The Top 155 Songs by American Artists According to 5 Middle-Aged Idiots (1 Viewer)

[krista4]

maybe TtWS

I feel dumb asking, but...?

Toad the Wet Sprocket?

Oh yeah. I should have gotten that.

 

[krista4]

maybe TtWS

I feel dumb asking, but...?

Toad the Wet Sprocket?

Oh yeah. I should have gotten that.

Although it didn't fit the letters, I was really stuck on "That's What She Said."

 

[Dr. Octopus]

16


Dr. Octopus:

Perfect Day – Lou Reed

"Perfect Day" is a song written by American musician Lou Reed in 1972. It was originally featured on Transformer, Reed's second post–Velvet Underground solo album, and as a double A-side with his major hit, "Walk on the Wild Side". Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting and after a star-studded version was released as a BBC charity single in 1997, reaching number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway.

Jeb:

Blinded By the Light – Bruce Springsteen

The song came about when Columbia Records president Clive Davis, upon listening to an early version of Greetings from Asbury Park N.J., felt the album lacked a potential single. Springsteen wrote this and "Spirit in the Night" in response.

According to Springsteen, he wrote the song by going through a rhyming dictionary in search of appropriate words. The first line of the song, "Madman drummers, bummers, and Indians in the summers with a teenage diplomat" is autobiographical—"Madman drummers" is a reference to drummer Vini Lopez, known as "Mad Man" (later changed to "Mad Dog"); "Indians in the summer" refers to the name of Springsteen's old Little League team; "teenage diplomat" refers to himself. "As the adolescent pumps his way into his hat" recalls his aunt Dora Kirby claiming "Bruce never took his baseball hat off." A "merry-go-round" is baseball slang for when a pitcher keeps walking batters. The remainder of the song tells of many unrelated events, with the refrain of "Blinded by the light, cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night".

Scooter:

Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross

"Ride Like the Wind" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross. It was released in February 1980 as the lead single from his Grammy-winning 1979 self-titled debut album. It reached number two on the US charts for four consecutive weeks, behind "Call Me" by Blondie. On the album's inner sleeve, Christopher Cross dedicated this song to Lowell George, formerly of the band Little Feat, who had died in 1979. It features backing vocals by Michael McDonald and a guitar solo by Cross

Doug:

Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips

The song was originally written and performed by Jim Weatherly under the title "Midnight Plane to Houston," which he recorded on Jimmy Bowen's Amos Records. "It was based on a conversation I had with somebody... about taking a midnight plane to Houston," Weatherly recalls. "I wrote it as a kind of a country song. Then we sent the song to a guy named Sonny Limbo in Atlanta and he wanted to cut it with Cissy Houston... he asked if I minded if he changed the title to "Midnight Train to Georgia". And I said, 'I don't mind. Just don't change the rest of the song.'"

Chap:

Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

The selection is narrated by a husband seeking his wife in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shocked and in disbelief that his wife, named Mary Jo, would abandon him and their children to join a burlesque show at "The Land Of Dreams," a New Orleans strip joint, where she calls herself "Sweet Gypsy Rose," he devotes himself to searching for her. He hopes to convince her to give up her activities as a stripper and return to their home and family.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

16


Dr. Octopus:

Perfect Day – Lou Reed

"Perfect Day" is a song written by American musician Lou Reed in 1972. It was originally featured on Transformer, Reed's second post–Velvet Underground solo album, and as a double A-side with his major hit, "Walk on the Wild Side". Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting and after a star-studded version was released as a BBC charity single in 1997, reaching number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway.

Jeb:

Blinded By the Light – Bruce Springsteen

The song came about when Columbia Records president Clive Davis, upon listening to an early version of Greetings from Asbury Park N.J., felt the album lacked a potential single. Springsteen wrote this and "Spirit in the Night" in response.

According to Springsteen, he wrote the song by going through a rhyming dictionary in search of appropriate words. The first line of the song, "Madman drummers, bummers, and Indians in the summers with a teenage diplomat" is autobiographical—"Madman drummers" is a reference to drummer Vini Lopez, known as "Mad Man" (later changed to "Mad Dog"); "Indians in the summer" refers to the name of Springsteen's old Little League team; "teenage diplomat" refers to himself. "As the adolescent pumps his way into his hat" recalls his aunt Dora Kirby claiming "Bruce never took his baseball hat off." A "merry-go-round" is baseball slang for when a pitcher keeps walking batters. The remainder of the song tells of many unrelated events, with the refrain of "Blinded by the light, cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night".

