My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (60-51)

This list concludes the first half of the top 100 favorite tracks project. I hope you're enjoying!

So far we've seen:

100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks
090. Waiting Room - Fugazi
089. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
088. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat
087. Daylight - Aesop Rock
086. In the New Year - The Walkmen
085. Judy is a Punk - Ramones
084. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
083. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones
082. White Riot - The Clash
081. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff
080. Lived In Bars - Cat Power
079. Venus - Television
078. In The Neighborhood - Tom Waits
077. Losing My Edge - LCD Soundsystem
076. Vitamin C - Can
075. International Player's Anthem - UGK (feat. Outkast)
074. Someday - The Strokes
073. These Days - Nico
072. All Falls Down - Kanye West
071. Debaser - Pixies
070. Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
069. Goodbye Stranger - Supertramp
068. For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
067. Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel
066. Mr. Pitiful - Otis Redding
065. Four Winds - Bright Eyes
064. Forks and Knives (La Fete) - Beirut
063. If Looks Could Kill - Camera Obscura
062. People Got A Lotta Nerve - Neko Case
061. You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb - Spoon

060. Newsflash - Windmill (http://is.gd/9DW3z)
Thank goodness for that strange Austrian family who clearly can't understand the lyrics to this song for posting the video. So Windmill is essentially Matthew Thomas Dillon. Now yes, I realize he sounds like a muppet. But, man, what a heartbreaking song. I am a huge fan of divorce music (Blood on the Tracks is a Top 5 album for me), and this song just captures everything I imagine divorce to be. Just these heartbreaking little phrases ("Forgot to cut the grass by the baby's things." "Your dad called 'round confirmed the train is running from the tracks.")

059. Rose Parade - Elliott Smith (http://is.gd/9E2IG)
I could probably make a list of my 100 favorite Elliott Smith songs. It was tough limiting my picks to 2 because all of his stuff is so stellar. And he was consistently amazing on every album he made (my favorite is XO). This song is especially great because, while is of course a little depressing, it's not just a blatant suicide note like a lot of his music was (which makes his later work really tough to listen to, I think). Instead it's just his observations, which are simultaneously disarming and funny and sad. This is how I like to remember him.

058. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison (N/A, covers only)
This is probably my favorite love song of all time. The lyrics, that groove, those horns. Everything just makes me amorous. Plus, when I was in England I was pretty much listening to Van Morrison nonstop, so I have this personal connection with that specific place and time, which makes me simultaneously nostalgic and happy.

057. You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon (http://is.gd/9E5vc)
I get into arguments all the time about what was the worsst decade for music. Everyone always says the 1980s. Well, I disagree. I think you show me almost any great act from the 1990s, I'll show you their analogue from the 1980s that was better (with the exception of hip-hop, which I think peaked in the 90s). I think the main this that separated the decades, however, was pop music. In the 80s it was beginning to wane in quality, but in the 90s and 00s it just became wretched. But I look back on these simple pop songs like "You Can Call Me Al" that are so upbeat and catchy, yet manage to smash in some of the most incredible lyrics every to receive mass radio play. Listen to the last verse of this song and not be impressed and moved.

056. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (http://is.gd/9E8zM)
This song is just plain beautiful. I don't have much to say about it that you wouldn't know by hearing it. The concept of a love song from the perspective of a lonely outsider looking in is so imaginative; and the execution on "Waterloo Sunset" is devastating and lovely.

055. Losing Out - Black Milk (feat. Royce Da 5'9") (http://is.gd/9EcZ1)
Haha. Detroit stand UP! This is the only way Allen Parson's Project is ever going to make it onto anyone's 100 greatest songs list. Man, the drums on this song just BANG. How can you listen to this and not just slam your head up and down? It also helps that the verses, while not completely game changing, are just solid and enjoyable. Front to back this is just an amazing track.

054. The Boy with the Thorn in His Side - The Smiths (http://is.gd/9EA30)
Oh man do I love The Queen is Dead. These songs are just so witty and lovely and the melodies are incredible. I take this song as an attack on anyone who has doubted me and been proven wrong. "And if they don't believe us now, will they ever believe us?"

053. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)? - Buzzcocks (http://is.gd/9EArN)
I think Singles Going Steady is one of the best punk albums ever. Just awesome, frustrated songs about love. This song also falls into the "Erik is a pussy" category. Because, of course, the answer is Yes to the question posed in the title. But then again, who hasn't?

