Friday, February 10, 2012

My Fav 1,000 Songs 1 - 100

This is a list of the what I consider to be the best songs ever created. That single handed change the shape of music for generations to come. In the next posts you will start to see what I consider the greatest songs ever wrote and recorded. These songs are in no particular order. These songs are from the turn of the 20th century until today. This will be in parts so look back often for future updates. This post is meant to stimulate and evoke comment. Maybe you will remember some of your favorite songs and listen to them again. Maybe you will see new songs that become your favorite new songs. However, I hope you enjoy this blog posting and thanks for looking. Long live music!


In no particular order. Each song is accompanied by it's album cover or if no album is available single, sheet music or record label picture. Thanks and enjoy the posts. Feedback is welcomed. However, disagreements are allowed but please be nice and no foul or lewd language.  


1. Gene Austin - Bye Bye Blackbird
2. Abba - Waterloo

3. Al Jolson - You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
This is the first recorded version from 1913 however, most people remember Judy Garland's Version.
Wikipedia: 
Roger Edens wrote additional lyrics to the song for Judy Garland. The new lyrics cast Garland in the role of a teenage fan of Clark Gable. Garland sang the song to Gable at a birthday party thrown for him by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. MGM executives were so charmed by her rendition that she and the song were added to the film Broadway Melody of 1938. Garland recorded the "Gable" version on September 24, 1937. It was released on Decca 1463. MGM released the song as a b-side in 1939, opposite Garland's recording of "Over the Rainbow" for The Wizard of Oz.

4. Anne Murray - Snowbird 
5. Art Reynolds Singers - Jesus Is Just Alright 
(Original Version as made more famous later by versions from The Byrds and The Doobie Brothers)
6. Billy Stewart - Summertime
7. Charles Wright & The 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Express Yourself 
8. Cliff Edwards - Singing In The Rain 
Wikipedia: 
Singing in the Rain was first performed by Doris Eaton Travis in the 1929 revue The Hollywood Music Box Revue. The song became a hit and was recorded by a number of artists, notably Cliff Edwards, who also performed the number with the Brox Sisters in the early MGM musical The Hollywood Revue of 1929. The song is probably best known today as the centerpiece of the musical film Singin' in the Rain (1952), in which Gene Kelly memorably danced to the song while splashing through puddles during a rainstorm. The song is also performed during the opening credits of the film.
9. Cowboy Church Sunday School - Open Up Your Heart (And Let the Sunshine In) 
Wikipedia: 
The biggest hit version in the United States was a recording by the Cowboy Church Sunday School (peaking at #8 on the Billboard charts). 
When the Cowboy Church Sunday School version is played at normal speed, 45 rpm, the vocal sounds unnaturally high. When played at 33⅓ rpm the vocal sounds more natural. In fact the song was recorded at that speed by Stuart Hamblen's wife and adult daughters, so that when played at 45rpm it sounds as if it is being sung by children.
Wikipedia:
The most famous recording of this song for baby-boomers featured Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm on The Flintstones "No Biz Like Show Biz" episode (which originally aired September 17, 1965). The clip of the them performing this song was sometimes played during the closing credits in the show's final season (1965-1966), this episode being the opener of that season. Although Pebbles and Bamm Bamm went on to form a rock band as teenagers in the 1970s, they never approached the classic heights of their infant tune[1]. The Flintstones version of the song was stripped of some its religious lyrics for inclusion in the show. Original vocals were provided by Rebecca Page (as Pebbles) and her mother Ricky Page (as Bamm Bamm), who later became "The Bermudas" and then "The Majorettes". They were managed by George Motola, who was Ricky's husband. 
10. Deniece Williams - Free
11. Adiemus - Adiemus
Lyrics:
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.......
Ariadiamus late ariadiamus da
ari a natus ave adua


A-ra-va-re tu-e va-te
a-ra-va-re tu-e va-te
a-ra-va-re tu-e va-te la-te-a


A-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la
(ah_______________)
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la________
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_____
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_____
a-ya doo a-ye
a-ya doo a-ye
(go back to begnining)


a-ri-a-di-a-mus la-te
a-ri-a-di-a-mus da
a-i-a na-tus la-te a-du-a.