Scooter:

Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross

"Ride Like the Wind" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross. It was released in February 1980 as the lead single from his Grammy-winning 1979 self-titled debut album. It reached number two on the US charts for four consecutive weeks, behind "Call Me" by Blondie. On the album's inner sleeve, Christopher Cross dedicated this song to Lowell George, formerly of the band Little Feat, who had died in 1979. It features backing vocals by Michael McDonald and a guitar solo by Cross

Doug:

Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips

The song was originally written and performed by Jim Weatherly under the title "Midnight Plane to Houston," which he recorded on Jimmy Bowen's Amos Records. "It was based on a conversation I had with somebody... about taking a midnight plane to Houston," Weatherly recalls. "I wrote it as a kind of a country song. Then we sent the song to a guy named Sonny Limbo in Atlanta and he wanted to cut it with Cissy Houston... he asked if I minded if he changed the title to "Midnight Train to Georgia". And I said, 'I don't mind. Just don't change the rest of the song.'"

Chap:

Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

The selection is narrated by a husband seeking his wife in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shocked and in disbelief that his wife, named Mary Jo, would abandon him and their children to join a burlesque show at "The Land Of Dreams," a New Orleans strip joint, where she calls herself "Sweet Gypsy Rose," he devotes himself to searching for her. He hopes to convince her to give up her activities as a stripper and return to their home and family.

Welp, this won't take long.....

1. "Midnight Train To Georgia". An absolute classic and one of the finest pop recordings of the 20th century. The song is great, but the record is better. Everything works and Gladys Knight is at the top of her game here (which is about as close to vocal nirvana as it comes). The Indigo Girls did a cool live version of this several years ago, but it disappeared from the internet.

2. "Ride Like The Wind". I love this record.

3. Only being able to read the political forum here.

4. "Blinded By The Light". Typical of early Bruce - way too many words for the melody.

5. "Perfect Day". Whatever......I said my piece about Lou Reed already.

6. "........Gypsy Rose". The dumbest song chosen so far. Shtick only goes so far.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

16


Dr. Octopus:

Perfect Day – Lou Reed

"Perfect Day" is a song written by American musician Lou Reed in 1972. It was originally featured on Transformer, Reed's second post–Velvet Underground solo album, and as a double A-side with his major hit, "Walk on the Wild Side". Its fame was given a boost in the 1990s when it was featured in the 1996 film Trainspotting and after a star-studded version was released as a BBC charity single in 1997, reaching number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway.

Jeb:

Blinded By the Light – Bruce Springsteen

The song came about when Columbia Records president Clive Davis, upon listening to an early version of Greetings from Asbury Park N.J., felt the album lacked a potential single. Springsteen wrote this and "Spirit in the Night" in response.

According to Springsteen, he wrote the song by going through a rhyming dictionary in search of appropriate words. The first line of the song, "Madman drummers, bummers, and Indians in the summers with a teenage diplomat" is autobiographical—"Madman drummers" is a reference to drummer Vini Lopez, known as "Mad Man" (later changed to "Mad Dog"); "Indians in the summer" refers to the name of Springsteen's old Little League team; "teenage diplomat" refers to himself. "As the adolescent pumps his way into his hat" recalls his aunt Dora Kirby claiming "Bruce never took his baseball hat off." A "merry-go-round" is baseball slang for when a pitcher keeps walking batters. The remainder of the song tells of many unrelated events, with the refrain of "Blinded by the light, cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night".

Scooter:

Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross

"Ride Like the Wind" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross. It was released in February 1980 as the lead single from his Grammy-winning 1979 self-titled debut album. It reached number two on the US charts for four consecutive weeks, behind "Call Me" by Blondie. On the album's inner sleeve, Christopher Cross dedicated this song to Lowell George, formerly of the band Little Feat, who had died in 1979. It features backing vocals by Michael McDonald and a guitar solo by Cross

Doug:

Midnight Train to Georgia – Gladys Knight & The Pips

The song was originally written and performed by Jim Weatherly under the title "Midnight Plane to Houston," which he recorded on Jimmy Bowen's Amos Records. "It was based on a conversation I had with somebody... about taking a midnight plane to Houston," Weatherly recalls. "I wrote it as a kind of a country song. Then we sent the song to a guy named Sonny Limbo in Atlanta and he wanted to cut it with Cissy Houston... he asked if I minded if he changed the title to "Midnight Train to Georgia". And I said, 'I don't mind. Just don't change the rest of the song.'"

Chap:

Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose – Dawn featuring Tony Orlando

The selection is narrated by a husband seeking his wife in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shocked and in disbelief that his wife, named Mary Jo, would abandon him and their children to join a burlesque show at "The Land Of Dreams," a New Orleans strip joint, where she calls herself "Sweet Gypsy Rose," he devotes himself to searching for her. He hopes to convince her to give up her activities as a stripper and return to their home and family.

Welp, this won't take long.....

1. "Midnight Train To Georgia". An absolute classic and one of the finest pop recordings of the 20th century. The song is great, but the record is better. Everything works and Gladys Knight is at the top of her game here (which is about as close to vocal nirvana as it comes). The Indigo Girls did a cool live version of this several years ago, but it disappeared from the internet.

2. "Ride Like The Wind". I love this record.

3. Only being able to read the political forum here.

4. "Blinded By The Light". Typical of early Bruce - way too many words for the melody.

