths in the moonlight, fooled by the flashlight
Caught in the jam jar, gasping for air."
But not as much as I love what passes for the chorus...
Line: "Either way, I'm in awe of you. Either way, we'll survive."
(Chose to put this video instead of one of the live versions because the live versions, well, just aren't as good, quite frankly.)
88. "Doll Parts" by Hole (Live Through This)
Another bad ass tune from Courtney and the gals. Not their best, but still just a great song. Also kind of a prophetic song, considering Kurt Cobain was found dead 4 days before this album was released.
Line: "Someday you will ache like I ache."
87. "Stay" by Belly (Star)
Tanya Donelly has one of my favorite voices in music, even though this isn't the greatest example, just because it's such a subdued song. I could listen to her sing the owner's manual for an '85 Yugo and still be entertained. This is probably not the best song on either of the two albums they recorded, but it's still my favorite by them. Just an insanely pretty song.
Line: "But I love him near, and I love him dear, and I've loved him hundreds of thousands of years."
86. "Unknown Caller" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
I don't know why I like this song so much, but it's been my favorite on the new album since the first time I listened to it. Steadily making its way up the list of favorite U2 songs in general, as well.
Line: "I had driven to the scene of the accident, and I sat there waiting for me."
90. "Sometimes" by James (Laid)
There are a lot songs on this list that really tell a story, but few of them do it this well. The first part of the story is about a boy holding an antenna on the roof during a massive rain storm, then he (predictably enough) gets hit by lightning and dies. The second part is about an old man trying to take pictures of a rainbow, but can't get anything but the rain to come out in the pictures. Then some random thing about being able to hear the sea through the old man's ear... I dunno... random, like I said.
Line: "Sometimes when I look deep in your eyes, I swear I can see your soul."
89. "Of Monsters + Heroes + Men" by James (Hey Ma)
Back-to-back James songs? You betcha. Going from the first James album I bought, back in '93, to their newest one, from last year. The first few times I heard this song, I was like, "Hell yeah, good tune" but I was always impatient for the song that follows it, which is one of the top 5 songs on this list and my favorite song by them now. (Yay! More foreshadowing!) This is more of a stream of consciousness lyric, not really telling a story, but doing so at the same time. Odd, I know. I love the end verses, which are several repetitions of the following:
"Rambling poets, manic with vision
We are the drivers, yet we feel driven
Moths in the moonlight, fooled by the flashlight
Caught in the jam jar, gasping for air."
But not as much as I love what passes for the chorus...
Line: "Either way, I'm in awe of you. Either way, we'll survive."
(Chose to put this video instead of one of the live versions because the live versions, well, just aren't as good, quite frankly.)
88. "Doll Parts" by Hole (Live Through This)
Another bad ass tune from Courtney and the gals. Not their best, but still just a great song. Also kind of a prophetic song, considering Kurt Cobain was found dead 4 days before this album was released.
Line: "Someday you will ache like I ache."
87. "Stay" by Belly (Star)
Tanya Donelly has one of my favorite voices in music, even though this isn't the greatest example, just because it's such a subdued song. I could listen to her sing the owner's manual for an '85 Yugo and still be entertained. This is probably not the best song on either of the two albums they recorded, but it's still my favorite by them. Just an insanely pretty song.
Line: "But I love him near, and I love him dear, and I've loved him hundreds of thousands of years."
86. "Unknown Caller" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
I don't know why I like this song so much, but it's been my favorite on the new album since the first time I listened to it. Steadily making its way up the list of favorite U2 songs in general, as well.
Line: "I had driven to the scene of the accident, and I sat there waiting for me."
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Favorite Songs: 95-91
Yes indeed. 10:25 on a Saturday night, and instead of putting my tired ass in bed, I'm busting out the next 5 songs. Let's do this shit.
95. "Semaphore" by James (Hey Ma)
For those who don't know, semaphore is "a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc." Most of the time it's associated with ships and the Navy. Why does it matter? Because basically the song is about getting to the point where verbal communication is pointless, so he's trying to find another way to get his message across. Good little broken heart song.
Line: "It's a question of convenience, how pain with time will fade."
94. "Pinch Me" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
I've liked this song pretty much from the first time I ever heard it. At first it sounds like a simple little pop song with some humor thrown in for good measure. but deep down, it's kind of a sad song, talking about being stuck in a rut and wishing for something new but, ultimately, stying with the tried and familiar.
Line: "It's like a dream you try to remember but it's gone, then ya try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn."
93. "One Caress" by Depeche Mode (Songs Of Faith and Devotion)
On every Depeche Mode album, Martin Gore (keyboardist, drummer, guitarist, backup singer, primary songwriter) gets to flex the golden pipes. Usually they are slow songs, and usually they are the best songs on the album, which is the case here. (Actually, the two songs he sings on this album are the two best on it, this one and "Judas".) In fact, every Depeche Mode song from here on out is sung by Gore instead of lead singer Dave Gahan. Sorry. Sidetracked. As the title of the album suggests, it does indeed have quite a bit of religious overtones to it. Even this song does to an extent. While the chorus is being sung to a woman ("Oh girl, lead me into your darkness") the actual verses are more of a plea to God or whoever. Just take the entire first verse:
Line: "When I'm down on my knees again, and I pray to the only one who has the strength to bear the pain, to forgive all the things that I've done."
92. "Moment Of Surrender" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
Another song off the new album, this one a lot more mellow than the title track that was on here a few songs ago. Love the bass line in this song.
Line: "At the moment of surrender, I folded to my knees. I did not notice the passers-by and they did not notice me."
91. "Walk Of Life" by Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms)
This is one of my favorite videos of all time, just because I remember when it came out and it was all inspirational and stuff with all the sports images and such. (Yes I'm being sarcastic.) I've loved this song from day one. Just a great tune, and one of the most iconic opening sections of music in rock. And make sure you watch the video if you need a good laugh. I don't think I've ever seen a band with a worse assortment of haircuts in one video ever. And the dude with the pink scarf around his head? GREATEST DANCING IN ANY VIDEO EVER!!! Michael Jackson ain't got shit on him!
Line: "Here comes Johnny singing oldies, goldies."
Link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxVC0GB838
Comment away, lads and lasses.
95. "Semaphore" by James (Hey Ma)
For those who don't know, semaphore is "a system of signaling, especially a system by which a special flag is held in each hand and various positions of the arms indicate specific letters, numbers, etc." Most of the time it's associated with ships and the Navy. Why does it matter? Because basically the song is about getting to the point where verbal communication is pointless, so he's trying to find another way to get his message across. Good little broken heart song.
Line: "It's a question of convenience, how pain with time will fade."
94. "Pinch Me" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
I've liked this song pretty much from the first time I ever heard it. At first it sounds like a simple little pop song with some humor thrown in for good measure. but deep down, it's kind of a sad song, talking about being stuck in a rut and wishing for something new but, ultimately, stying with the tried and familiar.
Line: "It's like a dream you try to remember but it's gone, then ya try to scream but it only comes out as a yawn."
93. "One Caress" by Depeche Mode (Songs Of Faith and Devotion)
On every Depeche Mode album, Martin Gore (keyboardist, drummer, guitarist, backup singer, primary songwriter) gets to flex the golden pipes. Usually they are slow songs, and usually they are the best songs on the album, which is the case here. (Actually, the two songs he sings on this album are the two best on it, this one and "Judas".) In fact, every Depeche Mode song from here on out is sung by Gore instead of lead singer Dave Gahan. Sorry. Sidetracked. As the title of the album suggests, it does indeed have quite a bit of religious overtones to it. Even this song does to an extent. While the chorus is being sung to a woman ("Oh girl, lead me into your darkness") the actual verses are more of a plea to God or whoever. Just take the entire first verse:
Line: "When I'm down on my knees again, and I pray to the only one who has the strength to bear the pain, to forgive all the things that I've done."
92. "Moment Of Surrender" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
Another song off the new album, this one a lot more mellow than the title track that was on here a few songs ago. Love the bass line in this song.
Line: "At the moment of surrender, I folded to my knees. I did not notice the passers-by and they did not notice me."
