My fifty favorites songs of all time

(I stole the idea from my friend, Ellen Blake)

These are the first 50 that came into my head so i might revise it as some point. In no particular order except for number 1.

I've started adding links to YouTube versions of the songs. In some cases it's the album version and, in others, it's a live performance. The studio version usually has better sound quality but, sometimes, the live version is more musically exciting or more visually exciting. If you like a song, you might check out other versions of it.

Tom Rush - Urge for Going - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk9QFRvVQQ0

Bob Dylan - Memphis Blues Again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVFy2YEkoLo

Who - I Can See for Miles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGRijV8U3s

Who - Pictures of Lily - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saiaAlVx1E4

Rush - Limelight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUNxqE_3N0c

Jackson Brown - Fountain of Sorrow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVi4udrM2Sw

Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPx2t7xoF1k

Phil Ochs - The Crucifixion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFi7_U1a9VA

Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV607yyUkI8

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Pride of Man - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG6A6G9uzsQ

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pa9x9fZBtY

Moby G**p* - Omaha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_FlNwQlBmU

Jefferson Starship - Winds of Change - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7dJ3a-U6WQ

George Gershwin (almost any version - this is Joplin's) - Summertime - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn5TNqjuHiU

George Gershwin (this one is Doc Watson) - Summertime - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi8W93aJG_U

Dave Brubeck - Take Five - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmDDOFXSgAs

Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Work Song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO2JAA47Mgk

Derek and the Dominos - Layla - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

Modest Mussorgsky (Ravel Orchestration) - Pictures at an Exhibition

Outlaws - Ghost Rider in the Sky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teom5lYBc0w

Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbATaj7Il8

Beatles - For No One

Paul Simon - Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTiyLuZOs1A

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxuThNgl3YA

10,000 Maniacs - Because the Night - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsRGfGakRWc

Ventures - Walk Don't Run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW21rcHiVU0

Frijid Pink - House of the Rising Sun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJiOAImsjVw

Heart - Crazy on You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKlotd9m4p8

Heart - If Looks Could Kill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnJW-97m_ZI

Pretenders - Night in My Veins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXiinsTcC8

.38 Special - Caught Up in You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGCR3WpI9is

Bon Jovi and Sugarland - Have a Nice Day - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDo2sH_58zM - go to 24:35

Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzOsQAMtpm0

Fleetwood Mac - Black Magic Woman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xFWXMcYs34

Grace Potter - Medicine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sInRzcV7P0

Mississippi John Hurt - Frankie and Johnny - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4d_1IapLkI

Amboy Dukes - Baby Please Don't Go - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISiRiWOFROk

George Thorogood - One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISmgOrhELXs

Dave Van Ronk - Come Back Baby - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjzripSkJf8

Tom Rush - Who Do You Love - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNQjGagUd2E

Pat Benatar - Heartbreaker - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7wpeMmzres

Pat Benatar - Promises in the Dark - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1gZmUGb6vA

Dave Mason - All Along the Watchtower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Bd2W2XAo0

Dave Mason - Headkeeper - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf406RLROek

Credence Clearwater Revival - I Put a Spell on You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeXqtzusIU0

Charlie Daniels Band - Still in Saigon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qV4IVBWjnI

Quarterflash - Find Another Fool to Love You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcICuFnkxe4

Richard Thompson - I Misunderstood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq-5ku6O6TM

Peter Paul and Mary - Don't Think Twice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu-DWUngjhk

Gordon Bok - Fundy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6tBSZVaaZI

Byrds - Chestnut Mare - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SdiSjpOdyU

Jethro Tull - Locomotive Breath - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSUdlUmtg3Q

Mamas and the Papas - California Dreaming - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndDK_1RJS7k

Patty Griffin - Rain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFbjE7NFmUI

Doc Watson - Black Mountain Rag - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw

Carrie Newcomer - Geodes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqL2MZaor4k

Loving Spoonful - Summer in the City - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m648v4s5sFc

Published by talonequ

9 years ago

Comments

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to beardedlion : Doc Watson is easily the greatest guitarist I've ever seen live - and I've seen many. Every note is absolutely crystal clear. There are plenty of his performances on Youtube so have fun.

Reply Original comment

beardedlion 9 years ago

to talonequ : While I had heard Huddie Ledbetter (Lead Belly), I did not know Doc Watson work. Looks like you have expanded my horizons again!