5. "Perfect Day". Whatever......I said my piece about Lou Reed already.

6. "........Gypsy Rose". The dumbest song chosen so far. Shtick only goes so far.

absolutely agree on Gypsy.

 

[HellToupee]

1-Perfect Day- not the biggest Lou Red fan but Transformer is a top 20 album for me, great album cover as well. Bowie/Ronson/Reed


2-Blinded By The Light-meh I really don’t like Springsteen. Good song
3-Ride Like The Wind-Michael McDonald makes this
4-Midnight Train To Georgia
5- Gypsy- there is 70s cheese and really bad 70s cheese. This falls in the bad

 

[plinko]

Blinded By The Light, I've never in my life been able to get past "revved up like a doosh" (yes I know)

(there was a Mannfred Mann's Earth Band 8 -track somewhere in my family orbit as a kid)

Perfect Day is an inspired choice, friend, but it's no Midnight Train, I am with Uruk-Hai here

 

[plinko]

maybe TtWS

I feel dumb asking, but...?

Toad the Wet Sprocket?

Dulcinea might sniff my top fifty albums, but not 31

I put together a top 31 albums, came together surprisingly quickly. I don't think I can do the same for songs .. actually I was originally going to do hair metal songs for a thread but I got frustrated trying to choose and ended up going by artist which worked much better for me ...

31. Pink Floyd - The Wall
30. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
29. Scorpions - World Wide Live
28. mclusky - mclusky do dallas
27. Golden Earring - Moontan
26. Repo Man - O.S.T.
25. Body Count - Body Count
24. Mötley Crüe - Shout At The Devil
23. Deftones - White Pony
22. Portishead - Dummy
21. Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
20. Local H - As Good As Dead
19. Drivin N Cryin - Scarred But Smarter
18. Letters To Cleo - Aurora Gory Alice
17. Pixies - Surfer Rosa / Come On Pilgrim
16. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
15. Pearl Jam - Yield
14. Van Halen - 1984
13. The Police - Synchronicity
12. The Cars - Heartbeat City
11. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
10. Prince & the Revolution - Purple Rain
9. Def Leppard - Hysteria
8. The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen
7. Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime
6. Metallica - Master of Puppets
5. Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction
4. Nirvana - Nevermind
3. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
2. The Beatles - The Beatles
1. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti

 

[Tau837]

Just ran across this thread.

As another not really middle aged guy in your age group, this is a great exercise, and I thank you for posting. I caught this at the midway point with the top 15 remaining. Using only the songs posted so far, here is how I would rank my favorite 16:

1. Black – Pearl Jam
2. American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
4. Dream On - Aerosmith
5. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
6. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
7. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
8. Bulls On Parade – Rage Against the Machine
9. Fortunate Son – Creedance Clearwater Revival
10. The Load Out – Jackson Browne
11. Mr. Tambourine Man – The Byrds
12. A Long December – Counting Crows
13. Come Sail Away - Styx
14. Life’s Been Good – Joe Walsh
15. She’s Gone – Hall & Oates
16. The Tracks Of My Tears – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Nothing from Chap...

That said, if I posted my own top 31 without limiting myself to your group's choices, I doubt any of these after the top 4-7 would make it. Not surprising at all, given the massive All-American catalog available for this exercise.

Look forward to the top 15.

 

[plinko]

Dock of the Bay
Dream On
American Girl
Fortunate Son
What's Going On
She's Gone
Black
Seven Nation Army

My top 8 of his top 16!! ^^^
(just catching up too)

 

[krista4]

Dock of the Bay
Dream On
American Girl
Fortunate Son
What's Going On
She's Gone
Black
Seven Nation Army

My top 8 of his top 16!! ^^^
(just catching up too)

Dock of the Bay
What's Going On
She's Gone
American Girl

My top 4 of your top 8 of his top 16

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The #16 songs were underwhelming. Midnight Train to Georgia is the clear winner, for the reasons Uruk said.

Ride Like the Wind is great for what it is.

Perfect Day is ok.

I much prefer Manfred Mann's Blinded by the Light to Bruce's.

Chap's pick is off the deep end.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Perfect Day is ok.

It's better than that. It's the 16th best song by an American recording artist.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I much prefer Manfred Mann's Blinded by the Light to Bruce's.

This is a popular opinion, but not one I share. I hate how slick Mann's version is and I don't like his change to the lyrics.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

15


Dr. Octopus:

(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville – R.E.M.

The song was written by Mike Mills (credited to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe), in 1980, as a plea to his then girlfriend, Ingrid Schorr, not to return to Rockville, Maryland, where her parents lived. Schorr, who later became a journalist, has written about her amusement with the factual inaccuracies about her relationship with Mills and the background of the song that often appear in books about the band.[6] Peter Buck has stated that the song was originally performed in a punk/thrash style, and that it was recorded for this single in its now more-familiar country-inspired arrangement as a joke aimed at R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs.

