We have all seen lists along the lines of, “These are the 25 best songs of all time!” This is not that type of list. I would not presume to make that kind of a sweeping declarative assessment, mainly because music is intensely personal. One person’s list of favorite songs is profoundly shaped by their own tastes, experiences, and circumstances. What I do offer here, though, is a window into one music lover’s soul (mine).
What I give you here are the most important 25 songs in my life: one, solitary Gen X, American-born male. The songs range in date of release from 1968 — eight years before my birth — to 2009, by which time I had reached my early 30s. These are the songs that comprise the soundtrack of one life (so far). There are definitely enough additional songs, released since 2009, streaming in my head all the time to fill a whole separate list. However, that is for another day.
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Below are the 25 songs that have played on repeat in my soul for decades. They are the ones I cannot turn off when I hear them playing somewhere. They are the songs welded to which are over 30 years of memories and experiences. They are not the “greatest songs ever written” (although some undoubtedly are), but rather, they are just the songs that have had the most impact on my life — one person to whom music is as essential as food and water. They are also most definitely the songs I have listened to the most over my 46 years.
These are Fru’s 25 songs. What are yours?
25. “Estoy Aqui” – Shakira, Pies Descalzos (1995). Joy, dancing, and uplift, all in a heartbreak song.
24. “Trani” – Kings of Leon, Youth and Young Manhood (2003). Gritty, southern goth-rock.
23. “Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise” – The Avett Brothers, I and Love and You (2009). As always with the Avetts, inspiration and uplift.
22. “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” – The Hollies (1969). Humanity, man.
21. “Making Friends” – Lagwagon, Double Plaidinum (1997). Strident, defiant punk.
20. “Going Away to College” – Blink-182, Enema of the State (1999). Sophomoric, poignant punk.
19. “Why Georgia” – John Mayer, Room for Squares (2001). Growing up, man.
18. “The Last Resort” – The Eagles, Hotel California (1976). Sweeping California rock gold.
17. “Linoleum” – NOFX, Punk in Drublic (1994). More defiant punk.
16. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – Elton John, Honkey Chateau (1972). Elton and Bernie at their best.
15. “All these Things that I’ve Done” – The Killers, Hot Fuss (2004). These changes ain’t changing me.
14. “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine, self-titled (1992). Rage.
13. “Time” – Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973). It passes, man, constantly.
12. “Fairytale of New York” – The Pogues, If I Should Fall From Grace with God (1988). A relationship plays out in a song.
11. “When My Time Comes” – Dawes, North Hills (2009). Growing up, becoming wiser.
10. “Thunder Road” – Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run (1975). Rock poetry.
9. “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes” – Paul Simon, Graceland (1986). She’s a rich girl, she don’t try to hide it.
8. “Let it Be” – The Beatles, Let it Be (1970). Classic.
7. “Best of All Possible Worlds” – Kris Kristofferson, Kristofferson (1970). Playful debauchery, in a song.
6. “Black” – Pearl Jam, Ten (1991). Soulful grunge poetry.
5. “One” – U2, Achtung Baby (1991). Their opus.
4. “Tin Cup Chalice” – Jimmy Buffett, A1A (1974). Escape, in a song.
3. “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits, self-titled (1978). A timeless masterpiece.
2. “The Weight” – The Band, Music from Big Pink (1968). The disparate lives and characters.
1. “Night Moves” – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Night Moves (1976). Burning adolescence captured perfectly in song.
Feature Image: Dire Straits performing “Sultans of Swing” at Top of the Pops, 1977. (Youtube)
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Fru, 1-3 are like Pure Gold (was looking for for Ripple) 👀🤷♂️unfortunately the rest are ..Not!
I must admit to being a Boomer however I underestimated you on your Range of music. 🙏🏻👍🏴☠️.
Well Done!