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.
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