A-ra-va-re tu-e va-te
a-ra-va-re tu-e va-te
a-ra-va-re tu-e va-te la-te-a.


A-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la
(ah_______________)
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la________
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_____
a-na-ma-na coo-le ra-we a-ka-la
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_____


a-ya doo a-ye
a-ya doo a-ya_________


ya-ka-ma ya-ma-ya-ka-ya me-ma
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_______
ya-ka-ma ya-ma-ya-ka-ya me-ma
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_______
ya----ka--ma me--ah_________
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_______
a-ya-coo-ah-eh_______
ya----ka--ma me--ah
a-ya-coo-ah-eh

12. Aerosmith - Dream On 

13. Artists For Haiti - We Are The World 25 For Haiti 
Feat. Soloists (in order of appearance):
Justin Bieber
Nicole Scherzinger 
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Nettles
Josh Groban
Tony Bennett
Mary J. Blige
Michael Jackson (stock footage)
Janet Jackson
Barbra Streisand
Miley Cyrus
Enrique Iglesias
Jamie Foxx
Wyclef Jean
Adam Levine
Pink
BeBe Winans
Usher
Celine Dion
Orianthi (on guitar)
Fergie
Nick Jonas
Toni Braxton
Mary Mary
Isaac Slade
Carlos Santana (on guitar)
Lil Wayne
Akon
T-Pain
Jamie Foxx (Impersonation of Ray Charles)
LL Cool J (rap)
Will.i.am (rap)
Snoop Dogg (rap)
Nipsey Hussle (rap)
Busta Rhymes (rap)
Swizz Beatz (rap)
Kid Cudi (rap)
Mann (rap)
Kanye West (rap)
14. Barry McGuire - Eve Of Destruction
15. Don McLean - American Pie
Wikipedia: 
The song is a recounting of "The Day the Music Died" — the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper (Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr.)—and the aftermath. 
16. Frank Sinatra - My Way 
17. Freda Payne - Band Of Gold 
18. Jimmy Cliff - Wild World 
19. Phoebe Snow - Poetry Man 
20. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 
21. Pine Ridge Boys - You Are My Sunshine
22. Randy Crawford - One Day I'll Fly Away
23. Sammy Davis Jr. - Candyman
24. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
25. Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
26. Suzanne Vega - Luka 
Wikipedia: 
This song was one of the earliest to deal with child abuse and domestic violence. One critic said, "the 'happy' music is a metaphorical denial, making this seem beautiful and serene while discussing something terrible and devastating. It is a wonderful use of tune as a metaphor for how many abuse victims also deny their abuse, and is a profound classic".
27. TLC - Waterfalls
28. USA For Africa - We Are The World 
Feat. 
Soloists (in order of appearance)
Lionel Richie
Stevie Wonder
Paul Simon
Kenny Rogers
James Ingram
Tina Turner
Billy Joel
Michael Jackson
Diana Ross
Dionne Warwick
Willie Nelson
Al Jarreau
Bruce Springsteen
Kenny Loggins
Steve Perry
Daryl Hall
Huey Lewis
Cyndi Lauper
Kim Carnes
Bob Dylan
Ray Charles


Chorus/Choir
Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
Mario Cipollina
Johnny Colla
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Bill Gibson
Chris Hayes
Sean Hopper
Jackie Jackson
La Toya Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Randy Jackson
Tito Jackson
Waylon Jennings
Bette Midler
John Oates
Jeffrey Osborne
Anita Pointer
June Pointer
Ruth Pointer
Smokey Robinson
29. Voices That Care - Voices That Care
Feat. Soloists (in order of appearance)

Ralph Tresvant
Randy Travis
Celine Dion
Peter Cetera
Bobby Brown
Brenda Russell
Jani Lane (Warrant)
Luther Vandross
Garth Brooks
Kathy Mattea
Gunnar & Matthew Nelson
Michael Bolton
Pointer Sisters
Little Richard
Will Smith (The Fresh Prince)
Mark Knopfler — Guitar solo
Kenny G — Saxophone solo
Warren Wiebe


Chorus/Choir 
Alyssa Milano
Marcus Allen
Paul Anka
Catherine Bach
Brian Bosworth
Downtown Julie Brown
Jimmy Buffett
Gary Busey
Nell Carter
David Cassidy
Peter Cetera
Chevy Chase
Candy Clark
Clarence Clemons
Kevin Costner
Cindy Crawford
Billy Crystal
Ted Danson
Rick Dees
Micky Dolenz
Clyde Drexler
Sheena Easton
Sally Field
Richard Gere
Deborah Gibson
Whoopi Goldberg
Wayne Gretzky
Harry Hamlin
Mariel Hemingway
Marilu Henner
Orel Hershiser
Al Jarreau
Magic Johnson
Tommy Lee Jones
Michael Jordan
Carol Kane
Joanna Kerns
Don King
Mark Knopfler
Martin Kove
Jon Lovitz
Ali MacGraw
Melissa Manchester
Peter Max
Dudley Moore
Jeffrey Osborne
Donny Osmond
Michelle Pfeiffer
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Louis Cordero
Ahmad Rashad
Helen Reddy
David Robinson
Paul Rodriguez
Kenny Rogers
Kurt Russell
Katey Sagal
Fred Savage
Jane Seymour
William Shatner
Nicollette Sheridan
Brooke Shields
Sissy Spacek
Stephen Stills
Meryl Streep
Alan Thicke
Linda Thompson
Tiffany
Michael Tucker
Mike Tyson
Blair Underwood
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Lindsay Wagner
Dominique Wilkins
Billy Dee Williams
Warrant
Paul Williams
Henry Winkler
James Woods
Gary Wright
30. West Coast Rap All-Stars - Were All In The Same Gang 
Produced by Dr. Dre 
Featuring rapped verses from:
King Tee
Body & Soul (including Dee Barnes)
Def Jef
Michel'le
Tone-Loc
Above the Law
Ice-T
Dr. Dre, MC Ren and Eazy-E of N.W.A
J.J. Fad
Young MC
Digital Underground (Money-B and Shock G/Humpty Hump)
Oaktown's 3.5.7
MC Hammer
31. Stop The Violence Movement - Self Destruction 

Self-Destruction was produced by KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions (Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad is credited as an associate producer), 
Feat. rapped verses from:
Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie)
Stetsasonic (Delite, Daddy-O, Wise & Frukwan)
Kool Moe Dee
MC Lyte
Doug E. Fresh
Just-Ice
Heavy D
Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav)
32. Temptations - Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
33. White Lion - When The Children Cry 
34. Eagles - Hotel California
35. Peter, Paul & Mary - Puff (a.k.a. Puff The Magic Dragon)
36. Deep Forest - Sweet  Lullaby
What the lyrics of "Sweet Lullaby" say and mean. 


O angi si nau boroi amu
Ni ma oe e fasi korona
Dolali dasa na, lao dai afuimae
Afuta guau mauri, Afuta wela inomae

Sasi sasi ae o angisi nau
Boroi nima oe e fasi koro na
Dolali dasa na, lao dai afuimae
Afuta guau mauri, Afuta wela inomae

Young brother, young brother you be quiet
Although you are crying to me
Your father has left us
He has gone to the place of the dead
Protect the head of the living, Protect the orphan child

Young brother, young brother hey? although you are crying to me
Your father has left us
He has gone to the place of the dead
Protect the head of the living, protect the orphan child

37. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Love Child
38. Dion - Abraham, Martin & John 
This song is about , Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. It was written as a response to the assassinations of Martin Luther King and the younger John F. Kennedy in April and June 1968.
39. Alan Parsons Project - Time 
40. Dionne Warwick & Friends - That's What Friends Are For
This song is sung with Elton John, Stevie Wonder & Gladys Knight. It was recorded as a benefit for American Foundation for AIDS Research. Billboard's number one single of 1986.
41. Louis Armstrong - Wonderful World 
42. Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land
 
                           (Not Original Album Cover)

43. The New Seekers - I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony)
44. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven
45. Peace Choir - Give Peace A Chance(1991) 
Feat. 
Amina, 
Adam Ant, 
Sebastian Bach, 
Bros,
Felix Cavaliere, 
Terence Trent D'Arby, 
Flea, 
John Frusciante, 
Peter Gabriel, 
Kadeem Hardison, 
Ofra Haza, 
Joe Higgs, 
Bruce Hornsby, 
Lee Jaffe, 
Al Jarreau, 
Jazzie B, 
Davey Johnstone, 
Lenny Kravitz, 
Cyndi Lauper, 
Sean Ono Lennon,
Little Richard, 
LL Cool J, 
MC Hammer, 
Michael McDonald, 
Duff McKagan, 
Alannah Myles, 
New Voices of Freedom, 
Randy Newman, 
Tom Petty, 
Iggy Pop, 
Q-Tip, 
Bonnie Raitt, 
Run (of Run DMC), 
Dave Stewart, 
Teena Marie, 
Little Steven Van Zandt, 
Don Was, 
Wendy & Lisa, 
Ahmet Zappa, 
Dweezil Zappa, and 
Moon Unit Zappa. 
This single was in response to the Gulf War.
46. Ocean - Put Your Hand In The Hand 
Anne Murray recorded it first however, this version is more widely known reaching number 2 on the billboard charts in 1971. 
47. Ray Charles - Bein' Green
Wikipedia:
Written by Joe Raposo in 1970 for the first season of the children's television program Sesame Street. It was originally performed by Kermit the Frog. On Charles'1975 album Renaissance did this version gained popularity thanks to an episode of The Cosby Show. Charles then sang a duet with Kermit on Sesame Street and The Cher Show and also sang the song on the 1989 special Sesame Street… 20 Years & Still Counting.

48. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
49. Peter, Paul & Mary - If I Had A Hammer 
50. Mary Hopkin - Those Were The Days
51. Judy Garland - Over The Rainbow
52. Jackie DeShannon - What The World Needs Now Is Love
53. Brotherhood of Man - United We Stand 
54. The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever
55. Journey - Open Arms 
56. John Fogerty - Centerfield
57. Edward Meeker - Take Me Out to The Ballgame 
(Photo From Original 1908 Wax Cylinder Recording)
58. Terry Cashman - Willie, Mickey & "The Duke" (Talkin' Baseball) 
59. Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
60. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
61. Brady Bunch - We Can Make The World A Whole Lot Brighter 
Originally recorded by Gravy but made popular by being included in an episode of the Brady Bunch and on the album Meet The Brady Bunch. 
62. Cyndi Grecco Feat. The Ron Hicklin Singers - Making Our Dreams Come True 
(Theme From The TV Sitcom Series: Laverene & Shirley)
63. Ray Stevens - Everything Is Beautiful 
64. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder - Ebony & Ivory
65. Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror 
66. Edwin Starr - War 
67. Country Joe & The Fish - I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag (Live)
68. Frank Sinatra - High Hopes 
69. Dean Martin - Everybody Loves Somebody 
70. Dean Martin - I'll Be Seeing You 
71. 5 Royales - Dedicated To The One I Love
(Original Version made popular later by The Mama's & The Papa's)
72. Billy Joel - Piano Man 
73. Tony Bennett - The Good Life
74. M*A*S*H (John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Ron Hicklin & Ian Freebairn-Smith) - Suicide  Is Painless (Theme from the film M*A*S*H)
75. Al Hibbler - Unchained Melody 
(Original Version for the film Unchained. Later made popular by The Righteous Brothers)
76. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
77. Aretha Franklin - Respect
Wikipedia: 
Respect is a song written and originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. "Respect" became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few minor changes in the lyrics, the stories told by the songs have a different flavor. Redding's version is a plea from a desperate man who will give his woman anything she wants. He won't care if she does him wrong, as long as he gets his due respect when he comes home ("respect" being a euphemism). However, Franklin's version is a declaration from a strong, confident woman who knows that she has everything her man wants. She never does him wrong, and demands his "respect". Franklin's version adds the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" chorus and the backup singers' refrain of "Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me..." Franklin's cover was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered as one of the best songs of the R&B era, earning her two Grammy Awards in 1968 for "Best Rhythm & Blues Recording" and "Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female", and was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin's version by adding it to the National Recording Registry. It is number five on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[1] It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. 
78. Bing Crosby - Swinging On A Star
Wikipedia: 
Swinging on a Star is an American pop standard with music composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was sung by Bing Crosby in the 1944 film Going My Way, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song that year. The first recording of Swinging on a Star took place in Los Angeles on February 7, 1944, released by Decca Records. The Williams Brothers quartet, including Andy Williams, sang backup vocals to Crosby.
79. Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers with Paul Weston's Orchestra - 
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive 
Wikipedia: 
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive is a popular song with the music written by Harold Arlen and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer. This song was published in 1944. It is sung in the style of a sermon, and explains that accentuating the positive as the key to happiness. In describing his inspirations for the lyric, Mercer told the Pop Chronicles radio documentary "I went to hear Father Divine and he had a sermon and his subject was 'you got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.' And I said 'Wow, that's a colorful phrase!' 
Mercer recorded the song, with The Pied Pipers and Paul Weston's orchestra, on October 4, 1944, and it was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 180. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on January 4, 1945 and lasted 13 weeks on the chart, peaking at number 2. Within a matter of weeks, several other recordings of the song were released by other well-known artists: Bing Crosby's being the most popular as sung in his film Here Come The Waves (1944)

