Five Songs, One Life
Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 11:14AM Heather has posed me - and all of you - a challenge. She was simply sitting on my couch, suddenly turned to me, and said "If you could only listen to five songs for the rest of your life, what would they be?"
I blinked at her.
How is it possible to choose just five songs - for perpetuity? I mean, I'm only 28. I'd like to think there's a lot of music left in my life. It's also sort of like rubbing the bottle, finding a genie and getting three wishes. After world peace and ending hunger it's perfectly natural to want to choose a completely selfish wish.
Still, this challenge is a good exercise so I'll go ahead and try to choose five songs.
There's no question in my mind that one of those songs would be Aerosmith's "Nobody's Fault" from the album Rocks. I firmly believe there is no better rock album than Rocks and "Nobody's Fault" is the hidden gem of that record. The song represents Aerosmith getting a little dirty and Brad Whitford handles the lead guitar duties, which is abnormal and makes the track that much more special.
My second song choice would be "Trashed and Scattered" from Avenged Sevenfold. Featured on the massively successful City of Evil, "Trashed and Scattered" is long and changes patterns several times, making the track interesting. I figure if I only get five songs for the rest of my life, those works better be both complex and enjoyable. Plus, I thought it important to add a modern song to my list.
For my third choice, I'll go with "McKitty's Back" by Girl. Featured on the album Wasted Youth, it's my favorite song from this British glam band. It's also, naturally, a B-side. I have an affinity for lesser known tracks I guess. In case you're wondering, "Thru the Twilight" was the single that featured "McKitty's Back" on the flip side.
Now I've only got two choices left and the pressure is mounting. For my fourth choice, I'll go with "Danger" by Motley Crue. For some reason, it seems like I'm the only person that likes this Shout at the Devil B-side. Actually, you probably know by now it's my favorite Motley song. While "Nobody's Fault" is not my favorite song by Aerosmith, I felt it was easier to just go with my favorite Motley tune for this list. I think I find "Danger" so appealing because it's a song of street grit and really shows where Motley came from - and then rose above.
One song left. This is probably the hardest choice of them all, because there are tons of songs I can't imagine living without, including "Malaria" by L.A. Guns, "Baba O'Riley" by the Who, "Shout at the Devil" by Motley Crue and "White Lightning" by Def Leppard. Still, I've got one choice left...and I'm going to give it to "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. Featured on the album Physical Graffiti, Robert Plant has been quoted as saying that "Kashmir" is Led Zeppelin's signature song. It's been my favorite Led Zeppelin song since I was about 14 and started listening to classic rock radio. Actually, I still get excited when it comes on the radio. Above all else, it's both complex and inventive and doesn't sound dated.
So, now it's on you. What five songs would you choose? Remember, this is for the rest of your life, so choose wisely. Good luck.
Reader Comments (22)
1- Nobody's Fool by Cinderella
2- The Idle by W.A.S.P.
3- Wasted Time by Skid Row
4- Out Of Line by Crashdiet
5- Same Old Situation by Motley Crue
but there are many other songs I should include in my list..
"Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra
"Smile" by Nat King Cole
"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
"In The Mood" by the Glenn Miller Orchestra
"Moon River" by Henry Mancini
2. "Nothin' But a Good Time" Poison
3. "Kickstart My Heart" Motley Crue
4. "Baby, Baby, Baby" Endeverafter
5. "Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin
Now if it was a list of 5 songs you could live without for the rest of your life, "Kashmir" would be on that list. For some reason I just can't stand that song.
“In A Silent Way” Miles Davis
“1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)” and
“Moon, Turn The Tides...Gently, Gently” Jimi Hendrix (They need to be played in succession like on the album.)
“Maybe Your Baby”
“Are You Ready” Sly & The Family Stone
“Bring It On Home” Led Zeppelin
That's what I came up with quickly. I can't believe I couldn't find a song by The Who or James Brown or Funkadelic, or Cream or Stevie Wonder.
At least you didn't ask us to number them!
2. Tyketto: Wings
3. Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve Sarajevo
4. Seether: The Gift
5. Evanescence: My Immortal
2. Vince Neil: "Promise Me"
3. Def Leppard: "Love And Affection"
4. Led Zeppelin: "Kashmir"
5. Extreme: "More Than Words"
I posted explanations in my journal too, heh. I sat in front of the computer for ages trying to decide on a CRUE song, but I couldn't do it.
Motley Crue - Kickstart my Heart
erm, how to narrow down the other three? I'll keep thinking about it.
Van Halen- Van Halen 1
Cinderella- Heartbreak Station
Guns- Welcome to the Jungle
Bon Joni- New Jersey
Van Halen- 1984
Best songs off the albums (to narrow down to 5):
Van Halen 1- Feel your love tonight
Heartbreak Station- Shelter Me
Jungle- Sweet Child O Mine
Bon Jovi- Born to be my baby
1984- JUMP, JUMP, JUMP, JUMP, JUMP and oh yeah, did I mention JUMP???
2. Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone) by Cinderella
3. Round and Round by Ratt
4. Without You by Motley Crue
5. Any Songs by Guns n Roses
:-P
Rob Rockitt
http://www.hardrockhideout.com
2. Every Rose Has It's Thorn - Poison
3. Blood on Blood - Bon Jovi
4. Tangerine - Led Zeppelin
5. You Can't Kill Rock N Roll - Ozzy
The first album I could not live without would be Master of Puppets, and I don't really like Orion much, and I can live without Battery. Can I have 6 songs ?
Damage Inc
Cemetary Gates
Heaven and Hell
November Rain
Balls to the wall
Blood On Blood by Bon Jovi is an awesome song. Forgot about that one.
Peace,
fletch
Dream On - Aerosmith
Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses
Nobody's Fool - Cinderella
Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue