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Jan. 21st, 2005
these are POP songs, people. by that, i don't mean popular. i mean songs that are just bursts of sweetness, catchy as hell, songs you can't help but sing along to, producing emotion or energy, slow or fast, all in a tightly wrapped package. these aren't my favorite songs. these are fantastically crafted songs. and sorry, all you britney fans, toxic came in at number 21.
20. Livin' on a Prayer-Bon Jovi
there may be no better bar singalong song than this.
19. Gimme Shelter-The Rolling Stones
swooping melody, screams and danger, insistent rhythm.
18. Stutter-Elastica
it's like candy. it's in and out so quick, dissolves right away, and tastes so good.
17. Fuck and Run-Liz Phair
simple and lo-fi. beat up and world weary, and somehow still bouncing.
16. Freedom '90-George Michael
i know you're all pretending to be linda evangelista in that sweater whenever he says that clothes do not make the maaaaan.
15. i have seen it all-bjork and thom yorke. the rhythm that's a cross between a funeral march and someone dropping a rubber ball repeatedly, with the perfect amount of strings and nonsense icelandic syllables you get to pretend you understand.
14. 50 Foot Queenie-PJ Harvey
pogo.
13. I've Been Tired-Pixies
pogo PLUS hysterical lyrics. and a woman sighing like "AHHH."
12. Jane Says-Jane's Addiction
so simple. verse chorus verse. but lyrically, emotionally, so powerful -- addiction, fear, debasement, that last little bit of futile hope -- i'm gonna kick tomorrow.
11. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay-Otis Redding
mournful and thoughtful, with a classic bridge.
10. The Tracks of My Tears-Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
as far as miracles tears songs go, i actually have more of a soft spot for "tears of a clown" simply because it has probably the best lyric of all time: "just like pagliacci did, i try to keep my sadness hid." but tracks of my tears is tighter.
9. I Want You Back-The Jackson 5
pianos, guitars, strings, horns -- shimmery and brilliant. another perfect bridge. i really think that sometimes, the bridge makes the song.
8. Welcome to the Jungle-Guns N Roses
ok, ok, the best hard rock song ever is stairway to heaven. but it's not a pop song. welcome to the jungle is the best hard rock pop song. it just is. it goes all over the place, but is still crafted so perfectly into a cohesive whole. and axl rose used to do a mean growl before his face lift froze his vocal cords.
7. Cannonball-The Breeders
there's a reason that this song shows up so much in the background of movies. it's just close to perfect. that sudden shudder of a guitar riff just explodes into energy. (ok, my music imagery is crap.)
6. Deceptacon-Le Tigre
a modern masterpiece. i DARE you not to dance. 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. Burning Up-Madonna
suddenly, people are realizing the genius of madonna's first album. this is easily the high point, both melodically and vocally.
4. In Your Eyes-Peter Gabriel
emotionally powerful, bombastic but tight, and a touch of world music. it just does it for me. i come out of this song emotionally exhausted, in a good way. pop music should be disposable but touch you at the same time. that's what this song does.
3. Last Goodbye-Jeff Buckley
another one of those songs that's somehow all over the place but simultaneously wrapped up in a little bow and presented to you as a perfect whole.
2. I Wanna Be York Lover-Prince
so simple. lyrically, so slick. i don't know why i consider this song pop perfection. i just do. i think it's just a little bite of wonderfulness.
1. UP FOR GRABS -- name your own number one pop song!
i will admit, this list is woefully incomplete because of the exclusion of the beatles (i hardly have any on my hard drive), and the fact that i only allowed one song per artist. and i'll probably totally change my mind tomorrow.
20. Livin' on a Prayer-Bon Jovi
there may be no better bar singalong song than this.
19. Gimme Shelter-The Rolling Stones
swooping melody, screams and danger, insistent rhythm.
18. Stutter-Elastica
it's like candy. it's in and out so quick, dissolves right away, and tastes so good.
17. Fuck and Run-Liz Phair
simple and lo-fi. beat up and world weary, and somehow still bouncing.
16. Freedom '90-George Michael
i know you're all pretending to be linda evangelista in that sweater whenever he says that clothes do not make the maaaaan.
15. i have seen it all-bjork and thom yorke. the rhythm that's a cross between a funeral march and someone dropping a rubber ball repeatedly, with the perfect amount of strings and nonsense icelandic syllables you get to pretend you understand.
14. 50 Foot Queenie-PJ Harvey
pogo.
13. I've Been Tired-Pixies
pogo PLUS hysterical lyrics. and a woman sighing like "AHHH."
12. Jane Says-Jane's Addiction
so simple. verse chorus verse. but lyrically, emotionally, so powerful -- addiction, fear, debasement, that last little bit of futile hope -- i'm gonna kick tomorrow.
11. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay-Otis Redding
mournful and thoughtful, with a classic bridge.
10. The Tracks of My Tears-Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
as far as miracles tears songs go, i actually have more of a soft spot for "tears of a clown" simply because it has probably the best lyric of all time: "just like pagliacci did, i try to keep my sadness hid." but tracks of my tears is tighter.
9. I Want You Back-The Jackson 5
pianos, guitars, strings, horns -- shimmery and brilliant. another perfect bridge. i really think that sometimes, the bridge makes the song.
8. Welcome to the Jungle-Guns N Roses
ok, ok, the best hard rock song ever is stairway to heaven. but it's not a pop song. welcome to the jungle is the best hard rock pop song. it just is. it goes all over the place, but is still crafted so perfectly into a cohesive whole. and axl rose used to do a mean growl before his face lift froze his vocal cords.
7. Cannonball-The Breeders
there's a reason that this song shows up so much in the background of movies. it's just close to perfect. that sudden shudder of a guitar riff just explodes into energy. (ok, my music imagery is crap.)
6. Deceptacon-Le Tigre
a modern masterpiece. i DARE you not to dance. 1. 2. 3. 4.
5. Burning Up-Madonna
suddenly, people are realizing the genius of madonna's first album. this is easily the high point, both melodically and vocally.
4. In Your Eyes-Peter Gabriel
emotionally powerful, bombastic but tight, and a touch of world music. it just does it for me. i come out of this song emotionally exhausted, in a good way. pop music should be disposable but touch you at the same time. that's what this song does.
3. Last Goodbye-Jeff Buckley
another one of those songs that's somehow all over the place but simultaneously wrapped up in a little bow and presented to you as a perfect whole.
2. I Wanna Be York Lover-Prince
so simple. lyrically, so slick. i don't know why i consider this song pop perfection. i just do. i think it's just a little bite of wonderfulness.
1. UP FOR GRABS -- name your own number one pop song!
i will admit, this list is woefully incomplete because of the exclusion of the beatles (i hardly have any on my hard drive), and the fact that i only allowed one song per artist. and i'll probably totally change my mind tomorrow.