My 100 Favourite Songs - Part 1

 

I had the idea of compiling this list a while back, and it turned out to be a longer project than I'd imagined - half of them differ from the original list.  You keep thinking, "Damn it, how could I have forgotten 'Bohemian Like You' by The Dandy Warhols?", and similar!

I think I've got it about right now - I've included a couple of instrumentals, but on the whole this my Top 100 of pop/rock, as if I'd started including other musical genres it would have been too vast a project.

I'm posting them in five groups of 20.  The first 80 are in random order - a Top 100 countdown would have been impossible.  However, the fifth post will be my 20 most favourite songs of all time - now that was a task!

I tried not to choose songs simply because they evoke a happy memory ; if I had, my Top 100 would have included 'gems' like 'Get Out of My Dreams and Into My Car' by Billy Ocean, and possibly 'La Macarena' (don't ask).  

The title and artist are linked to the Wikipedia page for more information on each.  Where possible, I've chosen a video that shows an actual performance or promo vid, but obviously the sound was the most important thing.

Here's the first group, in no particular order:

Golden Years - David Bowie (1975)

From my one of my favourite two albums of his - was a toss up between this and the title track.

Marquee Moon - Television (1977)

Under Ice - Kate Bush (1985)

The whole of The Ninth Wave, B side of Hounds of Love, is a masterpiece!

My Favourite Mistake - Sheryl Crow (1998)

Sympathy for the Devil - The Stones (1968)

Little Bit of Love - Free (1972)

This song was how I discovered Free - it was in the charts when I was 12 or 13

Lover - Dan Reed Network (1989)

The whole of the Slam album takes me straight back to 1989/90 - hard to choose one track.  

Remedy - The Black Crowes (1992)

(and Chris Robinson wins the 'Hottest Guy in Red Velvet Loons' award)

Feel So High - Des'ree (1991)

Can't Happen Here - Rainbow (1981)

'Dystopian lyrics 30 years before the world realised what was happening' - comment on YouTube.  Aside from that, just a terrific song. 

Wood Beez - Scritti Politti (1985)

Paradise City - Guns N' Roses (1989)

Rock and Roll Doctor - Little Feat (1974)

'Two degrees in be-bop, a PHD in swing...'

The Bitterest Pill  - The Jam (1982)

Seasons of Wither - Aerosmith (1974)

Most hauntingly beautiful - long intro, so stick with it if it's new to you

Tunnel of Love - Bruce Springsteen (1987)

Reeling In The Years - Steely Dan (1972)

...and this was how I discovered Steely Dan, when I was 13.

Linger - The Cranberries (1993)

I was working in a pub in 1996 after a long relationship break-up.  The landlady had to tell me to stop putting it on over and over again.

Transmission - Joy Division (1978)

Space Junk - Wang Chung (1997)

Famously used as the outro in the first episode of The Walking Dead, and then again in Rick Grimes' last episode, so I've chosen this excellent fan-made video, by Ah Perfect.

Part 2 HERE

Part 3 HERE