Finally, after 3 months, 36 posts, 156 songs, we are down to the final five. But business to take care of first...
Comment from last post, from Heather, as no one else seems to read this...
"Can't argue with any of your choices (though the Elton john song is not one of my faves by him).
Love love love "A Letter to Elise." Who doesn't love that song?
Do you remember that "In Your Eyes" was our prom song? I don't hold that against the song though. Besides that song, they only played two other good songs at prom, a NIN song, and Beastie Boys. Such a waste of time. And is it sad I remember that? I say yes."
Yeah, over the years, the more I listen to Wish, the more I realize how much I dislike that album. Probably my least favorite Cure album. The only songs I even listen to off of it any more are "Apart" "Trust" "To Wish Impossible Things" and "A Letter To Elise." If it weren't for those 4 songs, that CD would probably just sit on the shelf collecting dust. (Well, OK, the other 2 singles, "Friday I'm In Love" and "High" were OK too, especially "High." And "Elise" would be the third single from that album, but gee, guess which one never got on the radio?)
As far as "In Your Eyes" being the prom song... I remember I was shocked when that was named the song for prom. Really thought it would be some hair band power ballad or some R&B crud. As far as prom itself... Didn't go. I was supposed to, even had a date, but slacked off too much and didn't buy tickets in time. From what I have heard, I didn't miss much.
OK, I'll shut up now.
And now, here they are, my own personal 5 favorite songs ever.
5. "Bad" by U2 (The Unforgettable Fire)
Back before The Joshua Tree came out, "Pride (In the Name Of Love)" was the shit when it came to U2 songs. "Bad," from the same album, blows "Pride" out of the water. Live versions of "Bad" are some of the most memorable performances U2 have done. In the film Rattle and Hum they use bits of "Ruby Tuesday" and "Sympathy For the Devil" at the end, and it ended up being one of the 3 best live performances in the film. On the Wide Awake In America video, the only song that outshone "Bad" was "Sunday Bloody Sunday." The most famous version, though, by far, was at Live Aid in 1985. Other than Queen blowing the crowd away with their awesome performance, U2's performance of "Bad" was pretty much the stand out performance of the entire day. Just phenomenal. Sorry, didn't realize I was rambling so much.
Line: "If I could, you know I would. If I could I would let it go."
Live Aid version: (Man that hair fuckin rules.)
Rattle and Hum version (My favorite, personally.)
4. "To Wish Impossible Things" by The Cure (Wish)
So yeah, my least favorite Cure album has two of my top ten songs. Go figure. This song and the upcoming song in the #2 spot express loss and pain and hope and love all at the same time better than any other songs I've ever heard. The first time I heard this song I was in my Painting 2 class in high school, working on the one painting I worked on that entire year. From then on, it was the only song I listened to when working in that room or on that painting. And yeah, it's been almost 17 years and I still haven't finished that painting.
Line: "And now the sun shines cold, and all the sky is grey. The stars are dimmed by clouds and tears, and all I wish is gone away."
Not the most exciting video ever, but the music's what matters anyway, right?
3. "I Wanna Go Home" by James (Hey Ma)
So, this album came out in 2008. Out of the other 24 songs in the top 25, none is more recent than 1997. That should kind of tell you how much I like this song. I don't even know what it is about it, either. I've just loved it from the first time I heard it. And not only is this song a favorite, but the album's moving up to the top of the list pretty damn quick too.
Line: "Kissing is forbidden, biting leaves marks. Sex is overrated, I need to dance."
2. "With Or Without You" by U2 (The Joshua Tree)
Like there is any explanation necessary. Please.
Line: "On a bed of nails she makes me wait."
And finally, we have arrived...
1. "Pictures Of You" by The Cure (Disintegration)
I used to get beat up in school for listening to The Cure. Like, literally beat up. A few years ago, this song was used in a commercial for Xerox or Kodak or something. Are you kidding me?
Anyway... Yeah, there has never been any doubt that this was going to top this list. The first Cure album I ever heard was Disintegration. At least, it's the first one I remember hearing, although Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me may have been first. At any rate, this is the first song I ever remember truly falling in love with. The first time I heard it I was completely blown away, and it started a love affair with this band that has lasted 20 years. I honestly think if I'd never heard this album, and especially this song, I would have ended up with an immensely different taste in music. Without question the greatest song I've ever heard.
Line: "If only I'd thought of the right words, I could have held on to your heart."
And yeah, this is the shortened single version. The album version's a tad over 7 minutes.
So there you have it. Thank you, Heather H., Heather R. and Matt, for reading this, since you are the only three people I know have read any of this list at all. Hope it kept you somewhat interested and more than a little entertained. I know I enjoyed writing it. I plan on doing a favorite albums list too. Hopefully I'll get everything compiled and sorted and start that one by the end of the month. Until then...
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Favorite Songs: 10 - 6
So yeah, I really want to be done with this by this weekend, so I'm doing these five today, then the top 5 probably Saturday, no later than Sunday.
Down to the nitty gritty now, kids.
10. "A Letter To Elise" by The Cure (Wish)
So, yeah, 4 of the top 10 are Cure songs. They aren't my favorite band for nothing, people! I love the music in this song, and love the words even more.
Line: "But I let the dream go. All the promises broke, the make believe ran out."
Full version (Great video! ha)
Single version (Actual video. Cuts off before the end...)
9. "Something I Can Never Have" by Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine)
As much as I like this album, this is the only Nine Inch Nails song on this entire list. It's the only song by them that I truly love. The simple piano, the synthesized strings, the not-really drums... And the overwhelming pain in Trent's voice. Stellar.
Line: Everywhere I look, you're all I see. Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be."
8. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" by Elton John (Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy)
Is that the greatest album title in history? Maybe not, but it's up there. I just absolutely love this song. Easily my favorite Elton John song, obviously, and one of my favorite songs ever, obviously... Sorry, this is one of the few songs on this list that I didn't have something pre-written for. I have sung it a few times at karaoke, but the first time was the best, and every successive time has gotten progressively worse, so I probably won't ever try it again. Too bad, too. It's fun to sing.
Anyway, about the song... Back in the day, I guess Elton John was actually unaware that he was gay. Bernie Taupin, the guy who helped write the vast majority of John's good pre-Disney music, pretty much sat him down and said, look, dude, wake the hell up. So Elton broke up with the chicklet he was engaged to, and this song is pretty much about the break up part of the relationship. Good shit.
Line: "I'm strangled by your haunted social scene, just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen."
7. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (So)
Is there anyone who doesn't relate this song with John Cusack and Say Anything...? When I was engaged to the ex, this was going to be the song we danced to at the wedding reception. Thank God that didn't happen, because now I can still enjoy this song.
Line: "Love, I get so lost sometimes."
(This version's good, but the version from the P.O.V. concert video is better. Just couldn't find it. And yes, that's Paula Cole with him. This tour was pretty much how she got her start, as her debut CD came out the following year.)
6. "Faith" by The Cure (Faith)
Easily the single most depressing song on this list. A complete cry for help, set to some beautiful atmospheric music. I used to listen to this song repeatedly for hours on end without getting sick of it, before Holley and I met. Glad I'm not that unhappy anymore.
Line: "Catch me if I fall, I'm losing hold. I can't just carry on this way."
(Another performance from the In Orange concert video. Such a great video.)
Down to the nitty gritty now, kids.
10. "A Letter To Elise" by The Cure (Wish)
So, yeah, 4 of the top 10 are Cure songs. They aren't my favorite band for nothing, people! I love the music in this song, and love the words even more.
Line: "But I let the dream go. All the promises broke, the make believe ran out."
Full version (Great video! ha)
Single version (Actual video. Cuts off before the end...)
9. "Something I Can Never Have" by Nine Inch Nails (Pretty Hate Machine)
As much as I like this album, this is the only Nine Inch Nails song on this entire list. It's the only song by them that I truly love. The simple piano, the synthesized strings, the not-really drums... And the overwhelming pain in Trent's voice. Stellar.
Line: Everywhere I look, you're all I see. Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be."
8. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" by Elton John (Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy)
Is that the greatest album title in history? Maybe not, but it's up there. I just absolutely love this song. Easily my favorite Elton John song, obviously, and one of my favorite songs ever, obviously... Sorry, this is one of the few songs on this list that I didn't have something pre-written for. I have sung it a few times at karaoke, but the first time was the best, and every successive time has gotten progressively worse, so I probably won't ever try it again. Too bad, too. It's fun to sing.
Anyway, about the song... Back in the day, I guess Elton John was actually unaware that he was gay. Bernie Taupin, the guy who helped write the vast majority of John's good pre-Disney music, pretty much sat him down and said, look, dude, wake the hell up. So Elton broke up with the chicklet he was engaged to, and this song is pretty much about the break up part of the relationship. Good shit.
Line: "I'm strangled by your haunted social scene, just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen."
7. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (So)
Is there anyone who doesn't relate this song with John Cusack and Say Anything...? When I was engaged to the ex, this was going to be the song we danced to at the wedding reception. Thank God that didn't happen, because now I can still enjoy this song.
Line: "Love, I get so lost sometimes."
(This version's good, but the version from the P.O.V. concert video is better. Just couldn't find it. And yes, that's Paula Cole with him. This tour was pretty much how she got her start, as her debut CD came out the following year.)
6. "Faith" by The Cure (Faith)
Easily the single most depressing song on this list. A complete cry for help, set to some beautiful atmospheric music. I used to listen to this song repeatedly for hours on end without getting sick of it, before Holley and I met. Glad I'm not that unhappy anymore.
Line: "Catch me if I fall, I'm losing hold. I can't just carry on this way."
