hey guys,

I've been spending my week off trying to put together my 100 favorite songs. Why? because I needed an excuse to go through my records again. After I started sharing it on facebook I thought I'd see how it survives scrutiny over here. Hope you don't mind I'm simply coppying and pasting from facebook... the list is split up in ten parts, starting with 100-91, the rest will be follwing soon.

Oh yeah, I'm from belgium so I'm commenting from that perspective.

keep rockin' while you still can!

grtz

k

My 100 favorite songs - episode 1 (100-91)

Those of you who know me, know I absolutely love music. It's what I eat, breathe, drink and dream about. There are very few things that come close to hearing a good song and being able to relate to it. They give you the ability to explore both the world , and the deepest wells of your subconscious mind, right from your living room. So buckle up cause we're going on a journey through the best lyrics, catchiest melodies and every emotion from hate to love ... in short: these are the best songs ever. why? because I say so! hope you like!

100. George Strait - Blue Clear Sky

http://www.youtube.com/wa...uvbwuh0LyA

For those of you who don't know George Strait... how was the weather on Mars? What can you say? Most number one songs ever (57 and counting). He is #12 on the 'best selling artists of all time list' and, quite honestly, deservingly so! I especially love this song for it's optimistic, enjoy life while you're living it, mindset... and the steel guitar is awesome.

99. Rivertrain - What about me

http://www.mytexasmusic.c...t%20Me.mp3

A great song from a Texas band that has unfortunatly called it quits a few years ago, after releasing two albums to great critical acclaim. Since this group never got a decent break in the bussines their songs aren't easy to find on the web so the 30sec preview from mytexasmusic.com will have to do. The song itself is over 7 minutes telling the epic tale of a bonnie and clyde like romance between a runnaway girl and a young man she meets on the way. the song goes through a number of musical and vocal changes making it an epic experience that, i fear, will soon dissapear on the graveyard of former bands.

98. Rosanne Cash - Runaway Train

Rosanne Cash's contributions to music can not be overstated. As one of the pioneers of what is now called the alt-country movement (wilco, ryan adams,...) She brought the poetry and lyrical finesse of alternative rock to a traditional country setting, creating epic tales like this 'runaway train'. The song's imagery seems simple but has a complexity underneath that reveals Cash's talent for lyrical composition. The live version here doesn't do complete justice to the instrumentation on the studio version, but in all gives a nice picture of a song that should receive a lot more airplay than it does!

97. Patsy Cline - Crazy

Do I even need to say anything here? A song written by one of the best songwriters ever (Willie nelson) sung by one of the greatest voices in history...how can it be anything but brilliant? This was back when the Nashville sound was actually a standard for quality.

96. Patricia Kaas - Ou sont les hommes?

I love it when artists can create an entire atmosphere in their songs. Few showcase this ability better then French diva Patricia Kaas. The way her exceptional voice wraps the otherworldly instrumentation of this song creates a piece of music that defies description 'future blues','electro-cabaret'...does any of that mean anything? should it? Maybe we should just call it: the music of Patricia Kaas. Unique and forcefull.

95. The flying Burrito Brothers - Christine's tune

Fleetwood Mac, The eagles, the whole country-rock movement... It all began with one man and one band: Gram parsons and the Flying Burrito brothers. If I was to give you an indication of their impact on music...you can compare their music to the invention of the guitar! they're that big a' deal! Gram parsons is one of the tragic stories of rock music, but it's a testament to his talent that in the few years he was with us he impacted the music bussines to such a degree. If you want to know more about him, there's a great 2004 BBC docu on his career called 'fallen angel'. I'm not sure if it's out on DVD, but it should be easy to find on the web.

94. Nick Cave and the bad seeds - Red right hand

I'm not as fanatically into Nick cave as I used to be, but I still appreciate his music to a great extent. Again, like so many songs on this list, these are songs that take you out of your comfort zone into some dark and hostile land filled with the 'monsters of the Id' (to coin a phrase from 'forbidden planet'). Not this stupid 'let's have sex' pop that fills the playlists of today's radio,... this is the sort of music that feels like it's actually trying to p*ss you off. And we could use a little bit more of that.

93. Steve Earle - Guitar Town

The birth of neo-traditionalism. Bruce Springsteen wishes he could sound like this,...unfortunatly nowadays, so does Steve earle. No matter what you think of his output these days, this guy rocked! Just listen how this song perfectly captures the cadance of wheels on the road and then finishes with that great riff after every verse...doesn't that make your heart pound? It's unfortunate this sound has been run into the ground by the pop-country explosion of the 90's, but back in the 80's... this was the real deal!

92. David Allan Coe - Longhaired redneck

Probably the most underappreciated songwriter in the history of music. Can anyone tell the CMA to get of their a**es and give this man the credit he's due! This guy breathes outlaw and this song just shows you why. Why do you think Pantera recorded an album with him, long before Metallica teamed up with Garth Brooks? This guy is hardcore because country is f*cking hardcore!

91. The Beatles - All you need is love

What? It's the beatles! do I need to explain why they're on this list? because IT'S The Beatles!

hope you liked this first installment. Don't forget to drop a comment and stay tuned for the next episode when we count down from 90 to 81. There's a lot more to be discovered.

