Andy has inspired me. Here are my top ten favorite songs in no particular order:
1. A Case of You - Joni Mitchell
One of the simplest, prettiest songs ever written, and I first heard it when I was 'frightened by the devil, but drawn to those ones that ain't afraid.' It was perfect for that time in my life, and it still resonates. When I hear it, I remember that time and tend to feel as weary as Joni Mitchell sounds. Still a favorite.
2. Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
The only song to consistently move me to tears. Enough said.
3. Sarah Mclachlan - Do What You Have to Do
I love Sarah Mclachlan. She's probably my favorite musician ever. This song was and still is a favorite. I still don't quite know what the lyrics mean, "created you a monster, broken by the rule of love..." and at points I'm not sure I even understand them. But lyrics have never meant that much to me and ethos of this song speaks to me more than any words ever did.
4. Dancing Queen - ABBA
This is why certain members of my circle of friends think me devoid of musical taste, but damn, how can you not like this song?? Its purely fluff, but every time I hear those strings and that piano, I am the Dancing Queen.
5. I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
One of the saddest songs ever written, and the one that got me through my angsty years in high school. What's worse than pretended love? Or the helplessness that goes along with understanding that "I can't make your heart feel something it won't"? Worst feeling ever. And this song nails it on the head.
6. Under African Skies - Paul Simon feat. Linda Ronstadt
Is there a song that does harmony better than this one?? I don't think so. Its just gorgeous. And its got a good beat. And good lyrics. And I think its awesome
7. Claire de Lune - Claude Debussy
Its a song called "Moonlight" and that's how it feels to listen to it and to play it. Like you're playing slivery fingers of white light.
8. Smooth Sailing - Ella Fitzgerald
A song that makes me want to get up and dance and/or sing along every time I hear it. I sing this song in the shower, I hum it under my breath at work and its what I tap my feet to when I'm doing homework. I think the fact that there are no lyrics makes it that much better for me. Ella Fitzgerald doesn't need words to groove.
9. Je Te Veux - Erik Satie
Just a litling little waltz with simple lyrics ("I want you"), but infectious. I want to sing it, I want to listen to it, and I want to dance to it.
10. Just Like a Dream - The Cure
The song that proves that the Cure are not a bunch of goth depressos. How can you write this song, how can you even listen to it without feeling happy and dreamy? Even if the lyrics are depressing (which they're not in this case), the synthesizers at the beginning make this one of the best dance tunes ever, and (sorry gothy Cure fans) not a sad one.
The honorable mention list is too long to even fathom. Thanks for the fun idea Andy!
I agree, Lipshkin - sometimes you ARE the dancing queen. And I have to agree with you on several of your top ten. However, you forgot one of the best musical creations of all time - Bohemian Rhapsody! Oh and don't forget the Notorius B.I.G! Okay, okay, those aren't some of the best, but it was fun to see how different our tastes are while still being somewhat similar. Talk to you soon!
ReplyDeleteAdagio for Strings is that the song when, arranged for choir, is called Agnus Dei, yes? If so, you introduced me to that song, and it's fucking awesome. Definitely the most depressing piece of music I can think of right now.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I have to quible here. Do classical pieces really count as "songs"? If so, then I have to amend my own list to include the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th, which I fully believe is the best piece of music ever written.
I could make fun of you for including Dancing Queen, but I won't. Instead, I'll commend you for being honest--the point is to be subjective and, thereby, hopefully reveal something about yourself. I think it's awesome that you listed that song.
And do you mean "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure?
Beanie:
ReplyDeleteI came so close to putting "Changes" on this list, but it didn't make the cut simply because I have to be feelin' thug to want to listen to it. Peace, Tupac.
Andy,
Yeah, the choral arrangement for Adagio for Strings is Agnus Dei. Its probably number one on my want-to-perform-before-I-die list too.
You've got a point about classical music, but I think they still count as 'songs', especially if you take the entire piece into account. All of my classical choices are one movement, so I think they could safely be considered songs. But even multi-movement pieces, like Beethoven's 9th could be considered 'songs' as long you consider every movement or part. Because movements are just part of the larger whole, they alone wouldn't be considered songs. Just like Bohemian Rhapsody is two very distinctive parts put together to make one song, so are classical movements put together to make a piece. Dvorak's New World Symphony is a great example. Each of the four movements is pretty distinct, but the major themes in each movement each make an appearance in the others. They're musically linked. Even if they're not, the composer wrote them all together and with the intent that they be performed and listened to together. So I think you can consider them songs.
And yes, I did mean Just Like Heaven. I always get that mixed up since they sing "just like a dream" about ten times and "just like heaven" once. Stupid posuers.
I've gotta disagree about your "if you count all movements, it's one song" rule. Considering Beethoven's 9th, there are two critical disanalogies between the entire symphony and a song. First, the symphony, when played all the way through, is over an hour long. Unless we're talking about some Phish jam, no song is that long.
ReplyDeleteSecond, the orchestra usually pauses between each of the four movements. Even in Bohemian Rhapsody (or other multi-parted songs, e.g., Stairway to Heaven), there's no pause or silence--the music just goes from part A to part B.
So, I don't think that a whole symphony is a "song," I think it's something different and grander. I would consider a symphony to be more analagous to a concept album, with each movement being like one of ths songs. Although it can stand alone, it stands best with the rest of the work.
The more I think about it, the more I like your analogy. Dark Side seems like a nice example, since its technically one track, but each song has its own thematic identity. I've got some symphonies like that too, Holst's Planets to name one. But just to let you know, if you ever go see classical music live, don't clap between movements. Performing musicians definitely don't consider movements songs, but the whole piece as one entity. Its considered rude to clap between movements. Just so you know (in case you didn't already).
ReplyDeleteWhat the fuck do you think I am? Some sort of half-witted lunatic? Yeah, if you hadn't told me that, I would have stood up and given the old Arsenio arm movement while barking like a dog any time the orchestra sat silent for a few seconds. Then, during the quiet parts, I would have whipped out a lighter.
ReplyDeleteJesus, man, just because I'm Mexican doesn't mean I'm culturally retarded!
It wasn't because you're Mexican, o Crapmaster (in this case, as in full of crap), it was because a)I've never been to a classical concert with you, nor have I ever heard you talk about one. Therefore, I thought this might have been something you might not have known. b) you're generally very enthusiastic about things you like, and that enthusiasm often manifests itself in some sort of noise, even if that noise is unappreciated or even unwelcome. c) It also supports the fact that there are people out there who definitely do think of classical pieces as songs, not independent movements. Even if we've both agreed they're wrong, tradition and precedence is on their side. Given my above reasons, it seemed prudent to warn you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I hope your last first day goes well...and even if it doesn't, hey, you'll never have another one to worry about, right?
Thanks for writing this.
ReplyDelete