Top 350 songs in my 50 years of Music: 90-81

90. Space Oddity – David Bowie. … “Ground Control to Major Tom.” The unique rock classic about a fictional astronaut floating in a most peculiar way, “far above the moon” was released nine days before Apollo 11 landed in 1969.

89. Sara Smile – Hall & Oates. … Daryl Hall wrote this moving, soulful tune about his long-time girlfriend, or perhaps my first crush? It was ranked No. 11 on the Billboard chart for the year 1976.

88. I want to hold your hand – The Beatles. … Paul and John wrote this classic in 1963 and it became the Fab Four’s first No. 1 hit in America just after my first birthday. “And when I touch you I feel happy inside. It’s such a feeling that my love, I can’t hide.” Always thought it was “I get high.”

87. Betcha By Golly, Wow – The Stylistics. … The Philadelphia group is my favorite from this genre, led by the magical voice of the great Russell Thompkins Jr. The beautiful love song was apparently first recorded by Connie Stevens, but never sounded better than when Russell sang, “If I could, I’d catch a falling star. To shine on you, so I’ll know where you are.”

86. Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac. … Stevie Nicks displays her powerful voice and Lindsey Buckingham jams in a song about an old Welsh Witch. “Taken by the sky. Dreams unwind. Love’s a state of mind.”

85. Asking for Flowers – Kathleen Edwards. … This likeable and talented Canadian singer-songwriter, who spent time growing up overseas as the daughter of a diplomat, is taking a break from the music business to own a coffee shop outside Ottawa. She said this tune, about a friend going through depression, is her best writing effort. I agree.

84. Doctor My Eyes – Jackson Browne. … The first hit for the Los Angeles native came from his self-named debut album and is about a man battling life’s hardships. “I have done all that I could, to see the evil and the good without hiding, you must help me if you can.”

83. Part of the Plan – Dan Fogelberg. … My cousin Joe introduced me to “Souvenirs” in the mid 70s and it is still among my favorite easy-listening, mellow albums. This nifty tune batted leadoff on the CD which was produced by Joe Walsh, and became the first hit for the Illinois native who later died of cancer at 56 in 2007.

82. Venus – Shocking Blue. … The Dutch group took this 1969 tune -- written by guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen and sung by Mariska Veres -- to No. 1 in nine different countries. Bananarama later returned it the top spot on the charts in 1986. “Her weapon were here crystal eyes. Making every man, mad.”

81. Heart of Gold – Neil Young. … The acoustic classic, written about a young man searching for meaning in his life, was named the third greatest Canadian song of all time by a CBC Radio series. The Toronto native took to it to No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 1972. Dedicated to old friend Chip Doucette – a huge fan of the artist.

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.