My Sharona (1979)
The Knack
Rating: 4.7
With an inspired instrumental break and clever lyrics, "My Sharona" is truly addictive. Though you may not have the highest opinion of the vocals, the very beginning of the song has such a successful hook that makes the vocals seem like the cherry on top.
I don't listen to The Knack too often, but this will always be the song I associate with them, no matter what happens. This song is so upbeat and catchy, and it always cheers me up. If you have never heard this song before, you are missing out!
(Side note: unfortunately, this song isn't one of the main 1001, which is odd.)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Ring My Bell-Anita Ward
Ring My Bell (1979)
Anita Ward
Rating: 3.6
I must admit, I am not a great fan of Anita Ward's vocals; however, she did know how to write a fairly good disco tune. Of course, this being disco (and the 1970's), this isn't a purely innocent song about a visit from the neighbors. The title, "Ring My Bell," is simply a euphemism for a common song topic-having sex. Listen to the lyrics very carefully, and you'll find it to be true; I hadn't listened to this song for a few years, and I was thrown off when I actually figured out what this song was really talking about.
Though I find this song hard to listen to multiple times in a row, it's insanely catchy with a strong back beat, and I can't help singing along with the simple chorus every time it pops up.
(Side note-this isn't one of the main 1001)
Anita Ward
Rating: 3.6
I must admit, I am not a great fan of Anita Ward's vocals; however, she did know how to write a fairly good disco tune. Of course, this being disco (and the 1970's), this isn't a purely innocent song about a visit from the neighbors. The title, "Ring My Bell," is simply a euphemism for a common song topic-having sex. Listen to the lyrics very carefully, and you'll find it to be true; I hadn't listened to this song for a few years, and I was thrown off when I actually figured out what this song was really talking about.
Though I find this song hard to listen to multiple times in a row, it's insanely catchy with a strong back beat, and I can't help singing along with the simple chorus every time it pops up.
(Side note-this isn't one of the main 1001)
Ne Me Quitte Pas-Jacques Brel
Ne Me Quitte Pas (1959)
Jacques Brel
Rating: 4.8
"Ne Me Quitte Pas" is a beautifully written French song written from the point of view of a man begging the one he loves to stay with him; as the song goes on, the pleas become more and more desperate and demeaning: "Let me become/the shadow of your shadow/the shadow of your hand/the shadow of your dog/do not leave me."
Jacques Brel has a haunting voice that is extremely hard to shake off, no many how many times you may have listened to his music. Even if you don't understand French, you can easily decipher the feeling of the lyrics; Brel has a lot of skill in expressing his emotions while he is singing. This song is definitely worth listening to!
(Side note: this is one of the main 1001)
Jacques Brel
Rating: 4.8
"Ne Me Quitte Pas" is a beautifully written French song written from the point of view of a man begging the one he loves to stay with him; as the song goes on, the pleas become more and more desperate and demeaning: "Let me become/the shadow of your shadow/the shadow of your hand/the shadow of your dog/do not leave me."
Jacques Brel has a haunting voice that is extremely hard to shake off, no many how many times you may have listened to his music. Even if you don't understand French, you can easily decipher the feeling of the lyrics; Brel has a lot of skill in expressing his emotions while he is singing. This song is definitely worth listening to!
(Side note: this is one of the main 1001)
Mickey-Toni Basil
Mickey (1982)
Toni Basil
Rating: 3.8
Though "Mickey" is anyone's obvious choice for a list of one-hit wonders, I find that there's more to this song than a peppy cheerleading video and a simple chorus. The lyrics are actually extremely sneaky and cleverly written.
Take the second verse, for example: "When you take me by the WHO's ever gonna know?/every time you move, I let a little more show/there's something we can use, so don't say no, Mickey!/So come on and give it to me anyway you can/anyway you want to do it/I'll take it like a man/Oh, please baby, please/don't leave me in the damn, Mickey!"
Considering this song was played on the radio and on TV a lot, making it past the censors rather successfully, I'm surprised by how blatantly obvious these lyrics are. However, that only makes me respect this song even more.
