#458. Gran Torino-Jamie Cullum and Clint Eastwood

So tenderly, the story ends.

     Clint Eastwood sings, hell he wrote the song or the music (I think).  Enough said.

#459. Buena-Morphine

And since you met the devil you ain't been the same, oh no.

     This was the first song on the best mix tape anyone ever made me.  It introduced me to these guys.  So great, so different.  You had to see these guys live.  What a show, watching Dana play to Sax at once.  Glad I got to see, hear and meet them before Mark Sandman's death.  Also check out Treat Her Right(band).

#460. I'm No Heroine-Ani DiFranco

Who says I like Right angles, these are not my laws these are not my rules.

    Where does anybody start when it comes to Ani.  Thank you Jessica for getting me into her.  Been listening for years now, admittedly, probably not as much as I should, always a great live show.  This is off her third album, Imperfectly, one of my favorites.

#461. Wah Wah-George Harrison

You keep given me your.....

     Originally written after a argument with McCartney during the Let It Be sessions, though it didn't show up till All Things.  Great song, simply, yes, but not really.  Had to include the version from The Concert For George" too.

#462. You're One-Imperial Teen

That crown of thorns you wear it well.

     Another great one-hit wonder from the nineties.  Once referred to as "queer alt-rock", don't know where that comes from.  This single off their first album about Kurt Cobain is my favorite.

   

#463. Summer Highland Falls-Billy Joel

They say that these are not the best of times but they're the only times I've ever known.

     Off one of my favorite albums, Turnstiles, and always a concert favorite.  Streetlife Serenade and Turnstiles are two great bookend albums that should always be played back to back.  Lyrically he Joel was hitting strides in those years.  His next album would be The Stranger and after that he took off.  I never understood why he never gets the kind of recognition as Elton John or Springsteen, who knows, maybe its because he's such a prick.  I love this song and I love this era of Billy Joel music.  It s around this time in his career that he put together the musicians that would be with him till Storm Front, they all really gel here.

#464. Don't Let's Start-They Might Be Giants

No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful.

     The first single (TMBG's release singles?) from the first album.  THe start of something awesome.

#465. Clubland-Elvis Costello

New weds and nearly deads.

     Another Nick Lowe produced gem.  Love Elvis on this and Steve.  So glad they still work together.  Trust (the eighties).

#466. Driving on 9-Breeders

Does daddy have a shotgun?  Does daddy never need one?

     Taking a break from the Pixies, opened up the door for Kim Deal to start some side projects, one of them ended up being The Breeders.  Sure Deal was from Ohio and had been around since the 70's, but New England called her one of their own too, thanks to the huge fan base and Boston home of the Pixies.  And the first Breeders show was played in the Boston Area.  The original line-up included Tanya Donelly as well, but she wasn't  around for the Last Splash album.  Great album, great song.

#467. I Know You Rider/China Cat Sunflower-Grateful Dead

I wish I was a headlight, on a northbound train.

    So many great jams from the guys, here's another favorite, reminds of my buddy Lucas, from high school.  The conversation was about favorite Dead bootlegs, and went something like this.  "you know, when the guys are on, and China Cat leads right into I know You Rider, yeah.  Haha, two stoned hippies.

#468. In the Garage-Weezer

I got poster on the wall, my favorite rock group Kiss
I"ve got Ave Freeley, Ive got Peter Criss.


     I could have listed the whole Blue Album, and maybe I did?

#469. It's All True-The Lemonheads

I never get bored watching the tube, and I never had a rock in my shoe.

   Who was cooler then Evan Dando for so long, I mean, really.  Hey for a while there he wrote catchy songs, toured like crazy, did lots of drugs was on lots of magazine covers.  His greatest hits album is like a collection of one hit wonders, if that makes any sense.  Think about it.

#470. Darlin/Wild Honey-Beach Boys

Gonna love you every single night, oh yes I will.

     I love these to songs.  I cannot separate them in my head so I saw no need to separate them for my list.  Both song by Carl, my favorite Wilson.  I loved his voice, the soul in.  2 great tracks from a great American rock band.  Enjoy.

#471. Tender-Blur

Tender is the Ghost, the ghost I love the most.

