In followup to my previous post, here are the 5 songs that have stuck with me the most since my adolescent years. That's not to say that these songs didn't come out during my adolescent years - it just means that they meant more to me after I graduated high school. And of course tomorrow I disclose the grand-prize winner – the song that moves me more than any other song I’ve ever heard. In no particular order – what I consider the best songs in my adult life:
1) Happy Together (1967) by The Turtles: I would consider this song nearly perfect. Only the oddball in the group can listen to this song and not sing along. Now as much as I love this song, I have to admit that until this week I was always perplexed by the last set of lyrics "...so how is the weather...". I mean everything up until then was perfect. Why couldn't they sing, "I'll love you forever" or anything else besides asking about the weather? I usually consider myself a fairly deep person, and since I'm a writer I'm accustom to using and reading symbolism. But then a friend at work told me that maybe that lyric has to do with the storminess of a relationship. Sometimes the weather is good and sometimes it's rough. Well just go right ahead and smack me in the head! How could I miss that?
2) American Woman (1970) by The Guess Who: this is the only song that I've ever karaoked to. The band has always insisted that this song was not meant to be anti-American, that they were just longing to go home to Canada. Anti-american may be a little strong, but their lyrics are definitely saying that they don't want to be swayed by the tantalizing allure (corruption) of the state of the U.S. at that time. "Don't come a knocking around my door, don't want to see your face no more..". I think this song cuts to the quick... it expresses the sentiment that was prevalent during such a tumultuous time.
3) California Dreaming (1966) by The Mamas & the Papas: an absolutely beautiful song. The vocals, the music... it just doesn't get much better than this. This song pulls me in and for those precious few minutes, I'm not driving my car or sitting at work - I'm living the experience. Like a few of the other songs on my top 10 list, I find this song hypnotic.
4) One (1969) by Three Dog Night: I think people love this song because there's been a moment in all of our lives when we felt alone. To me it's a sad song, much like 'I Am a Rock' or 'The Sound of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel, but then I like those songs too. Sad doesn't mean bad - it means reflective. This song gets me thinking about my life, the ups and the downs, the good and the bad.
5) Opposites Attract (1988) by Paula Abdul: I know what you're saying - this is the only song that I've listed for my post adolescent favorites that was actually released after I turned 18. That's true. I don't feel as deeply for most of the music put out today as I do for the music of the late 60s and early 70s. Those songs had meaning to them. And I know that I'm really stepping off path here with Paula Abdul, but there's a very good reason for it. When we were dating, my wife made me a tape with this song on it. It was the only song on it. Her introduction to it on the tape was that even though we were different, we were one. It will always remind me of her.
There you have it - my top ten. Think you know the song I'm going to list as my grand-prize champion? Check in tomorrow to see if you're right. Until then, let the good-times roll! J/W