Jeb:

Search and Destroy – The Stooges

"Search and Destroy" is a song by American rock band the Stooges, recorded for the group's third album Raw Power (1973). Lead singer Iggy Pop said that the title was derived from a column heading in a Time article about the Vietnam War. In 1997, "Search and Destroy" (along with the rest of the songs on Raw Power) was remixed and remastered by Pop and Bruce Dickinson. The result was far more aggressive and stripped down than the original release, which had been mixed by David Bowie.

Scooter:

Time – Hootie and the Blowfish

"Time" is a song by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released on October 24, 1995, as the fourth single from their 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View. "Time" peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in Canada for a week in February 1996.

Doug:

Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner

Proud Mary" is a song written by John Fogerty and first recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival.

A cover version by Ike and Tina Turner, released two years later in 1971, did nearly as well, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award.

Chap:

Miracles – Jefferson Starship

In order to secure more radio airplay for the song, the full-length album version of "Miracles" (6 minutes, 52 seconds long) was cut by more than half its length for the single, which was released at a length of 3 minutes, 25 seconds.[7] This edit was done not only for length, but to remove the sexual reference in the line "I had a taste of the real world when I went down on you, girl."

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Chap's pick is off the deep end.

He got a lot of grief in the text chain and said he has fond memories of his Aunt always playing it. Whatever, it's a garbage song even within the schtick.

He redeemed himself this round as Miracles could have easily been in my Top 31.

 

[simey]

Favorite Round 15 song:

15. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville - My favorite R.E.M. song.

Runner up: Search and Destroy

 

[HellToupee]

1-Search & Destroy - hilarious showing up in an Audi commercial a few years back
2--Don’t Go Back To Rockville- such a pleasant listen
3-Miracles- hated Jefferson , just discovered how good Marty Balin’s voice is a couple of years ago , Grace Slicks backing almost ruins it imo
4-Proud Mary
Time-not for me

 

[plinko]

This is kind of tough
1. Search And Destroy - any other Stooges song, and I wouldn't have had it at #1, but this was a punk rock bar setter
2. Proud Mary. almost 1a
3. Rockville - great song, bad draw
4. HOOTIE - my homeboy but no
5. Miracles - does the same person keep picking soft rock? This is same-ish too, quality listen of course. Last I checked, you can't get the single version on streaming, so it's like 8:00.. no thanks

I like soft rock as it harkens back the more pleasant earlier years of my childhood.. but I don't often take it seriously
Pro tip: If you make a soft rock playlist, all your wife's friends will think you're like ******* Johnny Fever

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Hootie is the clear last-place finisher in this round. Ranking the other four is harder.

I will go with Search and Destroy, which is so damn powerful and was enormously influential.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

15


Dr. Octopus:

(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville – R.E.M.

The song was written by Mike Mills (credited to Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe), in 1980, as a plea to his then girlfriend, Ingrid Schorr, not to return to Rockville, Maryland, where her parents lived. Schorr, who later became a journalist, has written about her amusement with the factual inaccuracies about her relationship with Mills and the background of the song that often appear in books about the band.[6] Peter Buck has stated that the song was originally performed in a punk/thrash style, and that it was recorded for this single in its now more-familiar country-inspired arrangement as a joke aimed at R.E.M. manager Bertis Downs.

Jeb:

Search and Destroy – The Stooges

"Search and Destroy" is a song by American rock band the Stooges, recorded for the group's third album Raw Power (1973). Lead singer Iggy Pop said that the title was derived from a column heading in a Time article about the Vietnam War. In 1997, "Search and Destroy" (along with the rest of the songs on Raw Power) was remixed and remastered by Pop and Bruce Dickinson. The result was far more aggressive and stripped down than the original release, which had been mixed by David Bowie.

Scooter:

Time – Hootie and the Blowfish

"Time" is a song by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released on October 24, 1995, as the fourth single from their 1994 debut album, Cracked Rear View. "Time" peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in Canada for a week in February 1996.

Doug:

Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner

Proud Mary" is a song written by John Fogerty and first recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival.

A cover version by Ike and Tina Turner, released two years later in 1971, did nearly as well, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy Award.

Chap:

Miracles – Jefferson Starship

In order to secure more radio airplay for the song, the full-length album version of "Miracles" (6 minutes, 52 seconds long) was cut by more than half its length for the single, which was released at a length of 3 minutes, 25 seconds.[7] This edit was done not only for length, but to remove the sexual reference in the line "I had a taste of the real world when I went down on you, girl."

Another odd group for me...... I like them all, but don't love any of them.

1. "Rockville". I'm not the biggest REM fan, but this is probably top 5 for me. A WHOLE lot of alt-country artists from the 90s must have loved this one.

2. "Proud Mary". They never, EVAH, do nothing nice and easy.

3. "Search & Destroy". This rocks faces off.