052. All I Need - The Temptations (http://is.gd/9EAIe)
What up David Ruffin?! I love The Temptations so much, and this track is definitely one of my favorites of theirs. I don't know if there's a name for the type of rhythm the bassist is playing (the same as "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes and a million other songs) but I love it. Just an awesome, soulful song.

051. God Only Knows - Beach Boys (http://is.gd/9EAYO)
This song has been written about ad nauseum so I'll spare you. I'll just take this opportunity to justify why it isn't higher on the list. And it's because of the "Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bap-ba" halfway through. It just sounds kind of corny, and it frustrates me everytime I hear it. But I love everything else about the song so much I can excuse it.

8tracks: External:


Peace and Love,
Erik

My 100 Favorite Tracks of All Time (90-81)

So continues my 100 favorite tracks list. One thing I forgot to note in the intro, is, just to make things a bit more interesting and diverse, I limited myself to 2 tracks per artist. I know that sort of contradicts what I'm going for with a 100 greatest tracks list. But, then again, where's the fun in listening to 10 Springsteen tracks or the entire first side of Blonde on Blonde. I personally think this is a more challenging and rewarding way to look at the list.

Recap of part 1:
100. Stuck in America - Sugarcult
099. History Lesson - Part II - Minutemen
098. To Clean (Acoustic) - Woods
097. Furr - Blitzen Trapper
096. At the Chime of a City Clock - Nick Drake
095. Search and Destroy - The Stooges
094. Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - Less Than Jake
093. Ruby Soho - Rancid
092. B.O.B. - Outkast
091. Monk Time - The Monks

90. Waiting Room - Fugazi (http://is.gd/9cbdu)
I got into a discussion recently about what "punk" is. And when I define it, sure I look at classic examples of when punk was first becoming a movement (Sex Pistols, Ramones, etc.). But when I think of punk I think of Fugazi and Minor Threat. These were bands that didn't need buttons on their shirts (or shirts in general) to express themselves. They looked at punk as a lifestyle, not a fashion choice. And for them, punk was not being destructive or counter-productive, but actually meant going out and creating positive change that may or may not be anti-establishment. "Waiting Room" is a perfect example of what it means to want change, which so many punks claim, but don't do anything about except shave a mohawk and pin their jeans. "And I won't make the same mistakes/Because I know how much time that wastes." And did you hear that bass riff? Forget about it!

89. Ain't That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye (http://is.gd/9cdeu)
By the end of the list you'll know this, so I may as well tell you now: I am a pussy. And I don't know what it is, but man, Marvin, I can relate: "Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more/But each hurt makes my love stronger than before." What is it about the opposite sex that makes us so stupid? This song was (of course) written by Smokey Robinson, who Bob Dylan once called "America's greatest living poet." I love this song so much, because Marvin's in the moment. He knows exactly what's happening and how ridiculous it is, and yet can't pull himself out of it because of love. And, you know, the melody is great, the tune rules, and Marvin's voice is always fantastic.

88. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - Minor Threat (http://is.gd/9cgRx)
This song was originally by Paul Revere and the Raiders, and then made famous by the Monkees. But, come on, this was always a punk song. The best incarnation was by Minor Threat, a predecessor to Fugazi (see #90 for ramblings on that whole thing). I am a huge fan of the production on this song. It starts out like you're hearing this band practice through the phone. And then you're magically sucked through the phone into this sweaty club where these punks are thrashing to a song made famous by the fucking Monkees. How great is that?!

87. Daylight - Aesop Rock (http://is.gd/9cihY)
"I'll hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed/So I triple-knot 'em and forgot 'em." Cerebral hip-hop has a rightful bad reputation. Most of the time it's just some wannabe intellectual jerking off to a thesaurus and thinking that passes for impressive lyrics or wordplay. "Daylight" is a poetic marvel. The syntax and meter and delivery of these insanely complex lines are something that can only be digested after multiple listens. It also doesn't hurt that Blockhead's beat is beautiful and soulful, and everything that underground hip-hop should be but isn't, because it's usually too busy telling you about how underground it is.

86. In the New Year - The Walkmen (http://is.gd/9ckDo)
I first heard this song on Mr. Tim Kringle's year in review 2008, and man, I was hooked. I can't hear the chorus without just nodding my head like a moron. I love this song because the verses are so subdued, yet filled with this tension, which erupts into this absolute monster of a chorus.