(Side note: this is one of the main 1001. Well done, Toni Basil.)
Toni Basil
Rating: 3.8
Though "Mickey" is anyone's obvious choice for a list of one-hit wonders, I find that there's more to this song than a peppy cheerleading video and a simple chorus. The lyrics are actually extremely sneaky and cleverly written.
Take the second verse, for example: "When you take me by the WHO's ever gonna know?/every time you move, I let a little more show/there's something we can use, so don't say no, Mickey!/So come on and give it to me anyway you can/anyway you want to do it/I'll take it like a man/Oh, please baby, please/don't leave me in the damn, Mickey!"
Considering this song was played on the radio and on TV a lot, making it past the censors rather successfully, I'm surprised by how blatantly obvious these lyrics are. However, that only makes me respect this song even more.
(Side note: this is one of the main 1001. Well done, Toni Basil.)
Monday, October 17, 2011
White Room-Cream
White Room (1968)
Cream
Rating: 5.0
I find "White Room" to be the epitome of classic rock; beautifully simple lyrics and vocals, gorgeous guitar parts, and well-written bass and drum parts. Though this song wasn't chosen to be one of the main 1,001 songs, it really doesn't need to be-it can hold its own against all the others.
Cream is a good band, but there is something so pure and perfect about this song as a whole that I felt compelled to give it my first perfect rating. To give "White Room" anything less than a 5.0 would be unimaginable.
Cream
Rating: 5.0
I find "White Room" to be the epitome of classic rock; beautifully simple lyrics and vocals, gorgeous guitar parts, and well-written bass and drum parts. Though this song wasn't chosen to be one of the main 1,001 songs, it really doesn't need to be-it can hold its own against all the others.
Cream is a good band, but there is something so pure and perfect about this song as a whole that I felt compelled to give it my first perfect rating. To give "White Room" anything less than a 5.0 would be unimaginable.
Kings and Queens-30 Seconds to Mars
Kings and Queens (2009)
30 Seconds to Mars
Rating: 3.5
"Kings and Queens" leaves something to be desired. After large build-ups to various repetitions of the chorus, even Jared Leto's piercing vocals don't really captivate my ear. I find it odd that this is the only song by 30 Seconds to Mars that was chosen by this book, especially when it doesn't showcase the band's abilities very much at all. (At least it's not one of the main 1001.)
I find the ending very disappointing as well, what with the random addition of the band's fans singing along. Though the song is upbeat, and the lyrics beautiful (and slightly depressing-"Into the night/desperate and broken/the sound of a fight/Father has spoken"), I just couldn't bring myself to like this song as much as I have liked past songs by 30 Seconds to Mars.
30 Seconds to Mars
Rating: 3.5
"Kings and Queens" leaves something to be desired. After large build-ups to various repetitions of the chorus, even Jared Leto's piercing vocals don't really captivate my ear. I find it odd that this is the only song by 30 Seconds to Mars that was chosen by this book, especially when it doesn't showcase the band's abilities very much at all. (At least it's not one of the main 1001.)
I find the ending very disappointing as well, what with the random addition of the band's fans singing along. Though the song is upbeat, and the lyrics beautiful (and slightly depressing-"Into the night/desperate and broken/the sound of a fight/Father has spoken"), I just couldn't bring myself to like this song as much as I have liked past songs by 30 Seconds to Mars.
Ms. Jackson-OutKast
Ms. Jackson (2001)
OutKast
Rating: 4.7
"Ms. Jackson" is a song from a man who has recently divorced his wife; the song is about (and, at times, dedicated to) his ex-mother-in-law, as you can tell by the chorus: "Never meant to make your daughter cry; I apologize a trillion times."
The chorus is well done, and the rap is cleverly written (especially the last "verse"). Though OutKast is usually judged by their breakaway hit "Hey Ya", I truly believe that this song is even better. I only wish that OutKast would have stuck around in the music world for a little bit longer before they vanished so quickly.