(Another performance from the In Orange concert video. Such a great video.)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Favorite Songs: 15 - 11
Comment from the last post, from Heather:
"In My Life" was the song I danced to with my dad at my wedding. Love it. Interesting Beatles trivia as well.
One of these days I'll comment on the two posts prior to this one. Maybe before you get to the top 10?!
That's very cool that you danced to that song with your dad. Can't really remember what I danced to with my mom. Oh well.
And if you want to beat the deadline you imposed on yourself, you better get commenting. Ha ha. Of course, that would entail not locking yourself out of the house any more. Kidding. Ha.
And away we go. There are no happy songs left on this list. Just some somber sad shit. Because that's what I like best.
15. "Love Is Blindness" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
People have made the argument that Achtung Baby is a very religious album, and I can see that, to an extent. I'll get into that more when I do the albums list, don't feel like doing it right now. Anyway, this is one of those songs that just tugs on the old heart strings.
Line: "A dangerous idea that almost makes sense."
Pretty good fan made video. (There's no official one. Wasn't a single.)
14. "All I Want Is You" by U2 (Rattle and Hum)
I'm actually surprised there aren't more songs from this album on the list, since it and Achtung Baby are my 2nd and 3rd favorite U2 albums. (A.B. 2nd, R+H 3rd, for the record.) The album version of this song is a lot better than the single version, as it includes somewhere around 4 minutes of instrumental at the end, all violins, cellos, etc.
Line: "All the promises we break from the cradle to the grave, when all I want is you."
13. "Turn My Head" by Live (Secret Samadhi)
This song is just beyond great. "Lightning Crashes" may be Live's most popular song, but for me, this one's the best. If you know it, you know how kick ass it is. If you don't, well, here it is. Enjoy its greatness.
Line: "I've fallen down, drunk on your juices."
12. "Somebody" by Depeche Mode (Some Great Reward)
I wasn't really expecting this song to be this high on the list, because I really don't like much of the old Depeche Mode stuff, pre-Music For the Masses. But as I organized the list, I realized more and more that there are only a small number of songs that I like more than this. Kind of nice when you can surprise yourself on your own tastes like that.
Line: "And when I'm asleep, I want somebody who will put their arms around and kiss me tenderly."
(There is an actual video, but the live version is immensely better than the single version.)
11. "Fretless" by R.E.M. (Until the End Of the World Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(Yep, I'm that big of a dork.)
This song is about loneliness, depression, anger... you know, all the fun emotions. It was originally recorded for Out Of Time, but got left off for whatever reason. Personally, I can think of three songs off that album that this could replace without even trying, and without even including "Losing My Religion."
Line: "Don't talk to me about being alone."
Top Ten, here we come...
"In My Life" was the song I danced to with my dad at my wedding. Love it. Interesting Beatles trivia as well.
One of these days I'll comment on the two posts prior to this one. Maybe before you get to the top 10?!
That's very cool that you danced to that song with your dad. Can't really remember what I danced to with my mom. Oh well.
And if you want to beat the deadline you imposed on yourself, you better get commenting. Ha ha. Of course, that would entail not locking yourself out of the house any more. Kidding. Ha.
And away we go. There are no happy songs left on this list. Just some somber sad shit. Because that's what I like best.
15. "Love Is Blindness" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
People have made the argument that Achtung Baby is a very religious album, and I can see that, to an extent. I'll get into that more when I do the albums list, don't feel like doing it right now. Anyway, this is one of those songs that just tugs on the old heart strings.
Line: "A dangerous idea that almost makes sense."
Pretty good fan made video. (There's no official one. Wasn't a single.)
14. "All I Want Is You" by U2 (Rattle and Hum)
I'm actually surprised there aren't more songs from this album on the list, since it and Achtung Baby are my 2nd and 3rd favorite U2 albums. (A.B. 2nd, R+H 3rd, for the record.) The album version of this song is a lot better than the single version, as it includes somewhere around 4 minutes of instrumental at the end, all violins, cellos, etc.
Line: "All the promises we break from the cradle to the grave, when all I want is you."
13. "Turn My Head" by Live (Secret Samadhi)
This song is just beyond great. "Lightning Crashes" may be Live's most popular song, but for me, this one's the best. If you know it, you know how kick ass it is. If you don't, well, here it is. Enjoy its greatness.
Line: "I've fallen down, drunk on your juices."
12. "Somebody" by Depeche Mode (Some Great Reward)
I wasn't really expecting this song to be this high on the list, because I really don't like much of the old Depeche Mode stuff, pre-Music For the Masses. But as I organized the list, I realized more and more that there are only a small number of songs that I like more than this. Kind of nice when you can surprise yourself on your own tastes like that.
Line: "And when I'm asleep, I want somebody who will put their arms around and kiss me tenderly."
(There is an actual video, but the live version is immensely better than the single version.)
11. "Fretless" by R.E.M. (Until the End Of the World Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(Yep, I'm that big of a dork.)
This song is about loneliness, depression, anger... you know, all the fun emotions. It was originally recorded for Out Of Time, but got left off for whatever reason. Personally, I can think of three songs off that album that this could replace without even trying, and without even including "Losing My Religion."
Line: "Don't talk to me about being alone."
Top Ten, here we come...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Favorite Songs: 20 - 16
20: "Tomorrow" by James (Wah Wah)
Wah Wah was an interesting album. It was recorded at the same time as Laid, but in a different studio. There weren't many songs that actually got completed, as it was mostly just jam sessions and experiments, some of which ended up being songs on later James albums. One of the completed songs was "Tomorrow," which Tim Booth (lead singer) has said was written to keep a friend from jumping off a roof. Turns out it's a pretty nifty song. The version on Wah Wah was kind of rough and unpolished, then a few years later it was cleaned up and included on the album Whiplash. Both versions are good, but I like the Wah Wah one a tad bit more.
Line: "Gotta keep faith that your path will change, gotta keep faith that your luck will change tomorrow."
First time I've ever seen this video... It's the more refined version off Whiplash.
19. "In My Life" by The Beatles (Rubber Soul)
My all time favorite Beatles song. It still amazes me what this band was able to accomplish in 7 years. 27 #1 singles. (20 in the U.S., 17 in the U.K., 7 of them different.) For the week of April 11, 1964, the Beatles had fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot 100. They held the number 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 14, 38, 48, 50, 52, 61, 74, 78 and 81 slots. One week earlier, five Beatles singles had filled the entire top five. (Both of those would be records.) 8 consecutive #1 albums. And, oh yeah, a cultural revolution. All from 1964-1971. Fucking astounding. This song, for me personally, is the ultimate achievement of that 7 years of chaos.
Line: "Though I often stop and think about them, in my life I've loved you more."
18. "Only In Dreams" by Weezer (Weezer)
I've just always loved this song. I like how the instruments fade in one by one, then the two quick verses, then the fade out fade in fade out thing with each instrument to end the song (and album).
Line: "You walk up to her, ask her to dance. She says, 'Hey, maybe I just might take a chance.'"
17. "The Dance" by Garth Brooks (Garth Brooks)
The only country song on this entire list ranks this high because of what it means to me personally. It talks about how avoiding a situation would have resulted in missing out on a lot of pain, but that the joy that was also involved was worth not avoiding the situation. Like you couldn't figure that out for yourself. Ha ha.
Line: "Holding you, I held everything."
16. "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS (Kick)
The (synthesized) violin intro... The silent pauses between verses... Michael Hutchence's fucking voice... Kick was INXS at their best, and this was, without question, the best song off that album. A song of complete, absolute devotion.
Line: "If I hurt you, I'd make wine from your tears."
Wah Wah was an interesting album. It was recorded at the same time as Laid, but in a different studio. There weren't many songs that actually got completed, as it was mostly just jam sessions and experiments, some of which ended up being songs on later James albums. One of the completed songs was "Tomorrow," which Tim Booth (lead singer) has said was written to keep a friend from jumping off a roof. Turns out it's a pretty nifty song. The version on Wah Wah was kind of rough and unpolished, then a few years later it was cleaned up and included on the album Whiplash. Both versions are good, but I like the Wah Wah one a tad bit more.
Line: "Gotta keep faith that your path will change, gotta keep faith that your luck will change tomorrow."
First time I've ever seen this video... It's the more refined version off Whiplash.
19. "In My Life" by The Beatles (Rubber Soul)
My all time favorite Beatles song. It still amazes me what this band was able to accomplish in 7 years. 27 #1 singles. (20 in the U.S., 17 in the U.K., 7 of them different.) For the week of April 11, 1964, the Beatles had fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot 100. They held the number 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 14, 38, 48, 50, 52, 61, 74, 78 and 81 slots. One week earlier, five Beatles singles had filled the entire top five. (Both of those would be records.) 8 consecutive #1 albums. And, oh yeah, a cultural revolution. All from 1964-1971. Fucking astounding. This song, for me personally, is the ultimate achievement of that 7 years of chaos.
Line: "Though I often stop and think about them, in my life I've loved you more."
18. "Only In Dreams" by Weezer (Weezer)
I've just always loved this song. I like how the instruments fade in one by one, then the two quick verses, then the fade out fade in fade out thing with each instrument to end the song (and album).
Line: "You walk up to her, ask her to dance. She says, 'Hey, maybe I just might take a chance.'"
17. "The Dance" by Garth Brooks (Garth Brooks)
The only country song on this entire list ranks this high because of what it means to me personally. It talks about how avoiding a situation would have resulted in missing out on a lot of pain, but that the joy that was also involved was worth not avoiding the situation. Like you couldn't figure that out for yourself. Ha ha.
Line: "Holding you, I held everything."
16. "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS (Kick)
The (synthesized) violin intro... The silent pauses between verses... Michael Hutchence's fucking voice... Kick was INXS at their best, and this was, without question, the best song off that album. A song of complete, absolute devotion.
