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Top 100 Songs of All-Time Countdown

I'm going to count down my top 100 songs of all-time, and better yet, I'm going
to write a little blurb about each song, and if applicable, give credit to the person
who introduced me to it.  Thanks to amazon.com for "letting" me steal these album
images.  I'll also help jog your memory by including a lyric sample from each song.

 

#1-20 February 24, 2007
	1. "1979" - Smashing Pumpkins Credit: Clerks II And the winner of my favorite song of all-time goes to "1979," a 1995 Smashing Pumpkins hit that I heard for the first time (that I can remember) last summer when I saw Clerks II in the theater.  This song comes on during the emotional montage towards the end.  Like most of the other songs on the top ten, it can't be classified as being a fast or slow song... just somewhere in between. Shake down 1979.  Cool kids never have the time.  On a live wire right up off the street, you and I should meet.
	2. "Fight Test" - Flaming Lips Credit: Spring Break 2004 While riding through the Rocky Mountains somewhere between Denver and Moab, Utah with Liz, Patrick, Jason, and Travis on our journey to Las Vegas in March 2004, I first heard "Fight Test," a song the others all seemed to know and like long before me.  I don't know where the sunbeams end and where the star light begins, it's all a mystery.
	3. "For Crying Out Loud" - Meat Loaf Nine minutes of a crazed rock opera, it's one of the coolest songs to listen to really loud.  It starts hushed with a soft piano, then comes Meat Loaf's voice, then the percussion starts in, and pretty soon it's blaring with a full orchestra and Meat Loaf screaming.  Amazing song. And now the chilly California wind is blowing down our bodies again.  And we're sinking deeper and deeper in the chilly California sand.
	4. "Across the Sea" - Weezer Credit: LaPlants The best of the many great Weezer songs, and another from Pinkerton is "Across the Sea," where Rivers sings about a girl in Japan... He has her letter, and now she has his song.  If you've hung around our group long enough, there's no way you shouldn't know the words to this song. Why are you so far away from me.  I need help and you're way across the sea.  I could never touch you; I think it would be wrong.  I got your letter, you got my song.
	5. "Old Flame" - Alabama This is the first ever song I can remember hearing on the radio, and I can pinpoint the very moment I heard it.  Mom, Jordan, and I were riding home from Huron in July 1987 after buying some fireworks and were just about to Cavour.  It's one of many great Alabama songs. There's an old flame burning in your eyes.  The tears can't drown and makeup can't disguise.
	6. "Flake" - Jack Johnson Credit: Kelsey Freund On a trip to visit Jeff LaPlant in Maryville, Missouri in 2006, Jeff's friend Kelsey played me some Jack Johnson, and this song instantly became one of my all-time faves.  It's currently my second most-played song on iTunes at work.  It's kinda like two separate songs too... the beginning and end are nothing alike. It seems to me that 'maybe' pretty much always means 'no.'  So don't tell me, you might just let it go.
	7. "This Time of Year" - Better Than Ezra Credit: SportsCenter As recently as last fall I was declaring this my favorite song ever.  I first heard it on the Christmas SportsCenter in 1996, when they showed the emotional moments of the year in sports.  It took a few years to track down the song after I had forgotten about it.  It really fits the theme of the top ten of falling somewhere between upbeat and slow There's a feeling in the air just like a Friday afternoon.  You can go there if you want, though it fades too soon.
	8. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" - Meat Loaf Credit: Parents Anyone who has ever met me has probably heard me sing this in karaoke.  It's my favorite song to do.  I scour the bar, find a willing girl to do the female part, and magic happens.  If I'm really drunk I'll get really into it and act out the part.  I honestly would estimate I've sung this in karaoke 150 times. You gotta do what you can and let Mother Nature do the rest.  Ain't no doubt about it we were doubly blessed.  Cause we were barely seventeen and we were barely dressed.
	9. "Sad Lookin' Moon" - Alabama Even big country music fans must be asking themselves what this song is doing on the Top 100 list, let alone #9.  It was never a big hit for Alabama.  Of their 41 #1 hits, this was not among them.  But for some reason it stuck with me.  I listened to it every morning before school senior year. There's a sad lookin' moon shining down on me.  There's a sad lookin' sky as far as I can see.
	10. "The Good Life" - Weezer Credit: LaPlants More Weezer, and more from the album Pinkerton.  It was at first my favorite song from the album.  There's not much left to say about that album or Weezer other than this song has a good message. I don't wanna be an old man anymore.  It's been a year or two since I was out on the floor.
	11. "Neon Moon" - Brooks & Dunn Here's a sad slow song from Brooks & Dunn's debut album, Brand New Man.  It's easily the best song from what was an all-around great album.  "Brand New Man," "Lost and Found," and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" were others from the album that didn't even make the list. Now if you lose your one and only, there's always room here for the lonely.  To watch your broken dreams dance in and out of the beams of a neon moon.
	12. "Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi Go to a bar for a night, and chances are extremely likely that you'll hear this song.  And if so, chances are that everyone in the bar will drop what they're doing to scream the lyrics.  I'm a big Bon Jovi fan, but even those who aren't can't help but join in. Oh, we're halfway there.  Oh, oh, living on a prayer.  Take my hand and we'll make it I swear.  Oh, oh, living on a prayer.
