A friend recently emailed me a list of 50 favorite pop songs compiled by A.J. Paul, a retired editor/writer in New Jersey. He called the songs the “soundtrack” of his life. Twelve of my favorites were on Paul’s list, and even though I like the other songs he listed, they wouldn’t make my own “top” 50.
After mulling over the impossibility of naming my 50 favorite songs, I thought what the heck, why not try? It took me an hour to type up my list as old favorites kept popping into my head. I limited myself to choosing just three songs, at most, from any particular band/singer. Otherwise, the list would be almost completely Dylan/Beatles/Stones.
All of these songs are from the 1950s through the 1970s, the Golden Age of Pop-Rock. There have been some really good songs since, but these songs, more than others, constitute the formative “soundtrack” of my own life. (Oh, yes indeed, this list betrays my age.)
I would like to see your favorites, too. Send me your lists.
“Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” – Bob Dylan; “Georgia on My Mind” – Ray Charles; “Visions of Johanna“ – Dylan; “Like a Rolling Stone“ – Dylan; Rain – Beatles; “Ticket to Ride“ – Beatles; “A Whiter Shade of Pale “– Procul Harum; “Tupelo Honey” – Van Morrison; “Honky Tonk Woman“ – Rolling Stones; “The Sound of Silence“ – Simon and Garfunkel; “Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen; “I’m Not Supposed to Care “– Gordon Lightfoot; “Rainy Day People” – Lightfoot; “Brownsville Girl“ – Dylan. (Oops, I broke my three-songs-per-singer rule. But, dang it, I can’t help it. This under-rated, under-heard song is a stark-raving, soul-stirring masterpiece.); “Here Comes the Sun“ – Beatles; “Baby Blue“ – Badfinger; “House of the Rising Sun“ – The Animals; “Time of the Season“ – The Zombies; “You Really Got Me“ – The Kinks; “Turn Turn Turn“ – The Byrds; “American Tune” – Paul Simon; “Kodachrome” – Simon; A “Woman Left Lonely“ – Janis Joplin; “Stayin’ Alive“ – Bee Gees; “The Shape I’m In“ – The Band; “Diamonds and Rust” – Joan Baez; “Is That All There Is?“ – Peggy Lee; “It Keeps Right on a-Hurtin’” – Johnny Tillotson; “Heartbreak Hotel” – Elvis Presley; “Respect“ – Aretha Franklin; “That’ll Be the Day“ – Buddy Holly; “Roll Over, Beethoven“ – Chuck Berry; “Sympathy for the Devil“ – Rolling Stones; “Poncho and Lefty“ – Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard; “Crazy“ – Patsy Cline; “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry“ – Hank Williams; “Take It Easy” – The Eagles; “God Bless the Child“ – Billie Holiday; “Take Good Care of My Baby“ – Bobby Vee; “Mutineer “– Warren Zevon; “It’s Over“ – Orbison; “Sam Stone” – John Prine; “Up Where We Belong” – Joe Cocker, Jennifer Warnes; “Islands in the Stream“ – Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers; “Warm Beer, Cold Women” – Tom Waits; “Son of a Preacher Man“ – Dusty Springfield; “Amelia” – Joni Mitchell; “Free Man in Paris“ – Mitchell; “Fingertips” – Stevie Wonder; “Living for the City“ – Wonder; and “Ruby Tuesday“ – Rolling Stones.