Line: "If I hurt you, I'd make wine from your tears."
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Favorite Songs: 25 - 21
Wow. Has this really taken me nearly three months to finish? I didn't think it would take me nearly that long. Guess I didn't add in the having a 7 month old child distracting me and keeping me occupied factor. Oh well. We're almost done.
25. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here)
If anyone dare question the greatness of this song, they need a fucking lobotomy. I'm just saying.
Line: "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year."
24. "P.S." by James (Laid)
This song is the reason I love James. The first James song I heard was "Born Of Frustration" off Seven. While I liked the song, I wasn't intrigued enough to buy the CD (and actually, I didn't finally get it until last summer. And regret waiting so long, as I've already said at some point.) A couple years later they release the CD Laid, as well as the single "Laid" (you know, the one song by James that anybody knows.) Still wasn't sure about buying the album. Then one night I was watching 120 Minutes on MTV (back when they still had shows about music), and James is in studio. They play "Laid" predictably enough. Later, though, they played this song, and I was absolutely hooked. Actually, more accurately, I was blown away. If I had missed that show, I probably wouldn't have ever bought Laid, because even though there were a couple more singles off it, none of them got any air play whatsoever around here, and in turn, this list would have been a whole lot different because what is now one of my favorite bands ever would not have been included a single time. And there are still a few songs coming from them. Thank God I didn't have a life in high school and was home on Saturday nights (or Friday, can't remember which now. Or was it Sunday? Damned memory) so I could watch 120 Minutes.
Line: "You liar. You liar. All your hope and trust is misplaced."
23. "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper (She's So Unusual)
Cyndi Lauper really was the shit back in the day. I've bought this album probably 5 different times over the years, and it's been stolen every single time. Finally bought it on cassette, and, surprise surprise, nobody has stolen it.
Line: "Watching through windows, you're wondering if I'm OK."
22. "Country Feedback" by R.E.M. (Out Of Time)
In my humble (ha ha) opinion, Out Of Time is one of the most overrated albums ever. It is consistently called R.E.M.'s best album (nope... Document or Green), one of the best albums of the '90s (not really) etc. etc. etc., mostly because of "Losing My Religion." And don't even get me started on how bad that song sucks. Anyway... "Country Feedback" is one of the few songs off that album that's actually worth a fuck. On several tours, R.E.M. had a fan poll up asking what song the fans wanted to hear at each show. It was no mistake that "Country Feedback" was consistently in the top 5, and usually one of the top 2. Such a great song.
Line: "I was central, I had control, I lost my head. I need this."
21. "So Cruel" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
My second-favorite song off my second-favorite U2 album. It's about a woman who knows a guy is in love with her, so she takes advantage of him as much as possible while giving nothing in return. Sounds like every girl I dated before Holley (except one). And yet, these guys make all this suffering sound like a love song. Crafty bastards. For whatever reason, this song has only been played live 3 times. Ever.
Line: "The men who love you you hate the most."
25. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here)
If anyone dare question the greatness of this song, they need a fucking lobotomy. I'm just saying.
Line: "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year."
24. "P.S." by James (Laid)
This song is the reason I love James. The first James song I heard was "Born Of Frustration" off Seven. While I liked the song, I wasn't intrigued enough to buy the CD (and actually, I didn't finally get it until last summer. And regret waiting so long, as I've already said at some point.) A couple years later they release the CD Laid, as well as the single "Laid" (you know, the one song by James that anybody knows.) Still wasn't sure about buying the album. Then one night I was watching 120 Minutes on MTV (back when they still had shows about music), and James is in studio. They play "Laid" predictably enough. Later, though, they played this song, and I was absolutely hooked. Actually, more accurately, I was blown away. If I had missed that show, I probably wouldn't have ever bought Laid, because even though there were a couple more singles off it, none of them got any air play whatsoever around here, and in turn, this list would have been a whole lot different because what is now one of my favorite bands ever would not have been included a single time. And there are still a few songs coming from them. Thank God I didn't have a life in high school and was home on Saturday nights (or Friday, can't remember which now. Or was it Sunday? Damned memory) so I could watch 120 Minutes.
Line: "You liar. You liar. All your hope and trust is misplaced."
23. "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper (She's So Unusual)
Cyndi Lauper really was the shit back in the day. I've bought this album probably 5 different times over the years, and it's been stolen every single time. Finally bought it on cassette, and, surprise surprise, nobody has stolen it.
Line: "Watching through windows, you're wondering if I'm OK."
22. "Country Feedback" by R.E.M. (Out Of Time)
In my humble (ha ha) opinion, Out Of Time is one of the most overrated albums ever. It is consistently called R.E.M.'s best album (nope... Document or Green), one of the best albums of the '90s (not really) etc. etc. etc., mostly because of "Losing My Religion." And don't even get me started on how bad that song sucks. Anyway... "Country Feedback" is one of the few songs off that album that's actually worth a fuck. On several tours, R.E.M. had a fan poll up asking what song the fans wanted to hear at each show. It was no mistake that "Country Feedback" was consistently in the top 5, and usually one of the top 2. Such a great song.
Line: "I was central, I had control, I lost my head. I need this."
21. "So Cruel" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
My second-favorite song off my second-favorite U2 album. It's about a woman who knows a guy is in love with her, so she takes advantage of him as much as possible while giving nothing in return. Sounds like every girl I dated before Holley (except one). And yet, these guys make all this suffering sound like a love song. Crafty bastards. For whatever reason, this song has only been played live 3 times. Ever.
Line: "The men who love you you hate the most."
Monday, January 25, 2010
Intermission Number 3
Sorry, just wanted to do another quick intermission post. And these are just totally random, just kind of doing it on the fly. (Believe it or not, the rest of this stuff has been pretty pre-meditated and, in a lot of cases, completely written out before hand.)
Top 5 TV Theme Songs:
5. Jeopardy! Try getting it out of your head now...
4. Love Boat. Come on, you love it and you know it.
3. Greatest American Hero. ("Believe it or not, I'm walking on air...")
2. Malcolm In the Middle. ("Boss Of Me" by They Might Be Giants) Can't have a list like this without They Might Be Giants being listed.
1. Wonder Years. All time favorite TV show. Too bad it'll never be on DVD. There's no way they could figure out how to pay for the rights to all the music they used in that show, which is the absolute only reason the series has never been released on DVD.
Top 5 Cover Songs Of All Time:
5. "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails original)
Amazing amazing song.
4. "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker (Beatles)
Did you really not see that coming after Wonder Years was my favorite theme song ever?
3. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" by Marilyn Manson (Eurythmics)
One of the few cover versions of a song that I like as much or more than the original. In this case, more.
2. "Always On My Mind" by Pet Shop Boys (Willie Nelson)
Not sure if Willie Nelson was actually the original singer, but I think so, so he gets credit. Even if he wasn't, his is still the most popular version.
1. "Bring It On Home To Me" by The Animals (Sam Cooke)
Sam Cooke's version is good, but the version done by The Animals is great. It's actually my favorite Animals song overall. Just a bad ass tune.
The video's cheesy as piss, but it's the actual album version instead of live, thus it got picked.
Top 5 Songs That I Forgot To Put In the List (in no particular order):
5. "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash
Obvious Cash song, yes, but that's OK. It still rules.
4. "Beers Steers + Queers" by Revolting Cocks
Basically just a rant about red necks, to some throbbing techno music. Good angry song.
3. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga
Yeah, I'm queer, I know. I love this song for some reason.
2. "Need You Tonight/Mediate" by INXS
Yeah, I know, it's actually two songs. Pretty much the song and video that made INXS huge in the States.
1. "This Is the New Shit" by Marilyn Manson
Only reason it's not on the list is because I don't own a copy of it. Love this friggin song.
Top 10 Weird Al Yankovic Songs:
Yeah, 10. You heard me. Ha ha. Not getting into detail, just putting the videos. 3 parodies (#s 10 8 and 2), 7 originals. (4 parodies counting the honorable mention.)
Honorable mention:
"Whatever You Like" (Internet Leaks)
This is going to be on his next album, should be out this year some time.
10. "Yoda" (Dare To Be Stupid)
"I know Darth Vader's really got you annoyed, but remember if you kill him then you'll be unemployed." One of my favorite lines from any song ever.
9. "The Biggest Ball Of Twine In Minnesota" (UHF)
8. "White and Nerdy" (Straight Outta Lynwood)
Donny Osmond rules in this video.
7. "Frank's 2000" TV" (Alapalooza)
6. "Your Horoscope For Today" (Running With Scissors)
5. "Albuquerque" (Running With Scissors)
Only video I could find with all 11 minutes and 20 seconds.
4. "You Don't Love Me Anymore" (Off the Deep End)
The original video is good, but that new VEVO thing YouTube is using to post original music videos decided that the first minute or so of the song was unnecessary. Nice.
3. "Everything You Know Is Wrong" (Bad Hair Day)
2. "Trapped In the Drive-Thru" (Straight Outta Lynnwood)
1. "One More Minute" (Dare To Be Stupid)
Yes, I was just joking about the first three TV theme songs. The last two, however, really are my favorite theme songs ever.
And there you have it. No more intermissions, no more screwing around. From here on out, it will only be posts of the last 25 songs. Next 5 coming soon.
Top 5 TV Theme Songs:
5. Jeopardy! Try getting it out of your head now...
4. Love Boat. Come on, you love it and you know it.
3. Greatest American Hero. ("Believe it or not, I'm walking on air...")
2. Malcolm In the Middle. ("Boss Of Me" by They Might Be Giants) Can't have a list like this without They Might Be Giants being listed.
1. Wonder Years. All time favorite TV show. Too bad it'll never be on DVD. There's no way they could figure out how to pay for the rights to all the music they used in that show, which is the absolute only reason the series has never been released on DVD.
