Songs For Your Ipod: The List

Prev. | Next

61. Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) - 4:17

The first single off the Pumpkins third studio album was a flurry of alternative rock magic and self absorbed lyrics that appealed to hard rock enthusiasts and the depressed set of music listeners. The claustrophobic vocals of Corgan bitchin' about a world out to trap him like some sort of musical messiah backed by guitar riffs that make you want to kick in a door are nothing short of genius.

62. Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell Ladies of the Canyon (1970) - 2:16

A staple in Mitchell's musical canon, "Big Yellow Taxi" has been covered by varied artists like Bob Dylan and Amy Grant. An environmental song complaining about covering up nature's beauty with asphalt, Joni was inspired to write the song while in Hawaii. She peered out of her hotel window and noticed a landscape in all its beauty. Then looking down she saw a parking lot, which dampened her enthusiasm.

63. Working Class Hero - John Lennon Plastic Ono Band (1970) - 3:50

Lennon's greatest political song has been covered by Marianne Faithful and more recently Green Day. A confessional song about his child-rearing in England it can be expanded to include many of the poor who have been brutalized by the established order of the modern world. Beat you, box you up, distract you and fill you with enough fear that you wander through your life unable to fight against this victimization. What was truly brilliant by Lennon was his confession at the end of the song that he was part of the problem. The song has no solutions which made it even more harrowing.

64. Haitian Fight Song - Charles Mingus The Clown (1961) - 11:57

Mingus is one of the greatest jazz composers and double bass players of the second half of the 20th century and "Haitian Fight Song" is his best composition. You hear him solo fingering on the strings between flourishes by the rest of the players (Dannie Richmond on drums, Jimmy Knepper on trombone, Shafi Hadi on alto and tenor saxophones, and Wade Legge on piano).

65. I Wanna Be a Homosexual - Screeching Weasel Kill the Musicians (1995) - 3:04

This punk band from Chicago never made it big in the pop punk scene in the late 80s and 90s but they sure do pack a wallop with this politically incorrect and humourous song shouting out the merits of turning gay in the fucked up world of hetro-relationships of modern day America. As they scream in the song, do you have the balls to be a homo and take it up your punk rock ass? I don't think so, but I'll listen to this song and smile.

66. Rightstarter (Message to the Black Man) - Public Enemy Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987) - 3:48

One of the greatest anthems for the struggle of urban black youth in the 80s from the greatest group in hip hop history, "Rightstarter (Message to the Black Man)" spits out the secret behind the eventual success of the race in a world that has historically been retarding their development. Change the way you think, avoid all the vices of the ghetto and gain a life. It is a great message from Chuck D. and the rest of Public Enemy.

67. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar (1957) - 2:47

Cash's greatest song was a simple lament about incarceration. "Folsom Prison Blues" struck a chord with listeners both on the outside world and those behind bars. It captures the essence of prison life, a lack of freedom and watching the world move forward without you. Sung through the eyes of a man watching behind the bars of his prison cell a train traveling to San Antone and knowing he will never be on it, "Folsom Prison Blues" was a song that made Cash a star and planted the seed that would eventually have him appear at Folsom Prison to play a live concert in the late 60s.

68. Rebel Yell - Billy Idol Rebel Yell (1983) - 4:45

Yes, Billy Idol was a poser. A made for MTV star decked out in leather with little substance other than an elevated lip and an vocal growl. But he knew the power of sex appeal and that quality was nothing if not brilliant on this song, the greatest of all his 80s hits. How can you not love a song about a guy who will do anything for a dirty girl performing anything he desire between the sheets. The power of his voice and the guitar work of Steve Stevens propel this song into becoming one the 80s greatest pop hits.

69. 38 Years Old - The Tragically Hip Up to Here (1989) - 4:18

One of the saddest songs in the Hip's repertoire it tells the story of a 20 year old who went to jail for the murder of his sister's rapist. The song foreshadowed lyricist's Gord Downie's rise, in the minds of critics and fans alike, into becoming one of CanRock's greatest writers. It's difficult to listen to this song and not feel a pull at your heartstrings. Tragedy makes for great song craft and there are few in Canadian music that can hold themselves up to a standard held by The Tragically Hip.

70. Sex and Candy - Marcy Playground Marcy Playground (1997) - 2:52

A frivolous piece of work by the New York based band Marcy Playground, "Sex and Candy" was a major hit and for good reason. It is as smooth and soothing as warm cocoa and the imagery invoked by the lyrics ("platform double suede" "disco lemonade" "double cherry pie") make you picture a cross between Beck and the Dandy Warhols.

Prev. | Next