(Side note: I am happy to say that this song IS one of the main 1001.)
OutKast
Rating: 4.7
"Ms. Jackson" is a song from a man who has recently divorced his wife; the song is about (and, at times, dedicated to) his ex-mother-in-law, as you can tell by the chorus: "Never meant to make your daughter cry; I apologize a trillion times."
The chorus is well done, and the rap is cleverly written (especially the last "verse"). Though OutKast is usually judged by their breakaway hit "Hey Ya", I truly believe that this song is even better. I only wish that OutKast would have stuck around in the music world for a little bit longer before they vanished so quickly.
(Side note: I am happy to say that this song IS one of the main 1001.)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Are You That Somebody?-Aaliyah
Are You That Somebody? (1998)
Aaliyah
Rating: 4.7
Aaliyah has such a beautiful voice; it's unfair that she was taken away from the world so soon.
This song has a really strong back beat, and even Timbaland's rap hits all the right places with the listener. The one thing that I find fault with is that there isn't much of an ending; just a fade-out. If the instrumental part was eliminated, and it just ended right after a repetition of the chorus, the song would be greatly improved in my mind.
Though the book didn't make this song one of the main 1,001 , I think it deserved that place. "Are You That Somebody?" is a well-written song with an innocent tone weaved into the less-than-innocent lyrics. Everything just seems to click into place, making for a beautiful pop song.
Aaliyah
Rating: 4.7
Aaliyah has such a beautiful voice; it's unfair that she was taken away from the world so soon.
This song has a really strong back beat, and even Timbaland's rap hits all the right places with the listener. The one thing that I find fault with is that there isn't much of an ending; just a fade-out. If the instrumental part was eliminated, and it just ended right after a repetition of the chorus, the song would be greatly improved in my mind.
Though the book didn't make this song one of the main 1,001 , I think it deserved that place. "Are You That Somebody?" is a well-written song with an innocent tone weaved into the less-than-innocent lyrics. Everything just seems to click into place, making for a beautiful pop song.
You! Me! Dancing!-Los Campesinos!
You! Me! Dancing! (2007)
Los Campesinos!
Rating: 4.1
Don't be deceived by the slow guitar intro; this is a well-paced song with cute lyrics that make me smile. True, the lead singer doesn't have the best voice, and the build-up into the actual tempo would drive anyone crazy with anticipation, but that just adds to the beauty of the song.
A main reason for my slightly diminished rating is the unknown speaking section right near the end of the song. I have not as yet found a place that has told me what he's saying, and it sincerely bothers me. Was it improv'ed? Was it planned? I have no idea, I'm afraid.
However, the female's vocals are quite gorgeous, and the guitar/bass parts throughout the rest of "You! Me! Dancing!" captivate the listener. Though this is the only song in the book by Los Campesinos!, and it's not one of the main 1001, they are an interesting band to listen to, and the slightly awkward tone of the lyrics warms the heart.
"It's you, it's me, and there's dancing!"
Yes, indeed; there is dancing.
Los Campesinos!
Rating: 4.1
Don't be deceived by the slow guitar intro; this is a well-paced song with cute lyrics that make me smile. True, the lead singer doesn't have the best voice, and the build-up into the actual tempo would drive anyone crazy with anticipation, but that just adds to the beauty of the song.
A main reason for my slightly diminished rating is the unknown speaking section right near the end of the song. I have not as yet found a place that has told me what he's saying, and it sincerely bothers me. Was it improv'ed? Was it planned? I have no idea, I'm afraid.
However, the female's vocals are quite gorgeous, and the guitar/bass parts throughout the rest of "You! Me! Dancing!" captivate the listener. Though this is the only song in the book by Los Campesinos!, and it's not one of the main 1001, they are an interesting band to listen to, and the slightly awkward tone of the lyrics warms the heart.
"It's you, it's me, and there's dancing!"
Yes, indeed; there is dancing.
