The other night around Perry’s house after a few cans of beer and the usual chit chat I said that I was thinking of making a “my favourite music CD”. Perry is always trying to get me to post things on Samizdata, so he suggested that I come up with my list, post it on the blog and ask others to do the same. In some way this may give us an insight into the types of people that read this blog. I am not sure what we will get out of this, but it’s worth a go. So please feel free to post your lists as comments to this post. If we get enough, maybe a super list of the favourite music can be compiled.
Now I have put together tapes of my favourite music before, but they have always consisted of music that I was into at the time. What I wanted to do this time was put together a list of songs/tunes that I would take with me to a desert island if I was given the choice (desert island disc’s style). Now I have started to think about it, it is actually harder than you initially think. I had to make one or two rules for my self just to make things easier. I limited the number of songs to 15 (thats about what you can fit on a CD) mainly because I didn’t want to calculate the lengths of the songs and add them together to see if they would fit and the second rule was that you can only take one piece of music by any particular person.
When I was thinking about what to put on it, three tracks came straight to mind. These have always been favourites of mine since first hearing them, and have always been near the top of the pile of CD’s or records that get played, now all I have to do is get another 12 songs and I’m finished. I have been ill for the last week, so I have had plenty of time to contemplate what I was going to choose. The hardest thing to do was to not choose a song because it was a ‘classic’ song, you know the ones that always get chosen even if you don’t particularly like them, they just make you feel comfortable when you hear them. What I was looking for were songs that I really, really liked and could listen to for the next 10 years (or so). Also I do listen to a lot of music, and I have chosen not to put any of the new music I am listening to at the moment into my list. This is purely because it hasn’t survived the test of time yet, I like it now but may not like it in a years time. Anyway, less of my ramblings, here is my list of my most favourite music. If you don’t like my choices, I don’t care because it’s my list. Make one up and post it as a comment.
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the waves
Golden Brown – the Stranglers
Norwegian Wood – The Beatles
This Woman’s Work – Kate Bush
Visions of You – Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart with Sinead O’Connor
Mr E’s Beautiful Blues – Eels
Night Boat to Cairo – Madness
Jangle of a Dogs Collar – Butthole Surfers
Ghost Town – The Specials
Sul-E-Stomp – Astralasia & Suns of Arqa
The Rhythm Divine – Yello with Shirley Bassey
59th Street Bridge Song – Simon and Garfunkel
Danse Macabre – Saint-Saens
Stop the Car (12” version) – The Woodentops
Big Noise from Winnetka – Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen
These are the current 15 on my morning wakeup “tape”. Somewhat due to what music I have at hand, but a selection that never seems to get boring. Even my favorite Yes albums would be a bit hard if played over and over. A lot of what recommends these is that they make a nice aural background.
Daryl Hall & John Oates – Sara Smile
Michael Murphy – Wildfire
Starland Vocal Band – Afternoon Delight
Gerry Rafferty – Baker street
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – The Fool on the Hill
The Carpenters – (They Long To Be) Close to You
Nilsson – Everybody’s Talkin’
Looking Glass – Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)
Guess Who – These Eyes
Badfinger – Come And Get It
Seals & Crofts – Summer Breeze
Elton John – Bennie And The Jets
The Cars – Drive
James Taylor – Mexico
America – A Horse With No Name
Yes, it is quite hard to choose, but here goes:
Release — Afro Celt Sound System
Bullitproof (Unkle Remix) — Breakbeat Era
Persephone — Dead Can Dance
The Magnificent Seven Theme — Elmer Bernstein
Sista Darknez (the mix that got away) — Enrapture
Iris — The Goo Goo Dolls
Love and affection — Joan Armatrading
God is God (Optical Vocal Mix) — Laibach
Tower of Strength — The Mission UK
Fleshmachine — Oneiroid Psychosis
L’Hiver sur Richelieu/Miss B’s dreams — Orealis
Ever so lonely/Eyes/Ocean — Sheila Chandra
True — Spandau Ballet
Slow Train to Dawn — The The
Forsaken (Vocal version) — VNV Nation
Here goes:
What’s Up – 4 Non-Blondes
This Love – Pantera
Unsane – Tenebrae
Haile’s Song – Eminem
Not Even The Trees – Hootie and The Blowfish
Mother – Pink Floyd
I Hope You Dance – LeAnn Womack
Matrix Theme – Crystal Method
Sadness, Pt.1 – Enigma
Sober – Tool
I Wanna Fuck You [Like an Animal] – Nine Inch Nails
You Spin Me Right Round – Dead or Alive
Symphony No. 9 – Beethoven
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
Tiny Dancer – Elton John
She Sells Sanctuary – The Cult
Satisfaction – Rolling Stones
This Corrosion – Sisters of Mercy
The Mercy Seat – Nick Cave
Heroes – David Bowie
Release – Pearl Jam
EMI – Sex Pistols
Scooby Snacks – FLC
Step On – Happy Mondays
You Don’t Care About Us – Placebo
Hudson Line – Mercury Rev
The End of the World – REM
Love Letter – Nick Cave
Sisters of Mercy – First and Last and Always
The End – The Doors
I lament the lack of ska or “bubble-gum punk” on the list such as Blink 182 or Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, etc. It’s a nice contrast…
Hmmm. About 10 of these will filter in and out, but at leats 5 of these will always be on my personal album. I ain’t saying which:
Town Called Malice — The Jam
Oliver’s Army — Elvis Costello
Don’t Impress Me Much — Shania Twain
Walking On the Sun — Smashmouth
[In the Court of the] Crimson King — King Crimson
Happy Birthday — Altered Images
National Express — The Divine Comedy
Lucky You — Lightning Seeds
Parklife — Blur
Pressure Drop — The Specials
Light My Fire — The Doors
Reward — The Teardrop Explodes
Common People — Pulp
Protect and Survive — Runrig
Blinded By The Sun — The Seahorses
Runner-up (only ‘cos Perry mentioned another song by them): The Beaten Generation — The The
Well, that dates me, doesn’t it…
Of course, having watched a bit of VH-1 this evening, it occurs to me that if the videos were in question, I’d have a completely different line-up. Anyone for that project?
