Without further ado, mostly because if I think on this any longer, I'm going to pop something in my right temple, here is the Top 10. These are my ten favorite songs of all time. And they are in ascending order, though I am not fully confident I believe this ranking myself. On any given day, with any given mood or frame of mind, any one of these ten songs could be #1. I will say, with all confidence, all ten continue to rock me emotionally, for better or worse. These songs never get old. Not to me. These songs are as good as it gets.
10. My Girl- The Temptations
Have you ever heard this song? It was a huge hit on the Motown label. The opening bass notes--"BIM-bum bum-BIM bum bum" are pretty iconic. And how about the strings before the "hey hey heys?" But seriously, "My Girl" is a mini-miracle.
9. My Whole World Ended- David Ruffin
David Ruffin strikes again. And so does Motown. The whole band is on fire in this song--listen to the guitar line in the verses-- but it is Ruffin's voice that breaks my heart. There is a quality in the way he delivers each line that sounds a little too real. He is living this song right before our ears.
8. The Verb To Love- Todd Rundgren
You can drop the needle on any Todd Rundgren album beginning with the Nazz in 1968, right up to his most recent in 2022 and you will hear 25 different styles of music. But it is the slow burn, soul ballad where Rundgren excels and this one from 1976's "Faithful" is my favorite of all.
"Looking for a love with no strings attached. Take me like I am, that's the only catch."
7. Mississippi- Bob Dylan
I've written about "Mississippi" three or four times before. It's Bob's best song. It's one of the greatest songs ever written. As I said in the intro, next week, this could be my favorite song of all time. Every line is a work of art, but I'll offer these, for now.
Walkin' through the leaves, falling from the trees
Feelin' like a stranger nobody sees
So many things that we never will undo
I know you’re sorry, I’m sorry too
Some people will offer you their hand and some won’t
Last night I knew you, tonight I don’t
I need somethin’ strong to distract my mind
I’m gonna look at you ’til my eyes go blind
Well I got here followin' the southern star
I crossed that river just to be where you are
Only one thing I did wrong
Stayed in Mississippi a day too long
6. Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
This is probably a favorite of many. David Bowie and Paul Weller, and I am pretty sure Elton John and David Gilmour all said it was theirs, at some point. Who could argue against such beauty?
5. A Girl Like You- The Rascals
The arrangement of this Rascals' song can literally bring tears to my eyes. Dino's drumming on this song brings tears to my eyes. This is lightning in a bottle. This is pure bliss captured in under three minutes. This is what pop music is all about.
4. God Only Knows- The Beach Boys
"I may not always love you/But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it/I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me/Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me/So what good would living do me
God only knows what I'd be without you"
That's it. That's the whole song. It doesn't even need Carl's lead vocals, or the Boys harmonies. But thank God for both.
3. Who Knows Where The Time Goes- Fairport Convention
Could be one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Could also be the most beautiful lead vocal ever committed to tape. Ask me next week, and it could be my favorite song of all time. There is no voice like Sandy Denny.
2. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore- The Walker Brothers
I've loved this song my whole life, but something changed when I saw Jules Shear and Marshall Crenshaw sings this together at a benefit for Victoria Williams in 1992. It was their harmony on the line "the tears are always clouding your eyes." Something shot through me and I never heard this song the same way again. It's got to be the Wallker Brothers. Nothing wrong with the Four Seasons. But the Walker Brothers take this to a different level of greatness. It's big!
1. Stardust- Nat "King" Cole
Are you surprised? Shocked? I've held this as my favorite song of all time for years. My dad used to say it was his favorite song of all time and I'd laugh. I thought he was kidding. When asked who his favorite singer was, he'd say Tony Martin. That was a joke, and so I thought "Stardust" was a joke...until I paid attention. It's Hoagy Carmichael's masterpiece and I believe Nat "King" Cole owns it. It doesn't get more beautiful than "Stardust."
But that was long agoAnd now my consolationIs in the stardust of a song
Next up, the Top 150 power pop bands that sound like Big Star.