Please Please Me-The Beatles
Please Please Me (1963)
The Beatles
Rating: 4.8
For my first song rating, I decided to choose something by a legendary band: The Beatles.
This song in particular. "Please Please Me," has an extremely catchy intro, with a similarly catchy tune as well. As much as I wish that this song was longer, I don't think its magic could carry much farther than its two-minute length.
As the title suggests, this song is indeed about a guy begging his girl to please him-particularly, "Please please me (oh yeah) like I please you." Most of The Beatles' early songs are this easy to figure out, but that doesn't make them any more or less likable.
With wonderful guitar and bass parts, an insistent drum beat, and an extremely upbeat tune, The Beatles knock "Please Please Me" out of the park, creating a song that I could never get tired of.
(Side note: not a part of the main 1001.)
The Beatles
Rating: 4.8
For my first song rating, I decided to choose something by a legendary band: The Beatles.
This song in particular. "Please Please Me," has an extremely catchy intro, with a similarly catchy tune as well. As much as I wish that this song was longer, I don't think its magic could carry much farther than its two-minute length.
As the title suggests, this song is indeed about a guy begging his girl to please him-particularly, "Please please me (oh yeah) like I please you." Most of The Beatles' early songs are this easy to figure out, but that doesn't make them any more or less likable.
With wonderful guitar and bass parts, an insistent drum beat, and an extremely upbeat tune, The Beatles knock "Please Please Me" out of the park, creating a song that I could never get tired of.
(Side note: not a part of the main 1001.)
An Explanation of My Rating System
My rating system will be from 0-5, with 0 being the worst of the worst, and 5 being the best ear candy ever. Yes, I will use a decimal system-I find that this is slightly more fair and thorough overall. After the basic rating, I will discuss-of course-the highs and lows of the song, most likely throwing in a lyric or two. If the song is not in English-and many of them aren't-I will do my best to find a translation of the lyrics, but no promises.
I will do my best to not have any bias, but just so you know, I tend to shrink away from country and rap songs, so if my ratings seem a little low there, then that's most likely why.
Have fun, and if my ratings intrigue you, then happy listening.
I will do my best to not have any bias, but just so you know, I tend to shrink away from country and rap songs, so if my ratings seem a little low there, then that's most likely why.
Have fun, and if my ratings intrigue you, then happy listening.
1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: An Introduction to the Text
1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die is a book containing...well..10,001 songs you should listen to before your life's termination.
Confused? I was.
Let me explain: the main section of the book is, indeed, descriptions of the main 1,001 songs that a group of editors have determined are essential to hear by those who have an appreciation for music, from 1916 up to 2010. However, the editors just couldn't resist adding an index with 9,000 more songs-you know, just in case 1,001 alone wasn't enough for you.
Though I am sure that there are many other people who have enough time on their hands to listen to all 10,001 songs, I have decided to go through ALL of them myself-just for you-and tell you what's good, and what's not.
Of course, since this book was originally created based on other people's opinions, some perfectly good artists were left out of even the 10,001 list. Remember that I did not choose these songs, nor do I agree that they are any good. I am simply expressing my opinion of other people's opinions. Feel free to look up any and all of the songs on Youtube, iTunes, etc.
That being said-enjoy!
Confused? I was.
Let me explain: the main section of the book is, indeed, descriptions of the main 1,001 songs that a group of editors have determined are essential to hear by those who have an appreciation for music, from 1916 up to 2010. However, the editors just couldn't resist adding an index with 9,000 more songs-you know, just in case 1,001 alone wasn't enough for you.
Though I am sure that there are many other people who have enough time on their hands to listen to all 10,001 songs, I have decided to go through ALL of them myself-just for you-and tell you what's good, and what's not.
Of course, since this book was originally created based on other people's opinions, some perfectly good artists were left out of even the 10,001 list. Remember that I did not choose these songs, nor do I agree that they are any good. I am simply expressing my opinion of other people's opinions. Feel free to look up any and all of the songs on Youtube, iTunes, etc.
That being said-enjoy!
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