4. "Time". I liked Hootie and the boys, better than a lot of what was hip in the mid-90s.

5. "Miracles". My least favorite of Balin's 70s ballads. It's wayyyyyy too long and, worse, it's boring. I'm sure @krista4 loves it for the sax solo, though.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I much prefer Manfred Mann's Blinded by the Light to Bruce's.

This is a popular opinion, but not one I share. I hate how slick Mann's version is and I don't like his change to the lyrics.

Mann's version IS too slick, like most of mainstream rock in the mid-70s. I don't really care about the lyrics because I couldn't understand them anyway (especially in the original). But I like the cover better more by default because I really don't like the original at all.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Scooter's Favorite 31 Albums

31. New Miserable Experiences - Gin Blossoms
30. 4 - Foreigner
29. Let Go - Avril Lavigne
28. Stranger in Town - Bob Segar
27. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton
26. Traveller – Chris Stapleton
25. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
24. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
23. The Grand Illusion - Styx
22. Brother in Arms – Dire Straits
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
20. The Stranger – Billy Joel
19. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette
18. So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
17. Thriller – Michael Jackson
16. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
15. The Game - Queen
14. Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood
13. The Unforgettable Fire – U2
12. Moondance – Van Morrison
11. It’s Hard – The Who
10. Piano Man – Billy Joel
9. The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
8. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Behind the Sun – Eric Clapton
6. Seconds Out - Genesis
5. Face Value –Phil Collins
4. Harvest – Neil Young
3. Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel
2. The Joshua Tree – U2
1. Who’s Next – The Who

 

[Dr. Octopus]

If I had 5,000 guesses I still would not have guessed an Avril Lavigne album would make the cut.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

14


Dr. Octopus:

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

"Let's Stay Together" is a song by American singer Al Green from his 1972 album of the same name. It was produced and recorded by Willie Mitchell, and mixed by Mitchell and Terry Manning. Released as a single in 1971, "Let's Stay Together" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboard's R&B chart for nine weeks. Billboard ranked it as the number 11 song of 1972.

Jeb:

Night of the Living Baseheads – Public Enemy

"Night of the Living Baseheads" is the third single released by hip hop group Public Enemy, from their critically acclaimed album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The lyrics deal with the effects of crack cocaine on African-Americans during the 1980s crack epidemic, referring to the slang for freebase cocaine "base" or crack cocaine. The song reached #62 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks

Scooter:

Ramblin’ Man – Allman Brothers Band

The song became the Allman Brothers Band's first and only top 10 single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 12 on the Easy Listening chart

Doug:

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by the American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on their second album Second Helping (1974). It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man," which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery; Young is name-checked and dissed in the lyrics. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, becoming the band's highest-charting single

Chap:

Get Down Tonight – KC & the Sunshine Band

The song displays some of the signature characteristics of the disco era such as a fast tempo and repeating lyrics. The song also features a distinctive introduction, employing a guitar solo rendered at double-speed

 

[Godsbrother]

No Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry or Brian Wilson songs yet...

 

[Dr. Octopus]

No Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry or Brian Wilson songs yet...

I'm willing to bet Dylan and Wilson make an appearance before we're done - likely multiple. Don't take the bet though as I have "inside information" on my picks.

Not sure on Chuck Berry. As a Stones fan, I love Chuck Berry. My favorite by him is Carol - but it did not make my list.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Scooter's Favorite 31 Albums

31. New Miserable Experiences - Gin Blossoms
30. 4 - Foreigner
29. Let Go - Avril Lavigne
28. Stranger in Town - Bob Segar
27. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton
26. Traveller – Chris Stapleton
25. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
24. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
23. The Grand Illusion - Styx
22. Brother in Arms – Dire Straits
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
20. The Stranger – Billy Joel
19. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette
18. So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
17. Thriller – Michael Jackson
16. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
15. The Game - Queen
14. Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood
13. The Unforgettable Fire – U2
12. Moondance – Van Morrison
11. It’s Hard – The Who
10. Piano Man – Billy Joel
9. The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
8. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Behind the Sun – Eric Clapton
6. Seconds Out - Genesis
5. Face Value –Phil Collins
4. Harvest – Neil Young
3. Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel
2. The Joshua Tree – U2
1. Who’s Next – The Who

This is all over the place. Don’t know what to make of it, really.

More than Avril Lavigne, the headscratcher here is It’s Hard. Eminence Front is one of the best Who songs but most of the rest of it is hot garbage. The album is the best evidence that Kenney Jones was right when he accused Pete Townsend of withholding his best songs for his solo albums.

 

[plinko]

Al Green vs. Skynyrd , I can't make the call

 

[plinko]

That list almost feels reluctant, like "Do I have to? OK fine.. Avril Lavigne.. Bat Out of Hell.."

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Al Green and Doc Oc win today’s round. Like Midnight Train to Georgia, Let’s Stay Together is pretty much a perfect record.

The other songs are good but I don’t consider them among the artists’ very best.