91. "Walk Of Life" by Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms)
This is one of my favorite videos of all time, just because I remember when it came out and it was all inspirational and stuff with all the sports images and such. (Yes I'm being sarcastic.) I've loved this song from day one. Just a great tune, and one of the most iconic opening sections of music in rock. And make sure you watch the video if you need a good laugh. I don't think I've ever seen a band with a worse assortment of haircuts in one video ever. And the dude with the pink scarf around his head? GREATEST DANCING IN ANY VIDEO EVER!!! Michael Jackson ain't got shit on him!
Line: "Here comes Johnny singing oldies, goldies."
Link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZxVC0GB838
Comment away, lads and lasses.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Favorite Songs: 100-96
Finally, breaking through to the really good stuff. Be prepared for a whole lot of James, U2, and...
100. "The Caterpillar" by The Cure (The Top)
You would think that a band that is supposedly a bunch of morose unhappy gits would never be able to write a jangly goofy pop song. You would think wrong. Although a case could be made for the remix version of this song, which is, indeed, somewhat slow and unhappy, being a better version of this song, it is because of the goofiness that I included this version instead.
Line: "You hold me hypnotized. I'm mesmerized."
First here's the actual video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBX8j1lZshE
Second here's a live version from '84 in Japan:
(The remix version {"Flicker Mix"} is also easily found on youtube. It's a really pretty song so check it out if you get a chance.)
99. "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor (Sweet Baby James)
You have to love the story behind this song. So, back in the '70s ol' James Taylor was locked up in a nut house. During his stay, he wrote this song. Supposedly, to this day nobody knows if the "Suzanne" he is singing to and wrote the song for was real or a figment of his imagination. And the closer you pay attention to the lyrics, the more it seems like this story is likely. Especially the first verse. Either way, whoever she was (or wasn't), she certainly inspired one hell of a song.
Line: "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."
98. "Shopper's Paradise" by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (30 Something)
No, I am not making the name of the band up.
This song came out around Christmas '91, and it basically rips on the whole Christmas binge shopping thing. Good times. Where else can you find a song about hip replacement, glass jaws and wooden hearts, carpets, linoleum, and "Kamikaze killers, little Hitlers and Napoleons"? I wanna do my Christmas shopping there!
Line: "Top floor Shopper's Paradise, we've got a drunk Father Christmas and the Anti-Christ."
Not the best quality, but I couldn't find a version with good sound. Which blows, for the record. And if you have epilepsy don't watch the video, hit play and scroll down. For God's sake scroll down! Ha.
97. "One More Minute" by Weird Al Yankovic (Dare To Be Stupid)
Weird Al makes his first and, sadly, only appearance on this list with THE ULTIMATE BREAK UP SONG TO END ALL BREAK UP SONGS!!!!!!
Seriously. This song should be played at every divorce hearing or front porch break up from now until the end of time. It sounds all lovey dovey, like a '50s doo wop song, until you actually listen to the lyrics. A great song to belt out at the top of your lungs when someone done ya wrong.
Line: "I'd rather clean all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue than spend one more minute with you."
Actual video link (Have a feeling I'll be doing this a lot more often from here out.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r41U_T7pQjQ
Fan made "video" (if you want to call it that) link:
96. "Am I Wrong?" by Love Spit Love (Love Spit Love)
This is another song that I used to love, then for whatever reason completely forgot about, then heard somewhere and fell in love with again. Not really much to say about it, though. Go me for thinking that one out.
Line: "Goodbye, lay the blame on luck."
As always, comments are welcomed and encouraged.
100. "The Caterpillar" by The Cure (The Top)
You would think that a band that is supposedly a bunch of morose unhappy gits would never be able to write a jangly goofy pop song. You would think wrong. Although a case could be made for the remix version of this song, which is, indeed, somewhat slow and unhappy, being a better version of this song, it is because of the goofiness that I included this version instead.
Line: "You hold me hypnotized. I'm mesmerized."
First here's the actual video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBX8j1lZshE
Second here's a live version from '84 in Japan:
(The remix version {"Flicker Mix"} is also easily found on youtube. It's a really pretty song so check it out if you get a chance.)
99. "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor (Sweet Baby James)
You have to love the story behind this song. So, back in the '70s ol' James Taylor was locked up in a nut house. During his stay, he wrote this song. Supposedly, to this day nobody knows if the "Suzanne" he is singing to and wrote the song for was real or a figment of his imagination. And the closer you pay attention to the lyrics, the more it seems like this story is likely. Especially the first verse. Either way, whoever she was (or wasn't), she certainly inspired one hell of a song.
Line: "I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend."
98. "Shopper's Paradise" by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (30 Something)
No, I am not making the name of the band up.
This song came out around Christmas '91, and it basically rips on the whole Christmas binge shopping thing. Good times. Where else can you find a song about hip replacement, glass jaws and wooden hearts, carpets, linoleum, and "Kamikaze killers, little Hitlers and Napoleons"? I wanna do my Christmas shopping there!
Line: "Top floor Shopper's Paradise, we've got a drunk Father Christmas and the Anti-Christ."
Not the best quality, but I couldn't find a version with good sound. Which blows, for the record. And if you have epilepsy don't watch the video, hit play and scroll down. For God's sake scroll down! Ha.
97. "One More Minute" by Weird Al Yankovic (Dare To Be Stupid)
Weird Al makes his first and, sadly, only appearance on this list with THE ULTIMATE BREAK UP SONG TO END ALL BREAK UP SONGS!!!!!!
Seriously. This song should be played at every divorce hearing or front porch break up from now until the end of time. It sounds all lovey dovey, like a '50s doo wop song, until you actually listen to the lyrics. A great song to belt out at the top of your lungs when someone done ya wrong.
Line: "I'd rather clean all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue than spend one more minute with you."
Actual video link (Have a feeling I'll be doing this a lot more often from here out.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r41U_T7pQjQ
Fan made "video" (if you want to call it that) link:
96. "Am I Wrong?" by Love Spit Love (Love Spit Love)
This is another song that I used to love, then for whatever reason completely forgot about, then heard somewhere and fell in love with again. Not really much to say about it, though. Go me for thinking that one out.
Line: "Goodbye, lay the blame on luck."
As always, comments are welcomed and encouraged.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Little Side Note.
Just some random stuff before I crack the top 100 songs on the list.
First, here are 44 songs that would have been on the list if I'd gone to 200, instead of being lazy and stopping at 156. No particular order.
1. "Beers Steers + Queers" by Revolting Cocks. 2. "Superman's Song" by Crash Test Dummies. 3. "Back 2 Good" by Matchbox Twenty. 4. "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 5. "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" by U2. 6. "Sweet Jane" by Cowboy Junkies. 7. "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays. 8. "What's Wrong With Alice" by September 67. 9. "Not An Addict" by K's Choice. 10. "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel. 11. "Tragedy For You" by Front 242. 12. "The Dog End Of a Day Gone By" by Love and Rockets. 13. "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" by Neil Diamond. 14. "My Generation" by The Who. 15. "Halah" by Mazzy Star. 16. "Hold Me Now" by Elastica. 17. "Hold Me Now" by Thompson Twins. 18. "38 Line Poem" by The Wonder Stuff. 19. "Welcome To the Cheap Seats" by The Wonder Stuff. 20. "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears. 21. "Sleepy Maggie" by Ashley MacIsaac. 22. "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who. 23. "Who Are You" by The Who. 24. "I Can See For Miles" by The Who. 25. "Fall On Me" by R.E.M. 26. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" by Carole King.
27. "So Far Away" by Carole King. 28. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac. 29. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac. 30. "Gold Dust Woman" by Fleetwood Mac. 31. "Join In the Chant" by Nitzer Ebb. 32. "All Apologies" by Nirvana. 33. "Getting Closer" by Nitzer Ebb. 34. "I'm Sorry baby (I Want You In My Life)" by Animal Logic. 35. "Into the Fire" by Sarah McLachlan. 36. "Another Brick In the Wall Part 1, The Happiest Days Of Our Lives, Another Brick In the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd. (Yeah, I know it's 3 songs, but I'm only including them as one, because none of them would be any good without the others.) 37. "A.D.I.D.A.S." by Korn. 38. "Shoots and Ladders" by Korn. 39. "Wrong" by Depeche Mode. 40. "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette. 41. "The Exploding Boy" by The Cure. 42. "Halo" by The Cure. 43. "2 Late" by The Cure. 44. "Fear Of Ghosts" by The Cure.
