Tony's Top 200 Songs
(No … really! Here are my “Top 200 Songs/Performances of All Time” … as of 11/06/07 anyway … with a brief line about each of the Top 50. Only the first 10 are “in order”.)
Interesting notes: These really ain’t all that adventurous. Some of you may have guessed that and some of you may be shocked. Also, I have a tendency to have a strong attraction to songs that open or close albums. Maybe that’s what the artists intended. If so … it worked.
1. The Beatles – And Your Bird Can Sing
“Why doesn’t she want me?” She wants her prized possessions! And the singer won't be one of those. Harmonies. Guitars. Concise, magnificent Beatles music.
2. Michael Nesmith – Conversations
A relationship narrative that applies to every level of ‘growth. Beautiful.
3. Elton John – We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Curtains
“And just like us / You must have had / A once upon a time.” We all have. This song has shown up at major times in my life, and still brings a tear to my eye every time.
4. Pete Townshend – The Sea Refuses No River
The guarantee of heaven. Optimistic but oblique in its own way.
5. The Kinks – (We Are) The Village Green Preservation Society
The Anglophile in me can’t help but love this paean to ‘the old ways’. Wordplay and rhymes that don’t come off as pompous or contrived.
6. The Nazz / Todd Rundgren – Hello, It’s Me
“ … And spend the night if you think I should.” He’s letting her go and still holding on for dear life. Tough emotions expressed with a beautiful melody. The Nazz version is slow and dreamy while Todd’s is jazzy. They both work amazingly well.
7. The Beatles – Baby You’re A Rich Man
Something about the sound of this song haunted my young head. The bagpipes, John’s ethereal voice and the energy behind those backing vocals. Cool.
8. Steely Dan – My Old School
“That’ll be the day I go back to Annandale.” I had no idea (until I read an interview a few months ago) what happened to this poor guy there, but his story was funky, and full of cool characters and situations that just captivated the young lyricist in me.
9. Jefferson Airplane – Lather
“Is it true that I’m no longer young?” Oh … that line rips me up every time. Oddly enough, it did when I was young. Ignorance, or perhaps innocence, truly is bliss.
10. The Who – I Am One
We grow up disjointed and confused … or do we? Deep down we know that we’re ‘in there’! Townshend shouts it out perfectly.
11. Bob Weir – Looks Like Rain (studio version)
“Did you ever ‘waken to the sound of street cats makin’ love?” First line of an incredible verse. A heartfelt performance of a lovely song that went a little over the top during Dead live performances at times … but I still love it.
12. Creedence Clearwater Revival – It Came Out of the Sky
The vocals, the drumwork, the guitar, lyrics that I figured out (but made no sense out of) when I was a kid. This tune ROCKS; my favorite Creedence moment.
13. Lovin’ Spoonful – She Is Still a Mystery
This song about the universal ‘she’ is universally understandable … unlike the universal ‘she’, of course. Beautiful orchestration – and I’ll be damned if he’s not smiling from ear to ear as he’s singing the ending repeated refrains.
15. The Earls – Remember Then
“Shang-a-lang-a-chicka-bop” is just one of the most happenin’ doo-wop backing vocals ever. Imitating Larry Chances soaring vocals worked out this young wannabe singer throughout my youth.
14. The Monkees – You Told Me
“Forewarned is forearmed, it hurts … I’m leaving.” Wow. Nes just tells it like it is on this one. It opens a favorite album that was the first and only time that the Monkees played as a real, full band. It shows throughout the album, but I always thought this one was a high point.
16. The Rolling Stones – Child of the Moon
It’s got to be the guitar lick … played with D tuning on the record, I just found out. Totally pure. And I love the cryptic lyrics. Trippy, baby, trippy.
17. Bobby Vee – The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
The first time I heard someone really use a ride cymbal in a song. This is just a great little pop song. The premise; you may think you’re watching HIM … but maybe he’s watching you?
18. Elton John – Michelle’s Song
This sweet and simple love song is the shining moment on the ‘Friends’ movie soundtrack. “Take my hand in your hand, and say it’s great to be alive.”
19. KISS – Hard Luck Woman
Peter Criss’ vocals were not strong, but damn were they heartfelt. This was his follow-up to “Beth” and it’s just a great straightforward acoustic rocker, and the first time I ever heard the fingers sliding on the fretboard so obviously in a recording.
20. The Beatles – For No One
Tied for McCartney’s greatest lyric ever. George Martin’s arrangement conveys the finality and sadness of it this dismal situation. Great vocal performance, too.
21. Simon and Garfunkel – Blessed
For a young man growing up questioning authority … and the church specifically … this one hit me really hard. I’m still trying to get around that closing line 30 years after first hearing it.