 

[plinko]

On second thought, I'll be a good libtard and go with Al as well

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

(SHA is perfect too)

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Scooter's Favorite 31 Albums

31. New Miserable Experiences - Gin Blossoms
30. 4 - Foreigner
29. Let Go - Avril Lavigne
28. Stranger in Town - Bob Segar
27. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton
26. Traveller – Chris Stapleton
25. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
24. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
23. The Grand Illusion - Styx
22. Brother in Arms – Dire Straits
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
20. The Stranger – Billy Joel
19. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette
18. So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
17. Thriller – Michael Jackson
16. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
15. The Game - Queen
14. Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood
13. The Unforgettable Fire – U2
12. Moondance – Van Morrison
11. It’s Hard – The Who
10. Piano Man – Billy Joel
9. The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
8. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Behind the Sun – Eric Clapton
6. Seconds Out - Genesis
5. Face Value –Phil Collins
4. Harvest – Neil Young
3. Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel
2. The Joshua Tree – U2
1. Who’s Next – The Who

This is all over the place. Don’t know what to make of it, really.

More than Avril Lavigne, the headscratcher here is It’s Hard. Eminence Front is one of the best Who songs but most of the rest of it is hot garbage. The album is the best evidence that Kenney Jones was right when he accused Pete Townsend of withholding his best songs for his solo albums.

Agree, It’s Hard is one of the worst Who albums, if not the worst. I do like Athena in addition to Emminence Front.
I don’t get how anyone would take Its Hard over Tommy, Quadrophenia, By Numbers, Sell Out etc. - but everyone has different tastes I suppose.

 

[krista4]

Al Green and Doc Oc win today’s round. Like Midnight Train to Georgia, Let’s Stay Together is pretty much a perfect record.

The other songs are good but I don’t consider them among the artists’ very best.

Let's Stay Together wins in a blowout for me.

 

[HellToupee]

It’s Al Green and the field. Worst round for me by a long shot

 

[Uruk-Hai]

14


Dr. Octopus:

Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

"Let's Stay Together" is a song by American singer Al Green from his 1972 album of the same name. It was produced and recorded by Willie Mitchell, and mixed by Mitchell and Terry Manning. Released as a single in 1971, "Let's Stay Together" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboard's R&B chart for nine weeks. Billboard ranked it as the number 11 song of 1972.

Jeb:

Night of the Living Baseheads – Public Enemy

"Night of the Living Baseheads" is the third single released by hip hop group Public Enemy, from their critically acclaimed album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The lyrics deal with the effects of crack cocaine on African-Americans during the 1980s crack epidemic, referring to the slang for freebase cocaine "base" or crack cocaine. The song reached #62 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks

Scooter:

Ramblin’ Man – Allman Brothers Band

The song became the Allman Brothers Band's first and only top 10 single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 12 on the Easy Listening chart

Doug:

Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd

"Sweet Home Alabama" is a song by the American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on their second album Second Helping (1974). It was written in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man," which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery; Young is name-checked and dissed in the lyrics. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974, becoming the band's highest-charting single

Chap:

Get Down Tonight – KC & the Sunshine Band

The song displays some of the signature characteristics of the disco era such as a fast tempo and repeating lyrics. The song also features a distinctive introduction, employing a guitar solo rendered at double-speed

Boomer Heaven here. Sorry, Jeb.

1. "Let's Stay Together". Everyone who's ever heard this record knows all they need to know about Green. Two shoutouts to producer Willie Mitchell and the immortal Al Jackson Jr on drums. Mitchell produced all of Green's stuff during his run in the early 70s. Those records kind of stay in their lane, but he adds enough touches to make them all sound unique. Jackson was one of the best drummers in rock history, playing on most every important Stax recording in the 60s and kept it going with Green in the 70s. That's him playing what must be jackhammers in place of sticks on Sam & Dave's "Hold On" and that's also him backing up Otis at Monterrey and that's him again on all of those cool Booker T/MGs records and.....

2. "Ramblin' Man". I could shuffle these next three and be happy with however it shook out. I know some diehard ABB fans who dock almost anything the band put out after Duane died, but not me. I'll never change the channel when this one comes on. I don't remember what time of year it was originally released, but it always makes me think of summer. Betts just kills it and the rest of the group ain't far behind.

3. "Sweet Home Alabama". Probably the best white American band of the 70s and one of the top 5 or so overall for the decade. They had a lot more finesse than they were often given credit for. This freaking song actually swings. Everything works and Ronnie gives an all-timer vocal performance.

4. "Get Down Tonight". The Sunshine band was not known for their depth. This hit #1 right out of the gate for them, and they rarely changed what they did for the rest of their careers. They had a fine career (4 or 5 #1 pop hits) and faded away after about 5 years when the world changed and they couldn't. I thought the intro was a keyboard for many years, even after seeing KC not being able to play it live.

