40. Camera Obscura — “Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken” — I was a few albums late to the party, but I loved Camera Obscura the moment I heard the church-organ-turned-pop-instrument intro on this entry. And I loved Tracyanne the first time I heard her voice a few seconds later. 39. Neko Case — “I Wish I Was […]
50. The Bee Gees — “Alone” — I never cared for most the Bee Gees catalogue, but on this tune, the voices and instruments blend beautifully to create one of the most epic sad songs ever recorded. 49. Bruce Springsteen — “No Surrender” — “Maybe we could cut someplace of our own/ With these drums and these guitars.” This […]
2010 finally has its first great movie, and it’s Christopher Nolan’s “Inception.” That shouldn’t be surprising since — now that I think about it — I’ve liked every one of the writer-director’s films: the backward “Memento,” the thriller “Insomnia,” the period-piece magic show “The Prestige,” and the two “Batman” reboot movies. (I actually think “The Dark Knight” is his weakest entry; certainly it’s his most overrated, but […]
60. Keane — “Everybody’s Changing” — Listening to this song, you feel like you could climb those piano notes straight up to heaven. 59. Buffalo Tom — “Scottish Windows” — A beautiful and (appropriately) reflective piece from the deeper-voiced of the two Buffalo Tom singers. 58. The Verve — “Bittersweet Symphony” — No false advertising here: This ’90s classic is exactly […]
70. Hall & Oates — “You Make My Dreams Come True” — I admit it: It’s on my list totally because of how it was used in “(500) Days of Summer.” Not that it was a bad song before that. 69. Bruce Springsteen — “Better Days” — Bruce argues that it doesn’t have to be all downhill after your […]
80. The Beach Boys — “Kokomo” — This was such a ubiquitous hit in 1988 that fourth-grade classmates of mine knew all the words. Overplayed or not, based on a real place or not, it remains a transporting song. 79. davis? — “Back in June” — davis? is the only band where I knew every member personally and […]
90. Sheryl Crow — “I Shall Believe” — I think this song was played during romantic moments on every WB show in the late-’90s. But to me, it’s Max and Liz’s song. I turn off other shows if this song pops up in reference to a different couple. 89. Bruce Springsteen — “Hungry Heart” — Certainly the most beautiful […]
100. The Corrs — “Breathless” — A hook you can’t get out of your head + Three-part Irish sister harmonies = Pure pop bliss. 99. Rehab — “Bartender Song” — A parody of a country song that became a real hit. Ironically. But really. 98. Adele — “Chasing Pavements” — This is one of those songs that sounds so perfect that […]
After a slight delay for technical difficulties with my Internet connection, let us resume the countdown … 110. Joey Ramone — cover of “What a Wonderful World” — A great-sounding cover of a classic song that has itself become a classic. 109. The Wallflowers — “I’ve Been Delivered” — A nice lyrical showcase from Jakob Dylan with a transporting […]
120. Elton John — “Tiny Dancer” — I won’t lie: It’s on my list because of the “Almost Famous” scene. 119. No Doubt — “Spiderwebs” — Remember when people tried to categorize No Doubt as ska? Whatever; this is just a catchy pop tune. 118. Butch Walker — “Trash Day” — Whether it’s trash day in Beverly Hills; Nashville, Tennessee; or […]