Top 5 Cover Songs Of All Time:
5. "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails original)
Amazing amazing song.
4. "With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker (Beatles)
Did you really not see that coming after Wonder Years was my favorite theme song ever?
3. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" by Marilyn Manson (Eurythmics)
One of the few cover versions of a song that I like as much or more than the original. In this case, more.
2. "Always On My Mind" by Pet Shop Boys (Willie Nelson)
Not sure if Willie Nelson was actually the original singer, but I think so, so he gets credit. Even if he wasn't, his is still the most popular version.
1. "Bring It On Home To Me" by The Animals (Sam Cooke)
Sam Cooke's version is good, but the version done by The Animals is great. It's actually my favorite Animals song overall. Just a bad ass tune.
The video's cheesy as piss, but it's the actual album version instead of live, thus it got picked.
Top 5 Songs That I Forgot To Put In the List (in no particular order):
5. "Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash
Obvious Cash song, yes, but that's OK. It still rules.
4. "Beers Steers + Queers" by Revolting Cocks
Basically just a rant about red necks, to some throbbing techno music. Good angry song.
3. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga
Yeah, I'm queer, I know. I love this song for some reason.
2. "Need You Tonight/Mediate" by INXS
Yeah, I know, it's actually two songs. Pretty much the song and video that made INXS huge in the States.
1. "This Is the New Shit" by Marilyn Manson
Only reason it's not on the list is because I don't own a copy of it. Love this friggin song.
Top 10 Weird Al Yankovic Songs:
Yeah, 10. You heard me. Ha ha. Not getting into detail, just putting the videos. 3 parodies (#s 10 8 and 2), 7 originals. (4 parodies counting the honorable mention.)
Honorable mention:
"Whatever You Like" (Internet Leaks)
This is going to be on his next album, should be out this year some time.
10. "Yoda" (Dare To Be Stupid)
"I know Darth Vader's really got you annoyed, but remember if you kill him then you'll be unemployed." One of my favorite lines from any song ever.
9. "The Biggest Ball Of Twine In Minnesota" (UHF)
8. "White and Nerdy" (Straight Outta Lynwood)
Donny Osmond rules in this video.
7. "Frank's 2000" TV" (Alapalooza)
6. "Your Horoscope For Today" (Running With Scissors)
5. "Albuquerque" (Running With Scissors)
Only video I could find with all 11 minutes and 20 seconds.
4. "You Don't Love Me Anymore" (Off the Deep End)
The original video is good, but that new VEVO thing YouTube is using to post original music videos decided that the first minute or so of the song was unnecessary. Nice.
3. "Everything You Know Is Wrong" (Bad Hair Day)
2. "Trapped In the Drive-Thru" (Straight Outta Lynnwood)
1. "One More Minute" (Dare To Be Stupid)
Yes, I was just joking about the first three TV theme songs. The last two, however, really are my favorite theme songs ever.
And there you have it. No more intermissions, no more screwing around. From here on out, it will only be posts of the last 25 songs. Next 5 coming soon.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Favorite Songs: 30 - 26
30. "Star Sign" by Teenage Fanclub (Bandwagonesque)
I think the intro to this song, which is mostly feedback and random noise, is longer than the actual song itself. Or damned close, anyway. This was another band that hit it big really quickly (4 singles that got considerable airplay on this album, including this song) then faded away almost as quickly, although they did continue to release albums up until 2005. (Bandwagonesque was released in '91.) This is my favorite by them, though. Pretty much makes fun of people who base their lives around the Zodiac and horoscopes and all that fun stuff. And I was just kidding. The song is about 5 minutes, the intro is about a minute and a half.
Line: "Hey - Do you know where you belong? And say - Is your star sign ever wrong?"
29. "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John (Madman Across the Water)
Elton John was so much better back before he started writing songs for Disney movies. There are so many songs I could have put on this list by him up through the late '80s. Been all downhill since then. This song rules.
Line: "Hold me closer tiny dancer. Count the headlights on the highway."
28. "Tomorrow, Wendy" by Concrete Blonde (Bloodletting)
This song was written for a friend of the lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo (who actually wrote the song) who was dying of AIDS (thus the chorus: "Hey hey, goodbye. Tomorrow, Wendy, You're going to die.") Kind of grim? Sure. But at the same time it's kind of not.
Line: "I told the priest, don't count on any second coming. God got His ass kicked the first time he came down here slumming."
27. Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus
This song was originally only released as a single, thus no album listed, even though it's been on every compilation album of theirs since. It's about 9 minutes long, and all 9 minutes are great. The drums sound like bone smacking bone, the guitars are almost non-existent, the bass line is simple yet wonderful, and Peter Murphy's voice never sounded so haunting or haunted. It's all a tribute to Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula, basically. Just a great song. And yeah, this was the band that really created "Goth." Not The Church, not Echo and the Bunnymen, not even The Cure. It was all Bauhaus.
Line: "Poor Bela. Bela's undead."
Full 9-plus minute version.
"Short" 7 minute version.
26. "City Of Blinding Lights" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
This is one of the few remaining upbeat songs. Just giving you a heads up. It's gonna get downright somber in this mother for the final 25. For whatever reason, Holley and I have pretty much adopted this as "our song" even though there's no real reason to have done so. Just kind of happened. Even if that wasn't the case it would still be on here.
Line: "What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?"
This was how they started the shows on the Vertigo tour. It was pretty bad ass in person. Still one of my favorite shows. The light curtains were cool as shit.
I think the intro to this song, which is mostly feedback and random noise, is longer than the actual song itself. Or damned close, anyway. This was another band that hit it big really quickly (4 singles that got considerable airplay on this album, including this song) then faded away almost as quickly, although they did continue to release albums up until 2005. (Bandwagonesque was released in '91.) This is my favorite by them, though. Pretty much makes fun of people who base their lives around the Zodiac and horoscopes and all that fun stuff. And I was just kidding. The song is about 5 minutes, the intro is about a minute and a half.
Line: "Hey - Do you know where you belong? And say - Is your star sign ever wrong?"
29. "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John (Madman Across the Water)
Elton John was so much better back before he started writing songs for Disney movies. There are so many songs I could have put on this list by him up through the late '80s. Been all downhill since then. This song rules.
Line: "Hold me closer tiny dancer. Count the headlights on the highway."
28. "Tomorrow, Wendy" by Concrete Blonde (Bloodletting)
This song was written for a friend of the lead singer of the band Wall of Voodoo (who actually wrote the song) who was dying of AIDS (thus the chorus: "Hey hey, goodbye. Tomorrow, Wendy, You're going to die.") Kind of grim? Sure. But at the same time it's kind of not.
Line: "I told the priest, don't count on any second coming. God got His ass kicked the first time he came down here slumming."
27. Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus
This song was originally only released as a single, thus no album listed, even though it's been on every compilation album of theirs since. It's about 9 minutes long, and all 9 minutes are great. The drums sound like bone smacking bone, the guitars are almost non-existent, the bass line is simple yet wonderful, and Peter Murphy's voice never sounded so haunting or haunted. It's all a tribute to Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Dracula, basically. Just a great song. And yeah, this was the band that really created "Goth." Not The Church, not Echo and the Bunnymen, not even The Cure. It was all Bauhaus.
Line: "Poor Bela. Bela's undead."
Full 9-plus minute version.
"Short" 7 minute version.
26. "City Of Blinding Lights" by U2 (How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)
This is one of the few remaining upbeat songs. Just giving you a heads up. It's gonna get downright somber in this mother for the final 25. For whatever reason, Holley and I have pretty much adopted this as "our song" even though there's no real reason to have done so. Just kind of happened. Even if that wasn't the case it would still be on here.
Line: "What happened to the beauty I had inside of me?"
This was how they started the shows on the Vertigo tour. It was pretty bad ass in person. Still one of my favorite shows. The light curtains were cool as shit.
Favorite Songs: 35 - 31
So, little man let me get a lot of writing done Friday, so I got this post and the next two finished. Not posting them all at once, but at least I won't be taking a week and a half between updates.
No comments on the last post, so let's get right to it, shall we?
35. "Stand Inside Your Love" by Smashing Pumpkins (MACHINA/The Machines Of God)
I wasn't really a big fan of this album when it first came out, but I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Now, I do indeed like the rest of the album as well, and like this song even more than I did back then. Plus, it is a really fun song to sing at karaoke.
Line: "I feel as though I am reborn in my mind, recast as child and mystic sage."
34. "War On Drugs" by Barenaked Ladies (Everything To Everyone)
Very very very depressing song about fragile mental health and suicide and its aftermath. Definitely don't listen to it if you're in a bad mood.
Line: "And the very fear that makes you want to die, is just the same as what keeps you alive. It's way more trouble than some suicide is worth."
(This isn't a great version, but it's the only one I could find that included an actual member of BNL instead of just a cover version. Strongly recommend getting the album version from somewhere.)
33. "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. (Automatic For the People)
One of the simplest (musically) songs that R.E.M. has ever done, and one of the most beautiful. Just an amazing song.
Line: "I thought I knew you."
32. "Out To Get You" by James (Laid)
This song really should be in the top 10, which should tell you how much I love the next 31. Another song about loss and longing, but also one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. When I do the favorite albums list, this will be a top 5 album, and it's in large part to this song and one other, which we'll get to later.
Line: "So alone tonight, I miss you more than I will let you know. Miss the outline of your back, miss you breathing down my neck."
(There's kind of a false start, technical issues at the show. Pretty funny banter in between. This version's also on the Getting Away With It... Live CD, which was recorded at the last two shows of the farewell tour in '05. Funnier on the CD, because he, and several members of the band, apologize to his mom after he says 'fuck.' Pretty funny. So glad they got back together, though, a couple years after this tour. And yes, they are that big in Europe, able to fill arenas. Here? Can't even sell out Radio City Music Hall. Shame.)
31. "Running To Stand Still" by U2 (The Joshua Tree)
The Joshua Tree is still one of my all time favorite albums, without question, and this is my second favorite song off of it. It's a song about a heroin addict, basically, but it's not all preachy about drug use and shit. The album version is awesome. The version in the movie Rattle and Hum is even better. My favorite version, though, is on the ZooTV Live From Sydney video. (The version I'm including, by the way.) Goes out of "Bullet the Blue Sky" into "Running To Stand Still" flawlessly. Then at the end, they use a little organ for an outro, then a little harmonica, then a little more organ, then it blends into the organ intro for "Where the Streets Have No Name". There's actually a point where you can tell the audience just realized it switched from "Running" to "Streets", and you know that every pair of panties in the audience got wet at the same time.
Line: "You've got to cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice."
(This video cuts out about 2 seconds before the pantie creaming moment, so I'm linking a video for that too, because, well, let's face it... "Where the Streets Have No Name" is a bad ass song too. And because it's my blog, I can do what I want. Ha ha. Just hit play on both, pause them til they're fully loaded, then listen to them back-to-back. Worth it. The sound's a little bit worse on "Streets" unfortunately.)
No comments on the last post, so let's get right to it, shall we?
35. "Stand Inside Your Love" by Smashing Pumpkins (MACHINA/The Machines Of God)
I wasn't really a big fan of this album when it first came out, but I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Now, I do indeed like the rest of the album as well, and like this song even more than I did back then. Plus, it is a really fun song to sing at karaoke.
Line: "I feel as though I am reborn in my mind, recast as child and mystic sage."
34. "War On Drugs" by Barenaked Ladies (Everything To Everyone)
Very very very depressing song about fragile mental health and suicide and its aftermath. Definitely don't listen to it if you're in a bad mood.
Line: "And the very fear that makes you want to die, is just the same as what keeps you alive. It's way more trouble than some suicide is worth."
(This isn't a great version, but it's the only one I could find that included an actual member of BNL instead of just a cover version. Strongly recommend getting the album version from somewhere.)
33. "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. (Automatic For the People)
One of the simplest (musically) songs that R.E.M. has ever done, and one of the most beautiful. Just an amazing song.
Line: "I thought I knew you."
32. "Out To Get You" by James (Laid)
This song really should be in the top 10, which should tell you how much I love the next 31. Another song about loss and longing, but also one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. When I do the favorite albums list, this will be a top 5 album, and it's in large part to this song and one other, which we'll get to later.
Line: "So alone tonight, I miss you more than I will let you know. Miss the outline of your back, miss you breathing down my neck."
(There's kind of a false start, technical issues at the show. Pretty funny banter in between. This version's also on the Getting Away With It... Live CD, which was recorded at the last two shows of the farewell tour in '05. Funnier on the CD, because he, and several members of the band, apologize to his mom after he says 'fuck.' Pretty funny. So glad they got back together, though, a couple years after this tour. And yes, they are that big in Europe, able to fill arenas. Here? Can't even sell out Radio City Music Hall. Shame.)
31. "Running To Stand Still" by U2 (The Joshua Tree)
The Joshua Tree is still one of my all time favorite albums, without question, and this is my second favorite song off of it. It's a song about a heroin addict, basically, but it's not all preachy about drug use and shit. The album version is awesome. The version in the movie Rattle and Hum is even better. My favorite version, though, is on the ZooTV Live From Sydney video. (The version I'm including, by the way.) Goes out of "Bullet the Blue Sky" into "Running To Stand Still" flawlessly. Then at the end, they use a little organ for an outro, then a little harmonica, then a little more organ, then it blends into the organ intro for "Where the Streets Have No Name". There's actually a point where you can tell the audience just realized it switched from "Running" to "Streets", and you know that every pair of panties in the audience got wet at the same time.
Line: "You've got to cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice."
(This video cuts out about 2 seconds before the pantie creaming moment, so I'm linking a video for that too, because, well, let's face it... "Where the Streets Have No Name" is a bad ass song too. And because it's my blog, I can do what I want. Ha ha. Just hit play on both, pause them til they're fully loaded, then listen to them back-to-back. Worth it. The sound's a little bit worse on "Streets" unfortunately.)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Favorite Songs: 40 - 36
Comment from the last post...
Sayeth Heather:
"One of my favorite Beatles songs, probably my fave of their early career. I love the harmonies on this song.
"Sorry about you and your wife's friend. I get it. My cousin died this Christmas ,from an infection after a bone marrow transplant (she had Leukemia). I was bawling my eyes out listening to that song."
(Those would be referring to "If I Fell" and Cancer" respectively.)
Yeah, "If I Fell" is definitely one of my favorite Beatles songs, also. Only one other tops it in my book, but you have to wait to see what that one is. As for "Cancer"... yeah... The lyrics in that song are just outstanding. Quite obvious they aren't fucking around too much on that album.
And on with the show...
So, fair warning, every group of 5 songs from here on out will have at least one song from at least one of the following groups: The Cure, James, and U2. Like I said, just fair warning.
40. "The Taking Of Peckham 1... 2... 3..." by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (101 Damnations)
Almost every Carter USM song tells a story, but none quite this well. It's basically about a crime ridden neighborhood, presumably, but not necessarily, in London. Shop owners, pedestrians, random citizens in general being robbed and killed. All set to some lovely carnival music. Good times, good times.
Line: "15 men on a dead man's chest. They robbed him blind, and then dumb, and then deaf."
Live version. Not the best, but it'll do.
39. "Violet" by Hole (Live Through This)
Maybe I should just give in and buy this album instead of downloading everything from it. Much more fun to get it from Limewire and not give Courtney Love any money though. Love how this song starts off nice and sweet for about 30 seconds then just jumps up and kicks you in the teeth. Just lovely.
Line: "I'm the one with no soul."
38. "The Loudest Sound" by The Cure (Bloodflowers)
One of the prettiest songs on this list, as well as one of the saddest. This song is all about what happens when two people find out they have absolutely nothing left to say to each other, and how the resulting silence is deafening. Best song on a severely under appreciated album.
Line: "And side by side in silence, without a single word. It's the loudest sound I've ever heard."
Good home made video...
37. "Torn" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Pale)
If only every album could open with a song like this. It's about not knowing yourself, or any one for that matter, and trying to fight through it yet pushing every one away.
Line: "Am I real? I don't want to feel anything anymore."
The random Simon and Garfunkel quote at the beginning actually fits. Not random, obviously, I just feel like being a shit today.
36. "You Surround Me" by Erasure (Wild!)
One of those great, unknown love songs. Really a shame too, because it's beautiful both musically and lyrically. Yet another under appreciated song off Wild! Well, OK, so this song is no "Chains Of Love" or "A Little Respect" (Smell that? that's sarcasm!)... This album, as well as this single, were dismissed way too quickly. What's that? You didn't know it was a single? No one else did, either, so don't feel bad.
Line: "There's nothing here 'til we have someone to hold."
OK, so the absurd outfits didn't help get this on MTV...
Comments? Questions? Consternation's?
Sayeth Heather:
"One of my favorite Beatles songs, probably my fave of their early career. I love the harmonies on this song.
"Sorry about you and your wife's friend. I get it. My cousin died this Christmas ,from an infection after a bone marrow transplant (she had Leukemia). I was bawling my eyes out listening to that song."
(Those would be referring to "If I Fell" and Cancer" respectively.)
Yeah, "If I Fell" is definitely one of my favorite Beatles songs, also. Only one other tops it in my book, but you have to wait to see what that one is. As for "Cancer"... yeah... The lyrics in that song are just outstanding. Quite obvious they aren't fucking around too much on that album.
And on with the show...
So, fair warning, every group of 5 songs from here on out will have at least one song from at least one of the following groups: The Cure, James, and U2. Like I said, just fair warning.
40. "The Taking Of Peckham 1... 2... 3..." by Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine (101 Damnations)
Almost every Carter USM song tells a story, but none quite this well. It's basically about a crime ridden neighborhood, presumably, but not necessarily, in London. Shop owners, pedestrians, random citizens in general being robbed and killed. All set to some lovely carnival music. Good times, good times.
Line: "15 men on a dead man's chest. They robbed him blind, and then dumb, and then deaf."
Live version. Not the best, but it'll do.
39. "Violet" by Hole (Live Through This)
Maybe I should just give in and buy this album instead of downloading everything from it. Much more fun to get it from Limewire and not give Courtney Love any money though. Love how this song starts off nice and sweet for about 30 seconds then just jumps up and kicks you in the teeth. Just lovely.
Line: "I'm the one with no soul."
38. "The Loudest Sound" by The Cure (Bloodflowers)
One of the prettiest songs on this list, as well as one of the saddest. This song is all about what happens when two people find out they have absolutely nothing left to say to each other, and how the resulting silence is deafening. Best song on a severely under appreciated album.
Line: "And side by side in silence, without a single word. It's the loudest sound I've ever heard."
Good home made video...
37. "Torn" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Pale)
If only every album could open with a song like this. It's about not knowing yourself, or any one for that matter, and trying to fight through it yet pushing every one away.
Line: "Am I real? I don't want to feel anything anymore."
The random Simon and Garfunkel quote at the beginning actually fits. Not random, obviously, I just feel like being a shit today.
36. "You Surround Me" by Erasure (Wild!)
One of those great, unknown love songs. Really a shame too, because it's beautiful both musically and lyrically. Yet another under appreciated song off Wild! Well, OK, so this song is no "Chains Of Love" or "A Little Respect" (Smell that? that's sarcasm!)... This album, as well as this single, were dismissed way too quickly. What's that? You didn't know it was a single? No one else did, either, so don't feel bad.
Line: "There's nothing here 'til we have someone to hold."
OK, so the absurd outfits didn't help get this on MTV...
Comments? Questions? Consternation's?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Favorite Songs: 45 - 41
Hooray for not taking a week between posts! Ha.
This is probably the moodiest set of 5 songs on the list. At least so far, anyway. Think there will be a few even moodier groups coming up, if I'm not mistaken.
So I recall something about saying that I'd respond to comments from previous posts in the next post. So, to that end...
Young Matthew writes:
"MCR has always been one of my favorite lyrical bands. And Helena is right on the top of my list of MCR songs too!!"
Aye lad, I knew I liked you for a reason. "Helena" is not quite my favorite MCR song, though. It's my 2nd favorite. The first is about 3 songs away...
45. "Push" by The Cure (The Head On the Door)
If I were ever in a band, I would insist this song be in the play list. Are there more lyrically interesting songs out there? Absolutely. But musically, this just seems like it would be a fun song to perform live. All sorts of energy, great tempo, great changes. It's about 80% instrumental, the music acting more like verse and chorus than the vocals. Just a great tune. The video is from the video The Cure In Orange. No, they aren't "in orange" they are in Orange, France, in an old castle. One of my favorite concert videos ever, and right before Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me came out and "Just Like Heaven" actually made the band famous outside Europe. And one of the few periods of the band's history that Robert Smith doesn't have the tweaked out hair. Sorry 'bout the rambling, here's the song.
Line: "A smile to hide the fear away."
44. "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper (True Colors)
Seriously, do I even need to try to convince anyone how beautiful this song is? Never mind the millions of commercials it's been used in. We all gots ta make that money, right? I'll just stand back and let the awesomeness that is Cyndi Lauper shine.
Line: "Can't remember when I last saw you laughing."
(The time she whispers it, after the musical break. For whatever reason that's my favorite part of the song.)
43. "Cancer" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
This song, as awesome as it is, is kind of hard to listen to sometimes. One of my wife's very close friends, who was a bride's maid in our wedding, died of cancer right around the time we started listening to these guys in general and specifically this album. Grr... Can't even write about it right now.
Line: No single line suffices, thus the reason I picked a video that just shows the lyrics.
42. "If I Fell" by The Beatles (Something New)
Lennon and McCartney. Has there ever been such perfect harmonizing on a song these two didn't sing together? I don't think so. Many have tried, all have failed.
Line: "I must be sure from the very start that you will love me more than her."
41. "King Of Birds" by R.E.M. (Document)
Most of Document is kind of hard, to an extent, especially for R.E.M. Even "The One I Love" is pretty rough and edgy, really, but the real rock songs are "Oddfellows Local 151" or "Finest Worksong" or even "It's the End Of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". But then, near the end of the album, right before the aforementioned "Oddfellows Local 151", which itself is a bad ass song, just to satisfy your need for some classic R.E.M., there's "King Of Birds". It sounds like it's got a bit of a Middle Eastern influence, in a way, but not quite. Kind of hard to peg. The live version on the Tourfilm video is phenomenal, but there wasn't a version on YouTube with the awesome a capella intro or the sweet ass finishing section, so I'm just going with the album version with the horribly cheesy video. Enjoy.
Line: "I am the king of all I see - my kingdom for a voice."
As always, comments are appreciated.
This is probably the moodiest set of 5 songs on the list. At least so far, anyway. Think there will be a few even moodier groups coming up, if I'm not mistaken.
So I recall something about saying that I'd respond to comments from previous posts in the next post. So, to that end...
Young Matthew writes:
"MCR has always been one of my favorite lyrical bands. And Helena is right on the top of my list of MCR songs too!!"
Aye lad, I knew I liked you for a reason. "Helena" is not quite my favorite MCR song, though. It's my 2nd favorite. The first is about 3 songs away...
45. "Push" by The Cure (The Head On the Door)
If I were ever in a band, I would insist this song be in the play list. Are there more lyrically interesting songs out there? Absolutely. But musically, this just seems like it would be a fun song to perform live. All sorts of energy, great tempo, great changes. It's about 80% instrumental, the music acting more like verse and chorus than the vocals. Just a great tune. The video is from the video The Cure In Orange. No, they aren't "in orange" they are in Orange, France, in an old castle. One of my favorite concert videos ever, and right before Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me came out and "Just Like Heaven" actually made the band famous outside Europe. And one of the few periods of the band's history that Robert Smith doesn't have the tweaked out hair. Sorry 'bout the rambling, here's the song.
Line: "A smile to hide the fear away."
44. "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper (True Colors)
Seriously, do I even need to try to convince anyone how beautiful this song is? Never mind the millions of commercials it's been used in. We all gots ta make that money, right? I'll just stand back and let the awesomeness that is Cyndi Lauper shine.
Line: "Can't remember when I last saw you laughing."
(The time she whispers it, after the musical break. For whatever reason that's my favorite part of the song.)
43. "Cancer" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
This song, as awesome as it is, is kind of hard to listen to sometimes. One of my wife's very close friends, who was a bride's maid in our wedding, died of cancer right around the time we started listening to these guys in general and specifically this album. Grr... Can't even write about it right now.
Line: No single line suffices, thus the reason I picked a video that just shows the lyrics.
42. "If I Fell" by The Beatles (Something New)
Lennon and McCartney. Has there ever been such perfect harmonizing on a song these two didn't sing together? I don't think so. Many have tried, all have failed.
Line: "I must be sure from the very start that you will love me more than her."
41. "King Of Birds" by R.E.M. (Document)
Most of Document is kind of hard, to an extent, especially for R.E.M. Even "The One I Love" is pretty rough and edgy, really, but the real rock songs are "Oddfellows Local 151" or "Finest Worksong" or even "It's the End Of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". But then, near the end of the album, right before the aforementioned "Oddfellows Local 151", which itself is a bad ass song, just to satisfy your need for some classic R.E.M., there's "King Of Birds". It sounds like it's got a bit of a Middle Eastern influence, in a way, but not quite. Kind of hard to peg. The live version on the Tourfilm video is phenomenal, but there wasn't a version on YouTube with the awesome a capella intro or the sweet ass finishing section, so I'm just going with the album version with the horribly cheesy video. Enjoy.
Line: "I am the king of all I see - my kingdom for a voice."
As always, comments are appreciated.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Favorite songs: 50 - 46
Finally getting to this, a couple days later than I wanted to. The first 25 songs out of the top 50 are pretty interchangeable ranking wise. The top 25, though, when we get there, are pretty steadfast and, in my humble opinion, miles above every song on this list. But, before we can get there, we have to start here...
50. "Helena" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
My second favorite MCR song. This song absolutely rocked when we saw them live. Obvious choice to close out the show. Love the music, the energy, the Queen-esque theatricality, everything. Just a great song. The video rules too.
Line: "Came a time when every star fall brought you to tears again."
49. "High On a Riverbed" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Pale)
The first 4 songs off Pale were all singles, but for some reason none of them really got any airplay until fear, the next album, came out. Funny, since all 4 are better than the 2 singles from fear that made the band famous ("All I Want" and "Walk On the Ocean"), which I've stated at some point on this list that I hate. This one's kind of a depressing song, but really good.
Line: "Why try when everything I do feels half-right?"
48. "Ana Ng" by They Might Be Giants (Lincoln)
Another song that's just really fun and goofy. Not to say that it's not a quality song, because it is, very much so. Fur song to sing at the top of your lungs while driving down a busy street with the windows down. Over and over. And over.
Line: "They don't need me here, and I know you're there."
47. "Carpet Crawlers '99" by Genesis (Greatest Hits)
The original version of this song, from the epic 1974 album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, would have made this list as well, but probably closer to the back end, 120's or so. The reason this version ranks so high was that it marked the first (and last) time that all five "original" members of Genesis performed together since Peter Gabriel left the band after the Lamb tour. Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins share vocals on this one, and sound remarkable together. The quick little one-song-only reunion sparked rumors of a reformation of the original line up, but it was not to be. Not only was it the last time Gabriel sang with Genesis, but Collins also left the band soon after.
Line: "We've got to get in to get out."
(Naturally, I can only find the original version on You(piece of shit)Tube. Go figure.)
46. "Time After Time (Ann Elise)" by R.E.M. (Reckoning)
Most of the time, with R.E.M., anyway, the best song on any given album is not released as a single. That is the case on Reckoning without question. This song is superior to every other song on that album in every possible way. It's just a shame that you can't understand half the words. Mumbling bastard.
Line: "If your friends took a fall, are you obligated to follow?"
50. "Helena" by My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
My second favorite MCR song. This song absolutely rocked when we saw them live. Obvious choice to close out the show. Love the music, the energy, the Queen-esque theatricality, everything. Just a great song. The video rules too.
Line: "Came a time when every star fall brought you to tears again."
49. "High On a Riverbed" by Toad the Wet Sprocket (Pale)
The first 4 songs off Pale were all singles, but for some reason none of them really got any airplay until fear, the next album, came out. Funny, since all 4 are better than the 2 singles from fear that made the band famous ("All I Want" and "Walk On the Ocean"), which I've stated at some point on this list that I hate. This one's kind of a depressing song, but really good.
Line: "Why try when everything I do feels half-right?"
48. "Ana Ng" by They Might Be Giants (Lincoln)
Another song that's just really fun and goofy. Not to say that it's not a quality song, because it is, very much so. Fur song to sing at the top of your lungs while driving down a busy street with the windows down. Over and over. And over.
Line: "They don't need me here, and I know you're there."
