My Top 25 Songs
Subtitle: My Apparent Contempt for the 21st Century
Aside from a storied career as an air-guitarist, I would not consider myself to be a musical person. But music has always been important to me. As I've gotten older, I've realized that most of my favorite memories of people, places, and events have very strong musical soundtracks. I didn't realize it at the time, but it is true now.
So, my memories, my list. Everything from one-hit wonders to the best bands with 30 year track records of producing great music. Maybe you'll recognize some, but hopefully you'll find a few new songs that you can't forget (in a good way).
CODEX: The songs are listed oldest to newest, not by rank. Also, I think there are 36 songs listed. Generally, only one song per artist. For the links, album = original recording, live = live performance, if available.
Never Going Back Again
Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, 1977
Live: https://youtu.be/GGyCx9WgGV8
That guitar! In addition to this album receiving heavy use on FM and radio and in my home, later in life I stumbled upon Lindsay explaining how he plays guitar on this track. He makes it look so easy.
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
Elvis Costello, This Year's Model, 1978
Album: https://youtu.be/02zTQJlbLN8
Live: https://youtu.be/ITx5vzQi0go
I remember heading off to college in 1981 with an Elvis Costello poster, which was stuck to the back of the dorm door for most of freshman year. Hard to pick just one Elvis song.
Bed and Breakfast Man
Madness, One Step Beyond, 1979
Album: https://youtu.be/uARY-eTUTXs
Live: https://youtu.be/lG878yrVXFw
My favorite track off a double album. Short and silly. Their dancing can cure cancer.
Bankrobber
Clash, released as single, 1979
Album: https://youtu.be/ttJBdr6eBuo
Followed up by London Calling and Sandinista (that’s 5 discs!), this track shows how far ahead the Clash were with sampling, even in the 70’s.
Deathwish
Police, Reggatta de Blanc, 1979
Album: https://youtu.be/xhQh0O2dZI8
Live: https://youtu.be/BRbSL03jKPk
Think back to the late 70’s and imagine the joy delivered by a single Maxell 90 tape, with Reggatta de Blanc on one side, and Outlandos D’amour on the other. Although the Police were wildly successful with Synchronicity a few years later, the early punkish reggae influenced albums were a showcase of talent.
Best Friend
English Beat, I Just Can't Stop It, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/SlbYui-Y3r0
Live: https://youtu.be/YFv1kqdl2VQ
If I could pick just one album, this might be it.
Whip It
Devo, Freedom of Choice, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/j_QLzthSkfM
Live: https://youtu.be/XTNGg0Tj5Aw?t=83
Although Devo had been around quite awhile before Whip It was released, the song really opened them up to the public, especially as MTV arrived. The live track linked here is the more important version of Uncontrollable Urge from the TV show Fridays, where cool dudes heard & saw music first.
Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads, Remain in Light, 1980
Best version: https://youtu.be/5IsSpAOD6K8
I hope the video for this song is what inspired television executives to create MTV. Is there a better conceptual music video?
I Will Follow
U2, Boy, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/fVxzTb1ippM
Live: https://youtu.be/jv51LO7NOTo
I could have easily made a list of top 25 songs of only U2 tracks. What a great career.
Tattooed Love Boys
Pretenders, Pretenders, 1980
MTV Version: https://youtu.be/HjXnhT3jXM4
My dorm lobby TV had MTV in August 1981, right as the channel launched. Myself and the other self-styled new wave fans would wait patiently through all of the awful Pat Benetar and J. Geils Band videos for the small handful of cool videos, like this one.
General and Majors
XTC, Black Sea, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/c6ZHQxn1JYQ
Yeah, I was just that fancy as a youth. Something about English bands at the time. Just better.
What I Like About You
Romantics, The Romantics, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/Rqnw5IfbZOU
First rock band I ever saw live in concert. Fall 1980, Mount Pleasant, MI. I had never experienced the post concert ear ringing before.