22. Burton Cummings – Stand Tall
The title is deceptive in a sense that he’s almost convincing himself that he needs to keep himself alive, let alone to ‘stand tall’. That amazing voice was never as perfectly orchestrated than on this track.
23. Dean Friedman – Ariel
If you’re a friend of mine, and you’re a guy, and you’re reading this … you probably dated this girl at one time, too. More or less. Pop perfection. “I said ‘Hi!’, she said ‘Yeah I guess I am’” is one of the greatest pop lines of all time.
24. Led Zeppelin – Thank You
How better to express a deep love for someone than to simply say ‘thank you’? Plant’s lyrics and Page’s jangling sweet guitars make this a priceless moment in the LZ catalog.
25. The Monkees – (Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love
This Michael Martin Murphy song is a trippy little kiss-off. No one performance (there are three studio versions available) is a favorite … but the song is just so strong.
26. Rod Stewart – Maggie May
When I was in third grade a neighbor had this single, backed with “Reason to Believe”. What a pairing. And even then, stealing my daddy’s cue and making a living out of playing pool sounded romantic; as romantic as playing in a rock and roll band, actually. What a story in this one. And in third grade, I thought she just slept restlessly.
27. Brian Wilson / The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
What can one say about this, one of the most magnificent pop productions of all time? Vibrant, intense, mysterious and beautiful … it is a true application of a word that is tossed around way too often in the performing arts – genius!
28. Bruce Springsteen – Candy’s Room
The ultimate build-up takes off on the words “We kiss … and the blood rushes in my brain.” Hearing that at thirteen when it came out was just awesome. Three minutes of rock and roll bliss that almost sums up what Bruce is all about.
29. Derek and the Dominos – Layla
The passion was ripping this guy’s throat and heart out. Wow. One of the first singles I ever had. A great epic that just ran the gamut of emotion. When I learned the story behind it, it only made the song more powerful.
30. Alice Cooper – How You Gonna See Me Now?
Coop asked Bernie Taupin to help him with the lyric about this song to his wife that posed the question he had in his heart when he got out of detox. Would she still live this guy she had never even really met? Amazing tune.
31. Steppenwolf – For Ladies Only
Seven plus minutes of cool with a beautiful jazzy piano break to boot. Used to make me laugh at all the ‘tuffs’ in high school who pulled the macho trip on the girls. Yeah … I’m sure it got them real far in the long run. Me and John Kaye … we knew the REAL deal!
32. Stevie Wonder – I Wish
No song can take you back to childhood like this one. Joy. Pure joy. A lyric everyone can relate to.
33. Robyn Hitchcock – Uncorrected Personality Traits
Freud done a cappella! What can be better than that? It’s the most twisted barbershop piece ever done, and one that some of my crazy friends knew by heart in the 80s.
34. Elvis Costello – Accidents Will Happen (live)
From the ‘Hollywood High’ EP. For anyone who’s ever been that ‘victim’. E.C. was blooming into an ‘artist’ at this point, and I was taking it all in! He was one of the first gifted songwriters who began making music after I had already begun buying records.
35. Melanie – Candles in the Rain / Lay Down
After the opening poem, there’s one snap on the snare and then the choir kicks in. Jeez, what a SOUND. And there’s that voice just soaring over it all! This powerful summary of that Woodstock vibe was inspired by the event itself.
36. Joe Jackson – It’s Different for Girls
The dialogue begins with “What the hell is wrong with you tonight / I can’t seem to say or do the right thing”. And who has never been THERE. Helped me realize early on that it IS different for girls.
37. Ben Folds Five – Narcolepsy
This was probably the second song I ever heard by this guy, and it was as the opener of a live show. Elton John and Joe Jackson meet Led Zeppelin in a dark alley. The opening song of one of my favorite albums, it offers no chance of lulling you with its “I’m not tired” refrain.
38. The Guess Who – Orly
This is just a rollicking piano tune. The ‘bing bing bong’ before the chorus is the sound they still play today at the Orly Airport in France when planes come and go. I didn’t know that when I was young, but I knew it was fast moving, full of cool lyrics and rhymes, and had great harmonies.
39. Pink Floyd – Echoes
Spacious, airy, intense and beautiful, this piece has so many elements of what made Pink Floyd an important band. This is the first album side song that ever captivated me (I STILL don’t get ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ actually).
40. The Beatles – Don’t Bother Me
The opening rhythms mystified a five-year old kid who was discovering the Beatles. And George’s voice just sounds annoyed on this one. Sincerely cranky … gotta love it. It’s different from much of the Beatles canon in a way. But maybe that’s just me.