Burning Wood's 150
I Got You- Split Enz
Here Comes My Girl- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Nothing Rhymed- Gilbert O'Sullivan
Every Kinda People- Robert Palmer
In A Sentimental Mood- Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
Her Town Too- James Taylor & J.D. Souther
Someday- Steve Earle
Pinball Wizard- The Who
Bell Bottom Blues- Derek & The Dominoes
Amie- Pure Prairie League
It'll Take A Long Time- Sandy Denny
Sing It- Irma Thomas, Marcia Ball & Tracy Nelson
I Walk In My Sleep- Berna-Dean
My Baby's Taking Me Home- Sparks
Go Or Go Ahead- Rufus Wainwright
Throw Your Arms Around Me- Crowded House
Don't Stop Me Now- Queen
Aja- Steely Dan
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes- Crosby, Stills & Nash
More Today Than Yesterday- Spiral Staircase
On The Wings Of A Nightingale- The Everly Brothers
Care Of Cell 44- The Zombies
Elvis Presley Blues- Gillian Welch
New Lace Sleeves- Elvis Costello
Percy's Song- Fairport Convention
Station To Station- David Bowie
Hard Times- Ray Charles
My Man- Billie Holiday
This Will Be Our Year- The Zombies
Dawn (Go Away)- The Four Seasons
Lonely Boy- Andrew Gold
Fairytale Of New York- The Pogues w/Kirsty MacColl
Soliloquy- Frank Sinatra
Green Onions- Booker T. & The MG's
The Golden State- John Doe & Kathleen Edwards
Stupidly Happy- XTC
Bus Stop- The Hollies
Mandocello- Cheap Trick
Tell It Like It Is- Aaron Neville
You're A Big Girl, Now- Bob Dylan
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man- Aretha Franklin
Moody's Mood For Love- King Pleasure
21st Century Gypsy Singing Lover Man- Taj Mahal
Take Me For A Little While- Vanilla Fudge
Pancho & Lefty- Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard
Sea & Sand- The Who
What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round- The Monkees
Silver Springs (Live)- Fleetwood Mac
If We Never Meet Again- Reckless Sleepers
Layla- Derek & the Dominoes
Not Where It's At- Del Amitri
Hurt- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Walk On By- Dionne Warwick
Listen, Listen- Sandy Denny
Into The Mystic- Van Morrison
Old Town- Phil Lynott
Brief Candles- The Zombies
1952 Vincent Black Lightning- Richard Thompson
Until The Night- Billy Joel
Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd
Heaven & Hell- The Easybeats
Sometimes I Don't Know What To Feel- Todd Rundgren
If I Fell- The Beatles
(Baby) You Don't Have To Tell Me- The Walkler Brothers
The Worst That Could Happen- Brooklyn Bridge
Company- Rickie Lee Jones
Ol' 55- Tom Waits
I'm Not In Love- 10cc
Let's Stay Together- Al Green
The March Of The Black Queen- Queen
You Get What You Give- New Radicals
What A Fool Believes- The Doobie Brothers
Sally Go Round The Roses- The Jaynettes
Maybe I'm Amazed- Paul McCartney
I Wish It Would Rain- The Temptations
Like A Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan
I Wish I Was Your Mother- Mott The Hoople
Surf's Up- The Beach Boys
Stand- Sly & the Family Stone
I Believe (When I Fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever)- Stevie Wonder
Summer Wind- Frank Sinatra
Summer, Highland Falls- Billy Joel
I Never Dreamed- The Cookies
To Sir With Love- Lulu
Caroline, No- The Beach Boys
It Makes No Difference- The Band
Blue, Red & Grey- The Who
Without You- Nilsson
Drive All Night- Bruce Springsteen
Days- the Kinks
What Is Life- George Harrison
Sunny- Bobby Hebb
Walking In The Rain- The Ronettes
Walk Away Renee- The Left Banke
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling- The Righteous Brothers
Both Belong- The Grays
How Can I Be Sure- The Rascals
Marquee Moon- Television
True (Live From Montreux)- James Booker
You Can't Always Get What You Want- The Rolling Stones
Street Fighting Man- The Rolling Stones
Baby Baby (I Still Love You)- Cinderella
Sunrise- The Who
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference- Todd Rundgren
Rain- The Beatles
Comin' Back To Me- Jefferson Airplane
Atlantic City- Bruce Springsteen
American Tune- Paul Simon
Happy- The Rolling Stones
All The Young Dudes- Mott The Hoople
Somebody To Love- Queen
Something- The Beatles
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave- Martha & The Vandellas
I Can See For Miles- The Who
America- Simon & Garfunkel
Willin'- Little Feat
Suspicious Minds- Elvis Presley
Reflections Of My Mind- Marmalade
September Song- Erroll Garner
Both Sides Now- Jason Falkner
Thunder Road- Bruce Springsteen
I Saw The Light- Todd Rundgren
Save The Last Dance For Me- the Drifters
Behind Blue Eyes- the Who
Wichita Lineman- Glen Campbell
A Case Of You- Joni Mitchell
Hot Fun In The Summertime- Sly & The Family Stone
Heroes- David Bowie
Born To Run- Bruce Springsteen
Just One Victory- Todd Rundgren
The Kids Are Alright- the Who
And Your Bird Can Sing- The Beatles
Don't Worry Baby- The Beach Boys
What's Going On- Marvin Gaye
Groovin'- The Rascals
Darlin'- The Beach Boys
For No One- The Beatles
Reach Out, I'll Be There- The Four Tops
Elenore- the Turtles
Paris 1919- John Cale
My Girl- The Temptations
My Whole World Ended- David Ruffin
The Verb "To Love"- Todd Rundgren
Mississippi- Bob Dylan
Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
A Girl Like You- The Rascals
God Only Knows- The Beach Boys
Who Knows Where The Time Goes- Fairport Convention
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore- The Walker Brothers
Stardust- Nat "King Cole
40 comments:
Again, no clunkers there. I admire your discipline; I have enough trouble coming up with a top ten for any artist, much less overall.