[Edited 11/25/10 14:28pm]

Can't wait to see the whole list

Since I have some time left today we might as well finish the second installment of this list. Part 1, counting down the numbers 100 to 91 is in my notes as well. enjoy

90. Woody Guthrie - This land is your land

Woody Guthrie is one of those artists who, I suspect, a lot of people pay lip service to but rarely take the time to actually listen to. This is unfortunate since he has left us with a really impressive body of work that is both grand in it's storytelling as well as in it's musical character. the 'dust bow'l and 'columbia river' recordings are defenitly worth checking out... I have the complete ash recordings box set, a bit pricy, but real value for your buck.

89. Henri Salvador - Chambre avec vue

Henri Salvador released his best music in the few years before he left this earth. Leaving us with a couple of mediterranean Jazz albums that have stood the test of time quite well. This song is from the album with the same title which is really worth checking out. It contains many more gems like 'muraille de chine' and 'il fait dimanche'. I think it's still available as a combo with the 'performance!' live album which I think is the best deal. 'Chambre avec vue' was a bit of a hype when it came out but seems to have been forgotten in recent years. So if you ever come across it, do check it out!

88. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Too much has been said about Jeff Buckley since his unfortunate passing. But after all the conversation his music still stands as a rock. For those who, like me, weren't too impressed with what the 90's gave us musically this was a breath of fresh air. Now it can be argued, and I won't deny, that Jeff's best work is to be found on various bootlegs...Roskilde comes to mind, but I'll stick with the studio version here. One more thing: if you didn't catch the reference to King David in this song, it's in the Bible!

87. Robert Johnson - Me and the devil blues

It's only now writing this that I realize I've put Jeff Buckley and Robert Johnson back to back. A funny coincidence seeing both these artists seem to be overshadowed by the mythology surrounding their career. If you haven't heard...legend has it mr Johnson sold his soul to the devil on the crossroads of highway 61 and highway 49 in exchange for his musical gifts. You might have caught the supernatural episode based on this myth. Whatever the truth is here, his music is so frightnigly good I'd believe either one. The dark themes, evident in this song, only help to fuel the legends. All mythology aside. Robert johnson is one of the founding fathers of the blues and even after so many decades have passed few, if any, have been able to match the intensity of his songwriting, the drama of his pickin' and the weathered sound of his voice.

86. Alan Jackson - Don't rock the jukebox

Alan jackson is often counted among the members of the neo-traditionalist movement. Early in his career he had a reputation for producing radio friendly songs that still met all the stylistic standards of the traditional country sound. I've always been quite fond of his music for this very reason. Where later pop-country completely missed the ball, Alan Jackson hit a home run. His music is easy, up-beat, radio-friendly and danceable without compromising on integrity or quality.

85. Joni Mitchell - A case of you

As weird as it may sound It was through Janet Jackson and Prince I've discovered the music of Joni mitchell. Both artists never made any secret of their admiration for mss Mitchell. As this song shows she is a very gifted lyricist with a crystal clear voice. I love how she can wrap these very layered and complex lyrics in a simple melody. Thus creating a song that remains fresh and new no matter how many times you listen to it. Every time there's a nuance you had not caught, or an image you didn't explore. This song is from the album 'blue' which I would recommend as the ideal starting point in exploring the work of Joni mitchell. A journey great in rewards.

84. Loretta Lynn - Don't come home a-drinin' (with lovin on your mind)

Direct and confrontationally honest... Loretta lynn was the soundtrack to the feminist movement and this song gives you an indication why. I just love how 'in your face' she is, both lyrically and vocally. You can hear she knows what she's singing about. Life experience usually prooves fertile soil for great songs and here it's no different. A powerhouse of a woman, with music to match. what more can you need, really?

83. Freaky Age - Every morning breaks out

One of only two belgian acts I've included in this list. Their concert at pukkelpop two years ago still remains one of the best concerts I've ever been to, the energy of it was out of this world. Just listen to the first line of this song "I'm the guy in the town and you know they'll go on and leave me behind". WOW! how can guys so young come up with something that great? I don't know. I also love the tempo changes in this song, reminds me of a moving train...the swamp rythm in outlaw country to be exact. But this ain't country, this is rock! great lyrics, great music... love the bass! 'great' do I need to say anything more?

82. John Mayer - Neon

Just listen to the pickin' on this one. This was back when John Mayer was being marketed as the next Justin timberlake, or something like that. Since then he has proven he has the ability of an eric clapton or a Willie Nelson. The first hints can be heard in this song already. Anyone who can't figure that out...just try to play these chords yourself and you'll find out real fast how difficult this seemingly simple song really is. If you can figure it out you've earned yourself a ticket to the John mayer express. Destination: great music station.

81. George Harisson - Pisces Fish

I don't know why but George Harrison always was my favorite beatle. I really like the direction he took his solo career. His jams with Ravi Shankar and the Travelling Willburys remain cherished gems in a jewel filled career. For some strange reason his last album seems to recieve little to no attention. This is surprising since the album contains a few great songs like this one. I just love the cool breezy atmosphere of it. The peacefull melody and the sometimes funny lyrics (canadian geese crap along the bank) almost hides the heavy theme of this song... a man comming to terms with his mortality. That's what I love most about this song. It's almost a happy constatation that nothing material is supposed to last. George Harrison presents this as a positive thing, and I agree with him.

That's all for now. Hope you did enjoy this list. Don't forget to drop a line... part 3 will follow shortly.