41. Elton John – Elderberry Wine
Elton gets a rollicking melody going over some down-home Bernie lyrics. This song taught me the importance of the almighty b-side! And that little horn run right before the chorus is just awesome.
42. Arlo Guthrie – My Darkest Hour
You can tell that this haunting dream left the singer / dreamer confused and sad. Why is it his darkest hour? Beautiful lyrics and a great vocal performance.
43. Barenaked Ladies – What a Good Boy
Expectations are placed on all of us from the beginning. But no matter how good, smart, or perfect we are or are told we are … love can knock us down, or at least serve as the great leveler.
44. Hot Tuna – In the Kingdom
“Time was meant for havin’ fun, as we were meant to be.” Jorma explores the pure joy and happiness behind love in this poetic, guitar-textured piece. “Life without you, was empty as a nest in winter light.” This one has just always struck me as one of J.K.’s best.
45. Randy Newman – Political Science
Randy’s homage to the U.S.’s absolute supremacy in this great big world. I mean, since they all “ … hate us anyhow … let’s drop the big one now.” But we’ll spare Australia … don’t wanna hurt no kangaroo. You rock, Randy.
46. Elton John – Ticking
Seven minutes of heavy. This is one of Elton and Bernie’s most poignant pieces, about a young man who snaps and takes hostages in a local bar. Elton’s playing is perfect, and his voice gives just the right meter to the story. No one tells stories like Bernie.
47. Neil Young – Powderfinger
Neil’s fascination with Indians and the West leads to some incredible imagery and stories. I’ve been performing this one for years, and it somehow still remains a favorite.
48. Brewer and Shipley – Witchi Tai To
It’s really just a’round’ … but it also happens to be a call to the water spirits. Brewer and Shipley treat Jim Pepper’s near-chant with a certain amount of reverence mixed in with the joy.
49. Flo and Eddie – Keep It Warm
I didn’t get to really ‘live’ through the late 60s and early 70s, but Flo and Eddie sum it all up for me in this 4-minute classic. Lyrically, it’s one of the simplest statements about trying to keep it ‘real’ as well as warm.
50. Connie Francis – Lipstick on Your Collar
OK, so the song itself is a dirty little story about cutting your partner loose because you caught them messin’ with your best friend. But it’s the guitar solo by George Barnes that makes this classic rock and roll tune cook.
51. The Beatles – Tomorrow Never Knows
52. Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary
53. Richard Thompson – 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
54. Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach – Toledo
55. Michael Nesmith – Some of Shelley’s Blues
56. Rockpile – Teacher Teacher
57. Bob Dylan – Talkin’ World War III Blues
58. Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi
59. David Crosby – Guinnevere
60. The Partridge Family – I Can Feel Your Heartbeat
61. Bruce Springsteen – Brilliant Disguise
62. Paul McCartney – Once Upon a Long Ago
63. The Kinks – Lola
64. Grace Slick – Seasons
65. Arlo Guthrie – Percy’s Song
66. Pink Floyd – Dogs
67. Stephen Shwartz (Godspell) – All for the Best
68. Neil Young – Rockin’ In the Free World
69. Marty Robbins – El Paso
70. Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
71. Gerry and the Pacemakers – Ferry Cross the Mersey
72. Bob Dylan – Tangled Up In Blue
73. The Guess Who – Share the Land
74. Emmitt Rhodes – You’re a Very Lovely Woman
75. The Zombies – Time of the Season
76. John Lennon – What You Got
77. The Hollies – Carrie Anne
78. Rosemary Clooney – Come-On-A-My-House
79. Tom Jones – Green Green Grass of Home
80. Randy Newman – Louisiana 1927
81. Steely Dan – Reelin’ In the Years
82. Joni Mitchell – California
83. George Harrison – Love Comes to Everyone
84. Frank Zappa – Baby Snakes
85. Richard Harris – MacArthur Park
86. John Sebastian / Lovin’ Spoonful – Darling Be Home Soon
87. Judy Garland – Somewhere Over the Rainbow
88. Michael Nesmith – Crippled Lion
89. Elton John – Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
90. The Beatles – In My Life
91. Richard Thompson – Read About Love
92. Fairport Convention – Matty Groves
93. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In the UK
94. Laurie Anderson – O Superman
95. The Royal Guardsmen – Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron
96. Fleetwood Mac – Come
97. Del Amitri – Roll to Me
98. Gene Pitney – It Hurts to Be In Love
99. Del Shannon – Runaway
100. Tommy Roe – Dizzy
101. The Monkees / Mike Nesmith – St. Matthew
102. Bob Dylan – License to Kill
103. Paul McCartney – Only Mama Knows
104. The Kinks – No More Looking Back
105. Squeeze – Pulling Mussels From a Shell
106. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son
107. Partridge Family – One Night Stand
108. Jefferson Airplane – Common Market Madrigal
109. Jorma Kaukonen – Genesis
110. Bobby Darin – Jingle Jangle Jungle
111. Lou Reed / Velvet Undergound – Sweet Jane
112. Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billy Joe
113. The Raconteurs – Steady As She Goes
114. Johnny Cash – Hurt
115. The Washington Squares – “D” Train
116. Rolling Stones – Get Off My Cloud
117. Arlo Guthrie – The Pause of Mr. Claus
118. The Semantics – Sticks and Stones
119. The Rollers – Hello and Welcome Home
120. The Bee Gees – Words
121. Boyce and Hart – I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
122. The Grass Roots – Two Divided By Love
123. The Records – Starry Eyes
124. Yoko Ono – Midsummer New York
125. The Farmdogs – Foreign Window
126. Traffic – The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
127. Iggy Pop – Dog Food
128. The Looney Toons Theme (Merry Go Round Broke Down)
129. Paul Revere and the Raiders – Too Much Talk
130. Rick Springfield – Speak to the Sky
131. The Beatles – The Fool on the Hill
132. Elton John – Tiny Dancer
133. The Monkees – For Pete’s Sake
134. Paul Simon – Think Too Much (a)
135. The Jackson Five – I Want You Back
136. Arthur Alexander – Anna (Go To Him)
137. Hall and Oates – She’s Gone
138. Buddy Holly – Everyday
139. Nick Lowe / Rockpile – Heart
140. Bobby Darin – Things
141. Elvis Presley – I Gotta Know
142. Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
143. Devo – Uncontrollable Urge
144. Leonard Bernstein – “West Side Story” – Gee, Officer Krupke
145. Blood Sweat and Tears / Laura Nyro – And When I Die
146. Three Dog Night / Nilsson - One
155. Gerry and the Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone
156. Michael Nesmith – Harmony Constant
157. Elvis Costello – You Belong to Me
158. REM – (Untitled) (aka ‘This World Is Big’)
159. Hollies – Air That I Breathe
160. The Bee Gees – Winds of Change
161. Paul Revere and the Raiders – Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon
162. The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
163. Long John Baldry – Jubilee Cloud
164. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show – Sylvia’s Mother
165. Vicki Lawrence – The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia
166. Stealers Wheel – Stuck In the Middle With You
167. Three Dog Night / Leo Sayer – The Show Must Go On
168. Hamilton, Joe, Frank and Reynolds – Don’t Pull Your Love Out
169. Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
170. Rick Nelson – That’s All She Wrote
171. The Who – Slip Kid
172. The Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight
173. The Four Seasons – Let’s Hang On
174. Arthur Alexander – Soldier of Love
175. John Entwistle – What Are We Doing Here?
176. Brice Springsteen – Thunder Road
177. Patti Smith – Because the Night
178. Material Issue – Goin’ Through Your Purse
179. Roger Daltrey / Leo Sayer – Thinkin’
180. Roy Wood – Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
181. Lyle Lovett – Pony On My Boat
182. Lloyd Cole – Weeping Wine
183. Pink Floyd- Fearless
184. Bobby Darin – Distractions
185. Tim Curry – I Do the Rock
186. Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell
187. Warren Zevon – Lawyers, Guns and Money
188. The Sweet – Blockbuster
189. The Doors – Peace Frog / Blue Sunday
190. The Eagles – Lyin’ Eyes
191. Cat Stevens – The First Cut Is the Deepest
192. Janis Joplin – Me and Bobby McGee
193. Chuck Berry – Too Much Monkey Business
194. The Everly Brothers – Abandoned Love (written by Bob Dylan)
195. The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
196. Elton John – Amy
197. The Exciters – Tell Him
198. Harry Nilsson – 1941
199. Devo – Girl U Want
200. The Four Seasons – Sherry
Bottom Three Songs (with #1 being the “most worst”):
1.REO Speedwagon - I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore
This is it. The worst of the worst. The feeling? What feeling? To vomit? To kill the lyricist? To stick a fork in my auditory canal? Yeah … I have to fight all of those when this comes on in my local supermarket.
2. Paul McCartney – The Man
No. DON’T duet with Michael Jackson. And if you do, don’t make it a ridiculously trite, crappy pop song. Do a song that you can play a slap bass on for Chrissake! Something. Anything. Not this. No.
3. Elton John – Johnny B. Goode
I know; this is cheating since it’s only a version of a song that isn’t his. But it is so putrid that it needed to be on this list.