I had been thinking about what would be in your top 10. I actually got 3 right. A few I didn't see coming and the rest seem just about right. No matter what landed in your Top 10 I've got to hand it to you for even attempting it. Job well done.
Now it's time for your top 150 Albums of all time ;-) (Sorry)
Ack -- wan't ready for this top 10 so soon, so I don't have significant write-ups about them, but here goes:
Ranking my top 5 was easy. No question in the order. What I had for 6-15 could have been in any order, but after tossing things around, this is what I landed on and I’m sticking with it. Some of Sal’s earlier picks made it into my top 10 and many weren’t in his list of 150 at all. The nerve! I could wax eloquent about each of these, but I had the hardest time trying to say why these songs are at the pinnacle of my list, so for this set of 10, I tried to keep it to the simplest reason.
Wichita Lineman -- Glen Campbell Why is this my favorite song of all time? It’s this couplet: “And I need you more than want you/and I want you for all time.” And that dit-dit dit-dit after “still on the line”. And that baritone guitar solo. This is a perfect song.
God Only Knows -- The Beach Boys OK — *maybe* I could have flipped this for #1. This is the only other song I consider flawless. The outro is magical and could go on for another 5 minutes.
My Old School -- Steely Dan *The guitar* (and I wish I could play like that). And then when the horns kick in for real later. Amazing. Almost 6 minutes long and it could be longer and I’d be even happier.
Talk Of The Town -- The Pretenders. The song where I fell in love with Chrissie’s vibrato was this janglly slice of heaven. Pretenders II inexplicably has the shorter non-single version. The video was all over MTV when I first started watching and that didn’t hurt either as I could never get enough of the longer version of the song.
What Am I Doin' Hangin' 'Round? -- The Monkees. I love the Monkees like Sal loves Todd Rundgren. This story song is their perfect song and one of the last songs where they all played on a track (apparently?) The Monkees made me want to be in a band and this song was a huge reason for that.
Thirteen -- Big Star I was late to Big Star (in my late 30s maybe?). I read about “Thirteen” being referenced in articles about the album. But when I actually first heard the song? It took my breath away with it’s beauty and yearning and still does.
What Is Life -- George Harrison A pop song that leaps from the speakers from the first fuzzy notes and doesn’t let go. I can not imaging a stripped down version of this song sounding any more joyous than the wall-of-sound production it has. The highest song by a Beatle and beats out any other song by the group, too!
O-O-H Child -- Five Stairsteps Things are gonna get easier. Things’ll get brighter. Right now!
Shake Some Action -- The Flamin' Groovies This was another song I read about for years, but never heard. Once I did, I realized why people used the title for books and is (rightfully) on the list of best Power Pop songs and covered by all sorts of people/groups (a different blog made a mix of over 40 versions of this song and it never got tiresome when I listened to it.) I think it’s that “Woo” after the second chorus before the guitar solo that does it for me. Simple in it’s construction, easy to play, but hard to duplicate the feel of this recording.
Never My Love -- The Association To me, this is the perfect love song. When I made mix tapes — it was always the first choice. Some of you may be shaking your head that this slice of MOR schmaltz is this high up on any list of greatest songs of all time, but — damn it — if you’ve ever been in love, every lyric is gold here.
I do want to reiterate that now that this is done — I was incredibly surprised to find out how many bands/artists I like did *not* show up on my list at all (or were surprisingly under represented.) I mean if I just want to put on an *album* for no reason — I’ll pull out “Abbey Road” — yet I didn’t put any songs from it on my 150. No REM. No Zappa. No Juliana Hatfield. No John Lennon. No KISS. No Sloan. Very few -- if any — “Classic Rock” artists (Bowie, Who, Springsteen, etc…) This doesn’t mean I don’t like — nay love — a lot of songs by those artists — but I was surprised over and over how many *other* songs I preferred over those. Maybe it is the curse of (over) familiarity? Maybe I just love a lot of one-off singles more than other songs? Who knows? I’m hopeful now that we are at the top 10, that the other readers will also list their top 10 songs, too!
