Favorite 31 Songs by US Artists According to a Bunch of Middle-Aged Dummies (1 Viewer)

[Manster]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I always connect Mayer with Jennifer love Hewitt and that cheesy song he sang about her......that, and it seemed like he was always in the news as a pretty bad womanizer......not saying his music is bad or anything......I honestly just never listened.

 

[simey]

Was I the only one who picked a Jackson Browne song? I missed the memo explaining that he's no longer cool.

I like him. I considered putting "For A Dancer" on my list.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Thanks so much for everyone who put in the muscle & brains on this. It was a blast.

I'm ashamed to say it, but I thought I had some of y'all figured out and your music choices changed my mind for the better. Even the Billy Joels fans!

First blush reactions......

1. ditkaburgers shocked me several times.
2. So did OH. I saw Little Richard coming, but not some of the other olds.
3. Doug B, just by being involved until the end. Just kidding, my friend - you made me go "dammit, why didn't I take that?!?!" more than anyone else.

But my best out of all is having @DrIanMalcolm join us for this. Dude, hope you'll stick around. You're a fine poster, and we need more of those. Thanks to @Pip's Invitation for bringing him in.

 

[Eephus]

Was I the only one who picked a Jackson Browne song? I missed the memo explaining that he's no longer cool.

I like him. I considered putting "For A Dancer" on my list.

If we'd gone to fifty, "Late For The Sky" would have probably made my list.

 

[shuke]

Biggest surprises to me:
The love for the Gram Parsons song.

Why does it surprise you?

I didn't realize how popular that one particular song was.

 

[Eephus]

Thanks krista and all who helped and contributed. I still have problems with ranking art but I'm working on it. It was fun to hear people's favorites and the quality in genres/artists that are outside of my wheelhouse.

 

[Hawks64]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I always connect Mayer with Jennifer love Hewitt and that cheesy song he sang about her......that, and it seemed like he was always in the news as a pretty bad womanizer......not saying his music is bad or anything......I honestly just never listened.

I don't know about the Jennifer Love Hewitt thing, really got into Mayer around Continuum but he has had a very long history of being pretty bad with women. Phenomenal musician not so great human.

 

[shuke]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I love what Mayer has brought to Dead and Company. Have you ever seen them live? I've never seen you in the Grateful Dead thread.

 

[Hawks64]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I love what Mayer has brought to Dead and Company. Have you ever seen them live? I've never seen you in the Grateful Dead thread.

Definitely want to see them, with him, but most likely have missed that window.

Not a huge fan of the Dead but love pretty much all jam bands. Have a couple of buddies that are big into Umph, Phish, Dead.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

..clearly, I must be missing something about the cultural importance

I don’t think it’s culturally important- I just like it.

 

[simey]

..clearly, I must be missing something about the cultural importance

I don’t think it’s culturally important- I just like it.

Me too. I could have put the song anywhere in my Top 10, and I noticed that six of my Top 10 songs have elements of country in them, so why not put my favorite country rock song (which is more country than rock) as my #1.

 

[Eephus]

I don’t think it’s culturally important- I just like it.

Gram was an important figure in the fusion of Country and Rock. Sweetheart of the Rodeo during his brief time with The Byrds was one of the first albums to fit the genre. The Everlys, The International Submarine Band and others were moving in a similar direction but The Byrds were well established in Rock at the time.

 

[shuke]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I love what Mayer has brought to Dead and Company. Have you ever seen them live? I've never seen you in the Grateful Dead thread.

Definitely want to see them, with him, but most likely have missed that window.

Not a huge fan of the Dead but love pretty much all jam bands. Have a couple of buddies that are big into Umph, Phish, Dead.

They have one tour left this summer. Make it happen. Here's an example of what you're missing.

 

[krista4]

I'm surprised "Spirit in the Sky" didn't make anyone's list. It's not a favorite of mine, but seems to come up a lot around here (and elsewhere) in music countdowns.

 

[krista4]

Last chance for anyone to volunteer to run the next one. Otherwise, I'll likely post the thread today to start discussion. With the holidays and also to avoid burnout, we won't have lists be due until late January.

 

[zamboni]

I was going to say that the most shocking part of this was 5 different John Mayer songs selected. Then I just noticed they were all from one person.

@Hawks64 what's the story here?

John Mayer is amazing, and top 3 for me all time, and those are by far my favorite songs of his. I'll do a write-up sometime this weekend but the way I approached this was different than most. I didn't care to have 1 song from 31 artists, I wanted my 31 favorite songs, so if that was multiple per artist I was totally fine with it.

