When shaving off the list, I thought: "If Icould only listen to 25 songs for the rest of my life what would they be?" Now, that's a crazy scary thought especially because I have no opera on my list, but it worked.
So here it is, My top 25 favorite songs of all time starting with most favorites first..
Take Me to the Mardi Gras - Paul Simon
I grew up hearing my parents sing along to this song while getting dressed early in the morning on Mardi Gras. It was always a happy time getting ready to have a day filled with parades and mom's fried chicken. Not only is this song nostalgic for family reasons, but the instrumental postlude is quintessential New Orleans jazz. I can blissfully listen to this on repeat.
Yellow - Cold Play
This song reminds me of swimming in my best friend's pool during the summer. For me it is a symbol of happiness, carefree days, friendship, and sun. I think it's a beautiful song.
Hey Jude - Beatles
I love it. I don't care how cliche it sounds.
Bring it on Home to Me - Sam Cooke
I love Sam Cooke, I love soul. My music tastes were very much influenced by my parents. Again, I remember whenever we're together and this song would come on we were all instantly happy and singing along. Soul is magical like that, Sam Cooke is magical like that. It was so hard picking one song, but my memories are very much associated with this one. Died too young, 33, of unfortunate events. Love you Sam.
These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding
Another one of my favorite artists of all time. Otis my man. I have playlists dedicated to Otis and Sam and they are amazing on road trips with my parents. Picking one Otis song was ridiculously hard. This one reminds me of slow dancing with my dad. I don't know if we ever danced to this song but I know whenever it played he wanted to dance. It reminds me of good times, before everyone got separated and health began failing. Another young death, 27, plane crash. Think of all the music not made.
Nothing's Gonna Stop us Now - Jefferson Starship
Mannequin. I loved this movie as a kid and this song played in the credits. Whenever i would hear it randomly play on a store radio I would get really excited.
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
This reminds me of a Spanish video project in High School. The long musical intro just makes me warm and fuzzy.
Three little Birds Bob Marley
I think this is one of the greatest and simplest songs ever written. I should listen to this song every morning when I wake up. It would wash my worries away. A great mantra.
Don't worry about a thing, cuz every little thing is gonna be alright.
Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
Yes, I like good music, sweet soul music.... I sometimes feel I was born in the wrong decade. This song makes me want to dance like no other. The man I marry must like soul music, because I want to act a fool on the dance floor when thins song plays at our reception.
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
This song = driving around New Orleans with my friend Ashley. After Katrina it became more precious to me, cuz I wished I was there, in New Orleans, with her, and everyone else. This is just a great song...the guitar is breathtaking.
All at Sea - Jamie Cullum
I like water. I grew up surrounded by it, I've been cursed by it, I've been blessed by it. I love water. If you close your eyes and listen to the rocking piano line, you can feel yourself floating on a boat, moving with the waves, the sun on your face, and breeze in your hair. I'm serious. I feel this when I listen to this song. That's why it's in my top 25.
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Apparently my list goes chronologically from childhood memories to Katrina happenings, and beyond.
This is another pre-K memory. I love live concerts. I think this concert was in July at the Sanger, my favorite theater in New Orleans. It was my last concert before the storm. Our tickets were AMAZING. 3rd row orchestra pit. My photos from this concert prove how close we were. This is one of those songs that just has an effect on you, the melody just lulls you into a comfort and you can't really explain it. This song just makes me feel.
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
I never got tired of this song though it was played way too much. I like the words. I like the harmonies.
Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Makes me weep.
Hang - Matchbox Twenty
My favorite band. I fell in love with them because of Back 2 Good. My love was cemented with Hang. Every album they have made has a few songs on it that I cannot live without. I don't know, Rob Thomas's lyrics just seem to speak to me, or the adolescent me rather. I rarely listen to this, my favorite band. Too many memories associated with songs. Too much nostalgia.
Steal Me - Jupiter Sunrise
Paints a beautiful picture of a special night between lovers. Grass, pine trees, stars, moon, beautiful.
Grace Cathedral Hall - The Decemberists
I don;t know what to say about this song. It's long and beautiful. I listen to it on repeat when I'm depressed or to help me sleep. It's a little haunting. Has that retro electric organ sound.
Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
HAPPY SONG! This ong makes me bob my head back and forth like a grinning Muppet.
Totally a feel good, nothing deep at all.
Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin
I love a good story telling song. And as crazy as her voice is, it is filled with soul on this song. I believe her, I feel her pain, happiness, excitement, sadness. I love it.
Like a Stone - Audio Slave
I listened to this kind of music during a period of my life. I would blare Audioslave, Chevelle, STP, and Velvet Revolver. (I must have a thing for short lived super groups) Anyway, I couldn't live without this song and Chris Cornell's raspy vocals.
When you say nothing at all - Allison Krauss
I love her voice. So pure.
On the Other Hand - Randy Travis
What a good country song eh? Having an affair and can't decide who he loves more. Only country could make that endearing.
Oh Sherri - Steve Perry
OK, this is silly. I LOVE Steve Perry. My love for this song doesn't go far back, I mean I've always liked it, but I now associate it with an 80s cover band called The Molly Ringwalds. I love acting a fool with friends to an 80s cover band. They opened their concert with this song a couple times so it's the first one that comes to mind....and guys, it's Steve Perry, nuff said.
Living on Love - Alan Jackson
I'm not even sure if this is one of my 25 favs...It just reminds me of my dad. I would have to play it for him on repeat. He never got tired of it. So, I guess it makes me feel happy. And, honestly, who wouldn't want a love so strong that it gets you through all of life's troubles?
A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
Took me years before I actually knew what he was saying, but I just love that melody in the organ. Draws me in. Again, another story teller song.
Well then, I finished. That was difficult but now I feel pretty confident about my top 20...the last 5 are iffy.
The following list didn't make the cut.
Into the Mystic - Van Morrison *Never been to Spain - Three Dog Night*Mr
Bojangles - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band*I've been loving you too long - Ottis
Redding*I wish it would rain - The temptations*You've really got a hold on me -
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles*A Change is gonna come - Ottis Redding*Having a Party - Sam Cooke*Goodbye
Roseland - Styx*Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey*I think we're alone now - Tiffany*Friday
I'm in love - The Cure*Take on Me - A-ha*Take me home tonight - Eddie Money* Send
the pain below - Chevelle*Until you're reformed - Chevelle* Swallowed - Bush*Break
me Shake Me - Savage Garden*Two beds and a coffee machine - Savage Garden*Sin
City - Dwight Yoakam*The River - Garth Brooks*Leaving on a jet plane - John
Denver*Grandpa tell me bout the good old days The Judds*Mama he's crazy - The
Judds*Wasted Days and Wasted nights - Freddy Fender*Hello Walls - Faron Young* Drops
of Jupiter - Train* Uninvited Alanis - Morsette* Thats why they call it the
blues - Elton john* Chariot Gavin - DeGraw*No other way - Jack Johnson*Under
the Bridge - rhcp*Interstate love song - stp*One headlight - The Walflowers*Hold
you in my arms - Ray Lamontagne
As well as Various MB20, Jason Mraz, Michael Jackson,and Gavin DeGraw
songs