47. "Carpet Crawlers '99" by Genesis (Greatest Hits)
The original version of this song, from the epic 1974 album The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, would have made this list as well, but probably closer to the back end, 120's or so. The reason this version ranks so high was that it marked the first (and last) time that all five "original" members of Genesis performed together since Peter Gabriel left the band after the Lamb tour. Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins share vocals on this one, and sound remarkable together. The quick little one-song-only reunion sparked rumors of a reformation of the original line up, but it was not to be. Not only was it the last time Gabriel sang with Genesis, but Collins also left the band soon after.
Line: "We've got to get in to get out."
(Naturally, I can only find the original version on You(piece of shit)Tube. Go figure.)
46. "Time After Time (Ann Elise)" by R.E.M. (Reckoning)
Most of the time, with R.E.M., anyway, the best song on any given album is not released as a single. That is the case on Reckoning without question. This song is superior to every other song on that album in every possible way. It's just a shame that you can't understand half the words. Mumbling bastard.
Line: "If your friends took a fall, are you obligated to follow?"
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Program Intermission
So, much as I did before cracking the top 100 songs, I wanted to do another quick little filler piece before getting in to the top 50. This one will be a little longer than the other one. It's going to be more quick lists, 5 to 10 songs each, but these ones I will get into a little bit of depth with, instead of just listing them and not saying anything else about them. But probably won't include videos, not sure yet. So far it's 3 lists that I plan on doing, but may be more depending on if I come up with anything else. And here we go...
Top 10 Songs From Movies:
10. "Within Your Reach" by The Replacements from Say Anything...
This is the song at the end, when John Cusack is getting ready to leave to go to England with Ione Skye. Starts off with that nifty guitar riff, then just before he leaves the apartment, he cranks the volume and the drums hit, and he leaves. Not much more of the song is played, but it is indeed a good song.
9. "Try A Little Tenderness" by The Commitments from The Commitments
Yes, the band in the movie was a real band. Yes, they were actually the ones singing in the movie. Yes that 17 year old white boy from Dublin can wail soul better than a lot of the popular soul singers from the '50s and '60s.
8. "Stuck In the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel from Reservoir Dogs
I've never actually seen this whole movie but the scene where this song is used is friggin awesome.
7. "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith from Dazed and Confused
One of my all time favorite opening songs from any movie. Pretty much Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark are the only 2 openers I like more. Just totally sets the tone for the entire movie right off the bat.
6. "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" from Star Wars
What can I say? I'm a total fucking geek. And no, it isn't "The Imperial Death March" just "The Imperial March." Yes, I am that much of a geek.
5. "Across the Universe" by Fiona Apple from Pleasantville
She did such an amazing job covering that song. Totally kicked ass.
4. "Face To Face" by Siouxsie and the Banshees from Batman Returns
This was in the ballroom when Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer were dancing, when they realized that he was Batman and she was Cat Woman.
3. "Fretless" by R.E.M. from Until the End Of the World
Probably my second or third favorite R.E.M. song, most people never heard it until about 7 or 8 years after this movie came out, when it was included on the second disc of their greatest hits album. Just an insanely bad ass tune.
2. "If God Will Send His Angels" by U2 from City Of Angels
One of the few songs that was also included on an actual album by the band who performed it (Pop). That was just a great soundtrack overall.
1. "Calling All Angels" by k. d. lang and Jane Siberry from Until the End Of the World and Pay It Forward
It was originally on Until the End Of the World, but since not a lot of people saw that movie (which is a shame because it was really good) most people know it from Pay It Forward, which came out a few years later. It's at the end, when everybody's standing outside the house after he dies.
5 Extremely Annoying Songs That I Really Can't Stand.
(Going with actual popular songs, not some random song from side two of some obscure album nobody's listened to. Also, not including shit like "Barbie Girl" or "Macarena" or anything like that.)
5. "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode
Already hinted at this in the actual list, so not going to get into it too much here. Just kind of sad that Depeche Mode got most famous for one of the worst songs both musically and lyrically that they've ever done. Kind of messed up.
4. "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Could this song possibly have been more over played when it came out? Doubtful.
3. "The End" by The Doors
Actually, put any song by The Doors in this spot. Can't stand that damn band. But really can't stand this song.
2. "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
Again, put anything by him in this spot. Wish someone would just rip his damn vocal cords out already.
1. "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes
The song really isn't that bad, until the second half, the extremely repetitive piano and guitar instrumental part that eventually goes on longer than the actual song part. Could have been about a minute long outro, but instead it turns into like 4 minutes or something, just playing the same little chunk of music over and over. And over. And over. The song is 7 minutes 4 seconds, and the instrumental boring shit starts at the 3 minute seven seconds part. Really? 3 minutes and 57 seconds of the same 15 second hook repeated? Unnecessary.
5 Songs That I Wouldn't Normally Admit I Like
Why am I admitting it now, then? Who knows, just bored I guess. Ha.
5. "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga
Just catchy as Hell and kind of hard not to like, especially when she busts out the line "I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you, cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin." That shit cracks me up.
4. "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.
You remember them... the little Russian pseudo-lesbians. I actually have this whole album, and it's surprisingly decent. Did a really kick ass cover of "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths, and the Russian versions of a couple songs(including this one) are pretty interesting.
3. "Breathe" by Faith Hill
Such a friggin' chick song.
2. "Love Bites" by Def Leppard
Actually, the entire Hysteria album is still one of my favorites, and you could really put just about any song from it in this spot.
1. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga
Yeah, another song by her, Kind of tempted to get her album, but not sure yet. Leaning toward getting it from the library and burning it if it's good.
I guess I'm just going to stop there. The next five songs in the countdown will be coming in the next couple days. Peace out, homies.
Top 10 Songs From Movies:
10. "Within Your Reach" by The Replacements from Say Anything...
This is the song at the end, when John Cusack is getting ready to leave to go to England with Ione Skye. Starts off with that nifty guitar riff, then just before he leaves the apartment, he cranks the volume and the drums hit, and he leaves. Not much more of the song is played, but it is indeed a good song.
9. "Try A Little Tenderness" by The Commitments from The Commitments
Yes, the band in the movie was a real band. Yes, they were actually the ones singing in the movie. Yes that 17 year old white boy from Dublin can wail soul better than a lot of the popular soul singers from the '50s and '60s.
8. "Stuck In the Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel from Reservoir Dogs
I've never actually seen this whole movie but the scene where this song is used is friggin awesome.
7. "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith from Dazed and Confused
One of my all time favorite opening songs from any movie. Pretty much Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark are the only 2 openers I like more. Just totally sets the tone for the entire movie right off the bat.
6. "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" from Star Wars
What can I say? I'm a total fucking geek. And no, it isn't "The Imperial Death March" just "The Imperial March." Yes, I am that much of a geek.
5. "Across the Universe" by Fiona Apple from Pleasantville
She did such an amazing job covering that song. Totally kicked ass.
4. "Face To Face" by Siouxsie and the Banshees from Batman Returns
This was in the ballroom when Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer were dancing, when they realized that he was Batman and she was Cat Woman.
3. "Fretless" by R.E.M. from Until the End Of the World
Probably my second or third favorite R.E.M. song, most people never heard it until about 7 or 8 years after this movie came out, when it was included on the second disc of their greatest hits album. Just an insanely bad ass tune.
2. "If God Will Send His Angels" by U2 from City Of Angels
One of the few songs that was also included on an actual album by the band who performed it (Pop). That was just a great soundtrack overall.
1. "Calling All Angels" by k. d. lang and Jane Siberry from Until the End Of the World and Pay It Forward
It was originally on Until the End Of the World, but since not a lot of people saw that movie (which is a shame because it was really good) most people know it from Pay It Forward, which came out a few years later. It's at the end, when everybody's standing outside the house after he dies.
5 Extremely Annoying Songs That I Really Can't Stand.
(Going with actual popular songs, not some random song from side two of some obscure album nobody's listened to. Also, not including shit like "Barbie Girl" or "Macarena" or anything like that.)
5. "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode
Already hinted at this in the actual list, so not going to get into it too much here. Just kind of sad that Depeche Mode got most famous for one of the worst songs both musically and lyrically that they've ever done. Kind of messed up.
4. "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Could this song possibly have been more over played when it came out? Doubtful.
3. "The End" by The Doors
Actually, put any song by The Doors in this spot. Can't stand that damn band. But really can't stand this song.
2. "Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
Again, put anything by him in this spot. Wish someone would just rip his damn vocal cords out already.
1. "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes
The song really isn't that bad, until the second half, the extremely repetitive piano and guitar instrumental part that eventually goes on longer than the actual song part. Could have been about a minute long outro, but instead it turns into like 4 minutes or something, just playing the same little chunk of music over and over. And over. And over. The song is 7 minutes 4 seconds, and the instrumental boring shit starts at the 3 minute seven seconds part. Really? 3 minutes and 57 seconds of the same 15 second hook repeated? Unnecessary.
5 Songs That I Wouldn't Normally Admit I Like
Why am I admitting it now, then? Who knows, just bored I guess. Ha.
5. "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga
Just catchy as Hell and kind of hard not to like, especially when she busts out the line "I won't tell you that I love you, kiss or hug you, cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin." That shit cracks me up.
4. "All the Things She Said" by t.A.T.u.
You remember them... the little Russian pseudo-lesbians. I actually have this whole album, and it's surprisingly decent. Did a really kick ass cover of "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths, and the Russian versions of a couple songs(including this one) are pretty interesting.
3. "Breathe" by Faith Hill
Such a friggin' chick song.
2. "Love Bites" by Def Leppard
Actually, the entire Hysteria album is still one of my favorites, and you could really put just about any song from it in this spot.
1. "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga
Yeah, another song by her, Kind of tempted to get her album, but not sure yet. Leaning toward getting it from the library and burning it if it's good.