I love what Mayer has brought to Dead and Company. Have you ever seen them live? I've never seen you in the Grateful Dead thread.

Definitely want to see them, with him, but most likely have missed that window.

Not a huge fan of the Dead but love pretty much all jam bands. Have a couple of buddies that are big into Umph, Phish, Dead.

They have one tour left this summer. Make it happen. Here's an example of what you're missing.

Bummed I didn’t get to see them, but tix were a fortune.

Pretty sure I would have had “Terrapin Station” (the whole long shebang) in my top 31.

 

[krista4]

Congrats to our contest winners! We had a three-way tie for the winner of the initial contest, but on the tiebreaker @Don Quixote takes the crown by guessing “God Only Knows” as the next highest finishing song.

Chance for Hope Foundation for my charity of choice. Thanks!

Today is Chance's birthday. This is perfect. @bigbottom

My donations have been made! Thanks to @Don Quixote and @AAABatteries !

 

[krista4]

Pretty sure I would have had “Terrapin Station” (the whole long shebang) in my top 31.

I came across this on the radio today, but did not last through the whole thing. Also heard the Nazz song that Binky took at #2, plus Todd Rundgren talking about the first time he met Ringo!

 

[Don Quixote]

Congrats to our contest winners! We had a three-way tie for the winner of the initial contest, but on the tiebreaker @Don Quixote takes the crown by guessing “God Only Knows” as the next highest finishing song.

Chance for Hope Foundation for my charity of choice. Thanks!

Today is Chance's birthday. This is perfect. @bigbottom

Not enough hearts to go around. Good work @Don Quixote and @krista4 !

My heart is full. Many thanks to all of you. Chance would have been 23 years old today. That you all continue to think of him and support Chance for Hope means the world to me. Tears are streaming down my face right now.

Had a company holiday lunch today, so I haven't had much time to post besides my quick post to pick charity until now. I did not realize it was Chance's birthday when I selected that charity, but that is perfect. Always in my thoughts.

Special thanks to @Val Rannous and @krista4 for organizing the charity contests, and @krista4 for doing the Lord's work in running one of my favorite FBG threads ever (coming from someone who has been here since the Old Yeller days).

 

[Eephus]

I'm surprised "Spirit in the Sky" didn't make anyone's list. It's not a favorite of mine, but seems to come up a lot around here (and elsewhere) in music countdowns.

I figured somebody would take "Louie Louie".

On the artists side, Roy Orbison, Bill Haley and Janet Jackson are still in the green room (well Ms. Jackson is if you're nasty)

 

[krista4]

CAN I DELETE ALL THESE PM'D LISTS AND CHARITY GUESSES NOW PLZ

 

[KarmaPolice]

Last chance for anyone to volunteer to run the next one. Otherwise, I'll likely post the thread today to start discussion. With the holidays and also to avoid burnout, we won't have lists be due until late January.

Good, I need time to brace myself for all the gushing over The Beatles.

 

[zamboni]

Pretty sure I would have had “Terrapin Station” (the whole long shebang) in my top 31.

I came across this on the radio today, but did not last through the whole thing. Also heard the Nazz song that Binky took at #2, plus Todd Rundgren talking about the first time he met Ringo!

They’re an acquired taste, for sure. I only started really liking the Dead about 15 years ago when we started doing these music threads. Or is it 20 - yikes.

 

[krista4]

Special thanks to @Val Rannous

Thanks for shouting out, @Val Rannous , who did huge work on the charity contest.

And of course my continued thanks to @Hawks64 and @falguy for keeping everything chugging along. They volunteered to do this stuff, and I couldn't appreciate that enough.

On the artists side, Roy Orbison,

I considered him and am sorry he was shut out. Another I didn't consider but am sorry that he was shut out was Hank Williams.

 

[krista4]

Pretty sure I would have had “Terrapin Station” (the whole long shebang) in my top 31.

I came across this on the radio today, but did not last through the whole thing. Also heard the Nazz song that Binky took at #2, plus Todd Rundgren talking about the first time he met Ringo!

They’re an acquired taste, for sure. I only started really liking the Dead about 15 years ago when we started doing these music threads. Or is it 20 - yikes.

I found myself really enjoying a couple of their songs that were selected here!

 

[krista4]

Anyone needing a music thread fix, not only is there a tim countdown right now, but @turnjose7 has a cool countdown thread here.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

Special thanks to @Val Rannous

Thanks for shouting out, @Val Rannous , who did huge work on the charity contest.

And of course my continued thanks to @Hawks64 and @falguy for keeping everything chugging along. They volunteered to do this stuff, and I couldn't appreciate that enough.

