Top Album Closers of All Time

 

Mark Pukalo

The latest project was a difficult one. So many worthy songs and not enough spots in the top 20.  Here's the best that I could do, taking into consideration both how good the song is and how it works as the final song on an album.

Top Album Closers of All Time

1. Jungleland - Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen: Easy choice here as Clarence Clemons' amazing saxophone solo highlights the brilliant piece of music.

2. Wake Up Time - Wildflowers - Tom Petty: Just watched the documentary on the "Wildflowers" album and this song just fits like a glove at the end of it.

3. Working Man - Rush - Rush: The Canadian trio's first album ends with this classic, which debuted on Cleveland radio in the states.

4. A Day in the Life - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band - The Beatles: I had it at No. 21 in the Fab Four's best songs of all time, but it is the best as an album closer.

5. You Can't Always Get What You Want - Let it Bleed - The Rolling Stones: Works perfect at the beginning of "The Big Chill" and at the end of this album.

6. When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin: Not a huge Zep fan, but this song just takes you on a rock journey.

7. The Last Resort - Hotel California - The Eagles: Don Henley said, "The gist of the song was that when we find something good, we destroy it by our presence - by the very fact that man is the only animal on earth that is capable of destroying his environment."

8. Redemption Song - Uprising - Bob Marley: Bob wrote this masterpiece after he was diagnosed with cancer, which eventually took his life.

9. Child of Vision - Breakfast in America - Supertramp: The seven-plus minute song, with great instrumentation, ends the 1980 No. 1 album that spawned several hits beautifully.

10. Moving in Stereo/All Mixed Up - The Cars - The Cars: These two songs belonged together because one just organically leads into the other in the super group's debut album, although Phoebe Cates only moves in stereo.

11. Train in Vain - London Calling - The Clash

12. Goodnight California - Asking for Flowers - Kathleen Edwards

13. Stay - Running on Empty - Jackson Browne

14. You See Me Crying - Toys in the Attic - Aerosmith

15. Purple Rain - Purple Rain - Prince

16. Better Be Home Soon - Temple of Low Men - Crowded House

17. My City of Ruins - The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

18. Won't Get Fooled Again - Who's Next - The Who

19. All You Need is Love - Magical Mystery Tour - The Beatles

20. Watching the Detectives - My Aim is True - Elvis Costello

Others Considered

Champagne Supernova - (What's the Story) Morning Glory - Oasis

Gold Dust Woman - Rumours - Fleetwood Mac

I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will be Forever) - Talking Book - Stevie Wonder

(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding - Armed Forces - Elvis Costello

American Girl - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Carole King - Tapestry

Miami 2017 - Turnstiles - Billy Joel

It's Not Safe - I'm With Stupid - Aimee Mann

Riders on the Storm - LA Woman - The Doors

I Am a River - Sonic Highways - Foo Fighters

Under Pressure - Hot Space - Queen with David Bowie

The Show Must Go On - Innuendo - Queen

Heartbeat City - Heartbeat City - The Cars

Caroline No - Pet Sounds - Beach Boys

All I Want is You - Rattle and Hum - U2

Fight the Power - Fear of the Black Planet - Public Enemy

All Apologies - In Utero - Nirvana

Easy - Juvenalia - Liz Phair

Eclipse - Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd

Find a River - Automatic for the People - REM

For Everyman - For Everyman - Jackson Browne

The Best of My Love - On the Border - The Eagles

Kyle from Connecticut - Way to Normal - Ben Folds

Forgive Me - On a Clear Night - Missy Higgins

Red Flag Diver - Charmer - Aimee Mann

Friends, Lovers and Nothing - Battle Studies - John Mayer