I am not married to the list per se, but here’s the thought process, such as it is: put this out on the blog (more or less as is) and then add a link asking readers to vote for their fav songs to replace the ones on the list. [Readers, please express your votes in the comments section below.] Caveats being that you have to have heard the song that you’re voting against (links issue here) before voting against it, and then we’d need a “panel of blog experts” to make final decisions. I’d say you could never change more than one song a day – but you know more about running a blog and keeping interest than I do…
Explanations would also be needed for the fact that no band/artist can have more than one song on the list at any one time (my arbitrary ruling, btw). And for any other silliness that I’m missing.
Hope this at least makes for some interesting reading,
Ron
1. It Makes No Difference – The Band – Rick Danko’s vocal is among the best ever.
2. Bobbie Jean – Bruce Springsteen – Bruce rocking with genuine emotion.
3. Baby Stop Cryin – Bob Dylan – The absolute middle of the road for Dylan’s career – where he got this song just right.
4. Smokin’ From Shootin’ – My Morning Jacket – Amazing atmosphere and vocals on this one.
5. Pancho and Lefty – Townes Van Zandt – One of the best song writers ever – at his best. I would accept arguments for Merle and Willie’s version.
6. Tell Me – Rolling Stones – Catches the best of the early Stones, when the music was still all that mattered.
8. Expecting to Fly – Neil Young – Georgous song. Best love gone song written by anyone under 50, written before he was 20.
9. Without Love – Southside Johnny – Best bar singer ever. No one else (and, of course the Jukes) could have made this song sound more like the truth.
10. Don’t Fuck Me Up with Peace and Love – Cracker – Response to a whole lot of crap on the radio and in life, done beautifully.
11. Yesterday Clyde Virginia – Terry Johnson – One of those perfect songs. Can’t imagine it any better.
12. My Friend George – Lou Reed – Because it is the single coolest song ever written.
13. Mama Tried – Merle Haggard – The best country song ever (sorry Steve and DAC, though you came close). Everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t.
14. When the Levee Breaks – Led Zeppelin – Well, this is pretty much Blues/Rock where it meets and explodes.
15. A Quick one While He’s Away (from “The Kids are Alright) – The Who – Highlight of the Who movie kept the Stones from releasing theirs for years. Entwistle performance a killer.
16. Hymn for the Dudes – Mott the Hoople – Great lyric, vocal, guitar performance.
17. Temporary Beauty – Graham Parker – Best Elvis Costello/Rockpile song ever written and performed by someone else.
18. Dreadlock Holiday – 10cc – Best niche hit ever.
19. Washable Ink – John Hiatt – For all the great singer/songwriters everywhere. What a great relationship song.
20. Down by the Side of the Road – John Prine – If Steinbeck was into music…
21. Rudy Can’t Fail – The Clash – If a band believing in how to deliver a song makes it the best ever…
22. Bloodletting – Concrete Blonde – Well before vampires were all the rage…
23. When the Weight Comes Down – The Tragically Hip – Canadian masterpiece.
24. Looking out my Backdoor – Creedence Clearwater Revival – CCR – Just because I can’t ever hear this song without my mood lifting.
25. Superman – The Kinks – The irony factor did me in here.”
26. Devonside – Richard Thompson
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Seeking classic pop song lyrical couplets – Post your faves, by Ron Swanson
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