On the artists side, Roy Orbison,

I considered him and am sorry he was shut out. Another I didn't consider but am sorry that he was shut out was Hank Williams.

That was a ton of work by all of you - much appreciated ...it makes it a lot more fun!

big thanks!!

 

[Eephus]

I considered him and am sorry he was shut out. Another I didn't consider but am sorry that he was shut out was Hank Williams.

I heard "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" during the countdown and had immediate regret I forgot it.

 

[krista4]

Also shout-out to @Hov34 for putting together the "last five out" playlist. And @simey again for her playlist help.

 

[Eephus]

I've been in a lot of music threads with the old Binky but somehow I missed "The Want of a Nail". It's a cool song that keeps building; Todd and Womack are both in fine voice.

And there's a Costello cover on the album too.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I'm surprised "Spirit in the Sky" didn't make anyone's list. It's not a favorite of mine, but seems to come up a lot around here (and elsewhere) in music countdowns.

I figured somebody would take "Louie Louie".

On the artists side, Roy Orbison, Bill Haley and Janet Jackson are still in the green room (well Ms. Jackson is if you're nasty)

When I saw that Dino Danelli of The (Young) Rascals passed away, it struck me that we didn’t take any of their songs, quite a few of which are deserving.

 

[Val Rannous]

I'm surprised "Spirit in the Sky" didn't make anyone's list. It's not a favorite of mine, but seems to come up a lot around here (and elsewhere) in music countdowns.

It was on my "Last 5 Out" list - as we all know, there were just so many great songs to pick from.

 

[AAABatteries]

I considered him and am sorry he was shut out. Another I didn't consider but am sorry that he was shut out was Hank Williams.

I heard "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" during the countdown and had immediate regret I forgot it.

Orbison was one of my last cuts.

 

[Val Rannous]

Charity Contest Info and Standings, Number 1

You already know this, but the winner is...

Everyone's selections, including points scored:

Val Rannous - Song: Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan (87 points). Artist: Bruce Springsteen (269 points).
Mrs. Rannous - Song: Rock and Roll High School, The Ramones (0 points). Artist: Bob Dylan (430 points).
Uruk-Hai - Song: Purple Rain, Prince (44 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points).
Pip's Invitation - Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana (127 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points).
Neal Cassady - Song: Let's Stay Together, Al Green (104 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points).
Hov34 - Song: Superstition, Stevie Wonder (174 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points). (Tiebreak: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana)
Chaz McNulty - Song: Fast Car, Tracy Chapman (31 points). Artist: Bruce Springsteen (269 points).
Dr. Octopus - Song: Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley (22 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points).
Falguy - Song: Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen (63 points). Artist: Tom Petty (302 points).
DrianMalcom - Song: Superstition, Stevie Wonder (174 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points). (Tiebreak: American Girl, Tom Petty)
Ilove80s - Song: Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys (67 points). Artist: Tom Petty (302 points).
jwb - Song: Hotel California, The Eagles (48 points). Artist: The Allman Brothers Band (202 points).
The Dreaded Marco - Song: What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong (77 points). Artist: Prince (371 points).
New Binky the Doormat - Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana (127 points). Artist: Tom Petty (302 points).
Just Win Baby - Song: What's Going On, Marvin Gaye (108 points). Artist: Tom Petty (302 points).
Don Quixote - Song: Superstition, Stevie Wonder (174 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points). (Tiebreak: God Only Knows, The Beach Boys)
AAABatteries - Song: Respect - Aretha Franklin (80 points). Artist: Stevie Wonder (439 points).

Songs that scored 31 points for today's selections:

Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
Fast Car, Tracy Chapman
Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan

Artists that scored 31 points for today's selections:

Bob Dylan (x2)
The Allman Brothers Band (x2)
Prince
Bruce Springsteen

Total Scores:

Don Quixote 613.6 (Tiebreak: 150 points)
Hov34 613.3 (Tiebreak: 127 points)
DrianMalcom 613 (Tiebreak: 58 points)
Pip's Invitation 566
Neal Cassady 543
AAABatteries 519
Uruk-Hai 483
Dr. Octopus 461
The Dreaded Marco 448
Mrs. Rannous 430
New Binky the Doormat 429
Just Win Baby 410
Ilov80s 369
Falguy 365
Val Rannous 356
Chaz McNulty 300
jwb 250

 

[AAABatteries]

Last chance for anyone to volunteer to run the next one. Otherwise, I'll likely post the thread today to start discussion. With the holidays and also to avoid burnout, we won't have lists be due until late January.

Good, I need time to brace myself for all the gushing over The Beatles.

