A friend alerted me to the upcoming 25th Anniversary Issue of American Songwriter, in which they'll have a section on the best 25 songs of the last 25 years. They've apparently been conducting reader polls, contests, etc., to get everyone's feedback on what those 25 songs should be.
By now you all of you know I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. Hell, I spent an entire summer counting down my top 100 albums of all time, and every music meme that comes my way gets an inordinate amount of attention (while I systematically ignore all the tumultuous personal stuff that's going on in our lives...but more on that another time). So as you can imagine this got me thinking...
It's a tough list. It can only include songs that came out after 1984. All the heavy hitters (Beatles, Dylan, Zeppelin, Stones, etc.) are effectively disqualified. Most of the best punk and new wave albums wouldn't count either. A huge number of the go-to songs you'd immediately think of as among the greatest don't cut it.
Let me put things in perspective for you. Michael Jackson's Thriller came out at the end of 1982. So did Duran Duran's Rio. Pyromania was in 1983, the same year the The Police broke up. None are eligible. Feel old now?
So I'm starting a meme. I'm going to publish my top 25 songs of the last 25 years, and I want you guys to do the same on your blogs (and link back to here so I know you've done it!) Let's see what a bunch of old farts like us come back with.
So to kick things off, I'm offering up #25-16 on my list, in no particular order. Next will be #15-6, and I'll end with my top 5 next week. I'm imposing a rule on myself which limits one song per artist (otherwise Appetite for Destruction would take up half the list). It's a personal list (i.e. my favorites) but factors such as success, influence, state of the world at the time, and overall song quality are all part of it. I personally can't wait to see all of yours.
Here we go...the first ten...
Robyn Hitchcock - Balloon Man
via videosift.com
Hoodoo Gurus - Bittersweet
Young MC - Bust a Move
Garth Brooks - Friends in Low Places
MARRS - Pump Up the Volume
U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
INXS - Need You Tonight
Blind Melon - No Rain
Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart
What do you think so far? Are any of these on your lists? And don't get all up in my grill about omitted songs until I get through the next 15...stay tuned...
Thank you for providing me with an excuse to talk about music. I'll have to give this some thought...
(Deee-Lite? Really?)
Posted by: TwoBusy | May 27, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Yes, Deee-Lite. And before anyone else says it...yes, Garth Brooks.
Can't wait to see everyone's list. Think hard...there are a lot of worthy songs that just miss the cut...
Posted by: croutonboy | May 27, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Hmm...interesting list so far. And the correct response to the first comment is "HELL YES, DEEE-LITE!" I'm so glad you have them on your list, lol. This is why you're awesome.
Posted by: TheOtherCW | May 27, 2009 at 10:16 PM
"It can only include songs that came out after 1984."
I'm admittedly a child of the 80s and 90s, so this doesn't seem too difficult. Narrowing it down would be harder.
Posted by: Kathy | May 28, 2009 at 05:12 PM
And thus, you are the tiny snowflake that started the avalanche. It's back to the blog for me after what- a yearish? Longer?
I am powerless against the music meme.
Posted by: Kara | May 29, 2009 at 08:26 PM
Blind Melon might make my list. Love that song.
Actually, I think cutting it off until 1984 might make it easier. Except for missing the punk. I dig the punk.
Posted by: the weirdgirl | May 30, 2009 at 08:24 PM
Awesome list so far. Can't wait for the rest.
Now, since the time period specified basically takes place after the MTV revolution, my one question to you is this: is the song's music video a factor in your choices? My assumption that your balanced scorecard takes this into account.
I would love to see your final list, and a list that lists your top 25 MUSIC VIDEOS of the last 25 years and compare.
Posted by: felix | May 30, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Wow, ambitious project.
As a Texan who heard the song way too many times in high school, I can't follow you down the Friends In Low Places road. It makes me twitch.
Posted by: Holmes | June 01, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I have been thinking about this for three days now.
This is hard!
Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah | June 04, 2009 at 06:33 AM