85. Judy is a Punk - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cmfb)
"Second verse, same as the first." This song is everything I love about the Ramones. Raw energy and attitude packed into 1:30. Is there anything else you really need to hear to justify this track? You are going to get a taste of almost everything that was happening in CBGB in the 70s during the course of these 100 tracks, and the Ramones were just a small sliver. But my God was that sliver significant and awesome.

84. I'm the Man Who Loves You - Wilco (http://is.gd/9cnpH)
This track comes from Wilco's brilliant 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. There is only so much one can say in a letter or a song. Sometimes all it takes is a hug or a kiss or a glance to know how someone truly feels. Jeff Tweedy just perfectly captures how frustrating it can be staring down at a page and wishing those words could just bring the person to you so you can say everything you can't articulate in words. And the melody/harmony is beautiful. I also love how the intro completely leads you with a totally different impression of what the song is going to be.

83. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) - Ramones (http://is.gd/9cp6W)
The Ramones were not a political band. But they were also not completely apolitical. This song has a fascinating backstory behind it. Long story short: Ronald Reagan is a dickhead. The hook on this song is so amazing. I just can't get enough of Joey's delivery on it: "My brain is hanging UP!side-down." It's also awesome to see how the Ramones evolved as a serious rock and roll band. Not just 3-chord punk.

82. White Riot - The Clash (http://is.gd/9cq5G)
Oh Joe Strummer. This song is essentially, "Hey whitey, stop being a pussy and get mad!" It just shows how The Clash were always champions of the disenfranchised, pretty much regardless of race or creed or anything else. And it's just a great, iconic, loud and angry punk song.

81. Many Rivers to Cross - Jimmy Cliff (http://is.gd/9crgQ)
Above my bed I have a series of posters taken from the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" that say "I have promises to keep/And miles to go/Before I sleep." This song is essentially that sentiment in brilliant song form. Jimmy Cliff's voice just soars. Life is such a hard, lonely journey, but you have to endure: what a powerful message sung even more powerfully. This song is on The Harder They Come, which is probaby the greatest reggae album ever made. It really inspires me to push even when everything seems hopeless.

8tracks: External:


Next up 80-71!

-Erik

Valentine's 2010

Woah. OK. SO I should have posted this on Valentine's Day. But I put together a pretty great list of love/loveish songs from 1959-2009. I'm pretty proud of the project because it's so all over the map (punk/r&b/rap/indie/etc.). It's divided into 2 lists, so yeah. Enjoy!

The List:
01. Jackie Wilson - I'll Be Satisfied (1959)
02. Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs - Stay (1960)
03. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby (1964)
04. The Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face (1965)
05. Bob Dylan - I Want You (1966)
06. Wilson Pickett - I'm In Love (1967)
07. Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (1968)
08. Van Morrison - Into The Mystic (1970)
09. Al Green - I'm Still In Love With You (1972)
10. Ramones - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend (1976)
11. Buzzcocks - Love You More (1979)
12. Michael Jackson - The Girl is Mine w/ Paul McCartney (1982)
13. Prince - I Would Die 4 You (1984)
14. Paul Simon - Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (1986)
15. Pixies - Here Comes Your Man (1989)
16. R.E.M. - Nightswimming (1992)
17. Weezer - Falling For Your (1996)
18. Elliott Smith - Say Yes (1997)
19. Wilco - I'm the Man Who Loves You (2002)
20. OutKast - Hey Ya! (2003)
21. The Perceptionists - Love Letters (2005)
22. The Hold Steady - Citrus (2006)
23. Jens Lekman - Kanske Ar Jag Kar I Dig (Maybe I Am In Love With You) (2007)
24. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (2009)

Heart 1:


Melissa Joan Hart 2:


Love,
Erik

Day 91: The Atomic Age

On this day in 1945, I would argue, America began a course of destructive events that would strip the world of its innocence forever; somewhere in the American Southwest the Trinity Nuclear test laid the groundwork for the technology that would be used in Nagasaki & Hiroshima.

When I say stripping mankind of its innocence, I mean it in the sense of not only an unprecedented capacity for mass destruction, but an ability for that destruction to be completely remote and impersonal. There is no understating the barbarism and brutality of war, but the ability to take the lives of 200,000 people in a single day without setting foot in the city escalated mankind's potential for chaos.