Woohoo!
I've always thought that my life would be fulfilled if I could write just one line like any of the ones in Stardust - just one line.
Thank you, Sal. I thoroughly enjoyed your list.
I don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed that I only have one new song to discover in the top 10. It's only natural I guess. But I'm looking forward to checking out the David Ruffin track (and the same-titled solo debut album it came from). Is it just me or does his solo career seem mostly ignored? All the other tracks are favorites of mine too. You've been tub-thumping for years about "Mississippi" and I lost my personal bet to myself that it would be at #1. But "Stardust" is an awesome choice too, and it opens up an entire world of songs from The Great American Songbook. "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" is on my playlist of songs people might enjoy listening to when I die. That's how much I love that! Great project. I hope it was as fun for you as us. And thanks for creating the playlist. I'll put that sucker on shuffle!
That's a nice batch of songs.
If I was stuck on a desert island and that's all I had, it would still be an embarrassment of riches.
Wonderful grouping of songs. Thanks for putting the whole thing up on Amazon music. Long live BW!
Cheers to the songwriters!
(Oh, and, thanks Sal -- for letting me play along!)
Stupid question; how do I get Alexa to play Sal's top 150?
Hey Sal,
being a huge Hoagy Carmichael fan it was great seeing Stardust on your list. Hoagy wrote the music, and the lyrics were written my Mitchell Parish. I think I read once it's been recorded over 300 times. Great list
Russ
It's been quite a journey from 150 down to today's post. Thanks for sharing your list. I'm probably more aligned in my musical preferences to your 11-20 than your top 10, but they are all terrific. Oh, and my dad loves My Girl, so we play that one all the time.
Surprised by Stardust? Of course, but I don't disagree in the slightest. I have 27 versions of Stardust in my digital device, and none of them touch Nat's. I've read that it was Hoagy's favorite version as well.
It's an incredible list. Thank you for inspiring us all.
OK, the eagle has LANDED. Damn. You slayed it! These are all such great songs. A number of them would be in my upper list as well.
A few things have been revealed. I noticed:
- You recognize a timeless melody, rhythm, and lyric; aspects that traverse the sands of time and momentary trends
- There's not quite as much Todd Rundgren as some might have thought - I count 5. Not quite as much Who as I'd thought - but I count 7!
- No Thin Lizzy!
- Dylan's my favorite artist, and I gotta say, pretty damn good call for a favorite. As much as I love it on record, the way he's played it in concert (on bootlegs) truly makes it soar for me and reveals the full spectrum of emotions the song embodies
- Man those #2 and #3 songs are good
- Believe it or not, I don't really even know Stardust! I know, I'm insane - but that's a given. I will immerse myself in it now.
Thanks again for compiling this and sharing, Sal. Well done.
I lack the words. Just fabulous, Sal.
Oh I guess I WON'T check out the David Ruffin solo debut. It's not on my streaming service Amazon Music (which I access courtesy my Medici-like sponsors). LOTS of great music not on streaming which is one more reason to buy vinyl from Sal!
Real nice job, Sal. Without a doubt, my favorite string of posts since I've been here. My hat is off to you for the incredible effort this must have been - my brain hurts just thinking about it.
Your #1 is priceless!
Randy
I just wanted to say that your lists have been fun for all who read your blog. I am sure your list is fluid and might change from day to day. It certainly inspired me to create my own lists. More importantly it reinforced my love of music. Now I want your list of favorite albums!
Mike
God I love this list. And, for the record, "Mississippi" puts a spell over me that sometimes lasts weeks. I never tire of that song. Ever.
And these lists are so fun and so hard. I could easily easily make a list of top 50 songs that are all Beatles, or all Stones, or all Springsteen, or Aretha, or Marvin, or one hit wonders, or standards, or Motown songs, or Stax songs (I could very sincerely make a list of 15 Otis Redding songs that would be my favorite songs of all time!). And I would MEAN IT! Every time I made a list like that I would mean it! And that's the beautiful thing. These lists are living things.
Lovely, Sal. Which of the various versions of "Mississippi" do you like best?
Sal, great list of songs. "Stardust" was a bit of surprise but yes, I have that on my HDD.
If I'm going to make my list, here are the songs we both LOVE.