Gad! I forgot
Beautiful Day — The Levellers
Delete any one at random and replace with the above…
Someday I Suppose — Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Shot in the Dark — Ozzy Osbourne
Into My Arms — Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Poison — Alice Cooper
Anarchy in the U.K. — Sex Pistols
Fade Into You — Mazzy Star
One More Time — Queensryche
The Show Must Go On — Queen
I’m Gonna Be — The Proclaimers
Romeo and Juliet — Dire Straits
Drink! — They Might Be Giants
Hey Hey What Can I Do — Led Zeppelin
My First, My Last, My Everything — Barry White
Deep Water — Jewel
Atlas — Red Henry
And there you have it, kids–the most eclectic top 15 ever…
An eclectic mixture…
Walk Don’t Run — The Ventures
The Badge — Pantera
The Future — Leonard Cohen
Anything for Love — James House
Democracy — Leonard Cohen
How about one CD worth of MP3 files? That would be about 200 songs. Or would the RIAA come find my desert island and have me hauled home in chains?
I’ll try to compromise with somewhat more than 15 [a ridiculous and impossible number, and an unconstitutional case of cruel and unusual punishment to even ask], but less than 200. How’s about a nice round 100?
In no particular order, these recordings might be just enough spectrum of emotions to keep me sane:
Just Like U Said It Would B – Sinead O’Connor
Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell
Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles
It’s All Over Me – Todd Yarling
Subterranean Homesick Blues – Bob Dylan
I’m No Communist – Grandpa Jones
So What – Miles Davis
My Last Days on Earth – Bill Monroe
Sabotage – The Beastie Boys
Monkey Man – The Rolling Stones
Pills and Soap – Elvis Costello
That Ain’t Right – Ada Brown w/ Fats Waller
Bad Boy – The Beatles
And the Cradle Will Rock – Van Halen
Beat on the Brat – The Ramones
Love Child – The Supremes
Don’t Ask Me Questions – Graham Parker
Placebo – Steve Barger
Psycho Street – Richard Thompson
My Shit’s Fucked Up – Warren Zevon
Questions – Ray Charles
Vibrator – Terence Trent D’Arby
David Watts – The Kinks
Tired of Sleeping – Suzanne Vega
My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama – Frank Zappa
Little Sparrow – Dolly Parton
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobbie Gentry
Cocksucker Blues – The Rolling Stones
Heroes and Villains – The Beach Boys
Boy in the Bubble – Paul Simon
The Man Who Couldn’t Cry – Johnny Cash
London Calling – The Clash
The Fightin’ Side of Me – Merle Haggard
Mama Said Knock You Out – LL Cool J
Give Me All Your Lovin’ or I Will Kill You – Macy Gray
Kill You – Eminem
In the Jailhouse Now – Jimmie Rodgers
No More Mr. Nice Guy – Alice Cooper
The Jungle Line – Joni Mitchell
I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive – Hank Williams
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Fats Waller
Give Me Back My Five Dollars – Stringbean
Spanish Moon – Little Feat [Waiting for Columbus]
Jesus Entering From the Rear – The Feederz
Me and Jesus – Tom T Hall
Crying in the Chapel – Elvis Presley
Touch the Hem of His Garment – Sam Cooke
Whenever God Shines His Light – Van Morrison
Wreck on the Highway – Roy Acuff
Me and the Devil Blues – Robert Johnson
Crucify – Tori Amos
Walking in Jerusalem – Bill Monroe
Rank Stranger – Stanley Brothers
Uneasy Rider – Charlie Daniels
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations
Lipstick Vogue – Elvis Costello
Brown Eyed Handsome Man – Chuck Berry
Rednecks – Randy Newman
One in a Million – Guns ‘n Roses
Black Betty – Ram Jam
Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me – the Geto Boys
Pistol Packin’ Papa – Jimmie Rodgers
Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
I’m the Man – Joe Jackson
Mary Provost – Nick Lowe
Hyperactive! – Thomas Dolby
In Walked Bud – Thelonious Monk
Grow Some Funk of Your Own – Elton John
Papa Don’t Take No Mess – James Brown
Fist City – Loretta Lynn
Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley
Put Down the Gun – Peter Case
Chim Chim Cheree – Mary Poppins soundtrack