     So many great singles from these guys for so many years from "She's So High" to this on "Tender".  You can't even blame them for "Song2".  This coming out after "Song2" definitely separated the fans from the band from the fans of a single song.  We still get to hear Damon great voice now with the Gorillaz, but I do miss Blur.  The Anti-Oasis.

#472. Sweet Virginia-Rolling Stones

....Got to scrap that shit right off your shoe.

     Snuck into a Rolling Stones sound check once, disguised as a food vendor at there show in Foxoboro Stadium,  Ron Wood was awesome.  I love these guys, I hate these guys.  Nothing beats Exile though, might be the best record ever made, watch the documentaries, making the album was hell and ecstasy all in one.  Great track off that album, one of the best.

#473. Everybody's Gonna Be Happy-The Kinks

And I know, And I know....


    Sure The Beatle and The Stone get credit for the British invasion.  But they were so big and represented they own takes on already existing ideas and styles, bands like The Who and The Kinks came out with just a different sound a different rock, stage rock.  While the parents were worried about The Beatles and The Stones in snuck real devils like The Kinks and The Who.  Ray Davies, should be talked about like MaCartney, Jagger, Lennon and Richards.  Great 2 minute ditty from these guys, more to come.

#474. Oh Darling-The Beatles

When you told me, you didn't need me anymore, well you know I nearly broke down and cried.

    This will be the only entry from The Beatles.  Yeah right!  Great song from Macca, at his best.  Lennon gets all the credit, but McCartney could rock, still does!

#475. Sgt.Baker-Primus

Steers and Queers
Steers and Queers where you come from theres just Steers and Queers
And you ain't got got know horns boy. 

     Gotta thank older Brother Tommy again for getting me into Primus.  He also took me to my first Primus show, I think I have seen them 4-5 times.  Great live band.

#476. Bad Time-The Jayhawks

I'm in love...

     Yeah I know its a cover, but its a great cover off a great album.  Always dug The Jayhawks alt-country feel.  I group them with Wilco and Billy Bragg.  Great album, more off this album to come.  Tomorrow the Green Grass.  Always thought it was Victoria Williams doing background vocals on this one, its actually Sharleen Spiteri.

#477. Anyone Else But You-Michael Cera and Ellen Page

Here is a church and here is a steeple, we sure are cute for two ugly people.

     Really.  Whats not to like?

#478. Stone Free-Eric Clapton

Stone free to ride the Breeze

     Discovered this song the Jimi tribute album, that I think was the same name.  Never knew the original, but what a great song.  Clapton coming through again.  Once again doing what he does best, paying tribute.

#479. Superman-Willie Nelson

Well I blew my throat and I blew my tour
Wound up sippin on soup d'jour

     Was listening to Bob Dylan's satellite radio show the first time I heard this, how can you not love it.  Just found the version with Snoop, figured I throw it in :-).

#480. Tears Dry On Their Own-Amy Winehouse

I'll be some next man's other woman soon.

    Yeah it doesn't mention Roger Moore, but still my favorite song of the Black album.

#481. Alive-Beastie Boys

I use the microphone like Picasso used clay.

    From "The Sound of Science".  Great beat, as always, but also great message.

#482. Rosanna's Going Wild-Johnny Cash

Feeling every new sensation, Giving in to all sensation.

     I love the discount racks.  Those bins of CD's you see in the supermarket or pharmacy.  Usually selling CD's for $2.99 or so.  I always stop and look through them.  So one day, when I was a kid I was looking through and came across a CD that said, Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.  I knew nothing about him, but I knew that I should.  And so it started, still got that CD, this song, from 1967?  was featured on it, it made so many mixed tapes after that.

#483. Ripple-The Grateful Dead. Honorary Mention: Jane's Addiction

But if you fall, you fall alone.

     Hey, I was a dead head for years, still am.  I could write on and on about these guys, their music and their legacy.  For this one, just gonna let the music do the talking.

#484. Brother-Alice In Chains

     For my older brother Tommy

#485. Mrs.Potter's Lulaby-Counting Crowes

There's a piece of Maria, in every song that I sing.

     Yes, after all these years I am still under the Counting Crows spell.  Just a great way with words and a great way with music.  And this is a great example, and one of my (many)favorites

#486. Black Coffee in Bed-Squeeze

There's a stain on my notebook where your coffee cup was

     Got into Squeeze after hearing and getting into their song "Tempted", had no idea they had such a huge catalog with so many other songs I already knew, and ones I would discover.  They will appear on the list again.  This was off there 5th album in 1982, With Paul Young and Elvis Costello on backing vocals.  First band to ever do MTV Unplugged, oh, you already knew that.

#487. Girlfriend-Mathew Sweet

'cause you got a good thing going baby. 

     Another one of those great one hit wonders from the early nineties.  My high school years.  When listening to the radio was a reason to skip school.  Sure "sick of myself" was a pretty successful single for Sweet too, but that was after I graduated, doesn't really count.  LOL

#488. A Selection-Fishbone

What!  No toothpaste?!?
     Someone put it on a mixed tape for me once.  Been a fan ever since.

#489. Mystery Dance-Elvis Costello

Romeo was restless he was ready to kill, jumped out the window cause he couldn't sit still.

     In this world, this Elvis is king!  Someone once asked the dessert island question, which artist's catalog would you bring, it was Elvis Costello.  Come on really, who's cooler.

#490. The Guitar-They Might Be Giants/The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight-REM

Hey!

Two different takes on The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

both, equally great and important.

    

     Oh yes I did.  Yes this is one of many TMBG songs that you are gonna find on the my list.  Yes it is a knock off of "When the lion sleeps tonight".  And yes it is one of my favorites.  Hey its my list remember.
     Yes the Eighties REM were better then the Nineties REM, but this is one of many favorite tracks off my favorite REM Album.  Automatic for the People.

#491. Nashville-Liz Phair

Nobody sparkles like you.

    "And I can't imagine in better terms  Then naked, half-awake, about to shave and go to work".  And I can't imagine a sexier or more sensual thing I ever wanted to say to someone or heard said to me.  So much of Liz Phairs early stuff was musical Viagra.  But that line, this song, really got the juicy flowing, hehe.

#492. Red Guitar/Song in C-Loudan Wainwright

Used to have a Red Guitar

    I had to bookend these two Loudon songs.  I just can't separate them in my mind so I am not going to separate them for this list.  So there, I am already breaking my own rules.  Red Guitar, it has simply always been my favorite of his songs.  Loudon pops up quite a bit on this list, so here is a fine way to start.  Funny because, characteristically its not really like most of Loudo's song book or his style, I mean, he plays it on piano, which isn't his strong suit, something he will reference in Song for C.  After many live performances I walked into a Loudon show at The Narrows in Fall River, up on stage I saw a piano, I thought, no way, is he actually gonna play the 40 year old song off his third album.  He did it!  It made my night and he followed it with Song in C.  Some have said "C" is a response to his son Rufus's song "Dinner at eight".  I always thought he wrote it for Kate after she died.  Whichever its a great song of a man stripped naked and exposed.  It doesn't appear on any of his albums, thank you World Wide Web.

#493. Shady Lane-Pavement

A redder shade of neck on a whiter shade of trash.

     After the grunge explosion of my youth and the barrage of awesome one-hit wonders that made up that time, the early nineties, bands just were not making songs like this anymore.  Coming out in 1997 it almost felt like it didn't fit, weren't these guys supposed top be singing songs like "Cumbersome"?  Hadn't they peaked at Cooked Rain?  Nah, they still had a couple gems up there sleeve.

#494. Sax aand Violens-The Talking Heads

Mom and pop.  They will fuck you up.

     Another great band that I did not get into after they dissolved.  Oh well.  One of my favorite bands of all time and one of the greatest American bands of all time.  Talking Heads music pretty much speaks for itself, so have a listen.

#495. My name is Jonas-Weezer

The dozer will not clear a path
The driver swears he learned his math.

    Oh those first two glorious albums from Rivers and the crew.  Was there anything better.  I caught the Pinkerton tour in Providence.  Anybody who knows about the band knows Cuomos' state of mind during that time.  There was probably a milliion places he would have rather been then Rhode Island that night, but man did they deliver.  After a couple songs off the Pinkerton Album he stood at the mic said simply that this next song is the first song off of our first album and broke into an on-spot version of Jonas.  He then proceeded to call out every song off the Blue album that same way in order.  Still one of my favorite shows ever.  I went that night with my friend Mike.  Mike is a dad now, what did he choose to name his first son, Jonas.

#496. Alex Chilton-The Replacements

Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.