I plan to hold myself to the same "rule" of a single song per artist. Or else it would be a list of Beatles, LZ, Stones and Kinks songs.

 

[Val Rannous]

My "Jeez, how did I forget that?!?" moment was when "Age of Aquarius" got listed.

 

[Eephus]

When I saw that Dino Danelli of The (Young) Rascals passed away, it struck me that we didn’t take any of their songs, quite a few of which are deserving.

They were ineligible. Gene Cornish was born in Canada.

 

[Eephus]

I plan to hold myself to the same "rule" of a single song per artist. Or else it would be a list of Beatles, LZ, Stones and Kinks songs.

Who's the British John Mayer?

 

[Eephus]

Don Quixote 613.6 (Tiebreak: 150 points)
Hov34 613.3 (Tiebreak: 127 points)
DrianMalcom 613 (Tiebreak: 58 points)

I never understood any of this business but it seems mighty close

 

[simey]

When Uruk and I both had songs by Ray Charles for our #4, I wanted to post another in honor of Wikkid, but I wasn't sure if it would show up in the remaining 3 rounds. I feel very confident that Wikkid would have had "You Don't Know Me" in his Top 31. He loved the song, and so do I.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

When I saw that Dino Danelli of The (Young) Rascals passed away, it struck me that we didn’t take any of their songs, quite a few of which are deserving.

They were ineligible. Gene Cornish was born in Canada.

I figured it might have been something like that.

The band did make a few records after Cornish left, but all their best-known songs were made with him.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Cassidy has had a bad day health-wise so I may not be able to get to my wrap-up posts until tomorrow.

 

[Chaos34]

I still have problems with ranking art but I'm working on it.

It's been my big issue with music drafts for as long as I've played along. I knew I'd debate The Silence vs Whippin' Post for top of my list - a new super favorite vs and old one - but from there I just organized tiers and stopped... at 26. Pulling five more from 20 some odd on my list wasn't worth the mental debates.

I'll try the next one but suspect I'll end up doing what I did this time. Just enjoy the ride from the stands. Ranking art.... pffff.... fool's errand.

I did really enjoy this ride though. So big thanks to @krista4 & @Hov34 for the heavy lifting, everyone else who helped, and all of you for running this errand. Man, I have tons to listen to still.

and @simey For a Dancer is on my list. The end of it gets me every time. Eeph's JB also great. That's about losing Lowell George, right? I miss wikkid. I'm rambling. Happens when I'm exhausted. I need a nap and will post my remainin non-dupes tonight.

 

[landrys hat]

I plan to hold myself to the same "rule" of a single song per artist. Or else it would be a list of Beatles, LZ, Stones and Kinks songs.

Who's the British John Mayer?

Ed Sheeran?

 

[Chaos34]

Here's a couple before I lie down.

Social Distortion - Ball and Chain

Joe Bonamassa - Woke up Dreaming

 

[Mt. Man]

For most people, the thread’s at its end. But here I am still trying to make it to the finish line!

#3s
Recognized by title alone: 21
Sounded familiar: 2
Didn't know: 7

Selected Favorites:
Take Me With U (Hov34)
Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (Dr. Octopus)
25 or 6 to 4 (Zegras11)
I’m trying to avoid artists that are already getting a ton of love, but obviously shoutouts to the three songs picked multiple times this high!

Songs I didn't know that I ended up liking:
Persecutor (Manster)
Circuital (shuke)
Colors (Hawks64)
Sweetheart (Doug B)

 

[Tau837]

Just Win Baby:

Black (1991), from Ten - Pearl Jam

I am about 10 years older than my brother-in-law. In 1996, my wife and I lived in Raleigh, NC, and he had just started college in VA. He was a huge Pearl Jam fan, and I really didn't know much about them. My BIL and his girlfriend came from VA to our house and we all drove to Charlotte for an outdoor Pearl Jam concert. It was during the period that PJ was at odds with Ticketmaster, so they played outdoors at Memorial Stadium. It was one of the best concerts I have ever attended, and I was immediately a huge fan. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jNCkF8yeUw&ab_channel=pjvideoguy

The song that resonated the most with me that night was Black, and it has stuck with me ever since.

 

[simey]

and @simey For a Dancer is on my list. The end of it gets me every time.

Into a dancer you have grown
From a seed somebody else has thrown
Go on ahead and throw some seeds of your own
And somewhere between the time you arrive
And the time you go
May lie a reason you were alive
But you'll never know

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Is it a good time to post that I have floor seats to Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks in Philly? I know you're all jealous.

 

[jwb]

Is it a good time to post that I have floor seats to Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks in Philly? I know you're all jealous.

Heck, I am. Nice!