Interesting notes: These really ain’t all that adventurous. Some of you may have guessed that and some of you may be shocked. Also, I have a tendency to have a strong attraction to songs that open or close albums. Maybe that’s what the artists intended. If so … it worked.
1. The Beatles – And Your Bird Can Sing
“Why doesn’t she want me?” She wants her prized possessions! And the singer won't be one of those. Harmonies. Guitars. Concise, magnificent Beatles music.
2. Michael Nesmith – Conversations
A relationship narrative that applies to every level of ‘growth. Beautiful.
3. Elton John – We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Curtains
“And just like us / You must have had / A once upon a time.” We all have. This song has shown up at major times in my life, and still brings a tear to my eye every time.
4. Pete Townshend – The Sea Refuses No River
The guarantee of heaven. Optimistic but oblique in its own way.
5. The Kinks – (We Are) The Village Green Preservation Society
The Anglophile in me can’t help but love this paean to ‘the old ways’. Wordplay and rhymes that don’t come off as pompous or contrived.
6. The Nazz / Todd Rundgren – Hello, It’s Me
“ … And spend the night if you think I should.” He’s letting her go and still holding on for dear life. Tough emotions expressed with a beautiful melody. The Nazz version is slow and dreamy while Todd’s is jazzy. They both work amazingly well.
7. The Beatles – Baby You’re A Rich Man
Something about the sound of this song haunted my young head. The bagpipes, John’s ethereal voice and the energy behind those backing vocals. Cool.
8. Steely Dan – My Old School
“That’ll be the day I go back to Annandale.” I had no idea (until I read an interview a few months ago) what happened to this poor guy there, but his story was funky, and full of cool characters and situations that just captivated the young lyricist in me.
9. Jefferson Airplane – Lather
“Is it true that I’m no longer young?” Oh … that line rips me up every time. Oddly enough, it did when I was young. Ignorance, or perhaps innocence, truly is bliss.
10. The Who – I Am One
We grow up disjointed and confused … or do we? Deep down we know that we’re ‘in there’! Townshend shouts it out perfectly.
11. Bob Weir – Looks Like Rain (studio version)
“Did you ever ‘waken to the sound of street cats makin’ love?” First line of an incredible verse. A heartfelt performance of a lovely song that went a little over the top during Dead live performances at times … but I still love it.
12. Creedence Clearwater Revival – It Came Out of the Sky
The vocals, the drumwork, the guitar, lyrics that I figured out (but made no sense out of) when I was a kid. This tune ROCKS; my favorite Creedence moment.
13. Lovin’ Spoonful – She Is Still a Mystery
This song about the universal ‘she’ is universally understandable … unlike the universal ‘she’, of course. Beautiful orchestration – and I’ll be damned if he’s not smiling from ear to ear as he’s singing the ending repeated refrains.
15. The Earls – Remember Then
“Shang-a-lang-a-chicka-bop” is just one of the most happenin’ doo-wop backing vocals ever. Imitating Larry Chances soaring vocals worked out this young wannabe singer throughout my youth.
14. The Monkees – You Told Me
“Forewarned is forearmed, it hurts … I’m leaving.” Wow. Nes just tells it like it is on this one. It opens a favorite album that was the first and only time that the Monkees played as a real, full band. It shows throughout the album, but I always thought this one was a high point.
16. The Rolling Stones – Child of the Moon
It’s got to be the guitar lick … played with D tuning on the record, I just found out. Totally pure. And I love the cryptic lyrics. Trippy, baby, trippy.
17. Bobby Vee – The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
The first time I heard someone really use a ride cymbal in a song. This is just a great little pop song. The premise; you may think you’re watching HIM … but maybe he’s watching you?
18. Elton John – Michelle’s Song
This sweet and simple love song is the shining moment on the ‘Friends’ movie soundtrack. “Take my hand in your hand, and say it’s great to be alive.”
19. KISS – Hard Luck Woman
Peter Criss’ vocals were not strong, but damn were they heartfelt. This was his follow-up to “Beth” and it’s just a great straightforward acoustic rocker, and the first time I ever heard the fingers sliding on the fretboard so obviously in a recording.
20. The Beatles – For No One
Tied for McCartney’s greatest lyric ever. George Martin’s arrangement conveys the finality and sadness of it this dismal situation. Great vocal performance, too.
21. Simon and Garfunkel – Blessed
For a young man growing up questioning authority … and the church specifically … this one hit me really hard. I’m still trying to get around that closing line 30 years after first hearing it.
22. Burton Cummings – Stand Tall
The title is deceptive in a sense that he’s almost convincing himself that he needs to keep himself alive, let alone to ‘stand tall’. That amazing voice was never as perfectly orchestrated than on this track.