This chaos, this unbridled ability for carnage, permeated nearly every aspect of society, especially music. The loss of innocence and Cold War tensions were manifested heavily in (obviously) metal and punk, but surprisingly in pop music. I've put together a list of 10 songs about nuclear war. Enjoy.

YouTube:
01. Genesis - Land of Confusion
02. Randy Newman - Political Science (Raaaaaaaandy!!!)
03. The Clash - Stop the World (Not the greatest song by any means, but the lyrics are pretty phenomenal)
04. Can - Mushroom
05. Ozzy Osbourne - Thank God for the Bomb
06. Nuclear Assault - Critical Mass
07. Iron Maiden - 2 Minutes to Midnight
08. Nena - 99 Red Balloons
09. The Specials - Man at C&A
10. The Postal Service - We Will Become Silhouettes

imeem: External:

Day 91: The Atomic Age

Duck & Cover,
Erik

Video:


(Image by Jhayne, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

Yay! A new Wildcard! Just so you know, I'm probably going to take next week off. I'm moving, and keeping this baby up might be a bit hard with the commotion and lack of Internet. Enjoy!

YouTube:
01. Monkees - Daydream Believer
02. Mary Wells - My Guy
03. The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Loving Feeling
04. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Where Have All The Rudeboys Gone?
05. The Walkmen - In The New Year
06. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
07. Coolio - I'll C U When U Get There
08. Dr. Dre - Bad Intentions
09. Phoenix - Countdown (Sick For The Big Sun) (N/A on imeem, "Lisztomania" instead)
10. Black Sabbath - Die Young
11. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Love Comes In Spurts
12. Don McLean - American Pie (Our national anthem)
13. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - The Carny
14. Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers
15. Nina Simone - To Love Somebody
16. Q-Tip - Vivrant Thing
17. The Human League - Open Your Heart
18. Tim Buckley - Song to the Siren
19. The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (Great song/video!)
20. Ducktails - Beach Point Pleasant (N/A on imeem, "No Hope Kids" by Wavves instead)

imeem: External:

Day 87: Wildcard (18)

$$$$$$,
Erik

Videos!!!
Milwaukee, represent!


and


(Image by Kevin Law, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 80: Ramones

Today's artist spotlight is the Ramones. Not much to say, other than the fact that the Ramones were on the forefront of the New York punk scene. Their 2-minute explosions of sound came to define the movement, paving the way for hundreds of future artists. On topics ranging from subversive political statements and social commentary to "Bird" being the "word," the Ramones looked right into the downtrodden but changing face of New York City; and then spit into it.

Hey ho, let's go.

YouTube:
(All songs by the Ramones)
01. Blitzkrieg Bop
02. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
03. Danny Says
04. I'm Against It
05. I Wanna Be Sedated
06. Judy Is A Punk
07. The KKK Took My Baby Away
08. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
09. Poison Heart
10. Rockaway Beach
11. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
12. Cretin Hop
13. Teenage Lobotomy
14. Howling At The Moon (Sha La La)
15. My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg)
16. Something To Believe In
17. I Can't Give You Anything
18. Pet Sematary
19. I Can't Make It On Time
20. Street Fighting Man

imeem: External:

Day 80: Ramones

1-2-3-4!!
Erik

Videos!


And... :-(


(Image by Okada Shinoda, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 69: May Day

Solidarity! Tomorrow's May Day, or Labour Day, or International Worker's Day; basically a day to celebrate the working man/woman. I've put together a 10-track list of workin' songs. (Note: I know I'm a day early, but April 30 isn't a very eventful day.)

Now, there are two camps of working songs. There are songs about working, and songs about workers (and their rights). And, there's a lot of cheese on both sides of the spectrum. Songs about workers tend to come across as overly bitchy and preachy (no matter how justifiably bitchy they are); and songs about working tend to just be just downright stupid and pedestrian. For this list I've tried to strike a decent balance between the two.

Enjoy. And take a few minutes tomorrow and just relax. Don't work so hard, it'll kill you.

YouTube:
01. The Clash - Career Opportunities
02. Billy Bragg - Between the Wars
03. Bob Dylan - Maggie's Farm
04. Big D & the Kids Table - Souped-Up Vinyl
05. Dropkick Murpheys - Worker's Song
06. Rolling Stones - Salt of the Earth
07. Bruce Springsteen - Factory
08. Aesop Rock - 9-5ers Anthem
09. John Lennon - Working Class Hero
10. Rush - Working Man

imeem: External:

Day 69: May Day

Solidarity!
Erik

Videos!


