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.
No comments:
Post a Comment