23. Dean Friedman – Ariel
If you’re a friend of mine, and you’re a guy, and you’re reading this … you probably dated this girl at one time, too. More or less. Pop perfection. “I said ‘Hi!’, she said ‘Yeah I guess I am’” is one of the greatest pop lines of all time.
24. Led Zeppelin – Thank You
How better to express a deep love for someone than to simply say ‘thank you’? Plant’s lyrics and Page’s jangling sweet guitars make this a priceless moment in the LZ catalog.
25. The Monkees – (Prithee) Do Not Ask for Love
This Michael Martin Murphy song is a trippy little kiss-off. No one performance (there are three studio versions available) is a favorite … but the song is just so strong.
26. Rod Stewart – Maggie May
When I was in third grade a neighbor had this single, backed with “Reason to Believe”. What a pairing. And even then, stealing my daddy’s cue and making a living out of playing pool sounded romantic; as romantic as playing in a rock and roll band, actually. What a story in this one. And in third grade, I thought she just slept restlessly.
27. Brian Wilson / The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
What can one say about this, one of the most magnificent pop productions of all time? Vibrant, intense, mysterious and beautiful … it is a true application of a word that is tossed around way too often in the performing arts – genius!
28. Bruce Springsteen – Candy’s Room
The ultimate build-up takes off on the words “We kiss … and the blood rushes in my brain.” Hearing that at thirteen when it came out was just awesome. Three minutes of rock and roll bliss that almost sums up what Bruce is all about.
29. Derek and the Dominos – Layla
The passion was ripping this guy’s throat and heart out. Wow. One of the first singles I ever had. A great epic that just ran the gamut of emotion. When I learned the story behind it, it only made the song more powerful.
30. Alice Cooper – How You Gonna See Me Now?
Coop asked Bernie Taupin to help him with the lyric about this song to his wife that posed the question he had in his heart when he got out of detox. Would she still live this guy she had never even really met? Amazing tune.
31. Steppenwolf – For Ladies Only
Seven plus minutes of cool with a beautiful jazzy piano break to boot. Used to make me laugh at all the ‘tuffs’ in high school who pulled the macho trip on the girls. Yeah … I’m sure it got them real far in the long run. Me and John Kaye … we knew the REAL deal!
32. Stevie Wonder – I Wish
No song can take you back to childhood like this one. Joy. Pure joy. A lyric everyone can relate to.
33. Robyn Hitchcock – Uncorrected Personality Traits
Freud done a cappella! What can be better than that? It’s the most twisted barbershop piece ever done, and one that some of my crazy friends knew by heart in the 80s.
34. Elvis Costello – Accidents Will Happen (live)
From the ‘Hollywood High’ EP. For anyone who’s ever been that ‘victim’. E.C. was blooming into an ‘artist’ at this point, and I was taking it all in! He was one of the first gifted songwriters who began making music after I had already begun buying records.
35. Melanie – Candles in the Rain / Lay Down
After the opening poem, there’s one snap on the snare and then the choir kicks in. Jeez, what a SOUND. And there’s that voice just soaring over it all! This powerful summary of that Woodstock vibe was inspired by the event itself.
36. Joe Jackson – It’s Different for Girls
The dialogue begins with “What the hell is wrong with you tonight / I can’t seem to say or do the right thing”. And who has never been THERE. Helped me realize early on that it IS different for girls.
37. Ben Folds Five – Narcolepsy
This was probably the second song I ever heard by this guy, and it was as the opener of a live show. Elton John and Joe Jackson meet Led Zeppelin in a dark alley. The opening song of one of my favorite albums, it offers no chance of lulling you with its “I’m not tired” refrain.
38. The Guess Who – Orly
This is just a rollicking piano tune. The ‘bing bing bong’ before the chorus is the sound they still play today at the Orly Airport in France when planes come and go. I didn’t know that when I was young, but I knew it was fast moving, full of cool lyrics and rhymes, and had great harmonies.
39. Pink Floyd – Echoes
Spacious, airy, intense and beautiful, this piece has so many elements of what made Pink Floyd an important band. This is the first album side song that ever captivated me (I STILL don’t get ‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ actually).
40. The Beatles – Don’t Bother Me
The opening rhythms mystified a five-year old kid who was discovering the Beatles. And George’s voice just sounds annoyed on this one. Sincerely cranky … gotta love it. It’s different from much of the Beatles canon in a way. But maybe that’s just me.
41. Elton John – Elderberry Wine
Elton gets a rollicking melody going over some down-home Bernie lyrics. This song taught me the importance of the almighty b-side! And that little horn run right before the chorus is just awesome.
