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?"