Lots of female singers out of these 44, which is not true for the actual list. I think there are less than 15 out of 156 songs that are sung by women. But don't quote me on that. All 4 of the Cure songs at the end are B-sides. They honestly make songs that don't make the album that are better than the songs released as singles by a lot of bands. And I'm not just saying that because they are my favorite band. They just make such great music.
Random Short Lists. (No notes or anything, jut randomness)
5 Favorite Christmas Songs
5. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings" (Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan version)
4. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (U2 version)
3. "Little Drummer Boy" (Bing Crosby & David Bowie version)
2. "Little Drummer Boy" (The slow boys choir one)
1. "Chorus Of the Bells" (Any version, pretty much)
10 Best Concerts I've Ever Been To
10. Live - Secret Samadhi tour
9. Lollapalooza - The original one, with Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band, Ice-T and Body Count, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Jane's Addiction
8. Weird Al Yankovic - Running With Scissors tour
7. U2 - Vertigo tour
6. Live - The Distance To Here tour
5. The Cure - Wish tour
4. Weird Al Yankovic - Straight Outta Lynwood tour
3. Smashing Pumpkins - Machina: The Machines Of God tour
2. Garth Brooks - Fresh Horses tour
1. The Cure - 4:13 Dream tour
5 Bands/Singers I Wish I Could Have Seen Live In Their Prime
5. The Beatles
4. Talking Heads
3. Ramones
2. The Who
1. Johnny Cash
That's all for now, I think. I should have the next 5 songs on the list ready in the next day or two. Thanks for reading. Leave a comment.
First, here are 44 songs that would have been on the list if I'd gone to 200, instead of being lazy and stopping at 156. No particular order.
1. "Beers Steers + Queers" by Revolting Cocks. 2. "Superman's Song" by Crash Test Dummies. 3. "Back 2 Good" by Matchbox Twenty. 4. "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega. 5. "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" by U2. 6. "Sweet Jane" by Cowboy Junkies. 7. "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays. 8. "What's Wrong With Alice" by September 67. 9. "Not An Addict" by K's Choice. 10. "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel. 11. "Tragedy For You" by Front 242. 12. "The Dog End Of a Day Gone By" by Love and Rockets. 13. "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" by Neil Diamond. 14. "My Generation" by The Who. 15. "Halah" by Mazzy Star. 16. "Hold Me Now" by Elastica. 17. "Hold Me Now" by Thompson Twins. 18. "38 Line Poem" by The Wonder Stuff. 19. "Welcome To the Cheap Seats" by The Wonder Stuff. 20. "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears. 21. "Sleepy Maggie" by Ashley MacIsaac. 22. "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who. 23. "Who Are You" by The Who. 24. "I Can See For Miles" by The Who. 25. "Fall On Me" by R.E.M. 26. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" by Carole King.
27. "So Far Away" by Carole King. 28. "Second Hand News" by Fleetwood Mac. 29. "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac. 30. "Gold Dust Woman" by Fleetwood Mac. 31. "Join In the Chant" by Nitzer Ebb. 32. "All Apologies" by Nirvana. 33. "Getting Closer" by Nitzer Ebb. 34. "I'm Sorry baby (I Want You In My Life)" by Animal Logic. 35. "Into the Fire" by Sarah McLachlan. 36. "Another Brick In the Wall Part 1, The Happiest Days Of Our Lives, Another Brick In the Wall Part 2" by Pink Floyd. (Yeah, I know it's 3 songs, but I'm only including them as one, because none of them would be any good without the others.) 37. "A.D.I.D.A.S." by Korn. 38. "Shoots and Ladders" by Korn. 39. "Wrong" by Depeche Mode. 40. "Uninvited" by Alanis Morissette. 41. "The Exploding Boy" by The Cure. 42. "Halo" by The Cure. 43. "2 Late" by The Cure. 44. "Fear Of Ghosts" by The Cure.
Lots of female singers out of these 44, which is not true for the actual list. I think there are less than 15 out of 156 songs that are sung by women. But don't quote me on that. All 4 of the Cure songs at the end are B-sides. They honestly make songs that don't make the album that are better than the songs released as singles by a lot of bands. And I'm not just saying that because they are my favorite band. They just make such great music.
Random Short Lists. (No notes or anything, jut randomness)
5 Favorite Christmas Songs
5. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/ We Three Kings" (Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan version)
4. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (U2 version)
3. "Little Drummer Boy" (Bing Crosby & David Bowie version)
2. "Little Drummer Boy" (The slow boys choir one)
1. "Chorus Of the Bells" (Any version, pretty much)
10 Best Concerts I've Ever Been To
10. Live - Secret Samadhi tour
9. Lollapalooza - The original one, with Butthole Surfers, Rollins Band, Ice-T and Body Count, Living Colour, Nine Inch Nails, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Jane's Addiction
8. Weird Al Yankovic - Running With Scissors tour
7. U2 - Vertigo tour
6. Live - The Distance To Here tour
5. The Cure - Wish tour
4. Weird Al Yankovic - Straight Outta Lynwood tour
3. Smashing Pumpkins - Machina: The Machines Of God tour
2. Garth Brooks - Fresh Horses tour
1. The Cure - 4:13 Dream tour
5 Bands/Singers I Wish I Could Have Seen Live In Their Prime
5. The Beatles
4. Talking Heads
3. Ramones
2. The Who
1. Johnny Cash
That's all for now, I think. I should have the next 5 songs on the list ready in the next day or two. Thanks for reading. Leave a comment.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Favorite Songs: 105 - 101
105. "Sound Of Your Voice" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
Yet another BNL song, yes. They will be on here less frequently from here on out, if I remember correctly. This is another "I miss you, come back to me" type song, but a little more upbeat than most. A fun little tune. Similar to the video for "Wind It Up" by BNL, this one is also made from some clips. But instead of fans playing air guitar, these are clips made by self-proclaimed "YouTube Superstars" Fun stuff.
Line: "I let you down and fell right off of your 'good' list."
104. "Leave" by R.E.M. (New Adventures In Hi-Fi)
This was pretty much the last good R.E.M. album, and for me this was the best song off of it. The live version in the video below isn't as good as the album version. Not even close, really. If you really want to hunt the album version down, it's worth it. Great rock song.
Line: "Suffer the dreams of a world gone mad."
103. "Graze" by Live (Secret Samadhi)
So yeah, I used to be a big fan of Ed Kowalczyk, Live's lead singer, until, oh yesterday. Apparently, he decided to completely fuck over the rest of the band when they broke up (which I also didn't know until yesterday) and, yeah, he's kind of a douche bag. Regardless, this is a friggin awesome song off their last album before they went semi-pussy. They are also one of the best bands I've ever seen in concert. Unlike the R.E.M. song above, this live version of "Graze" is pretty damned close to the album version. Man that band ruled.
Line: "People should not be afraid. We came to the Earth to graze."
(The song ends around the 5:55 mark, the rest is just interview.)
102. "At My Funeral" by Crash Test Dummies (The Ghosts That Haunt Me)
This song is really hard to pick just one line from, because there are several that are just so good.
There are very few songs about death and dying (or anything else, really) that have ever really jolted me emotionally, but this song did it the first time I ever heard it, over 15 years ago. Just makes me wonder what my funeral will be like (not that I'll know - ha).
Line: "I'm still young but I know my days are numbered, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and so on. But a time will come when those numbers have all ended, and all I've ever seen will be forgotten."
101. "No Line On the Horizon" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
This is the only album that came out this year that has any songs on this list, and there are 2 more still to come off of it. (Ooh! Foreshadowing! Mrs. Hilker would be so proud!) Other than "Where the Streets Have No Name" on The Joshua Tree, or possibly "I Will Follow" from Boy, this is my favorite opening song on any U2 album. This is one of the few really focused songs on the album, actually feeling finished instead of like an aborted experiment. That's not to say this isn't a good album, because it is. I actually like it better than either of the two that preceded it. (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and the not-quite-the-masterpiece-everyone-seemed-to-think-it-was, All That You Can't Leave Behind) Wish they were coming anywhere near here on this tour, because this stage set up looks cool as shit. But no, no closer than Chicago this time around. Ah well.