Reply Original comment

nightskies 9 years ago

to nightskies : *Morton

Reply Original comment

nightskies 9 years ago

to talonequ : That is certainly a laudatory statement, doesn't get much better than god. I don't enough folk guitarists to make a counter point, and after listening to more of his work via Youtube (more than I was already familiar with) I don't know if I would like to make a counterpoint anyway. His skill is transcendent, talent like that is sadly waning, which is unfortunate. Yes, I was speaking of The Animals version, in which I am apparently mistaken. But I do like that version, for whatever reason. After listening the the version you linked, I like it too, but Baez has a great voice, so that was almost to be expected. I wasn't aware of just how old it is, perhaps the inspiration for it harkens back to the days of Storyville in New Orleans. Maybe to groups like the Razzy Jazz Band, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, or Jelly Roll Marton with the Red Hot Peppers, it's their kind of dark ragtime work, and the lyrics speak of what went on there at that time.

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to nightskies : To me, as a folk guitarist, Doc Watson was basically god (with no apologies to Eric Clapton). He was an excellent finger picker and he was the best flat picker ever. Every note was crystal clear with no slurring or buzzing. And he had a very nice baritone voice. I'm assuming that, by the original, you mean The Animals version that was the big hit around 1964 but, of course, it long predates that. Leadbelly recorded it in the 1940's and it's still older than that. The first version I remember hearing was by Joan Baez, from 1960 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyYHYUcGgo

Reply Original comment

nightskies 9 years ago

to talonequ : I like Watson too, amazing ability indeed. The links give good quality reproduction (for youtube) as well. I like that version of Summertime, no question there. Frijid Pink's version is undoubtedly more rock, after listening to it, but is very good in it's own right. I like it about the same as the original, just in a different way.

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to laurrren : First - that's Mr. Gramps. Have you forgotten already. Second. Thank you! I've sent you some of them but feel free to check out a few more. There's everything from folk to jazz to hard rock in there. Third <3 to you too.

Reply Original comment

laurrren 9 years ago

pretty cool blog, gramps ;D <3

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to nightskies : You're welcome. Anyone who is interested in the guitar and isn't familiar with Doc Watson has a treat in store. He is the absolute god of the folk/country guitar. He's on my list twice - Black Mountain Rag is an instrumental but Summertime shows off his singing as well. BTW - the Frijid Pink version of House isn't well known and is more rock than blues.

Reply Original comment

nightskies 9 years ago

Thanks for compiling this list, I will have to take the time and listen to the one's I'm not familiar with. Limelight, The Crucifixion, Sultans of Swing (hell almost everything by Dire Straits), Layla, House of the Rising Sun, California Dreaming, all of these are excellent selections. You have some great music here, I will have to say. Personally, I wouldn't argue with you about music, especially of this era. You will possess far more knowledge than I.

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to talonequ : Very weird. Your reply to my previous comment shows in my news feed but not here. Did you delete it or is xh being messed up....again. OK - we'll have to agree to disagree on the rules or we'll be constantly going back and forth on the right and wrong thing. And, if we do, you'll be wrong. But I'm trying to build up your confidence so i shouldn't say that. Say what? Nothing, I didn't say anything. So, you know Jonatha Brooke and Linger. Do you like it? Do you think she's hot? I've seen her live and she's fun.

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

to talonequ : My rules can't accept your opinion, I'm sorry. Because it would consider that I'm wrong in some way or another. Sooooo...myeah...I'm right and you're wrong, at least based on my rules, which means you could be right on your own terms. Oh I know that song!

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : OK, you won't accept the opinion of "expert" sources. Fine. Then accept the opinion of the guy who is always right and was THERE at the beginning of the hard rock category. Which is to say.....me. You remember the laws of robotics (blah,blah, unless it conflicts with one of the higher laws? Well you misstated the rules. Rule #1: Ellen Blake is always right, unless she disagrees with Talonequ. Rule #2 is OK the way it is. On a separate matter, I may add the following to my favorites. She's a Boston performer, you might not be familiar with her as she's not a metal performer, but this is a great song and I think she's hot and I'm guessing you will also. Sadly for you, although she kinda projects lesbian, she's actually straight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-0FUxFe03c

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

to talonequ : I don't give a damn about Wikipedia and VH1...especially Wikipedia. But you forgot the rules man, you forgot the rules! Rule #1: Ellen Blake is always right. Rule #2: If Ellen Blake is wrong, then please refer to Rule #1.