King
UB40, Signing Off, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/1JfdWbpCqME
UB40 unleashed a pile of well-crafted cover tracks with a slightly new style. And some unique, less often heard tracks, like King.
Hey Nineteen
Steely Dan, Gaucho, 1980
Album: https://youtu.be/cvg5mbM6FGs
This one is for Martha. Sometimes you meet a person who shares their favorite music with you and that becomes a long-lasting memory from the time together.
Radio Free Europe
REM, Murmur, 1982
Album: https://youtu.be/2NIZulPmGi4
Live: https://youtu.be/icGOLDJv08c
Bonus: https://youtu.be/zJB628tWEHk
Before Radio Free Europe arrived, REM released Chronic Town, so I included Wolves, Lower as a bonus track. REM is another band that could sustain a top 25 or top 50 track list.
Space Age Love Song
A Flock of Seagulls, A Flock of Seagulls, 1982
Album: https://youtu.be/yB-ijsaBryM
Video: https://youtu.be/Mt9FG9YjBMM
Flock of Seagulls arrived on the scene at precisely the right time to participate in the MTV hairdo battles. But they actually had some great songs, too. The second video linked here is from the movie Career Opportunities (AKA One Wild Night) featuring Jennifer Connelly. I miss the 80's and all the decade delivered.
Heartbeat City
The Cars, Heartbeat City, 1984
Album: https://youtu.be/ewt2ybYEI08
Live: https://youtu.be/9cL5-42Hg5E
The Cars led a whole wave of synth rock into the 80’s. Their music has stood the test of time.
Hiding Out
Pete Townsend, White City, 1985
Album: https://youtu.be/N34M6Avtbs4
Live: https://youtu.be/j7a64rtdxVg
Too large of a catalog to pick just one, even without including The Who. I was always more of a Pete Townsend solo artist fan. The White City album is almost perfect from start to end.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair, 1985
Album: https://youtu.be/aGCdLKXNF3w
Live: https://youtu.be/b41NFk3kBsA
For some reason I never tire of this song, even after all these years. Tears for Fears actually existed prior to this release… check out Mad World.
Fadeaway
Bodean's, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, 1986
Album: https://youtu.be/uBpc9lq8cWU
Live: https://youtu.be/dDP95UgjL7I
My favorite band from Wisconsin. They actually have a solid catalog of albums and were a great band to catch live, especially at Summerfest in Milwaukee.
Swallowed by the Cracks
David & David, Boomtown, 1986
Album: https://youtu.be/L68CgF8sQC4
Nine well crafted songs on their only release. Then they moved along to support some gal named Sheryl Crow.
Ask
The Smiths, Single, 1986
Video: https://youtu.be/zoo9Vu1a9bU
Although I really liked the darkness of Meat is Murder, for some reason the jangly Marr guitar and happiness of the video makes me choose this track.
Thank U
Alanis Morissette, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, 1988
Album: https://youtu.be/OOgpT5rEKIU
Live: https://youtu.be/FlCoWOv6L0E
If this one seems out of place (for me), let me explain. I stumbled across the live version a couple years ago and was struck by how well she performs live, and how good her band is. Can’t say as I’ve ever owned her music, but this performance is awesome.
The Streets of Bakersfield
Dwight Yoakum, Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room, 1988
Album: https://youtu.be/WRiJq3mcAJI
Live: https://youtu.be/qItru7hZqzU
I don’t have a ton of country music tracks on my list, but have always enjoyed several bands that moved across genres, like Dwight, The Mavericks, Chris Isaacs, and others.
Here Comes Your Man
The Pixies, Doolittle, 1989
Album: https://youtu.be/tPgf_btTFlc
I can’t profess to being a Pixies fan when they first arrived in the 90’s. Another band I stumbled across later in life after seeing them on Austin City Limits. Thanks, PBS!