Aja- Steely Dan
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes- Crosby, Stills & Nash
More Today Than Yesterday- Spiral Staircase
Fairytale Of New York- The Pogues w/Kirsty MacColl
If I Fell- The Beatles
Company- Rickie Lee Jones
Let's Stay Together- Al Green
Like A Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan
Surf's Up- The Beach Boys
Summer, Highland Falls- Billy Joel
Caroline, No- The Beach Boys
Without You- Nilsson
Days- the Kinks
Walk Away Renee- The Left Banke
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling- The Righteous Brothers
How Can I Be Sure- The Rascals
It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference- Todd Rundgren
Comin' Back To Me- Jefferson Airplane
I Can See For Miles- The Who
America- Simon & Garfunkel
A Case Of You- Joni Mitchell
Elenore- the Turtles
Mississippi- Bob Dylan
Waterloo Sunset- The Kinks
A Girl Like You- The Rascals
God Only Knows- The Beach Boys
Who Knows Where The Time Goes- Fairport Convention
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore- The Walker Brothers
Sal,
A very nice exclamation point to cap a wonderful project.
Thank you for this list and for all the ways you have enriched my musical world.
Just a great tribute to your father. Well said. Well said thru out, explaining your choices and your passion. Thank you for your effort
MJ
Well done, well written , well thought-out, Sal. Obviously we all have our own, individual as a fingerprint, but it's extra enjoyable to see someone put such thought into the explanation of each.
PS. Which recording, among the many, of Mississippi? It seems a new one lands every week recently.
Zippy,
The first unreleased version on "Tell Tale Signs" followed by "Love & Theft."
I'm listening to your mix and when I hear a song I'm less familiar with (or not at all) I have to go back to read again what you said about it! When does the book come out? :)
Thanks for this effort Sal. I plan to go through the songlist often.
And thanks cmealha for tabulating the artists, very interesting. Wonder if there are any surprise artists I would have expected to make the list that didn't...
The beauty of this list, of course, is that it's Sal's list; no room for any arguments!
Were any of the songs written in the last 25 years?
I'm a bit surprised at how many of my favorite artists didn't make the cut: Allman Bros, Blind Faith, Cream, Moody Blues, Santana, Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, The Byrds, Jackson Browne, Grateful Dead, Elton John, Jethro Tull, Laura Nyro, Led Zeppelin, Incredible String Band, Tim Buckley, The Association, Billy Joel, The Lovin' Spoonful, Leonard Cohen, John Lennon, Chicago, Spirit, Cat Stevens, Flying Burrito Bros., REM, Steve Winwood, Leon Russell, Tommy James and the Shondells....
Thanks, Sal, for putting this together and sharing it with us. It's been fun to follow along.
Thats has been a great ride. Many months of relistening to do . Many thanks.
Excellent, very varied and different from what be in my top 100. I'm sure if you did it again in 5 years time it would change and what would get in. Keep up the famtastic work and thanks for posting.
Great top 10. Great cause well 10 great songs and gutsy cause well saying top 10 favorite songs and putting it in print well gutsy.
and in addition you've got seven (or is that eight if you make Ruffin part of the Temps) favorite artists up there as well.
Another fine list! I would have picked a different Dylan, that's still s great choice. I wasn't expecting "Stardust" for #1, but it's very worthy.
OUTSTANDING!
Sal, this entire list was obviously curated with great care, it's quite a project to take on, and I enjoyed your thoughts on each and every cut. Thank you.
Now Playing: Nat Cole, "Stardust."
Willie Nelson's version is great. Satchmo, of course, indisputably fantastic. One of my favorites is on the Jon Hendricks "Freddy Freeloader" album. But have to agree, it belongs to Cole. Great pick for #1 and a few things in the 150 that I've never heard, and plan to look into. Rock on.
A fantastic finish to a fantastic series. This has been fun to follow over the last couple of months. I hope you enjoy a nice rest after all your efforts--maybe try listening to some music? :)
Agree with your favorite version of Mississippi. It's funny, that song never really stood out for me on Love and Theft--I didn't hate it, but it never bowled me over. But when Tell Tale Signs came out, I was blown away. The weariness in that version fits the lyrics a little better than the Love and Theft version--at least to my ears. The Love and Theft version has grown on me over the years, but I still prefer the spare take on Tell Tale Signs.
Bill
So many moments of musical magic in this list. Hard to argue with your choices (and why argue with what is completely a personal, subjective list).
But if this is a list of greatest songs—as opposed to best records—seems very difficult to justify that there was no room for John Prine. But I suppose that's for my personal, subjective list.
Thanks for all the thought and effort that went into this list.
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