Top 350 songs in my 50 years of Music: 40-31

40. American Girl – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. … **Casey Kasem takes over from here!**. … Named one of the top 100 “guitar songs” of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, Tom wrote about standing on the balcony near a California freeway and basically watching life go by with, “waves crashing on the beach.”

39. Taxi – Harry Chapin. … The late, great storyteller and humanitarian from New York wrote and performed perhaps the ultimate story song, about Harry and Sue’s chance meeting. “Through the too many miles and the two little smiles, I still remember you.” The artist died in a car crash on the LIE in 1981. Hey Harry, keep the change.

38. Long Cool Woman – The Hollies. … The Hall of Fame band from England made it to No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1972 with this old-school rock tune about a “5-foot-9, tall, beautiful” woman, after Graham Nash had left the group. “With just one look I was a bad mess. ‘Cause that long cool woman had it all.”

37. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen. … One of the most powerful songs ever, whether you are listening in the car or at a concert. The Boss wrote about a street-wise rebel urging a young woman to take off with him. “Together Wendy we can live with the sadness, I’ll love you with all the madness in my soul.”

36. Tempted – Squeeze. … Soulful number from a British band which released several catchy tunes. The song, basically about infidelity, was never a hit single in the U.S. but has been used in several commercials and became more popular later in the 1980s. “Tempted by the fruit of another. Tempted but the truth is discovered.”

35. You’ve got a friend – James Taylor – The great Carole King wrote this moving tune and performed it on “Tapestry” before JT’s magical version won both a Grammy in 1971. “Close your eyes and think of me, and soon I will be there, to brighten up even your darkest night.”

34. Won’t get fooled again – The Who. … The epic tune was originally supposed to be the conclusion of a rock opera, but ended up on “Who’s Next?” Pete reportedly said the song “screams defiance at those who feel any cause is better than no cause,” but it wasn’t only an anti-revolution song because “revolution could be unpredictable.” Now, it works perfectly as entrance music at NHL games.

33. No Myth – Michael Penn. … Sean’s brother and Aimee Mann’s husband wrote this song about a relationship that fell apart at an early stage. It reached No. 13 on the billboard chart in 1989 as his debut single. “What if I were Romeo in black jeans. What if I was Heathcliff, it’s no myth. Maybe she’s just looking for. … someone to dance with.”

32. Radar Love – Golden Earring. … The Dutch rock band hit a home run with this epic tune about lovers sending telepathic messages. “When I get lonely, and I’m sure I’ve had enough. She sends her comfort, comin’ in from above. Don’t need a letter at all.”

31. Alison – Elvis Costello. … I’ve often been told that Alisons – those who have just the one L -- are trouble. The particular one that Elvis sang about let his little friend take off her party dress. But seriously folks, this catchy little tune graces one of the best albums ever made – “My Aim is True.”