Son of a Gun
The La's, The La's, 1990
Album: https://youtu.be/Np4mAy-HlmQ
Live: https://youtu.be/nfzicdPU1Eg
What an odd band. A short career as a band, but long lasting songs. The live link includes There She Goes as well.
Emily
Los Lobos, The Neighborhood, 1991
Album: https://youtu.be/PjCdt2s74Zs
Live: https://youtu.be/lJVsUMKftMo
The live version of Emily has been in my favorites since YouTube has existed. And anything from Will the Wolf Survive should probably be in this list as well.
Dumb
Nirvana, Live on MTV Unplugged, 1993
Live video: https://youtu.be/GtBhclCigH0
Liver: https://youtu.be/abBgsNx85mI
Live version is Polly, which Kurt said was the same song as Dumb anyway. Watch the whole Paramount live concert, thank me later.
The Warehouse
Dave Matthews Band, Under The Table and Dreaming, 1994
Album: https://youtu.be/b7Ak3XSXmn0
Live: https://youtu.be/1HmMCJ7YGsY
Back in the 1990’s, I did a lot of graphic design work that typically meant long hours at the computer doing production. This album sustained me.
Somethings Always Wrong
Toad the Wet Sprocket, Dulcinia, 1994
Album: https://youtu.be/fK7bwIVrQFs
Just a perfectly crafted pop song that helped define the 90’s alternative music sound.
In My Tree
Pearl Jam, No Code, 1996
Album: https://youtu.be/d1EJJkamfVE
Live: https://youtu.be/qVSpIU_hAfw
Jack Irons drumming on the album version is a personal favorite. Although it would be easy to put 10 PJ songs on the list, that will have to be a task for another pandemic.
Brimful of Asha (plus Norman Cook Remix)
Cornershop, When I Was Born For the 7th Time, 1997
Album: https://youtu.be/lM7H0ooV_o8
Remix: https://youtu.be/a0BkP5HDWj0
You have to listen to the original album version to fully appreciate what a genius Fat Boy Slim (Norman Cook) is with the remix. Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow.
Got You Where I Want You
The Flys, Holiday Man, 1998
Album: https://youtu.be/BM_OWaItNJM
Is there room on the list for a one hit wonder? Yes. An anthem for shy guys. I’m dying here…Consider this song a stand-in for any of the many one hit wonders I could have added to the list. If you are tempted, here are some random links to a few:
https://youtu.be/1nN_5kkYR6k
https://youtu.be/rcLeDztHFwc
https://youtu.be/wCDIYvFmgW8
https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY
https://youtu.be/CO8vBVUaKvk
https://youtu.be/YgSPaXgAdzE
https://youtu.be/wsdy_rct6uo
https://youtu.be/a_426RiwST8
Gone
Pearl Jam, Pearl Jam (Avocado), 2006
Album: https://youtu.be/gcwdJ5s88Nw
Live: https://youtu.be/OrgeoDq_w6E
Hey, I thought we said only one song per band? Rules are meant to be broken. Read the lyrics to this one if you are bored.
Song for Sonny Listen
Mark Knopfler, All The Roadrunning Live, 2006
Live: https://youtu.be/fPRj-crmDH4
Is there room on the list for a guitar genius? Good. I was tempted to go with Skateaway from Dire Straits, but I think I enjoy the storytelling song style of Mark as an older man. Oh, and the guitar work.
Airwaves
Ray Lamontagne, Supernova, 2014
Album: https://youtu.be/0MzGGkUdDS4
Live: https://youtu.be/eu5TocvqpOo
I believe the word is haunting. And unique. I could listen to the album version on a loop. I have listened to the album version on a loop.
To Be Without You
Ryan Adams, Prisoner, 2016
Album: https://youtu.be/r-MgXtelSYQ
Live: https://youtu.be/s5ZcBMCA36A
Check it out, there is a brief appearance by Ellen. The live version includes a little extra sonic goodness via Hammond organ and guitar solo. Anyone who’s stumbled through a divorce has probably OD’d on this song.