On turning 50 on the twentieth of May, I'm taking stock of the things I love. Among others, are my fifty favourite songs! Not precisely in this order, since it's really hard to decide for some of them. And I've had to leave out so many. But, here goes, the countdown from 50 to 1. Let's begin!
50: The Rolling Stones: Paint it Black.
The opening track from The Stones' fourth album Aftermath (1966). Used in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam movie, Full Metal Jacket (1983). This number has joint songwriting credits for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Can you believe it, Mick Jagger dismissed it as an acid trip? He called it 'like the beginnings of miserable psychedelia'. Well, the lyrics are dark but, gosh, so powerful. The song reached No.1 on both the US Billboards and UK Singles' chart. So, Mr. Jagger, we beg to differ. 'I see a red door and I want to paint it black...' With an intro like that, how can you not fall for it?
49: Coldplay: Hymn For the Weekend.
From their 2015 album, Head Full of Dreams.
This British band has done a lot of great stuff but this number is particularly haunting. And, the video's set in India. Love it. Chris Martin, the band's lead singer and front man (Gwenyth Paltrow's ex) says the song began as 'Drinks on me...' This turned into 'Drink From Me...' It's the idea of having an angelic person in your life. So, they got Beyonce to sing on it. Great stuff. Here's the video:
48: Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You.
From the group's second album, 'It Won't Be Soon Before Long', released in November 2007. This band has so many amazing songs: Stutter, Misery, Sugar, Girls Like You, Moves Like Jagger... This one is a break-up song written by Adam Levine. The guitar undertone is based on Sting's 'Every Breath You Take'. I love its plaintive, catchy tune.
47: Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible
The English Rock singer's signature tune from his 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'.
Earned him a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. The video featured leading supermodels. Check it out:
46: Sting: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
From Sting & The Police's 1981 album, Ghost in the Machine. Hit No.1 on the UK Charts and No.3 on the US Billboard. Sting wrote it way back in 1976 but kept it on hold because he felt it was too soft! He released it later once The Police became successful. I know 'Every Breath You Take' is more famous. Love that, too, but I've heard it too much. This one's less known and...lovely.
45: Berlin: Take My Breath Away.
This song was written by the American band called Berlin (for some strange reason. Like an Indian band choosing the word 'Karachi' or 'Rawalpindi'! Weird) for Tom Cruise's 1986 smash hit 'Top Gun'. Won an academy award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe, too. The vocals are by Terri Nunn. It peaked at the US Billboard's Top 100 and topped the charts in the UK, Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. Fantastic song but the band's only well-known hit. The video:
44: Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good.
From Amy's Back To Black album. 2007. What an amazing song by the troubled singer, who later topped herself. Tragic, beautiful and autobiographical. She won 5 Grammy's for the album. Miss you, Amy. Wish she had gone to 'Rehab', though.
43:A-ha: Take on Me
From the Norwegian group's 1984 album 'Hunting High and Low'. A great song and quirky video. One of the best selling singles of all time. A-ha comprises Morten Harket (the lead singer), Magne Furuholmen and Pal Waaktaar. The band had a few more hits at the time: I've Been Losing You and the James Bond song 'The Living Daylights' but 'Take on Me' survives in our lists till today. The video won 6 awards!
42: Santana & Rob Thomas: Smooth
Here's Carlos Santana and the Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas's single featured on Santana's 1999 album 'Supernatural'. Topped the US Billboard's for 12 weeks! As of 2018, it was the song most successful song of all time (the first being Chubby Checker's 'The Twist'). And, a really sweet fact: Rob Thomas confessed he wrote it for his wife!
41: Ed Sheeran: Shape of You.
Ed Sheeran comes in at No. 41 with his worldwide hit 'Shape of You', which was first released as a digital download in Jan 2017. It peaked at No. 1 in a whopping 34 countries! He won Best Pop Solo performance at the 60th Grammy Awards for this. It's foot-tapping distinctive sound comes from the marimba. You know which other famous song used this instrument? ABBA's 'Mama Mia'! Yeah, Benny Andersson used the marimba in stead of his piano for that number. How's that for a bit of pop-history?
40: Dolly Parton: Jolene
I've got the amazing Dolly Parton now with her signature tune, 'Jolene'. Released way back in 1973, it has remained one of her best loved songs along with 'Islands in the Stream' and 'Nine to Five'. It reached No, 1 on the US Billboard Country Songs and went platinum in the UK. She released it again with the capella group Pentatonix and won a Grammy for the Best Country Group Performance. Talk about enduring greatness!