Line: "I know a girl with a hole in her heart. She said infinity is a great place to start."
I'm going to do a couple side pieces this weekend before cracking the top 100. Until then, have a good week.
Yet another BNL song, yes. They will be on here less frequently from here on out, if I remember correctly. This is another "I miss you, come back to me" type song, but a little more upbeat than most. A fun little tune. Similar to the video for "Wind It Up" by BNL, this one is also made from some clips. But instead of fans playing air guitar, these are clips made by self-proclaimed "YouTube Superstars" Fun stuff.
Line: "I let you down and fell right off of your 'good' list."
104. "Leave" by R.E.M. (New Adventures In Hi-Fi)
This was pretty much the last good R.E.M. album, and for me this was the best song off of it. The live version in the video below isn't as good as the album version. Not even close, really. If you really want to hunt the album version down, it's worth it. Great rock song.
Line: "Suffer the dreams of a world gone mad."
103. "Graze" by Live (Secret Samadhi)
So yeah, I used to be a big fan of Ed Kowalczyk, Live's lead singer, until, oh yesterday. Apparently, he decided to completely fuck over the rest of the band when they broke up (which I also didn't know until yesterday) and, yeah, he's kind of a douche bag. Regardless, this is a friggin awesome song off their last album before they went semi-pussy. They are also one of the best bands I've ever seen in concert. Unlike the R.E.M. song above, this live version of "Graze" is pretty damned close to the album version. Man that band ruled.
Line: "People should not be afraid. We came to the Earth to graze."
(The song ends around the 5:55 mark, the rest is just interview.)
102. "At My Funeral" by Crash Test Dummies (The Ghosts That Haunt Me)
This song is really hard to pick just one line from, because there are several that are just so good.
There are very few songs about death and dying (or anything else, really) that have ever really jolted me emotionally, but this song did it the first time I ever heard it, over 15 years ago. Just makes me wonder what my funeral will be like (not that I'll know - ha).
Line: "I'm still young but I know my days are numbered, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and so on. But a time will come when those numbers have all ended, and all I've ever seen will be forgotten."
101. "No Line On the Horizon" by U2 (No Line On the Horizon)
This is the only album that came out this year that has any songs on this list, and there are 2 more still to come off of it. (Ooh! Foreshadowing! Mrs. Hilker would be so proud!) Other than "Where the Streets Have No Name" on The Joshua Tree, or possibly "I Will Follow" from Boy, this is my favorite opening song on any U2 album. This is one of the few really focused songs on the album, actually feeling finished instead of like an aborted experiment. That's not to say this isn't a good album, because it is. I actually like it better than either of the two that preceded it. (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and the not-quite-the-masterpiece-everyone-seemed-to-think-it-was, All That You Can't Leave Behind) Wish they were coming anywhere near here on this tour, because this stage set up looks cool as shit. But no, no closer than Chicago this time around. Ah well.
Line: "I know a girl with a hole in her heart. She said infinity is a great place to start."
I'm going to do a couple side pieces this weekend before cracking the top 100. Until then, have a good week.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Favorite Songs: 110 - 106
I changed the comments settings. Didn't realize you had to have an account to leave one before. Now anyone can leave one, so please do so if you feel so inclined.
110. "Wind It Up" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
More of a silly break up song, the type of song BNL are more known for. The guitar part in this song is one of the better ones in their catalogue, and overall it's just a nice steady rock song. The video is also one of my favorites. BNL had an air guitar contest for this song, and the winners got clips of their videos in the official video. My personal favorite is the little kid doing the "Addicted To Love" type video.
Line: "I was a baby when I learned to suck, but you have raised it to an art form."
109. "Hollow Hills" by Bauhaus (Mask)
Definitely one of the more somber and morose songs on my little list. For only being around for about four years or so, Bauhaus had an amazing impact on the "Goth" music scene, yet you rarely ever hear them being named as an influence for anybody, even when they are blatantly ripping them off. At any rate, this is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard, even if you can't really understand half of what's being sung.
Line: "Love lies there still... So sad."
108. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Probably the best pure rock song My Chemical Romance have recorded. And yes, it's another break up song. Love the guitars in this song, too.
Line: "Forget about the dirty looks, the photographs your boyfriend took."
107. "High Hopes" by Pink Floyd (The Division Bell)
This is one of only two Pink Floyd songs on here, surprising with how much I like them. Then again, I like The Who even more, and they aren't on here at all. Go figure. A lot of people didn't really like this album, but I thought it was pretty good. Since it ended up being their last studio album, this song, the final one on the album, seems like a fitting finale for one of the best bands ever.
Line: "Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon, though down this road we've been so many times."
106. "A Few Hours After This" by The Cure (B-side of "Inbetween Days" single)
One of the very few B-sides on this list, but one of the many by The Cure that could have been album tracks, or even singles in some cases. I personally think this song would have fit better on The Head On the Door (the album "Inbetween Days" is from) better than at least 3 songs that actually made it on to the album. The orchestration is some of the best they did in the earlier years, and the drum part is one of my favorite of any song they've done, even with as simple as it is.
Line: "Put your hands around my heart and squeeze me til I'm dry."
(Video note -- There's no video of any versions that are actually by The Cure, so this is from a Cure cover band called The Curse. The live strings don't sound as impressive as the synthesized strings on the original recording, but it's not too bad of a version.)
110. "Wind It Up" by Barenaked Ladies (Barenaked Ladies Are Me)
More of a silly break up song, the type of song BNL are more known for. The guitar part in this song is one of the better ones in their catalogue, and overall it's just a nice steady rock song. The video is also one of my favorites. BNL had an air guitar contest for this song, and the winners got clips of their videos in the official video. My personal favorite is the little kid doing the "Addicted To Love" type video.
Line: "I was a baby when I learned to suck, but you have raised it to an art form."
109. "Hollow Hills" by Bauhaus (Mask)
Definitely one of the more somber and morose songs on my little list. For only being around for about four years or so, Bauhaus had an amazing impact on the "Goth" music scene, yet you rarely ever hear them being named as an influence for anybody, even when they are blatantly ripping them off. At any rate, this is one of the most haunting songs I've ever heard, even if you can't really understand half of what's being sung.
Line: "Love lies there still... So sad."
108. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Probably the best pure rock song My Chemical Romance have recorded. And yes, it's another break up song. Love the guitars in this song, too.
Line: "Forget about the dirty looks, the photographs your boyfriend took."
107. "High Hopes" by Pink Floyd (The Division Bell)
This is one of only two Pink Floyd songs on here, surprising with how much I like them. Then again, I like The Who even more, and they aren't on here at all. Go figure. A lot of people didn't really like this album, but I thought it was pretty good. Since it ended up being their last studio album, this song, the final one on the album, seems like a fitting finale for one of the best bands ever.
Line: "Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon, though down this road we've been so many times."
106. "A Few Hours After This" by The Cure (B-side of "Inbetween Days" single)
One of the very few B-sides on this list, but one of the many by The Cure that could have been album tracks, or even singles in some cases. I personally think this song would have fit better on The Head On the Door (the album "Inbetween Days" is from) better than at least 3 songs that actually made it on to the album. The orchestration is some of the best they did in the earlier years, and the drum part is one of my favorite of any song they've done, even with as simple as it is.
Line: "Put your hands around my heart and squeeze me til I'm dry."
(Video note -- There's no video of any versions that are actually by The Cure, so this is from a Cure cover band called The Curse. The live strings don't sound as impressive as the synthesized strings on the original recording, but it's not too bad of a version.)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Favorite Songs: 115-111
115. "True Faith" by New Order (Substance)
One of the most instantly recognizable songs from the '80s, even if nobody ever remembers the name of the song. Just really great Euro-pop back when there was such a thing.
Line: "Now I feel you've left me standing in a world that's so demanding."
114. "Was It Something I Said?" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark (Sugar Tax)
This is just a stellar song. It's written and sung as if it's about the breakup with an ex lover, but in reality it's about the breakup of OMD. Andy McCluskey, lead singer of OMD, split with the band under rather ugly circumstances, and released Sugar Tax under the OMD name even though it was just him. This is pretty much aimed at the rest of the band in general, and co-founding member Paul Humphries in particular.
Line: "I can hate you no more, I can't even the score. Almost half of my life just fell right on the floor."
113. "Ring the Bells" by James (Seven)
I really don't know why I waited so long to buy this album. I first started listening to James in '93, when Laid came out, and have gotten nearly every album of theirs since, as they have really become one of my three favorite bands. This album, however, which was the album before Laid, for some reason I didn't get until earlier this year, and since the first time I listened to it I've been kicking myself for waiting so long. This is definitely one of the 2 best songs on the album, but not even top ten for the band. You will be seeing them on this list quite a bit.
Line: "Got to keep awake to what is happening. I can't see a thing through my ambition. I no longer feel like God is watching over me."
112. "Washing Of the Water" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
One of the most absolutely beautiful songs I've ever heard, off one of my top 5 all time favorite albums.
Line: "So tough to stay with this thing 'cause if I follow through, I face what I denied."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKp1C6zrTc
111. "Not Enough Time" by INXS (Welcome To Wherever You Are)
One of the most underrated INXS songs, off what is unquestionably their most unappreciated album. One of the most blatant love songs on this list (so far), it is all about devotion, start to finish.
Line: "Making love, we are immortal. We are the last two left on Earth."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijf1b23xC80
Damned disabled embedding. Grr.
One of the most instantly recognizable songs from the '80s, even if nobody ever remembers the name of the song. Just really great Euro-pop back when there was such a thing.
Line: "Now I feel you've left me standing in a world that's so demanding."
114. "Was It Something I Said?" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark (Sugar Tax)
This is just a stellar song. It's written and sung as if it's about the breakup with an ex lover, but in reality it's about the breakup of OMD. Andy McCluskey, lead singer of OMD, split with the band under rather ugly circumstances, and released Sugar Tax under the OMD name even though it was just him. This is pretty much aimed at the rest of the band in general, and co-founding member Paul Humphries in particular.
Line: "I can hate you no more, I can't even the score. Almost half of my life just fell right on the floor."
113. "Ring the Bells" by James (Seven)
I really don't know why I waited so long to buy this album. I first started listening to James in '93, when Laid came out, and have gotten nearly every album of theirs since, as they have really become one of my three favorite bands. This album, however, which was the album before Laid, for some reason I didn't get until earlier this year, and since the first time I listened to it I've been kicking myself for waiting so long. This is definitely one of the 2 best songs on the album, but not even top ten for the band. You will be seeing them on this list quite a bit.
Line: "Got to keep awake to what is happening. I can't see a thing through my ambition. I no longer feel like God is watching over me."
112. "Washing Of the Water" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
One of the most absolutely beautiful songs I've ever heard, off one of my top 5 all time favorite albums.
Line: "So tough to stay with this thing 'cause if I follow through, I face what I denied."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoKp1C6zrTc
111. "Not Enough Time" by INXS (Welcome To Wherever You Are)
One of the most underrated INXS songs, off what is unquestionably their most unappreciated album. One of the most blatant love songs on this list (so far), it is all about devotion, start to finish.
Line: "Making love, we are immortal. We are the last two left on Earth."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijf1b23xC80
Damned disabled embedding. Grr.
Favorite Songs: 119-116
119. "Dead!" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
So yeah, I never really read the lyrics to this song before, and actually debated moving it up the list once I did. The Black Parade is basically all about someone dying, and all the situations and emotions surrounding it, and this is one of the more central songs to that theme. Great song.
Line: "Tongue-tied and oh-so squeamish you never fell in love did you get what you deserved?"
118. "Softly" by The Soup Dragons (Lovegod)
Just a really pretty song that got lost on a mediocre at best album. Met these guys at a pre-concert meet-and-greet at the old Empire in downtown Cleveland. One of the girls at the table I was at was telling the bass player about a friend of theirs that came to the show hoping to get a ticket at the door, but was stuck waiting in the car because it was sold out. The dude took the girl out to the car, got her friend, and brought him in, completely free. Thought that was pretty bad ass. Too bad the rest of the band were a bunch of douche bags. Throwing another song by them on here that is also pretty good, called "Dream-E-Forever," because I can't find any videos for "Softly."
Line: "Every time I see your face, you know I softly die."
117. "Pray Your Gods" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (fear)
These guys were popular for about 5 minutes, and it was mostly due to some of their worst songs, such as "Walk On the Ocean" and "All I Want." This song was off the same album, which wasn't anywhere near as good as their first album, Pale. This is probably the best song off fear, just a beautiful, haunting, chilling song. This is also one of my favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Is it that they fear the pain of death? Or could it be they fear the joy of life?"
116. "A Thousand Hours" by The Cure (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me)
Definitely one of the prettier Cure songs from the pre-Disintegration albums. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is probably one of the most... I don't know... odd, I guess, albums that I have. Never quite follows one specific path. Goes from angry hate filled songs ("The Kiss", "Torture", "The Snakepit") to some of the more romantic songs Robert Smith has ever written (""A Thousand Hours", "Catch", "One More Time") to just straight up pop ("Just Like Heaven", "Hot Hot Hot!!!", "Why Can't I Be You?"). It would have probably been better if it was split up into two separate albums instead of one double album, because in the end it is such a mess that some really good songs get lost in all the chaos.
Line: "A thousand wasted hours a day, just to feel my heart for a second."
So yeah, I never really read the lyrics to this song before, and actually debated moving it up the list once I did. The Black Parade is basically all about someone dying, and all the situations and emotions surrounding it, and this is one of the more central songs to that theme. Great song.
Line: "Tongue-tied and oh-so squeamish you never fell in love did you get what you deserved?"
118. "Softly" by The Soup Dragons (Lovegod)
Just a really pretty song that got lost on a mediocre at best album. Met these guys at a pre-concert meet-and-greet at the old Empire in downtown Cleveland. One of the girls at the table I was at was telling the bass player about a friend of theirs that came to the show hoping to get a ticket at the door, but was stuck waiting in the car because it was sold out. The dude took the girl out to the car, got her friend, and brought him in, completely free. Thought that was pretty bad ass. Too bad the rest of the band were a bunch of douche bags. Throwing another song by them on here that is also pretty good, called "Dream-E-Forever," because I can't find any videos for "Softly."
Line: "Every time I see your face, you know I softly die."
117. "Pray Your Gods" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (fear)
These guys were popular for about 5 minutes, and it was mostly due to some of their worst songs, such as "Walk On the Ocean" and "All I Want." This song was off the same album, which wasn't anywhere near as good as their first album, Pale. This is probably the best song off fear, just a beautiful, haunting, chilling song. This is also one of my favorite lines from any song...
Line: "Is it that they fear the pain of death? Or could it be they fear the joy of life?"
116. "A Thousand Hours" by The Cure (Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me)
Definitely one of the prettier Cure songs from the pre-Disintegration albums. Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is probably one of the most... I don't know... odd, I guess, albums that I have. Never quite follows one specific path. Goes from angry hate filled songs ("The Kiss", "Torture", "The Snakepit") to some of the more romantic songs Robert Smith has ever written (""A Thousand Hours", "Catch", "One More Time") to just straight up pop ("Just Like Heaven", "Hot Hot Hot!!!", "Why Can't I Be You?"). It would have probably been better if it was split up into two separate albums instead of one double album, because in the end it is such a mess that some really good songs get lost in all the chaos.
Line: "A thousand wasted hours a day, just to feel my heart for a second."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Favorite Songs: 124-120
Please leave a comment if you're reading this. Just curious how many people actually are, since I only know of 2. Even if it's "your taste in music sucks and this list is a waste of time," that's fine. ha ha ha
124. "Call and Answer" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Another "serious" BNL song, and yet another single by them that never really got any air play. It's another of my favorite songs to sing at kareoke, even though I rarely ever sing it since it's so slow and sad. Plus the repetition of the word "rebuild" at the end gets annoying to an extent. Anyway, I just really dig on this song. I love how it just changes moods in the last little verse, going from defensive to an attack. This was also the last song performed by the band in their last show with Steven Page (the fat one) before he quit the band.
Line: "I think it's time to make this something that is more than only fair."
123. "Hello" by Evanescene (Fallen)
Of all the great songs on Fallen, this is by far my favorite. Just lets Any Lee's voice shine like it should. Wow. I totally sounded like a fag there.