     Who should I write about here.  The Replacements, Alex Chilton, The Box Tops, Big Star, Paul Westerberg.  Most will be mentioned in this piece later on, so lets just focus on the song at hand.  I once , very recently, tried to pin-point my top five songs, as you can see I settled on favorite 500 (decent compromise).  Lets just say that Alex Chilton was one of them.  I love a tribute as much as the next guy, but if Alex Chilton was a fictional character, this song would still be on the list.  The Replacements, breaking up just before my time.  I didn't start listening until Westerbergs' solo shit got me interested.  Funny they say Chilton wasn't very impressed with the song.  From what I hear The Replacement live shows were known for alienating their fans, I guess they carried on that tradition in their song writing.

#497. The Blower's Daughter-Damien Rice

And so it is...

    How many great songs have we discovered on great soundtracks?  I am not gonna give you some pretentious story about how I was listening to Damien Rice way before the "Closer" soundtrack came out.  Never heard of him before, havn't heard anything since.  I just love this song.  All I can tell you about it is when it comes around on my iPod I usually listen to it 3-4 times in a row.

#498. In the lap of the gods(revisited)...Queen

It's so easy, but I can't do it.

     There will most certainly be quite a few Queen entries on this list.  "In the lap of the gods (revisited) is one of my favorites.  Off of one my favorite Queen albums, Sheer Heart Attack.  Sheer Heart Attack was their last album before the band turned to more "theatre rock", which would become their bread and butter, and probably there last straight rock in roll album till "It's a kind of Magic".  I always thought the original "In the lap of the gods" sounded like it could have been an outtake from Brian Wilson's "Pet Sounds", with that being said, "Revisited", could have easily been an outtake from "Sgt. Pepper".    It is the first of many "anthem-like" songs for Queen.  I love how it really doesn't seem to have a beginning or end, it just kind of picks up and leaves off, like if you had placed in the middle of "A day in the life" it would have fit perfectly.

#499. We hate it when our friends become successful-Morrissey

It's really laughable.

     I definitely was not supposed to become a Morrissey fan.  I can't tell you what finally made me open and my mind and start to give a listen.  Maybe it was the barechested album cover of "Your Arsenal", had Morrissey ever looked cooler, scars and all.  But it didn't take me very long to get hooked.  Morrissey had a great three year run of releases from 1991-1994 with "Kill Uncle", "Your Arsenal" and "Vauxhalll and I".  But it is the Mick Ronson produced "Your Arsenal" that stands as my favorite.  The cheeky and tongue in cheek, "friends" was the one song off the album I would play over and over again.  Probably because we all know, deep down inside , that it's true.

#500. Accidently Like A Martyr-Warren Zevon

The phone don't ring
And the sun refused to shine.

I always knew of this song.  When I was a kid if I heard a song I liked from an artist who's "prime" was before my time I would go out, buy their greatest hits album and give a listen, if I liked what I heard then I would go and buy the actual albums from which my favorite songs off the greatest hits album came off of.  This was before the internet kids.  So after hearing "Werewolfs of  London" I went and got Warren's greatest hits.  Or so I thought.  I came home with "Excitable Boy"  While it could be considered a greatest hits album today, it is a masterpiece.  "Accidentally" is just one of the many gems on this play through album.  So like I said I always knew about the song, but as I got older it just grew on me more and more, much the way Warren did.  Now it stand as one of the truly great heartbreak songs, from a truly great heartbreak kid. 

In the beginning....

Sean's favorite 500 songs....
    o.k., so i am totally ripping off a friend who just started the same exact blog and is posting it daily on facebook.  I was intrigued by such an ambitious undertaking. After reading his for a few days i realized i had to make my own and stop living through someone elses.  Besides isn't it said that every great idea was stolen from someone at one point? 
     At first I thought coming up with my favorite 500 songs would be tough because of lack of material.  After looking at the number of songs on my iPod, you know, we only put the essential songs we can't live without on our iPods (lol), I realized the tough part would be paring down my list.  I mean we could all grab a stack of greatest hits albums and be done with this in a weekend.  Now I have to Sophie's Choice it a little.
     My list is going to be in no order.  I assure you I love song 499 as much as I do number 1.  And who knows, as I go, my list may expand, there may be some songs I just cannot keep off the list, but I am gonna try to stick to the original number of 500.  My favorite 500 songs....