80. Bob Dylan - Blowin In The Wind
81. Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy
82. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
83. Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home
84. Guns N Roses - November Rain 
85. Annie (Aileen Quinn) - Tomorrow
86. Boyz II Men - End Of The Road
Wikipedia: 
Originally recorded as a soundtrack song for the Eddie Murphy motion picture Boomerang, the song (themed about a breakup where the man really doesn't want the woman to go) topped the charts from August 15 through November 7, 1992, setting a record for most weeks at number one with 13 weeks, beating Elvis Presley's 11-week hold with "Hound Dog" / "Don't Be Cruel". Presley's record had stood 36 years.

87. G.C. Cameron - It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday 
(Original version form the film Cooley High which was the basis for the TV series What's Happening.) This song later became famous as Boyz II Men recorded it for their manager that had passed away and included it in their album Cooleyhighharmony. 
88. Garth Brooks - The Thunder Rolls 
I am not a country fan and even less a Garth Brooks fan but this song is just so well done. Real music will transcend boundaries placed on them by musicians or record companies. 
89. George Harrison - Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
90. John Lennon - Imagine
91. Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street 
92. Pete Seeger -What Did You Learn In School Today? (Live)
Originally by Tom Paxton but the most recognized version is the highly popular version here
93. Pete Seeger - We Shall Overcome (Live) (The best version)
Wikipedia: 
We Shall Overcome is a protest song that became a key anthem of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968). The title and structure of the song are derived from an early gospel song, "I'll Overcome Someday", by African-American composer Charles Albert Tindley. The song was published in 1947 as "We Will Overcome" in the People's Songs Bulletin (a publication of People's Songs, an organization of which Pete Seeger was the director and guiding spirit). It appeared in the bulletin as a contribution of and with an introduction by Zilphia Horton, then music director of the Highlander Folk School of Monteagle, Tennessee, an adult education school that trained union organizers. It was her favorite song and she taught to countless others, including Pete Seeger, who included it in his repertoire. 


94. Highwaymen - Michael (aka as Michael Row Your Boat Ashore)
Wikipedia: 
The American folk quintet The Highwaymen had a number-one hit on both the pop and easy listening" charts in the U.S. with it (under the simpler title of "Michael") in 1961; this version also went to #1 in the United Kingdom.
Michael, Row the Boat Ashore (or Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore or Michael Row That Gospel Boat) is an African-American spiritual. It was first noted during the American Civil War at St. Helena Island, one of the Sea Islands of South Carolina. It was sung by former slaves whose owners had abandoned the island before the Union navy would arrive to enforce a blockade. Charles Pickard Ware, an abolitionist and Harvard graduate who had come to supervise the plantations on St. Helena Island from 1862 to 1865, wrote the song down in music notation as he heard the freedmen sing it. Ware's cousin, William Francis Allen reported in 1863 that while he rode in a boat across Station Creek, the former slaves sang the song as they rowed. The song was first published in Slave Songs of the United States, by Allen, Ware, and Lucy McKim Garrison, in 1867.
95. Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
96. Inkspots - If I Didn't Care
Became the signature tune for Redd Foxx to sing as Fred G. Sanford on Sanford and Son.
97. Irene Cara - Fame 
98. Jackson 5 - I'll Be There 
99. Kanye West - Jesus Walks 
100. Jim Croce - Time In A Bottle

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