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : I certainly would disagree with you about those songs being hard rock. But, on VH-1's list of the top 100 hard rock songs are My Generation (1965), Sunshine of Your Love (1968), You Really Got Me (1964), In a Gadda Da Vida (1968) - all predate Helter Skelter. From the Wikipedia entry on Hard Rock: "In the 1960s, American and British blues and rock bands began to modify rock and roll by adding harder sounds, heavier guitar riffs, bombastic drumming, and louder vocals, from electric blues.[11] Early forms of hard rock can be heard in the work of Chicago blues musicians Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf,[16] The Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie" (1963) which made it a garage rock standard,[17] and the songs of rhythm and blues influenced British Invasion acts,[18] including "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks (1964),[19] "My Generation" by The Who (1965),[5] "Shapes of Things" (1966) by The Yardbirds and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965) by The Rolling Stones.[20] From the late 1960s, it became common to divide mainstream rock music that emerged from psychedelia into soft and hard rock. Soft rock was often derived from folk rock, using acoustic instruments and putting more emphasis on melody and harmonies.[21] In contrast, hard rock was most often derived from blues rock and was played louder and with more intensity.[5] Blues rock acts that pioneered the sound included Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and The Jeff Beck Group.[5] Cream, in songs like "I Feel Free" (1966) combined blues rock with pop and psychedelia, particularly in the riffs and guitar solos of Eric Clapton.[22] Jimi Hendrix produced a form of blues-influenced psychedelic rock, which combined elements of jazz, blues and rock and roll.[23] From 1967 Jeff Beck brought lead guitar to new heights of technical virtuosity and moved blues rock in the direction of heavy rock with his band, The Jeff Beck Group.[24] Dave Davies of The Kinks, Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, Pete Townshend of The Who, Hendrix, Clapton and Beck all pioneered the use of new guitar effects like phasing, feedback and distortion.[25] The Beatles began producing songs in the new hard rock style beginning with the White Album in 1968 and, with the track "Helter Skelter", attempted to create a greater level of noise than the Who.[26] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic has described the "proto-metal roar" of "Helter Skelter,"[27] while Ian MacDonald argued that "their attempts at emulating the heavy style were without exception embarrassing."[26]

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

to talonequ : Yes but no! None of these songs are really Hard Rock, besides Helter Skelter which always cited as the main influence. It almost sounds like something from Led Zep or Mark II of Deep Purple or even like something out of a 70s Who album.

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : You're certainly allowed to love Helter Skelter (many do) but it's hardly the first hard rock song. It was recorded in late 1968, and was predated in hard rock by many songs, including Satisfaction, Somebody to Love (Airplane, not Queen), Born to Be Wild, to name just a few. Interestingly, when I hear the title I Want You, the first song I think of is Bob Dylan's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzA1KDxKXZw

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

Ah I'm Looking Through You is really great song, nice pick. See I love Helter Skelter by itself but I love it even more because it is pretty much the base of things to come. It's the first Hard Rock song in history. A bit like I Want You, which is pretty much the first real Metal song.

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : OK,, I'll have the beer, you can have the Scotch, and we'll leave the bourbon for George. I'd forgotten about I Want You - good song. i'm in the minority but I never had much use for Helter Skelter. Still we agree on a few and that't better than usual. If I had to fill out a Beatles 5, I'd add Eleanor Rigby and maybe I'm Looking Through You or Help. Your'e right, this list was a lot of fun to do.

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

to talonequ : From your list I'd say quite easily, I Can See For Miles, Born To Run, and obviously One Bourbon, One Scotch, And One Beer. As for the Beatles I would have to go for like...uhm... I Want You (She's So Heavy), I’ve Got A Feeling, Hey Bulldog, Helter Skelter, and to make it some sort of a Top 5...While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : OK, both. For me - start with All My Loving, 8 Days a Week, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and go on from there

Reply Original comment

ellenblake 9 years ago

to talonequ : From the Beatles or from your list?

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

to ellenblake : Besides Heart and Rush, there are no other artists in common with you, much less other songs. But it's good to know that you love For No One. Which others do you particularly like?

Reply Original comment

talonequ Publisher 9 years ago

So............which ones would make your top 50?

ellenblake 9 years ago

Yeah! Heart! And the same song as me! And you know what? The Beatles song you picked is actually my favorite song from 'em. A lot of great picks here.