I looked it up and the Rolling Stone greatest song list top ten had four songs by Black artists on their 2010 list; now, six songs, including the top three spots (and, coming out of nowhere, “Fight the Power” at 2), on the 2021 list. I remain at four. But I applaud their wokeness. And must admit I still find this “greatest” songs question fascinating: … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Jack Thompson

In considering my 50 favorite songs I figured I would first have to figure out what would qualify a song to be a favorite and worthy of being on the list, and in the end I decided to include songs that somehow effect me on an emotional level. When I truly love a song I play it repeatedly almost as if I’m trying to memorize … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Sean Pressley

These aren’t what I think are the 50 best songs in the world, but the 50 songs that I like the most, which is a different thing. Every time I hear these songs, they grab hold of me, whether in the head, heart, groin, or feet (or some combination thereof). They make me think, or feel, or dance, or sing along, or jump and shout, … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Howard Druckman

I only saw the Rolling Stone list for the first time today (October 12). What alerted me, a couple of weeks ago, to its existence was Robert Christgau and his wife Carola Dibbell’s ballots, which they posted on Christgau’s And It Don’t Stop blog around when the Rolling Stone list was published. (I always find individual lists more interesting than general ones.) As with the … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Tim Powis

1. Europe’s Society Orchestra: “Down Home Rag” (Victor, 1914) – Vernon and Irene Castle won’t dance, don’t ask them. 2. Nelstone’s Hawaiians: “Fatal Flower Garden” (Victor, 1930) – The folk process preserved on shellac. An obscure Alabama duo forget crucial verses of the centuries-old “Sir Hugh” tale and lay down the weirdest dispatch from the Old, Weird America. 3. Lil McClintock: “Don’t Think I’m Santa … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Kevin John Bozelka

Beatles, “Let It Be” (1970) John Lennon, “Imagine” (1971) Rolling Stones, “Angie” (1973) Rolling Stones, “Time Waits For No One” (1974) Bob Dylan, “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965) The Velvet Underground, “Rock and Roll” (1970) Lou Reed, “Walk On The Wild Side” (1972) Fred Neil, “The Dolphins” (1966) Tim Buckley, “Once I Was” (1967) Van Morrison, “Astral Weeks” (1968) Richie Havens, “Follow” (1966) Joan Armatrading, “Down … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Anthe Rhodes-Liuzzo

1977-2011 I’m not here to argue what does/doesn’t constitute a genuine single, radio hit, focus track, what have you. Basically, what I most wanted to honor, as such, is the reality of actually lived pop pleasure in my own humble—and relatively conscious—existence. Hence, my decision to limit myself to singles that had some kinda genuinely profound influence on my listening time, thought processes, etc. at … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Ioannis Sotirchos

After hours of painstaking research and reflection this is where I landed. 50 songs pulled from decades past, each a perpetual favorite. As a proud member of the streaming generation, it seems only right that my list is a melting pot of one-hit wonders and Pitchfork-approved perfect 10s. Common themes include: big guitars, big emotions and big drums. —>Spotify playlist<— 1. "Give Yourself A Try" … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Ethan Sawyer

Organized chronologically, not only because it saves me the agony of ranking, but also because it gives the illusion of a narrative. Also, it allowed me to do something cute with the side-by-side pairing of #40-41; you probably do not need to have heard the Emm Gyner song to get it, but listen to it anyway. The organization also allows the list to grow less … Continue reading Top 50 Favourite Songs: Jeremy Fairall