Line: "Don't try to fix me I'm not broken."
122. "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
If I were ever to write a song about my dad, well, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as this, but this is the blueprint I would use for it. Hunt down the original video (fucking disabled embedding. Grr!) and this is what Bono wrote that is shown at the beginning of the video:
"My father Bob worked in the post office by day and sang opera by night. We lived on the north side of Dublin in a place called Cedarwood Road. He had a lot of attitude. He gave some to me - and a voice. I wish I'd known him better."
Sums it up better than I ever could.
Line: "I don't need to hear you say that if we weren't so alike you'd like me a whole lot more."
121. "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak (Forever Blue)
Just a bad bad bad ass tune. I've really become a Chris Isaak fan over the past 6 or 7 years. And if you never got a chance to see his show that he did on HBO a few years back, try to find it. It was friggin' hilarious.
Line: "You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two? I didn't think so."
120. "Please" by U2 (Pop)
I kind of remember reading at some point that this song was written about a suicide bomber. But that may have been "Wake Up Dead Man." Not sure anymore. Either way, this is a killer song. (And now, I'm thinking that it was indeed "Wake Up Dead Man" that was about a suicide bomber. Damn memory.) Think this one was more religious in nature. I don't know. Oh well.
Line: "You know I found it hard to receive 'cause you, my love, I could never believe."
124. "Call and Answer" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Another "serious" BNL song, and yet another single by them that never really got any air play. It's another of my favorite songs to sing at kareoke, even though I rarely ever sing it since it's so slow and sad. Plus the repetition of the word "rebuild" at the end gets annoying to an extent. Anyway, I just really dig on this song. I love how it just changes moods in the last little verse, going from defensive to an attack. This was also the last song performed by the band in their last show with Steven Page (the fat one) before he quit the band.
Line: "I think it's time to make this something that is more than only fair."
123. "Hello" by Evanescene (Fallen)
Of all the great songs on Fallen, this is by far my favorite. Just lets Any Lee's voice shine like it should. Wow. I totally sounded like a fag there.
Line: "Don't try to fix me I'm not broken."
122. "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
If I were ever to write a song about my dad, well, it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as this, but this is the blueprint I would use for it. Hunt down the original video (fucking disabled embedding. Grr!) and this is what Bono wrote that is shown at the beginning of the video:
"My father Bob worked in the post office by day and sang opera by night. We lived on the north side of Dublin in a place called Cedarwood Road. He had a lot of attitude. He gave some to me - and a voice. I wish I'd known him better."
Sums it up better than I ever could.
Line: "I don't need to hear you say that if we weren't so alike you'd like me a whole lot more."
121. "Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing" by Chris Isaak (Forever Blue)
Just a bad bad bad ass tune. I've really become a Chris Isaak fan over the past 6 or 7 years. And if you never got a chance to see his show that he did on HBO a few years back, try to find it. It was friggin' hilarious.
Line: "You ever love someone so much you thought your little heart was gonna break in two? I didn't think so."
120. "Please" by U2 (Pop)
I kind of remember reading at some point that this song was written about a suicide bomber. But that may have been "Wake Up Dead Man." Not sure anymore. Either way, this is a killer song. (And now, I'm thinking that it was indeed "Wake Up Dead Man" that was about a suicide bomber. Damn memory.) Think this one was more religious in nature. I don't know. Oh well.
Line: "You know I found it hard to receive 'cause you, my love, I could never believe."
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Favorite Songs: 129-125
129. "Wave Of Mutilation" by Pixies. (Doolittle)
I'm including both versions of this song, although I actually prefer the slow version. The fast version is the original, the slow version was on the soundtrack of the movie Pump Up the Volume. (Bad ass movie, by the way.) Can't really miss with either version, though.
Line: "You'll think I'm dead, but I'll sail away on a wave of mutilation."
Slow version:
Fast version:
128. "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction (Ritual de lo Habitual)
Probably the longest song on here, right around 11 minutes. 11 minutes of absolute rock. The awesomeness of this song is just insane. Around the 5 minute mark Dave Navarro plays probably the best guitar part of his life. Just starts rippin shit apart. Good times.
Line: "True hunting's over. No herds to follow. Without game men prey on each other."
127. "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly and the Crickets (The Chirpin' Crickets)
Buddy Holly is probably my favorite singer from the '50s and '60s, even though he's only on this list this one time. This is my favorite song to sing at kareoke.
Line: "Stars appear and the shadows are fallin', and you can hear my heart a-callin'."
126. "Glycerine" by Bush (Sixteen Stone)
Total chick song, I know. But I still like it. No real reason, just do.
Line: "I'm never alone. I'm alone all the time."
125. "Underneath the Stars" by The Cure (4:13 Dream)
The last two Cure albums have been kinda crappy, in my opinion. This is the only song from either of them that made this list. This song sounds like it could have been written during the same time as the songs for Disintegration or Bloodflowers. Just a sweeping majestic song on the order of "Plainsong" "Pictures Of You" "Out Of This World" or "39." This is the type of song I think of right away when someone asks me to describe The Cure. The tour they did for this album last year was phenomenal. Saw them in Cleveland, and they were on stage for over three hours, playing over 30 songs from throughout the history of the band. The only break in the set was when they went off stage for about 3 minutes between each of the three encores. You have to love a band that actually comes out to play, as opposed to some bands that come out, burn through 20 songs in an hour and a half, and get the fuck out of Dodge.
Line: "Whisper in my ear a wish: we could float away."
(Just a fan-made video using clips from other videos, since there isn't actually one.)
I'm including both versions of this song, although I actually prefer the slow version. The fast version is the original, the slow version was on the soundtrack of the movie Pump Up the Volume. (Bad ass movie, by the way.) Can't really miss with either version, though.
Line: "You'll think I'm dead, but I'll sail away on a wave of mutilation."
Slow version:
Fast version:
128. "Three Days" by Jane's Addiction (Ritual de lo Habitual)
Probably the longest song on here, right around 11 minutes. 11 minutes of absolute rock. The awesomeness of this song is just insane. Around the 5 minute mark Dave Navarro plays probably the best guitar part of his life. Just starts rippin shit apart. Good times.
Line: "True hunting's over. No herds to follow. Without game men prey on each other."
127. "Oh Boy!" by Buddy Holly and the Crickets (The Chirpin' Crickets)
Buddy Holly is probably my favorite singer from the '50s and '60s, even though he's only on this list this one time. This is my favorite song to sing at kareoke.
Line: "Stars appear and the shadows are fallin', and you can hear my heart a-callin'."
126. "Glycerine" by Bush (Sixteen Stone)
Total chick song, I know. But I still like it. No real reason, just do.
Line: "I'm never alone. I'm alone all the time."
125. "Underneath the Stars" by The Cure (4:13 Dream)
The last two Cure albums have been kinda crappy, in my opinion. This is the only song from either of them that made this list. This song sounds like it could have been written during the same time as the songs for Disintegration or Bloodflowers. Just a sweeping majestic song on the order of "Plainsong" "Pictures Of You" "Out Of This World" or "39." This is the type of song I think of right away when someone asks me to describe The Cure. The tour they did for this album last year was phenomenal. Saw them in Cleveland, and they were on stage for over three hours, playing over 30 songs from throughout the history of the band. The only break in the set was when they went off stage for about 3 minutes between each of the three encores. You have to love a band that actually comes out to play, as opposed to some bands that come out, burn through 20 songs in an hour and a half, and get the fuck out of Dodge.
Line: "Whisper in my ear a wish: we could float away."
(Just a fan-made video using clips from other videos, since there isn't actually one.)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Favorite Songs: 134-130
134. "Suedehead" by Morrissey (Viva Hate)The lyrics to this song are pretty evil, when you really think about it. Basically it's about an ex lover feeling jilted and still hanging around. The "I'm so sorry" apology is supposed to be sarcastic, I think. Especially when you look at the last, oh, third of the song or so, just saying "it was a good lay" over and over. I dunno. Could be wrong.
Line: "You had to sneak into my room just to read my diary. It was just to see just to see all the things you knew I'd written about you."