39: Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Released in the UK in May 1984. From the album 'Make It Big'. Wham's first UK and US No.1 hit. Written by George Michael, who said he just wanted to make 'a really energetic pop record'. Did you know it was inspired by a note Andrew Ridgeley wrote for his parents, literally: 'Wake me up before you go.'! Some people might say 'Last Christmas' and 'Careless Whispers' are better songs. I love this because it really sets your feet a-dancing.
38: UB40: Don't Break My Heart
From this UK reggae band's 1985 album 'Baggariddim' with Ali Campbell at the helm. I'm a big fan of most of their songs: 'Can't Help Falling in Love', 'Red Red Wine', 'Impossible Love', 'Just Another Girl', 'Would I lie to you' and others but this one...I love the slow build up, the way the beat kind of creeps up on you. In a good way!
37: Adele: Hello
At a very young age, this English singer has achieved an iconic status because of her enormous talent. 'Hello' is from her 2015 album simply titled '25'. Won a Grammy for Song of the Year. Adele says it's about 'reconnecting with 'everything else and myself'. Reached No. 1 in 34 countries! One of the best selling singles of all time. Debuted at the top of the US Billboard Top 100 charts and stayed there for 10 consecutive weeks. It's a piano ballad that picks up slowly but then...what a take off!
36: Magic! No Way No.
From the Canadian Reggae-Fusion group's 2014 debut album 'Don't Kill the Magic'. It's preceded by the bigger hit 'Rude'. But I like this more. The lead vocalist Nasri Atweh has a goofy, sweet charm and a versatile style. It's a song that stays in your head.
35: Taylor Swift: Mean
What can one say about Taylor Swift. A child prodigy? Almost. She was in her teens when she started churning out hit after hit. She's beautiful, controversial and a genuinely great musician. She has so many hits to her credit but 'Mean' from her 2010 album 'Speak Now' is my favourite. It earned her a Grammy for Best Country Song. Swift said it was a response to people who criticize everything she does. Way to go, girl!
34: Billy Joel: For the Longest Time
From the 1983 album 'An Innocent Man'. Billy Joel is acknowledged as one of the greatest musicians of all time and he's a piano maestro but this song 'For the Longest Time' is unique because it's composed with just a bass guitar and drums. It's a doo-wop number with Joel on the lead and backing vocals and the percussive sounds like finger snaps and hand claps. Check it out.
33: Wet Wet Wet: Love is All Around.
An unforgettable number from the Scottish group written for the 1994 romantic comedy (Hugh Grant's biggest hit) 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. I played it all the time during my Civil Services' probation! The lead singer Marti Pellow is famous for having one of the cutest smiles in showbiz. The band has many hits but this one spent 15 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles charts. Love the video, too.
32: Bryan Adams: Everything I Do (I do it for You)
Perhaps the Canadian singer's most famous song. It's from his 1991 album 'W oaking Up the Neighbours' and was featured on the soundtrack of Kevin Costner's hit movie 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'. Went to No.1 in 16 countries. Had the longest unbroken run on UK Singles Charts- 16 weeks from July to October 1991. Here's the great video:
31: Bon Jovi: In These Arms.
Oh, I love this American group. 'In These Arms' is from their 1993 album 'Keep the Faith'. They have so many smash hits: 'Livin' on a Prayer', 'Keep the Faith', 'Cats in the Cradle', 'Wanted Dead or Alive', 'Bed of Roses'...the list goes on. The lead singer Jon Bon Jovi is a renowned songwriter, too, and he's written numbers for other artists, too. This one, the opening line: 'If you want commitment, take a look into these eyes...' What more needs to be said?
30: Tina Turner: What's Love Got to do with it.
Tina is such a powerful singer and she has so many hits, it was difficult to pick a favourite. This one's from her 1984 album 'Private Dancer'. It won 3 Grammys and was her first US No. 1 hit. I love the slow build up and naughty (or sad) lyrics. Showcases her versatile range.
29: Whitney Houston: I Have Nothing.
What can one say about Whitney? She ranks among the greatest singers of all time. Her range was incomparable. Very few come close, perhaps Barbara Streisand? But Whitney proved in song after song that she could do anything with that voice! This song is from The Bodyguard soundtrack, her 1993 hit movie with Kevin Costner. All the songs were great but this one's my favourite.