Temptation – Prince
The Real Me – The Who
Goin’ Down Slow – Howlin’ Wolf
My Favorite Things – John Coltrane
Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore – John Prine
Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix
My Wife Thinks You’re Dead – Junior Brown
Tattooed Love Boys – The Pretenders
When I Get to the Border – Richard Thompson
Mary Jane’s Last Dance – Tom Petty
Get Over It – OK Go
Blues in the Night – Frank Sinatra
Eight Miles High – The Byrds
It Ain’t Necessarily So – Cab Calloway
Jolene – Dolly Parton
River Deep, Mountain High – Ike & Tina Turner
Oh What a Woman – Jerry Reed
Romance Without Finance – Charlie Parker
Poor Judd Is Dead – Oklahoma movie soundtrack
Peggy Sue – Buddy Holly
Out Behind the Barn – Little Jimmy Dickens
Stormy Weather – Lena Horne
Yesterday When I Was Young – Roy Clark
A Simple Desultory Phillipic – Simon & Garfunkel
Thank You Falletinme Be Mice Elf Again – Sly Stone
Auf Wiedershen – Cheap Trick
Keep it to your top 15… that is FIFTEEN!
Danse Macabre is on my list, too. Wanna waltz to that number one of these days (as soon as I take some lessons).
Other favorite music, in no particular order:
Symphonies #9 – Beethoven, Dvorak
Scheherazade – Rimsky-Korsakov
Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Dukas
Masochism Tango (full strings) – Tom Lehrer
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
Cult of Personality – Living Colour
Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones
Green Grass and High Tides – Outlaws
Scenes From An Italian Retaurant – Billy Joel
Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
On The Turning Away – Pink Floyd
Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting – Elton John
Funeral/Love Lies Bleeding – Elton John
Salisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
Don’t Get Fooled Again – The Who
Take Me To The Other Side – Aerosmith
Love Is On Your Side – Thompson Twins
Dirty Laundry – Don Henley
Too Old To Rock And Roll – Jethro Tull
Lawyers, Guns, and Money – Warren Zevon
Smooth – Santana
One Of The Living – Tina Turner
China Girl – David Bowie
I’m Your Captain – Grand Funk Railroad
The Story In Your Eyes – Moody Blues
Windmills Of Your Mind – Emerson Lake and Palmer
C’est La Vie – Emerson Lake and Palmer
Conquistador (live) – Procol Harum
A Salty Dog – Procol Harum
Riding The Storm Out – REO Speedwagon
Roll With The Changes – REO Speedwagon
Back In Time – Huey Lewis
Beats So Lonely – Charlie Sexton
Elected – Alice Cooper
Town Without Pity – Ronnie Montrose
Okay, that’s good for a start.
It takes at least a week to come up with an good list. This is a serious topic, you know.
Kansas – The Wolfgang Press
Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
Yin and Yang the Flowerpot Man – Love and Rockets
So. Central Rain – REM
Way Down Now – World Party
Greetings to New Brunette – Billy Bragg
Here Comes Your Man – The Pixies
Ed’s Funky Diner – It’s Immaterial
Zero Zero Zero – Sam Phillips
Ever Changing Moods – Style Council
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
Blood and Roses – The Smithereens
Once Around the Block – Badly Drawn Boy
Mrs. Robinson – The Lemonheads
Heartland – The The
I’ll put up details and explanations at my site.
African Rhythms – oneness of Juju (from African Rhythms)
Cowboy Style – Kylie Minogue (from Kylie Minogue aka Impossible Princess)
Crystal Silence – Chick Corea (from Return to Forever)
Dominion Mother Russia – The SIsters of Mercy (from Floodland)
Friction – Television (from Marquee Moon)
Generals and Majors – XTC (from Fossil Fuel)
Into The Void – Black Sabbath (from Paranoid)
Journey in Satchidananda – Alice Coltrane (from Journey in Satchidananda)
Mannequin – Wire (from Pink Flag)
Marathon – Rush (from Power Windows)
Optometry – DJ Spooky (from Optometry)
Saku – Susumu Yokota (from Sakura)
Symposium of Sickness – Carcass (from Necroticism)
The Great Curve – Talk Heads (from Remain in Light)
The Rainbow – Talk Talk (from Spirit of Eden)
The albums these are derived from are all corkers too. Go buy!