I guess I'm just going to stop there. The next five songs in the countdown will be coming in the next couple days. Peace out, homies.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Favorite Songs: 55 - 51
I'll be doing another quick little non-list related post between this one and the next one, kind of like the one I did before cracking the top 100. It'll be amusing, I hope, as long as it comes out like I have it in my head at the moment. So, yeah, look for that next week some time.
55. "Pillar Of Davidson" by Live (Throwing Copper)
This is a song about the death of a Pennsylvania town, basically. Live's hometown of York, PA, to be exact. It's talking about how the town became very poverty stricken when Caterpillar and Harley Davidson pulled their factories out of town, pretty much at the same time. Great tune from a great album.
Line: "Warm bodies, I said, are not machines that can only make money."
54. "Lullaby" by James (Laid)
Have I mentioned yet that I love this album? I mean hell, I have at least 4 songs from this album alone on this list. Anyway... Don't let the title fool you - this is as much of a lullaby as "Lullaby" by The Cure is - which is to say, not at all. It's basically about some person who needs to lie and talk shit about people to feel better about his/herself, and then gets to the point where he/she starts to actually believe their own bullshit. Good stuff.
Line: "Your memory's one-sided, the side that you're choosing feels nothing. Feels nothing at all."
Or
"You're an angel, you're a demon, you're just... human."
53. "Bouncing Around the Room" by Phish (Lawn Boy)
An energetic little ditty that kinda doesn't make sense but kinda does. The harmonies in this song are really great, and the music is really subdued, basically only there to keep time.
Line: "The woman was a dream I had, though rather hard to keep."
52. "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
This album is simply awesome, by far my favorite U2 album. I've heard several different interpretations of what this song's about, but the two I tend to lean toward are some kind of religious awakening or the diatribe of a drunk man walking home to his woman. Elements of both in the song, so hard to decide which I lean toward more.
Line: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle when you're trying to throw your arms around the world."
51. "Am I Right?" by Erasure (Chorus)
This is just a really sad song. I can imagine him sitting there crying as he wrote it, longing for the guy he loves. Andy Bell has such a great voice, able to sound emotional without sounding like a bitch. Still love this band just as much as I did 20 years ago.
Line: "And life carries on as normal, although you're not around."
55. "Pillar Of Davidson" by Live (Throwing Copper)
This is a song about the death of a Pennsylvania town, basically. Live's hometown of York, PA, to be exact. It's talking about how the town became very poverty stricken when Caterpillar and Harley Davidson pulled their factories out of town, pretty much at the same time. Great tune from a great album.
Line: "Warm bodies, I said, are not machines that can only make money."
54. "Lullaby" by James (Laid)
Have I mentioned yet that I love this album? I mean hell, I have at least 4 songs from this album alone on this list. Anyway... Don't let the title fool you - this is as much of a lullaby as "Lullaby" by The Cure is - which is to say, not at all. It's basically about some person who needs to lie and talk shit about people to feel better about his/herself, and then gets to the point where he/she starts to actually believe their own bullshit. Good stuff.
Line: "Your memory's one-sided, the side that you're choosing feels nothing. Feels nothing at all."
Or
"You're an angel, you're a demon, you're just... human."
53. "Bouncing Around the Room" by Phish (Lawn Boy)
An energetic little ditty that kinda doesn't make sense but kinda does. The harmonies in this song are really great, and the music is really subdued, basically only there to keep time.
Line: "The woman was a dream I had, though rather hard to keep."
52. "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around the World" by U2 (Achtung Baby)
This album is simply awesome, by far my favorite U2 album. I've heard several different interpretations of what this song's about, but the two I tend to lean toward are some kind of religious awakening or the diatribe of a drunk man walking home to his woman. Elements of both in the song, so hard to decide which I lean toward more.
Line: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle when you're trying to throw your arms around the world."
51. "Am I Right?" by Erasure (Chorus)
This is just a really sad song. I can imagine him sitting there crying as he wrote it, longing for the guy he loves. Andy Bell has such a great voice, able to sound emotional without sounding like a bitch. Still love this band just as much as I did 20 years ago.
Line: "And life carries on as normal, although you're not around."
Friday, January 8, 2010
Favorite Songs: 60 - 56
Good snowy morning, all! Since I decided to take the day off work, I figured I'd at least be somewhat productive, so here are the next 5 songs. I'm sure more will follow either today or tomorrow.
60. "I Can See For Miles" by The Who (The Who Sell Out)
So, this spot was supposed to be occupied by "Poles Apart" by Pink Floyd off The Division Bell. But yeah, the more I thought about it the more I realized this song really needed to be included on this list, otherwise it would have just been a sham.
Line: "I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise. I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes."
59. "Got You (Where I Want You)" by The Flys (Holiday Man)
It's easy to love this song, really. Yeah the video's cheesy and kinda lame, but the song itself is what we care about here, people. And the song? Not too cheesy or lame at all, I think. Well, ok, some of the lyrics are a tiny bit cheesy, but it's ok because the rest of the song rocks out with its cock out.
Line: "Hey, maybe just a smile. Oh hey, did you know that I can't dance? Could we talk for a while?"
58. "Blue Savannah" by Erasure. (Wild!)
Yes, in case it's not blatantly obvious, the lead singer's a tad bit gay. The keyboardist isn't at all though. Just throwing that out there. You'll understand why when you watch the video. Anyway, this has been one of my top 5 Erasure songs since the first time I heard it, back in the deep dark high school days. This whole album, in fact, has passed The Innocents (Which has "Chains Of Love" and "A Little Respect" on it) as my favorite Erasure album. Very solid from start to finish. Even though the lyrics in this song are kind of simplistic, it's still just a really fun song.
Line: "My home is where the heart is, sweet to surrender to you only."
57. "The Blood Of Eden" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
Easily one of the most beautiful songs Peter Gabriel has ever written. On the album, the back up vocals are by Sinead O'Connor, in concert they were usually done by Paula Cole or, on the last tour, his daughter. The only time I ever saw Peter Gabriel live was at the WOMAD Festival in Columbus in like '94, and it was Sinead singing with him. Unbelievable. Us is another of my favorite albums ever, in large part because of this song. Gabriel can slip seamlessly into and out of a nice high falsetto like few other male singers. I can only imagine that, had he stayed with Genesis, this song would've never seen the light of day, which would have been a damned shame. Luckily, no need to worry about that.
Line: "Is that a dagger or a crucifix I see, you hold so tightly in your hand?"
No idea what the piano is all about for the first 15 seconds. Kinda loud, too...
56. "Nothing To Hold Me" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
I am so pissed there's no video on YouTube for this song. Any other good video sites out there? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Ok. Sorry.
After this, my Jesus Jones fix is done, I promise... People who bout Doubt only to hear "Right Here, Right Now" are retarded if they didn't listen to the next song (this), or any of the others on that album. This one, though, is the best. It's another song about loss and longing, but not in a bitching and whining kind of way.
Line: "I changed my name and you changed your mind. The only thing you left was me."
60. "I Can See For Miles" by The Who (The Who Sell Out)
So, this spot was supposed to be occupied by "Poles Apart" by Pink Floyd off The Division Bell. But yeah, the more I thought about it the more I realized this song really needed to be included on this list, otherwise it would have just been a sham.
Line: "I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise. I know that you have 'cause there's magic in my eyes."
59. "Got You (Where I Want You)" by The Flys (Holiday Man)
It's easy to love this song, really. Yeah the video's cheesy and kinda lame, but the song itself is what we care about here, people. And the song? Not too cheesy or lame at all, I think. Well, ok, some of the lyrics are a tiny bit cheesy, but it's ok because the rest of the song rocks out with its cock out.
Line: "Hey, maybe just a smile. Oh hey, did you know that I can't dance? Could we talk for a while?"
58. "Blue Savannah" by Erasure. (Wild!)
Yes, in case it's not blatantly obvious, the lead singer's a tad bit gay. The keyboardist isn't at all though. Just throwing that out there. You'll understand why when you watch the video. Anyway, this has been one of my top 5 Erasure songs since the first time I heard it, back in the deep dark high school days. This whole album, in fact, has passed The Innocents (Which has "Chains Of Love" and "A Little Respect" on it) as my favorite Erasure album. Very solid from start to finish. Even though the lyrics in this song are kind of simplistic, it's still just a really fun song.
Line: "My home is where the heart is, sweet to surrender to you only."
57. "The Blood Of Eden" by Peter Gabriel (Us)
Easily one of the most beautiful songs Peter Gabriel has ever written. On the album, the back up vocals are by Sinead O'Connor, in concert they were usually done by Paula Cole or, on the last tour, his daughter. The only time I ever saw Peter Gabriel live was at the WOMAD Festival in Columbus in like '94, and it was Sinead singing with him. Unbelievable. Us is another of my favorite albums ever, in large part because of this song. Gabriel can slip seamlessly into and out of a nice high falsetto like few other male singers. I can only imagine that, had he stayed with Genesis, this song would've never seen the light of day, which would have been a damned shame. Luckily, no need to worry about that.
Line: "Is that a dagger or a crucifix I see, you hold so tightly in your hand?"
No idea what the piano is all about for the first 15 seconds. Kinda loud, too...
56. "Nothing To Hold Me" by Jesus Jones (Doubt)
I am so pissed there's no video on YouTube for this song. Any other good video sites out there? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Ok. Sorry.
After this, my Jesus Jones fix is done, I promise... People who bout Doubt only to hear "Right Here, Right Now" are retarded if they didn't listen to the next song (this), or any of the others on that album. This one, though, is the best. It's another song about loss and longing, but not in a bitching and whining kind of way.
Line: "I changed my name and you changed your mind. The only thing you left was me."
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