5. "...Baseheads". I like PE a lot, but the production on this records pisses me off. Too many gimmicks distracts from its essence to me. It also always sounded too tinny or something. Maybe this stuff was the whole point - if so, it went right over my head.

 

[simey]

My favorite from round 14:

14. Let's Stay Together

Runner up: Get Down Tonight

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Scooter's Favorite 31 Albums

31. New Miserable Experiences - Gin Blossoms
30. 4 - Foreigner
29. Let Go - Avril Lavigne
28. Stranger in Town - Bob Segar
27. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton
26. Traveller – Chris Stapleton
25. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
24. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
23. The Grand Illusion - Styx
22. Brother in Arms – Dire Straits
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
20. The Stranger – Billy Joel
19. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette
18. So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
17. Thriller – Michael Jackson
16. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
15. The Game - Queen
14. Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood
13. The Unforgettable Fire – U2
12. Moondance – Van Morrison
11. It’s Hard – The Who
10. Piano Man – Billy Joel
9. The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
8. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Behind the Sun – Eric Clapton
6. Seconds Out - Genesis
5. Face Value –Phil Collins
4. Harvest – Neil Young
3. Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel
2. The Joshua Tree – U2
1. Who’s Next – The Who

This is all over the place. Don’t know what to make of it, really.

More than Avril Lavigne, the headscratcher here is It’s Hard. Eminence Front is one of the best Who songs but most of the rest of it is hot garbage. The album is the best evidence that Kenney Jones was right when he accused Pete Townsend of withholding his best songs for his solo albums.

Agree, It’s Hard is one of the worst Who albums, if not the worst. I do like Athena in addition to Emminence Front.
I don’t get how anyone would take Its Hard over Tommy, Quadrophenia, By Numbers, Sell Out etc. - but everyone has different tastes I suppose.

Athena is OK but it could have been performed by anyone. Eminence Front is the only distinctively Who song on the record.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

On further inspection, Scooter’s list is very much a “time and place” thing. The time is the early 80s and the place is FM radio trying to adapt to the rapidly changing rock scene.

 

[Tau837]

I decided to put together my own top 31, all American artists favorite songs list. I decided to limit it to one song per artist, even though I don't think that was part of the @Dr. Octopus methodology.

I will withhold until the end and post it. I think it would be great if others did the same.

So far, only 4 of my 31 have been named. But I'm also not sure my initial draft will be my final, we'll have to see about that... As I expected, I could probably choose any of 100 songs to put into this list, and I could radically change the ordering and it would be fine. Cool exercise, as these tend to be.

 

[HellToupee]

Scooter's Favorite 31 Albums

31. New Miserable Experiences - Gin Blossoms
30. 4 - Foreigner
29. Let Go - Avril Lavigne
28. Stranger in Town - Bob Segar
27. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton
26. Traveller – Chris Stapleton
25. Bat Out of Hell - Meatloaf
24. August and Everything After – Counting Crows
23. The Grand Illusion - Styx
22. Brother in Arms – Dire Straits
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
20. The Stranger – Billy Joel
19. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morisette
18. So Far – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
17. Thriller – Michael Jackson
16. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
15. The Game - Queen
14. Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood
13. The Unforgettable Fire – U2
12. Moondance – Van Morrison
11. It’s Hard – The Who
10. Piano Man – Billy Joel
9. The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle - Bruce Springsteen
8. Hotel California – The Eagles
7. Behind the Sun – Eric Clapton
6. Seconds Out - Genesis
5. Face Value –Phil Collins
4. Harvest – Neil Young
3. Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel
2. The Joshua Tree – U2
1. Who’s Next – The Who

This is all over the place. Don’t know what to make of it, really.

More than Avril Lavigne, the headscratcher here is It’s Hard. Eminence Front is one of the best Who songs but most of the rest of it is hot garbage. The album is the best evidence that Kenney Jones was right when he accused Pete Townsend of withholding his best songs for his solo albums.

Agree, It’s Hard is one of the worst Who albums, if not the worst. I do like Athena in addition to Emminence Front.
I don’t get how anyone would take Its Hard over Tommy, Quadrophenia, By Numbers, Sell Out etc. - but everyone has different tastes I suppose.

I can’t wrap my head around Secret World Live – Peter Gabriel at 3. Not even his best live album , imo

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I decided to put together my own top 31, all American artists favorite songs list. I decided to limit it to one song per artist, even though I don't think that was part of the @Dr. Octopus methodology.

I will withhold until the end and post it. I think it would be great if others did the same.

So far, only 4 of my 31 have been named. But I'm also not sure my initial draft will be my final, we'll have to see about that... As I expected, I could probably choose any of 100 songs to put into this list, and I could radically change the ordering and it would be fine. Cool exercise, as these tend to be.

It wasn’t, but I did the same thing with only one song per artist to help make the task less maddening.

 

[rockaction]

Holy whoa, what a two rounds. Iggy, Lou, Al Green, Skynyrd, Allmans.