133. "I'm Burning" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
Sandwiched on Jesus Jones' most popular album, between their two most popular songs ("International Bright Young Thing" and "Right Here, Right Now") is one of their best songs. Another jilted lover song, to an extent, but not anywhere near as bitter and sarcastic as "Suedehead." Just a really pretty song.
Line: "So when I cried, where were you? You knw I cried. I saw you."
132. "Numb" by U2 (Zooropa)
Zooropa is probably one of the 2 most underrated U2 albums ever, along with Pop. God forbid a band tries to change its sound and do something different! Coming off the heels of Achtung Baby, well, they really only had 2 choices. Make the same album again, or go down a completely different path. I'm glad they chose the latter. This is one of the few songs in general, and the only single that I can think of, that The Edge sings instead of Bono. Good beat, and the monotone delivery of the lyrics is very fitting to the theme of being numb to everything around.
Line: "Don't move don't talk out of time don't think don't worry everything's just fine. Just fine."
131. "Stigmata" by Ministry (The Land Of Rape and Honey)
When I was talking about Front 242 having the second most aggressive song on this list, this is the song I was referring to as being the most aggressive. From the openeing (synthesized) cymbal beats to the closing grating guitars, it's just a song about pure hate. Love it when I'm in a bad mood.
Line: "Cutting my face, and walking on splinters. I lost my soul to the look in your eyes."
130. "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles (Revolver)
And we'll go to the opposite end of the spectrum now. Obviously there had to be a couple Beatles songs on here. (Actually I think there may only be 1 more. Not sure.) Another quick song clocking in right around 2 minutes, this is by far one of my top 3 Beatles songs. Probably always will be. The video I chose to use for this is someone's claymation art. Doesn't go with the song at all, I just thought it was really cool.
Line: "All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?"
Line: "You had to sneak into my room just to read my diary. It was just to see just to see all the things you knew I'd written about you."
133. "I'm Burning" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
Sandwiched on Jesus Jones' most popular album, between their two most popular songs ("International Bright Young Thing" and "Right Here, Right Now") is one of their best songs. Another jilted lover song, to an extent, but not anywhere near as bitter and sarcastic as "Suedehead." Just a really pretty song.
Line: "So when I cried, where were you? You knw I cried. I saw you."
132. "Numb" by U2 (Zooropa)
Zooropa is probably one of the 2 most underrated U2 albums ever, along with Pop. God forbid a band tries to change its sound and do something different! Coming off the heels of Achtung Baby, well, they really only had 2 choices. Make the same album again, or go down a completely different path. I'm glad they chose the latter. This is one of the few songs in general, and the only single that I can think of, that The Edge sings instead of Bono. Good beat, and the monotone delivery of the lyrics is very fitting to the theme of being numb to everything around.
Line: "Don't move don't talk out of time don't think don't worry everything's just fine. Just fine."
131. "Stigmata" by Ministry (The Land Of Rape and Honey)
When I was talking about Front 242 having the second most aggressive song on this list, this is the song I was referring to as being the most aggressive. From the openeing (synthesized) cymbal beats to the closing grating guitars, it's just a song about pure hate. Love it when I'm in a bad mood.
Line: "Cutting my face, and walking on splinters. I lost my soul to the look in your eyes."
130. "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles (Revolver)
And we'll go to the opposite end of the spectrum now. Obviously there had to be a couple Beatles songs on here. (Actually I think there may only be 1 more. Not sure.) Another quick song clocking in right around 2 minutes, this is by far one of my top 3 Beatles songs. Probably always will be. The video I chose to use for this is someone's claymation art. Doesn't go with the song at all, I just thought it was really cool.
Line: "All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Favorite Songs: 139-135
139. "Jealousy" by Pet Shop Boys (Behaviour)
I am kind of surprised there aren't more Pet Shop Boys songs on this list, honestly. Granted, the only CD I have of theirs is Discography, the singles collection that came out in 1991. However, that only encompassed their first 3 albums. Since then, they've released 9 more albums, a live album, and a couple more singles collections and greatest hits albums. Anyway. That has nothing to do with this song. Honestly, when I bought Discography it was only for "West End Girls" and their cover version of "Where the Streets Have No Name." It instantly became one of my favorite CD's to listen to, especially for the slower moodier songs, like this one. If you can hunt down the actual video on YouTube, it's worth it. The live version I linked is good too, but the original video's better. Just couldn't embed it.
Line: "I never knew time passed so slow. I wish I'd never met you."
138. "The Last Beat Of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees (Peepshow)
This story is kind of the same as above. The only difference is I actually have a few other albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees, not just their singles collection. Peepshow is one of those albums, and the album version of this song is amazing. The version on the singles collection is live, and while it's still good, it kind of misses the atmosphere of this version. Either way, bad ass song from one of my favorite female singers.
Line: "At the close of the day the sunset cloaks these words in shadow play."
137. "Your Song" by Elton John (Elton John)
This one kinda had to be on here, seeing as how it was the song Holley and I danced to at our wedding. Otherwise, it honestly might not have even been included on this list. Still a classic song though.
Line: "I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world."
136. "Drop" by The Jesus and Mary Chain (Automatic)
I used to like this album a lot more in high school, but it's still a solid offering. My love for this song, though, has never changed. Clocks in at just under 2 minutes, and just leaves me longing for more.
Line: "The way you drop is like a stone. Make like you're flying, but you've just been thrown."
135. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
When we went to see My Chemical Romance in '08, this was one of the highlights of the show. (But not the highlight. That's later on the list. Ooooh! Foreshadowing!) I wasn't really a fan of this song until then, but it just stood out so much that I've liked it since. The video is so much of a ripoff of the "In the Flesh" scene from the movie Pink Floyd's The Wall that it's amazing these guys weren't sued for infringement.
Line: " They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me."
I am kind of surprised there aren't more Pet Shop Boys songs on this list, honestly. Granted, the only CD I have of theirs is Discography, the singles collection that came out in 1991. However, that only encompassed their first 3 albums. Since then, they've released 9 more albums, a live album, and a couple more singles collections and greatest hits albums. Anyway. That has nothing to do with this song. Honestly, when I bought Discography it was only for "West End Girls" and their cover version of "Where the Streets Have No Name." It instantly became one of my favorite CD's to listen to, especially for the slower moodier songs, like this one. If you can hunt down the actual video on YouTube, it's worth it. The live version I linked is good too, but the original video's better. Just couldn't embed it.
Line: "I never knew time passed so slow. I wish I'd never met you."
138. "The Last Beat Of My Heart" by Siouxsie and the Banshees (Peepshow)
This story is kind of the same as above. The only difference is I actually have a few other albums by Siouxsie and the Banshees, not just their singles collection. Peepshow is one of those albums, and the album version of this song is amazing. The version on the singles collection is live, and while it's still good, it kind of misses the atmosphere of this version. Either way, bad ass song from one of my favorite female singers.
Line: "At the close of the day the sunset cloaks these words in shadow play."
137. "Your Song" by Elton John (Elton John)
This one kinda had to be on here, seeing as how it was the song Holley and I danced to at our wedding. Otherwise, it honestly might not have even been included on this list. Still a classic song though.
Line: "I hope you don't mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you're in the world."
136. "Drop" by The Jesus and Mary Chain (Automatic)
I used to like this album a lot more in high school, but it's still a solid offering. My love for this song, though, has never changed. Clocks in at just under 2 minutes, and just leaves me longing for more.
Line: "The way you drop is like a stone. Make like you're flying, but you've just been thrown."
135. "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
When we went to see My Chemical Romance in '08, this was one of the highlights of the show. (But not the highlight. That's later on the list. Ooooh! Foreshadowing!) I wasn't really a fan of this song until then, but it just stood out so much that I've liked it since. The video is so much of a ripoff of the "In the Flesh" scene from the movie Pink Floyd's The Wall that it's amazing these guys weren't sued for infringement.
Line: " They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Favorite Songs: 144-140
Screw it. I am doing 5 songs at a time from now on. Just too damned bored.
144. "Lullaby" by The Cure (Disintegration)
First of many entries from one of my three favorite bands of all time (along with U2 and James), plus first of several songs off of my all time favorite album. This would probably make a really good song to have playing at Halloween, just because it's so damned creepy. The video is also one of my all time favorites.
Line: "Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead, looking for the victim shivering in bed."