42. Arlo Guthrie – My Darkest Hour
You can tell that this haunting dream left the singer / dreamer confused and sad. Why is it his darkest hour? Beautiful lyrics and a great vocal performance.
43. Barenaked Ladies – What a Good Boy
Expectations are placed on all of us from the beginning. But no matter how good, smart, or perfect we are or are told we are … love can knock us down, or at least serve as the great leveler.
44. Hot Tuna – In the Kingdom
“Time was meant for havin’ fun, as we were meant to be.” Jorma explores the pure joy and happiness behind love in this poetic, guitar-textured piece. “Life without you, was empty as a nest in winter light.” This one has just always struck me as one of J.K.’s best.
45. Randy Newman – Political Science
Randy’s homage to the U.S.’s absolute supremacy in this great big world. I mean, since they all “ … hate us anyhow … let’s drop the big one now.” But we’ll spare Australia … don’t wanna hurt no kangaroo. You rock, Randy.
46. Elton John – Ticking
Seven minutes of heavy. This is one of Elton and Bernie’s most poignant pieces, about a young man who snaps and takes hostages in a local bar. Elton’s playing is perfect, and his voice gives just the right meter to the story. No one tells stories like Bernie.
47. Neil Young – Powderfinger
Neil’s fascination with Indians and the West leads to some incredible imagery and stories. I’ve been performing this one for years, and it somehow still remains a favorite.
48. Brewer and Shipley – Witchi Tai To
It’s really just a’round’ … but it also happens to be a call to the water spirits. Brewer and Shipley treat Jim Pepper’s near-chant with a certain amount of reverence mixed in with the joy.
49. Flo and Eddie – Keep It Warm
I didn’t get to really ‘live’ through the late 60s and early 70s, but Flo and Eddie sum it all up for me in this 4-minute classic. Lyrically, it’s one of the simplest statements about trying to keep it ‘real’ as well as warm.
50. Connie Francis – Lipstick on Your Collar
OK, so the song itself is a dirty little story about cutting your partner loose because you caught them messin’ with your best friend. But it’s the guitar solo by George Barnes that makes this classic rock and roll tune cook.
51. The Beatles – Tomorrow Never Knows
52. Jimi Hendrix – The Wind Cries Mary
53. Richard Thompson – 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
54. Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach – Toledo
55. Michael Nesmith – Some of Shelley’s Blues
56. Rockpile – Teacher Teacher
57. Bob Dylan – Talkin’ World War III Blues
58. Joni Mitchell – Big Yellow Taxi
59. David Crosby – Guinnevere
60. The Partridge Family – I Can Feel Your Heartbeat
61. Bruce Springsteen – Brilliant Disguise
62. Paul McCartney – Once Upon a Long Ago
63. The Kinks – Lola
64. Grace Slick – Seasons
65. Arlo Guthrie – Percy’s Song
66. Pink Floyd – Dogs
67. Stephen Shwartz (Godspell) – All for the Best
68. Neil Young – Rockin’ In the Free World
69. Marty Robbins – El Paso
70. Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
71. Gerry and the Pacemakers – Ferry Cross the Mersey
72. Bob Dylan – Tangled Up In Blue
73. The Guess Who – Share the Land
74. Emmitt Rhodes – You’re a Very Lovely Woman
75. The Zombies – Time of the Season
76. John Lennon – What You Got
77. The Hollies – Carrie Anne
78. Rosemary Clooney – Come-On-A-My-House
79. Tom Jones – Green Green Grass of Home
80. Randy Newman – Louisiana 1927
81. Steely Dan – Reelin’ In the Years
82. Joni Mitchell – California
83. George Harrison – Love Comes to Everyone
84. Frank Zappa – Baby Snakes
85. Richard Harris – MacArthur Park
86. John Sebastian / Lovin’ Spoonful – Darling Be Home Soon
87. Judy Garland – Somewhere Over the Rainbow
88. Michael Nesmith – Crippled Lion
89. Elton John – Funeral For a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding
90. The Beatles – In My Life
91. Richard Thompson – Read About Love
92. Fairport Convention – Matty Groves
93. The Sex Pistols – Anarchy In the UK
94. Laurie Anderson – O Superman
95. The Royal Guardsmen – Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron
96. Fleetwood Mac – Come
97. Del Amitri – Roll to Me
98. Gene Pitney – It Hurts to Be In Love
99. Del Shannon – Runaway
100. Tommy Roe – Dizzy
101. The Monkees / Mike Nesmith – St. Matthew
102. Bob Dylan – License to Kill
103. Paul McCartney – Only Mama Knows
104. The Kinks – No More Looking Back
105. Squeeze – Pulling Mussels From a Shell
106. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son
107. Partridge Family – One Night Stand
108. Jefferson Airplane – Common Market Madrigal
109. Jorma Kaukonen – Genesis
110. Bobby Darin – Jingle Jangle Jungle
111. Lou Reed / Velvet Undergound – Sweet Jane
112. Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billy Joe
113. The Raconteurs – Steady As She Goes
114. Johnny Cash – Hurt
115. The Washington Squares – “D” Train
116. Rolling Stones – Get Off My Cloud
117. Arlo Guthrie – The Pause of Mr. Claus
118. The Semantics – Sticks and Stones
119. The Rollers – Hello and Welcome Home
120. The Bee Gees – Words
121. Boyce and Hart – I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
122. The Grass Roots – Two Divided By Love
123. The Records – Starry Eyes
124. Yoko Ono – Midsummer New York
125. The Farmdogs – Foreign Window
126. Traffic – The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
127. Iggy Pop – Dog Food
128. The Looney Toons Theme (Merry Go Round Broke Down)
129. Paul Revere and the Raiders – Too Much Talk
130. Rick Springfield – Speak to the Sky
131. The Beatles – The Fool on the Hill
132. Elton John – Tiny Dancer
133. The Monkees – For Pete’s Sake
134. Paul Simon – Think Too Much (a)
135. The Jackson Five – I Want You Back
136. Arthur Alexander – Anna (Go To Him)
137. Hall and Oates – She’s Gone
138. Buddy Holly – Everyday
139. Nick Lowe / Rockpile – Heart
140. Bobby Darin – Things
141. Elvis Presley – I Gotta Know
142. Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
143. Devo – Uncontrollable Urge
144. Leonard Bernstein – “West Side Story” – Gee, Officer Krupke
145. Blood Sweat and Tears / Laura Nyro – And When I Die
146. Three Dog Night / Nilsson - One
155. Gerry and the Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone
156. Michael Nesmith – Harmony Constant
157. Elvis Costello – You Belong to Me
158. REM – (Untitled) (aka ‘This World Is Big’)
159. Hollies – Air That I Breathe
160. The Bee Gees – Winds of Change
161. Paul Revere and the Raiders – Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon
162. The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
163. Long John Baldry – Jubilee Cloud
164. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show – Sylvia’s Mother
165. Vicki Lawrence – The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia
166. Stealers Wheel – Stuck In the Middle With You
167. Three Dog Night / Leo Sayer – The Show Must Go On
168. Hamilton, Joe, Frank and Reynolds – Don’t Pull Your Love Out
169. Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music
170. Rick Nelson – That’s All She Wrote
171. The Who – Slip Kid
172. The Tokens – The Lion Sleeps Tonight
173. The Four Seasons – Let’s Hang On
174. Arthur Alexander – Soldier of Love
175. John Entwistle – What Are We Doing Here?
176. Brice Springsteen – Thunder Road
177. Patti Smith – Because the Night
178. Material Issue – Goin’ Through Your Purse
179. Roger Daltrey / Leo Sayer – Thinkin’
180. Roy Wood – Keep Your Hands on the Wheel
181. Lyle Lovett – Pony On My Boat
182. Lloyd Cole – Weeping Wine
183. Pink Floyd- Fearless
184. Bobby Darin – Distractions
185. Tim Curry – I Do the Rock
186. Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell
187. Warren Zevon – Lawyers, Guns and Money
188. The Sweet – Blockbuster
189. The Doors – Peace Frog / Blue Sunday
190. The Eagles – Lyin’ Eyes
191. Cat Stevens – The First Cut Is the Deepest
192. Janis Joplin – Me and Bobby McGee
193. Chuck Berry – Too Much Monkey Business
194. The Everly Brothers – Abandoned Love (written by Bob Dylan)
195. The Beatles – While My Guitar Gently Weeps
196. Elton John – Amy
197. The Exciters – Tell Him
198. Harry Nilsson – 1941
199. Devo – Girl U Want
200. The Four Seasons – Sherry
Bottom Three Songs (with #1 being the “most worst”):
1.REO Speedwagon - I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore
This is it. The worst of the worst. The feeling? What feeling? To vomit? To kill the lyricist? To stick a fork in my auditory canal? Yeah … I have to fight all of those when this comes on in my local supermarket.
2. Paul McCartney – The Man
No. DON’T duet with Michael Jackson. And if you do, don’t make it a ridiculously trite, crappy pop song. Do a song that you can play a slap bass on for Chrissake! Something. Anything. Not this. No.
3. Elton John – Johnny B. Goode
I know; this is cheating since it’s only a version of a song that isn’t his. But it is so putrid that it needed to be on this list.