Go many great tracks. I won't bother to rank them because it's all so subjective, but those are just some great songs.

I really have no idea what I'd pick if forced to choose on a desert island. Great stuff.

 

[rockaction]

Oh, I wrote a brief thing to @Uruk-Hai about the Public Enemy production but never clicked "Post reply" or what have you. The album was produced and engineered by Rick Rubin, but the final say on the how the songs sounded went to Hank Shocklee of the production/engineering team the Bomb Squad. Chuck D has been quoted as calling Hank the "Phil Spector of" rap, so they think that it sounds good, apparently.

I think you might be right, though I'd have to listen to it again with fresh ears.

I just did. That incessant horn is a really bad sampling choice. The beat and Chuck D's voice are enough. Not sure if it's "tinny" or if it's the horn blowing throughout the track, but it does sound a bit off. It's probably why I never particularly cared for this song in particular.

 

[AAABatteries]

21




Scooter:

Come Sail Away - Styx

Lyrically, the song uses sailing as a metaphor to achieve one's dreams. The lyrics touch on nostalgia of "childhood friends," escapism, and a religious thematic symbolized by "a gathering of angels" singing "a song of hope." The ending lyrics explain a transformation from a sailing ship into a starship, by narrating that "they climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies".

To this day I can't listen to this song without singing this in my head - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0ShMH-7Uns - cracks me up every freaking time. I may or may not have recorded myself singing this in Cartman's voice and texted it to folks.

 

[AAABatteries]

Lots of great songs these lack few picks. Doc really secured himself as my favorite list so far. Be My Baby, American Girl and The White Stripes? All perfect choices.

I am firmly anti-Neil Diamond but I like the variety from Doug.

It's cheesy, feel good music but that's kind of the point. It's impossible for me to be in a bad mood listening to Neil. Thankfully I never watch the Sox play or maybe I would hate Sweet Caroline by now too. Since the thread was bumped recently, Neil is the candy corn of music. Sappy, overly sweet but consumed in small amounts can be great.

 

[AAABatteries]

17


Dr. Octopus:

Pancho & Lefty – Townes Van Zandt

"Pancho and Lefty" is a song written by country music artist Townes Van Zandt. Often considered his "most enduring and well-known song," Van Zandt first recorded it for his 1972 album The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. The song has been recorded by several artists since its composition and performance by Van Zandt, with the Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard version selling the most copies and reaching the Billboard top hits list.

Jeb:

Mississippi Queen - Mountain

"Mississippi Queen" is a song by the American rock band Mountain. Considered a rock classic,[6] it was their most successful single, reaching number 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.[7] The song is included on the group's debut album and several live recordings have been issued.[6] "Mississippi Queen" has been recorded by several artists, including W.A.S.P., Sam Kinison, Amanda Ayala, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and Ozzy Osbourne, who had a hit with the song in 2005.

Scooter:

Allison Road – Gin Blossoms

In 1989, Robin Wilson passed by a sign on his way to El Paso that read "Next Exit Allison Road." The friend with whom he was riding had a sister named Allison, and so they stopped to take a picture. Five months later, Wilson had the picture and was bored. In a Billboard interview from 1994, he recalled:

I walked to the other room, sat down in front of the television and turned on CNN. And the moment the TV turned on I heard that little melody in my head; 'On Allison Road.' And I was like, '****!' So I turned off the TV, climbed over the couch and went back in my bedroom and the song was pretty much done 20 minutes later.

The exit sign for Allison Road is located on Interstate 10 in Roosevelt, Texas.

Doug:

Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash

Cash performed the song live to a crowd of inmates at Folsom State Prison in 1968 for his live album At Folsom Prison (1968), released through Columbia Records. This version became a No. 1 hit on the country music charts and reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the same year. This version also won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, at the 11th Annual Grammy Awards in 1969.

Chap:

Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone – The Temptations

"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is a song originally performed by Motown recording act The Undisputed Truth in 1972, though it became much better known after a Grammy-award winning cover by The Temptations was issued later the same year. This latter version of the song became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Folsom is a fantastic song/album. I have no doubt Cash probably did kill a man at some point. Dude was a badass.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Since the thread was bumped recently, Neil is the candy corn of music. Sappy, overly sweet but consumed in small amounts can be great.

Now you've done it. Comparing Neil Diamond to candy corn is not acceptable.

Reported

 

[AAABatteries]

Since the thread was bumped recently, Neil is the candy corn of music. Sappy, overly sweet but consumed in small amounts can be great.

Now you've done it. Comparing Neil Diamond to candy corn is not acceptable.

Reported

Do you hate Neil or Candy Corn?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Since the thread was bumped recently, Neil is the candy corn of music. Sappy, overly sweet but consumed in small amounts can be great.

Now you've done it. Comparing Neil Diamond to candy corn is not acceptable.

Reported

Do you hate Neil or Candy Corn?

Candy Corn is awful, Neil is not awful.