143. "Little Black Backpack" by Stroke 9 (Nasty Little Thoughts)
This is one of those songs that I loved back in the day, then completely forgot about. Heard it on the radio about 6 months ago, and it's been on my mp3 player and in my main iTunes play list since. So bad ass.
Line: "Your mind is lined with layers of lead. Have you heard one thing that I've said?"
142. "I Want You" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (Blood and Chocolate)
Holy fucking stalker Batman! This is probably the single most obsessive song on my list, as well as one of the creepiest. I find it really bizarre that nearly every video I've seen on YouTube interprets this as a love song, when it's really not. (There's no official video, so it's all live versions and home made videos.) Oh well. What ya gonna do? The line "I want you" is repeated over and over throughout the song, between nearly every other line, and by the end it's just dripping with possessive obsession. Beautiful.
Line: "I want you. Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop. I want you. I'm afraid I won't know where to stop. I want you."
141. "Tonight Is the Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
This is kind of a crazy song. The music's all pretty and shit, it's sung all sweetly, it seems pretty nice. Then you read the lyrics. It's basically a song about the final thoughts of a person who, as the title says, falls asleep at the wheel on their way to see their... Significant other, I'm guessing. The line "You're the last thing on my mind" changes meaning significantly from the first verse to the last. In the first verse, it's like, "Yeah, not even thinking about you, just trying to get home." At the end, it's "You are the last thing I am thinking about as I die." Pretty bad ass song that really gets overlooked.
Line: "From the ceiling my coffee cup drips, while out the window the horizon does flips."
(The song doesn't actually start until about the 1:50 mark. the first 2 minutes are just ad-lib stuff)
140. "Pretty' by The Cranberries (Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?)
There's really nothing spectacular or meaningful about this song, I've just always liked it. Just a quick, pretty song.
Line: "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me."
144. "Lullaby" by The Cure (Disintegration)
First of many entries from one of my three favorite bands of all time (along with U2 and James), plus first of several songs off of my all time favorite album. This would probably make a really good song to have playing at Halloween, just because it's so damned creepy. The video is also one of my all time favorites.
Line: "Stealing past the windows of the blissfully dead, looking for the victim shivering in bed."
143. "Little Black Backpack" by Stroke 9 (Nasty Little Thoughts)
This is one of those songs that I loved back in the day, then completely forgot about. Heard it on the radio about 6 months ago, and it's been on my mp3 player and in my main iTunes play list since. So bad ass.
Line: "Your mind is lined with layers of lead. Have you heard one thing that I've said?"
142. "I Want You" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (Blood and Chocolate)
Holy fucking stalker Batman! This is probably the single most obsessive song on my list, as well as one of the creepiest. I find it really bizarre that nearly every video I've seen on YouTube interprets this as a love song, when it's really not. (There's no official video, so it's all live versions and home made videos.) Oh well. What ya gonna do? The line "I want you" is repeated over and over throughout the song, between nearly every other line, and by the end it's just dripping with possessive obsession. Beautiful.
Line: "I want you. Go on and hurt me then we'll let it drop. I want you. I'm afraid I won't know where to stop. I want you."
141. "Tonight Is the Night I Fell Asleep At the Wheel" by Barenaked Ladies (Maroon)
This is kind of a crazy song. The music's all pretty and shit, it's sung all sweetly, it seems pretty nice. Then you read the lyrics. It's basically a song about the final thoughts of a person who, as the title says, falls asleep at the wheel on their way to see their... Significant other, I'm guessing. The line "You're the last thing on my mind" changes meaning significantly from the first verse to the last. In the first verse, it's like, "Yeah, not even thinking about you, just trying to get home." At the end, it's "You are the last thing I am thinking about as I die." Pretty bad ass song that really gets overlooked.
Line: "From the ceiling my coffee cup drips, while out the window the horizon does flips."
(The song doesn't actually start until about the 1:50 mark. the first 2 minutes are just ad-lib stuff)
140. "Pretty' by The Cranberries (Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?)
There's really nothing spectacular or meaningful about this song, I've just always liked it. Just a quick, pretty song.
Line: "You got to say it if you want to, but you won't change me."
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Favorite Songs: 147-145
Happy Sunday. Bored yet again, so doing a few more songs.
147. "Miss World" by Hole (Live Through This)
Seriously, Courtney Love made some insanely bad ass music back in the day. Too bad she's a fucking nut case any more.
Line: "I've made my bed I'll lie in it. I've made my bed I'll die in it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnAPsouye0
(Embedding is disabled, so there's the link.)
146. "I'll Be That Girl" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Yeah, there are a lot of Barenaked Ladies songs at this end of the list, I know. This one's about trying (and failing) to impress a girl, to the point where it's necessary to become her for her to take notice. Stuck up self centered bitch. Ha. (P.S. I'm a sucker for accordian. Ha ha.)
Line: "If you will not have me as myself, perhaps as someone else, perhaps as you, I'd be worth noticing."
145. "You Are the Everything" by R.E.M. (Green)
Not kidding. Love the accordian. This was by far my favorite song on Green from the first time I listend to that album. Twenty years later, still one of my favorite R.E.M. songs.
Line: "The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen and they're there for you, for you alone, you are the everything."
147. "Miss World" by Hole (Live Through This)
Seriously, Courtney Love made some insanely bad ass music back in the day. Too bad she's a fucking nut case any more.
Line: "I've made my bed I'll lie in it. I've made my bed I'll die in it."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnAPsouye0
(Embedding is disabled, so there's the link.)
146. "I'll Be That Girl" by Barenaked Ladies (Stunt)
Yeah, there are a lot of Barenaked Ladies songs at this end of the list, I know. This one's about trying (and failing) to impress a girl, to the point where it's necessary to become her for her to take notice. Stuck up self centered bitch. Ha. (P.S. I'm a sucker for accordian. Ha ha.)
Line: "If you will not have me as myself, perhaps as someone else, perhaps as you, I'd be worth noticing."
145. "You Are the Everything" by R.E.M. (Green)
Not kidding. Love the accordian. This was by far my favorite song on Green from the first time I listend to that album. Twenty years later, still one of my favorite R.E.M. songs.
Line: "The stars are the greatest thing you've ever seen and they're there for you, for you alone, you are the everything."
Friday, November 13, 2009
Favorite Songs: 150 - 148
150. "Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harem (Procol Harem)
Easily one of the most instantly recognizable songs on this list for one simple reason -- the bad ass organ. A study of British radio airplay logs showed that this was the most played song in England over the past 70 years. Over The Beatles, the Stones, The Who, everyone. There are over 800 known cover versions of this song. Not bad for a one hit wonder group.
Line: "And so it was that later, as the miller told his tale, that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale."
149. "Raining In Baltimore" by Counting Crows (August and Everything After)
I have loved this song ever since I got this album. In fact, it's the only song I ever really listen to by Counting Crows any more. Absolute desperation, longing and loneliness at their best.
Line: "I miss you. I guess that I should."
148. "The Ghost Of You" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm a My Chemical Romance fan. I like the theatricality of the music and videos, I like that they don't write about getting drunk or fucking, I like that their songs actually tell stories. Sue me.
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge is a pretty decent album, and this is one of the three best songs off of it.
Line: "I never said I'd try and wait forever. If I died we'd be together now."
Easily one of the most instantly recognizable songs on this list for one simple reason -- the bad ass organ. A study of British radio airplay logs showed that this was the most played song in England over the past 70 years. Over The Beatles, the Stones, The Who, everyone. There are over 800 known cover versions of this song. Not bad for a one hit wonder group.
Line: "And so it was that later, as the miller told his tale, that her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale."
149. "Raining In Baltimore" by Counting Crows (August and Everything After)
I have loved this song ever since I got this album. In fact, it's the only song I ever really listen to by Counting Crows any more. Absolute desperation, longing and loneliness at their best.
Line: "I miss you. I guess that I should."
148. "The Ghost Of You" by My Chemical Romance (Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge)
Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm a My Chemical Romance fan. I like the theatricality of the music and videos, I like that they don't write about getting drunk or fucking, I like that their songs actually tell stories. Sue me.
Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge is a pretty decent album, and this is one of the three best songs off of it.
Line: "I never said I'd try and wait forever. If I died we'd be together now."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