28: Edith Piaf: La Vie En Rose:
My favourite French song! (Not that I know too many). Along with Je Ne Regrette Rien, this is the legendary Edith Piaf's signature chanson. Released in 1947 in her album, Chansons Parisiennes, La Vie En Rose has stood the test of time and been covered my a number of artists, including Louis Armstrong. Two years back Lady Gaga sang it in her Oscar winning movie, A Star Is Born.
27: Foreigner: I Wanna Know What Love Is
The British-American band's moving hit from their 1984 album, Agent Provocateur. It reached No.1 in the UK and US. There's an interesting story associated with the song. Written and composed by Mick Jones, he said he wrote it at 3 a.m. and believes it was 'probably written entirely by a higher force'! Their vocalist Lou Gramm sang the lead part and the band held hands and said The Lord's Prayer before recording the song. No wonder it has such a haunting melody. This number reached the top in many countries including Israel. Their other big hit is 'I've Been Waiting For a Girl Like You.'
26: Rod Stewart: Maggie May
This was the number that launched the Scottish singer's solo career in 1971 from the album 'Every Picture Tells a Story'. And Stewart says it's based on a personal experience, his relationship with an older woman...Great tune, sung by a hugely talented artist. Must watch him unplugged on You Tube.
25:The Carpenters: Please Mr. Postman.
Why not 'Jambalaya' or 'Yesterday Once More' or any other of their big, big hits? I love all Karen and Richard Carpenters' work and this one really gets me going. It topped the Billboards when released in 1975 on their album 'Horizon'. The album went Platinum. Just love the peppy beat. The video, set in Disneyland, is lovely, too. You'll find it on You Tube.
So, I've hit the half way mark! Phew! Will pause now and upload the rest in part two. Hope you all liked the list so far.
50: The Rolling Stones: Paint it Black.
The opening track from The Stones' fourth album Aftermath (1966). Used in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam movie, Full Metal Jacket (1983). This number has joint songwriting credits for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Can you believe it, Mick Jagger dismissed it as an acid trip? He called it 'like the beginnings of miserable psychedelia'. Well, the lyrics are dark but, gosh, so powerful. The song reached No.1 on both the US Billboards and UK Singles' chart. So, Mr. Jagger, we beg to differ. 'I see a red door and I want to paint it black...' With an intro like that, how can you not fall for it?
49: Coldplay: Hymn For the Weekend.
From their 2015 album, Head Full of Dreams.
This British band has done a lot of great stuff but this number is particularly haunting. And, the video's set in India. Love it. Chris Martin, the band's lead singer and front man (Gwenyth Paltrow's ex) says the song began as 'Drinks on me...' This turned into 'Drink From Me...' It's the idea of having an angelic person in your life. So, they got Beyonce to sing on it. Great stuff. Here's the video:
48: Maroon 5: Won't Go Home Without You.
From the group's second album, 'It Won't Be Soon Before Long', released in November 2007. This band has so many amazing songs: Stutter, Misery, Sugar, Girls Like You, Moves Like Jagger... This one is a break-up song written by Adam Levine. The guitar undertone is based on Sting's 'Every Breath You Take'. I love its plaintive, catchy tune.
47: Robert Palmer: Simply Irresistible
The English Rock singer's signature tune from his 1988 album 'Heavy Nova'.
Earned him a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance. The video featured leading supermodels. Check it out:
46: Sting: Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.
From Sting & The Police's 1981 album, Ghost in the Machine. Hit No.1 on the UK Charts and No.3 on the US Billboard. Sting wrote it way back in 1976 but kept it on hold because he felt it was too soft! He released it later once The Police became successful. I know 'Every Breath You Take' is more famous. Love that, too, but I've heard it too much. This one's less known and...lovely.
45: Berlin: Take My Breath Away.
This song was written by the American band called Berlin (for some strange reason. Like an Indian band choosing the word 'Karachi' or 'Rawalpindi'! Weird) for Tom Cruise's 1986 smash hit 'Top Gun'. Won an academy award for Best Original Song and a Golden Globe, too. The vocals are by Terri Nunn. It peaked at the US Billboard's Top 100 and topped the charts in the UK, Netherlands, Ireland and Belgium. Fantastic song but the band's only well-known hit. The video:
44: Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good.
43:A-ha: Take on Me
From the Norwegian group's 1984 album 'Hunting High and Low'. A great song and quirky video. One of the best selling singles of all time. A-ha comprises Morten Harket (the lead singer), Magne Furuholmen and Pal Waaktaar. The band had a few more hits at the time: I've Been Losing You and the James Bond song 'The Living Daylights' but 'Take on Me' survives in our lists till today. The video won 6 awards!
42: Santana & Rob Thomas: Smooth
Here's Carlos Santana and the Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas's single featured on Santana's 1999 album 'Supernatural'. Topped the US Billboard's for 12 weeks! As of 2018, it was the song most successful song of all time (the first being Chubby Checker's 'The Twist'). And, a really sweet fact: Rob Thomas confessed he wrote it for his wife!
41: Ed Sheeran: Shape of You.
40: Dolly Parton: Jolene
I've got the amazing Dolly Parton now with her signature tune, 'Jolene'. Released way back in 1973, it has remained one of her best loved songs along with 'Islands in the Stream' and 'Nine to Five'. It reached No, 1 on the US Billboard Country Songs and went platinum in the UK. She released it again with the capella group Pentatonix and won a Grammy for the Best Country Group Performance. Talk about enduring greatness!
39: Wham! Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
Released in the UK in May 1984. From the album 'Make It Big'. Wham's first UK and US No.1 hit. Written by George Michael, who said he just wanted to make 'a really energetic pop record'. Did you know it was inspired by a note Andrew Ridgeley wrote for his parents, literally: 'Wake me up before you go.'! Some people might say 'Last Christmas' and 'Careless Whispers' are better songs. I love this because it really sets your feet a-dancing.
38: UB40: Don't Break My Heart
37: Adele: Hello
36: Magic! No Way No.
From the Canadian Reggae-Fusion group's 2014 debut album 'Don't Kill the Magic'. It's preceded by the bigger hit 'Rude'. But I like this more. The lead vocalist Nasri Atweh has a goofy, sweet charm and a versatile style. It's a song that stays in your head.
35: Taylor Swift: Mean
34: Billy Joel: For the Longest Time
33: Wet Wet Wet: Love is All Around.
An unforgettable number from the Scottish group written for the 1994 romantic comedy (Hugh Grant's biggest hit) 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. I played it all the time during my Civil Services' probation! The lead singer Marti Pellow is famous for having one of the cutest smiles in showbiz. The band has many hits but this one spent 15 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the UK Singles charts. Love the video, too.
32: Bryan Adams: Everything I Do (I do it for You)
Perhaps the Canadian singer's most famous song. It's from his 1991 album 'W oaking Up the Neighbours' and was featured on the soundtrack of Kevin Costner's hit movie 'Robin Hood Prince of Thieves'. Went to No.1 in 16 countries. Had the longest unbroken run on UK Singles Charts- 16 weeks from July to October 1991. Here's the great video:
31: Bon Jovi: In These Arms.
30: Tina Turner: What's Love Got to do with it.
29: Whitney Houston: I Have Nothing.
What can one say about Whitney? She ranks among the greatest singers of all time. Her range was incomparable. Very few come close, perhaps Barbara Streisand? But Whitney proved in song after song that she could do anything with that voice! This song is from The Bodyguard soundtrack, her 1993 hit movie with Kevin Costner. All the songs were great but this one's my favourite.
28: Edith Piaf: La Vie En Rose:
My favourite French song! (Not that I know too many). Along with Je Ne Regrette Rien, this is the legendary Edith Piaf's signature chanson. Released in 1947 in her album, Chansons Parisiennes, La Vie En Rose has stood the test of time and been covered my a number of artists, including Louis Armstrong. Two years back Lady Gaga sang it in her Oscar winning movie, A Star Is Born.
27: Foreigner: I Wanna Know What Love Is
The British-American band's moving hit from their 1984 album, Agent Provocateur. It reached No.1 in the UK and US. There's an interesting story associated with the song. Written and composed by Mick Jones, he said he wrote it at 3 a.m. and believes it was 'probably written entirely by a higher force'! Their vocalist Lou Gramm sang the lead part and the band held hands and said The Lord's Prayer before recording the song. No wonder it has such a haunting melody. This number reached the top in many countries including Israel. Their other big hit is 'I've Been Waiting For a Girl Like You.'
26: Rod Stewart: Maggie May
25:The Carpenters: Please Mr. Postman.
So, I've hit the half way mark! Phew! Will pause now and upload the rest in part two. Hope you all liked the list so far.
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