Not 5 Not 6, but 10 of my favorite songs...!
Jan 09 '01
My love of music flows in and out of my everyday life. It is not an activity for me … or a hobby. It is essentially a piece of my existence. I am an emotional guy and when I hear a song for the first time … I’m not thinking about the musical structure of the piece or the current problems raging in my life. I am absorbed by the lyrics, the beat and the way the music makes me feel. Few things in life can be judged by how they make you feel … these things tend to be what is most important in the end.
This category may seem pointless to some. “My 10 favorite albums”. I agree… so I have limited it somewhat to my favorite songs. This way I can specifically describe what it is in each song which carries it above the rest in my mind.
I would like to point out before I begin this editorial that I love almost all forms of music. I have listed the genre each song was taken from for those of you with more “picky” tastes. I also would like to mention that I have excluded work from this list that was written before the advent of sound recording. If I had included music from the post 1900 era this list would included titles from other times and places … except the romantic era (which I am not too fond of).
Lastly … look at the rating to the right of every songs Genre to see how appropriate it is for you, your family or your kids. Just like at the movies, R is for those 17+ (mature), PG13 is appropriate for older kids and PG is appropriate for mature, younger children. G has no sexually explicit lyrics, profanity or innuendo.
So sit back … relax … and have Napster open and ready to download as I take you through the top 10 songs ever written and recorded (In my opinion … of course :)).
10. Velvet Sea – Phish – Genre: Post-hippie Jam Rated G
This cut, which is off of “The Story of the Ghost”, is my favorite of all from this fantastic release. This album is quite different from other released by Phish … mainly because of it’ creepy, dark and mellow texture.
“Velvet Sea” begins with an introduction that takes its time coming to you from afar. The lyrics “I’ll be waiting in the Velvet Sea” repeat over and over again as the sound gets closer and louder. A piano drives the rhythm as a voice takes over singing:
“I took a moment from my day, wrapped it up in things you say … mailed it off to your address, you’ll get it pretty soon unless, the packaging begins to break and all the points I tried to make…”
The song is about living for today … carpe diem. You can’t “put moments in a box” as the song says. You also can never make up for lost time. The whole song has an eerie tone to it … but is absolutely beautiful. The music will sweep you away to a different world … a different time. Amazing vocals and a great band top this song off. Well worth it’s place on my all time top 10.
9. Sabotage – Beastie Boys – Genre: Punk/hip-hop Rated PG
The song that saved an album. It was the early nineties and the Beastie Boys were looking to reclaim their image. The only way they felt that they could do this was to … well … change a bit. Out were the days of old school hip-hop and these guys needed something new.
Originally made to be an instrumental, Sabotage turned out to be one of the best songs of its time. The perfect blend of hip-hop vocals with a punk sound was revolutionary then … and if it had been released today it would have been revolutionary today. The song could be taken many ways and often is. I really can’t say much for this song other than it is an amazing work … a feat. For lovers of Rage Against the Machine I would highly recommend Sabotage.
8. Freshman – The Verve Pipe – Genre: Alternative Rated PG
I am not a fan of alternative music … I really don’t enjoy it all that much. In fact, I don’t like the Verve Pipe. When this CD came out and I listened to it through it seemed that it lacked something special: heart. I just didn’t feel any emotion at all coming through the speakers. Then there was Freshman.
Easy to pass over due to it’s slow start and “blend in” lyrics … this song is a real beauty in disguise. At one point in the song, no matter how many times I hear it … I can’t help but scream out loud along with the lyrics.
“For the life of me, I can not remember, what made us think that we were wise and we’d never compromise”.
This song is a sad, yet intense tale of depression and suicide … but unlike “Last Resort” this song teaches a lesson. You can’t handle the world on your own … you can’t always expect things to be easy. Life is built on compassion and compromise. An intense amount of heart and a great instrumental performance make this one of the best “one hit wonders” of all time. A must hear.
7. N.W.A – Straight out of Compton – Genre: Old-school “gangsta rap”. Rated R.
You can love this group … or hate it. I prefer to remain neutral. You could say that they ruined our society … you could say they made the situation in “the hood” worse. I would like to put all that aside for a second and look at the song that originated “gangsta rap” and in my opinion set a level that cannot/will not ever be reached again.
This song explains the situation on the streets … it introduced white America to Compton, CA. It also introduced teenage, white, suburban Americans to a whole new style. This song is packed with youthful talent and energy. It is hard … yet remains real. I can’t think of a better “driving song” on the market.
6. Gotta Get Ya Some – Toby Keith – Genre: Country Rated PG
I dislike country music … but for some reason I love this song by Toby Keith. Perhaps it is his style or voice … but this song really does it for me.
The opening reminds me of a mellow “Bare Naked Ladies” song. The following verse speaks of young love (possibly infatuation...) and the pursuit love. The chorus “Gotta get ya some” isn’t sexual … it refers to love and partnership in life.
The next verses speak of the pursuit of a girl … marrying her and children. It’s a positive song with a great catch. It is built more like pop than country. High energy and a great hook (and message) coupled with a catchy melody, make this a county song for country haters. Give it a try and tell me you don’t enjoy it.
5. Billy Jean – Michael Jackson – Genre: Pop Rated PG
Heh, I can see you all now. MICHAEL JACKSON!? Yes … I was a fan of Michael since birth. His incredible ability to dance put stars in my eyes. I learned how to moonwalk at ten … have read his books … etc. Unfortunately “Bad” was his last good release in my eyes and I have to say that this is my favorite Jackson song.
Why? It introduced his unique moonwalk/robotic dance moves. It also showcases Michael’s great voice and is set to a great beat. The song has magic to it that I haven’t heard pop even come close to since this release in 1983.
It is the story of a man who won’t admit that a baby boy is his. He looks at the child in the eyes and sees his own. The baby’s mother insists that it is his child … yet he will not accept him as his own. The story ends on a low note … but the magic it holds is undeniable. #1 on my pop charts.
4. Chumbawamba – The Big Issue – Genre: Rock (?) Rating G
Remember Chubawamba? Sure you do. They sang that song that goes: “I fall down, but I get up again. Your never gonna keep me down…” This song, however, is much better than that #1 hit.
It starts out with a beautiful (5?) part vocal that will knock your socks off. After the beautiful choral sound comes a heavier “pop/dance” section that will make you want to dance.
Singing in thick UK accents … this song may be hard to understand but it is beautiful beyond compare. I just have to sing along with this tune as it gains a heavier rock beat 1:15 in. It is simply beyond words how amazing this song is at times.
After a brief rock break it blends its way back into “pop/dance”. This pattern repeats over and over (except for a brief break at 2:30 and the last :30 that are simply a clip of some sort). This song deserves to be listened to by every person … at least once. It will suck you in and you will keep coming back.
3. Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley and the Wailers – Genre: Reggae Rating G
This tune needs no introduction. It has been praised by people all over the world for decades and was a major part of the highest selling reggae album of all time: Legend.
The cut starts with a reggae beat and breaks into Marley’s beautiful voice. The lyrics are purely heart and soul. They are heart braking and heartwarming at the same time. Bob’s voice is so overwhelming that you can’t help but keep your mouth shut and fight the urge to sing along.
The melody is great. Don’t know what else I can say about this song. It is my favorite pure reggae cut. Not to fast or slow. Not too mellow. Just right.
“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul.” – Marley, Zion Train.
2. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Genre: Funk Rock Rating PG
This song, release in 1991, is a funk rock classic. What makes any music better than other music? John Frusciante's guitar playing throughout this song really is wonderful, but unlike most, I think that Anthony Kiedis’s voice makes this song. He breaks out what seems like reggae when he shouts out “Take me da the place I love”.
“The song seems like it is arranged ABABCBD.
A= Slow melodic soothing lyrical based music.
B= Guitar driven, harder, soulful music.
C= What appears to be a choir of high tenors and sopranos, very interesting.
D= Bass and guitar duo that ends wonderfully resolved (almost like a happy ending to a sad song)… amazing.” (My review of this single)
I could never get sick of this song which is such beautifully and complements the guitar perfectly. A great hook and constant diversity though this song make it, in my opinion, the 2nd best song ever written… but even it bows to the great and holy,
1. Don’t Push – Sublime – Genre: Reggae/Ska/Rock Rating: PG13
The great, late Bradley Nowell’s finest vocals ever in my opinion. A stellar band and amazing diversity make this song.
Heh. I really can’t describe it. I would love to, I really would, but every untamed twist and turn provides something new to love about “Don’t Push”. There has never been a song that has made me want to sing more than this tune. There has also never been a song that kept my mind focused quite like this one. It is great at a party, in bed at night, waking up, driving. It adjusts to your mood.
There is a hint of sadness in this song that almost foreshadows the group’s lead singer Bradley Nowell’s death. He died too young, at the age of 28, from a heroin overdose. When he released this song at 24 his followers had great expectations for him and Sublime. The group only realized true fame after Bradley’s death and the follow-up act “Long Beach Dub All-stars” (Sublime minus Bradley) just seem to have something missing.
The CD this track is off of (40 Oz to Freedom) originally sold only 40,000 copies out of the back of various cars in the Sublime family and at concerts. When the group hit it big the CD was re-released and deemed a cult-classic. It was far more than that.
This song will be loved and enjoyed by almost all that hear it. I recommend listening today.
Final wrap up… Music is like art … some find beauty in a painting and others find pain. It is all in the eye of the beholder. I have loved music all my life. I have studied it … played it and loved it and I have always been rewarded with as much or more than I put in. There is literally a world of music out there. Find some you like and allow it to flow in and out of your life. You never know what you may be missing.
One last thought … don’t limit yourself to one genre. Some music is an acquired taste and other stuff will appeal to you right away. Hate country? Take a chance. Hate rap? Try to understand it. Open up your mind. Music is not a color … a race … a sex or a religion. It is up to you what you make of it. My advice: Make the most of it.
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Epinions.com ID:
ericgreene
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Member: Eric Greene
Location: bowling green, ohio
Reviews written: 116
Trusted by: 58 members
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