And of Course


(Image by Saad Akhtar, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 42: The Unfu**ables

I apologize for the ambiguity of the title, but I wanted to keep it PG-13. This list is a dedication to ugly musicians. Those who, despite being musically gifted, may still have to pay/beg for sex on occasion. And there's no shame in it. Ugly people can be great talents.

Why this list today? Well, today is Ric Ocasek's 60th (!) birthday. For those unaware, Ric Ocasek was the ghoulish frontman of The Cars. I've sort of had the concept for this list in the back of my head for a while, but didn't have the time to pull it out. But here's my chance.

A quick note: There's a difference between being ugly and aging poorly. A lot of people consider Keith Richards ugly, but I disagree. Because back in the 60s he wasn't that ugly. Going by these standards we could judge Justin Timberlake on the same plane as John Lennon's corpse. That just doesn't seem fair. If at your most attractive you're still relatively horrifying, then you're ugly. And it's OK. Be proud of who you are.

Also, physical deformities are NOT exempt. I don't care if you were born with bad bone structure, a second face, or Marfan Syndrome (two people on the list): I sympathize with you, but it doesn't make you any less ugly.

Finally, what do we do about women? It was tough for me to come up with any girls for the list. People usually go right to Patti Smith, because she's kind of awful now. But she's like a female Keith Richards; in the 60s she was just fine. Adele? I mean she's bigger. But if she lost the weight she could be pretty cute. She has a nice face. Amy Winehouse? Yeah, she's horrifying now because of drugs. But, when she was on the top of her game, she was kind of a babe in her own way. So let it go... And here we go:

YouTube:
01. Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated (Joey Ramone)
02. Lyle Lovett - If I Had A Boat (Lyle Lovett)
03. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened (Bradford Cox)
04. Motörhead - Overkill (Lemmy Kilmister)
05. Kiss - Lick It Up (They were all fuck ugly, but especially Gene Simmons)
06. Pogues - Dirty Old Town (Shane MacGowan)
07. Rush - Fly By Night (Geddy Lee)
08. Public Enemy - Fight the Power (Flavor Flav)
09. Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne (Donald Fagan, only because he kind of looks like Rick Springfield with a melting face in this picture)
10. Dio - Rainbow in the Dark (Ronnie James Dio [PS Note how he signs headshots])
11. System of a Down - Aerials (The Whole Band)
12. Marilyn Manson - The Dope Show (Marilyn Manson [ugly even without all the makeup])
13. Lil Jon - Stop Fuckin' Wit Me (Lil Jon, haha)
14. Asia - Heat of the Moment (Steve Howe)
15. The Cars - You Might Think (Ric Ocasek)

imeem: External:

Day 42: The Unfu**ables

Go Take A Shower,
Erik

Videos of some Excluded but not Forgotten!


And Finally.


(Image by Jim Loter, Licensed Under Creative Commons)

Day 36: Pre-1980s Punk

This week's genre tour was a little tough to define. I wanted to do a strictly Roots Punk list coming off the heels of The Clash list. But the genre definitions within the punk movement are shady at best. So I decided that I'd limit the list to songs released before 1980. This sort of narrows down what's fair game. On one hand there are Protopunk bands that set the ground rules for punk (The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, Velvet Underground), more straight-up Punk acts (Dead Boys, Ramones, Sex Pistols), alongside the first wave of Post-Punk bands like Gang of Four. Overall the list is just a collection of some of my favorite songs from this era. The attitude, message and relentlessness of the music encapsulated the movement. Enjoi Oi Oi!

YouTube:
01. The Velvet Underground - I'm Waiting for the Man
02. Patti Smith - Pumping (My Heart)
03. New York Dolls - Personality Crisis
04. The Modern Lovers - Roadrunner
05. Iggy & The Stooges - Search & Destroy
06. Ramones - Judy is a Punk
07. The Clash - Janie Jones
08. The Jam - The Modern World
09. The Damned - New Rose
10. Dead Boys - Sonic Reducer
11. Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen
12. Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device
13. Wire - Ex Lion Tamer
14. Buzzcocks - Orgasm Addict
15. Gang of Four - Ether

imeem: External:

Day 36: Pre-1980s Punk

Hey Ho! Let's Go!
Erik

Video:


(CBGB Image by Joseph Holmes, Licensed Under Creative Commons)