Top 350 songs in my 50 years of Music: 107-91

107. Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve. … A very well-written and orchestrated tune from a group that has some un-realized potential. “Try to make ends meet, you’re a slave to money, then you die.”

106. Train in Vain – The Clash. … The English punk rockers made a lasting influence on music, even though they were not at their peak for very long, especially with this tune.

105. Cruel to be Kind – Nick Lowe. … The operative words are “in the right measure” to make this song politically correct. The pop-rocker from the UK co-wrote and released this catchy tune in 1979 while Letters to Cleo did a nifty cover for the likeable movie “10 Things I Hate About You.”

104. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana. … The late Kurt Cobain apparently changed his explanation of the lyrics many times, but the song just rocks no matter how you interpret it.

103. I Don’t Like Mondays – Boomtown Rats. … Bob Geldof reportedly wrote this song in 1979 after seeing the news of a senseless school shooting in San Diego by a 16-year-old girl. A sad song with a message that resonates today.

102. Barely Breathing – Duncan Sheik. … The Jersey-born artist, who went to Brown University, released this melodic tune in 1996 and later won a pair of Tony Awards to go along with a Grammy.

101. Spread your wings – Queen. … Bassist John Deacon wrote this tune from the nifty album “News of the World” about a young man named Sammy, who sweeps the floor at “the Emerald Bar” with an eye toward the future. “Knew it was time, he’d made up his mind, to leave his dead life behind.”

100. Is She Really Goin’ Out With Him? – Joe Jackson. … The angry, but humorous and accurate, Single Man’s Anthem from a brilliant English artist who probably should have had several more songs on the list. “Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street.”

99. Follow You, Follow Me – Genesis. … The English group produced many solid, memorable songs including “Misunderstanding” and this easy-going, heartfelt tune is my favorite. Could be played at weddings.

98. Rockin’ in the Free World – Neil Young. … The “King of Distortion” and San Jose Sharks fan’s song is kinda all over the map with a message of anti-war and social injustice along with Middle East hate toward American freedom. But it freaking rocks and Trump is not authorized to use it.

97. Goodbye to you – Patty Smyth & Scandal. … John McEnroe’s wife owns one of my favorite voices and she put out some great music, whether in a group or solo. This dance number is her most memorable. “Bye Bye Baby.”

96. Message in a Bottle – The Police. … An S.O.S is answered. Sting told Q Magazine of this song, “I like the idea that while it's about loneliness and alienation it's also about finding solace and other people going through the same thing.” One of those tunes that comes alive, when it is played live.

95. Way Down Now – World Party. … Karl Wallinger is performing again after suffering an aneurysm that kept him away several years. He produced some amazing music for what was basically his solo project, including this cheeky, well-written tune.

94. Undun – The Guess Who. … Lester Bangs said of this band; “. … They had the courage to be drunken buffoons, which makes them poetic.” Burton Cummings’ tremendous voice led the way for a group that recorded some great music, led by this catchy tune.

93. Speed of Sound – Coldplay. … Unless your list of musical geniuses is short, Chris Martin belongs on it. Martin said this smooth tune with some great piano work was inspired by his daughter Apple, the first of his two children with actress Gwyneth Paltrow, and artist Kate Bush’s sound.

92. No Such Thing – John Mayer. … The debut single in 2002 for the versatile Bridgeport, Connecticut-born, Fairfield-raised, artist takes on high school guidance counselors. “They love to tell you, stay inside the lines. But something’s better, on the other side.” He has certainly showed them.

91. For You – The Outfield. … The Manchester, England-based trio, originally called the Baseball Boys, was actually more popular in the U.S. than in their homeland and Tony Lewis’ distinctive voice is their signature. This one stands out to me among their many solid pop/rock tunes.