	13. "Bat Out of Hell" - Meat Loaf Credit: Parents The title track to one of the greatest-selling albms in the history of the world, "Bat Out of Hell" is Jim Steinman's famous "car wreck" song... actually, motorcycle wreck.  Ten minutes long.  A lot like "For Crying Out Loud," only more upbeat. Like a bat out of hell I'll be gone when the morning comes.  When the night is over like a bat out of hell I'll be gone, gone, gone.
	14. "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night" - Bon Jovi Like some of the other songs on the list, most Bon Jovi fans would probably not rate this song that high.  Remember "All Revved Up with No Place to Go" which was in the nineties on this list?  Kinda the same message, same feel. Hey man I'm gonna live my life.  But I ain't got nothing but this roll of the dice.  Feeling like a Monday but someday I'll be Saturday night.
	15. "Buddy Holly" - Weezer Credit: LaPlants I had to re-watch this video just now.  Weezer is seen with the Happy Days cast... very cool how they edited them into old episodes.  This is the only Weezer song that cracked Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs of All-Time issue. What's with these homies dissin' my girl.  Why do they gotta front.  What did we ever do to these guys, that made them so violent.
	16. "Everlasting Love" - Howard Jones Credit: Valleyfair If there's one song I would get made fun of for having in my top twenty, this is it.  But after hearing it so many times at Valleyfair over the years, it became a timeless classic.  It's from the late 80s or maybe very early 90s, but has this calypso-kinda beat.  Very unusual. I need an everlasting love.  I need a friend and a lover divine.  An everlasting precious love.  Wait for it, wait for it, give it some time.
	17. "Tonight Tonight" - Smashing Pumpkins When I heard "1979," it opened the door for many other Smashin Pumpkins songs, like "Tonight Tonight."  I decided if I ever make it on American Idol, I will sing this song in the first Hollywood round. Time is never time at all.  You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth.
	18. "Oh Boy" - Buddy Holly Credit: Bucky Covington After hearing a couple Buddy Holly songs on American Idol's fifties week last season, I opened the doors to some older music and found this to be one of my favorite songs from that era.  I've performed it to a T in karaoke many times since. All my love, all my kissin.  You don't know what you been missing oh boy.
	19. "The Damage in Your Heart" - Weezer Another Weezer song from 2005's Make Believe, "The Damage in Your Heart" ranks #5 in most-played songs on iTunes at work.  In '05, that CD never ever left my car CD player and a ton of songs from that album became favorites.  Not among them was "Beverly Hills," the only huge radio hit from that album. Let it go, the damage in your heart.  I can't tell you how the words have made me feel.
	20. "Everybody's Changing" - Keane This song was originally going to be #68, but I liked it more and more as I produced this list and eventually it landed at #20, which goes to show how unstable this list will probably be in the long run. So little time, try to understand that I'm trying to make a move just to stay in the game, I tried to stay awake and remember your name.
#21-40 February 22, 2007
	21. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - Elton John Credit: Joeleen Osborn A couple years ago I may have considered this my favorite song of all-time.  I first heard it when we were rehearsing for Meet Me in St. Louis and Joeleen had it playing backstage.  I tried and failed a couple times singing this in karaoke. Goodbye yellow brick road where the dogs of society howl.  You can't take me out of my penthouse, I'm going back to my plough.
	22. "Just My Imagination" - The Temptations Credit: ABC mini-series Another song that I discovered after watching the Temptations mini-series on ABC a number of years ago... This song is far less popular than some of their older songs, but remains high on many lists of the best pop songs ever.  It was just my imagination once again running away with me.  It was just my imagination running away with me.
	23. "Desperado" - The Eagles Credit: Seinfeld There was a time I disliked this song.  Then I saw that episode of Seinfeld where time stood still for Elaine's boyfriend whenever this song came on.  Naturally, I have performed this song to some acclaim at karaoke a time or two in my day.  Desperado, why don't you come to your senses.  You been out riding fences for so long now.
	24. "All My Life" - K-Ci and Jojo This song had to be big around 1998 or so.  I was all about the R&B ballads and looking for someone to pick up where Boyz II Men left off.  Enter K-Ci and Jojo.  Who knows where they are today, but they were topping the charts then.  And, I can assure you, this is the highest R&B song on the list. All my life I prayed for someone like you.  And I thank God that I finally found you.
	25. "Pink Triangle" - Weezer Credit: LaPlants Another classic from "Pinkerton."  When you can find an album that I like, Patrick likes, Liz likes, Jason and Jeff like, and Aaron Pratt adores, you've got a winner.  And the content of the songs is usually of lewd subject matter.  Here we're talking about a lesbian who Rivers thought was straight.  Let him know the truth! I'm dumb, she's a lesbian.  I thought I had found the one.  We were good as married in my mind, but married in my mind's no good.  Pink triangle on her sleeve, let me know the truth, let me know the truth.
	26. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" - Israel  Kamakawiwo'ole Credit: Finding Forrester The story of this singer with the insane last name is pretty interesting--a 500 pound Hawaiian who died of weight complications.  He put together two amazing classic songs that both deserve a place on this countdown.  I've heard it in so many movies and TV shows I don't even know which one to credit for sure. Somewhere over the rainbow way up high.  There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
	27. "Forever and Ever, Amen" - Randy Travis Yes, it's Jason's favorite country song, but I liked it long before I knew that.  I even wowed a San Francisco karaoke crowd with this song in January.  It's one of the simplest country songs out there, but it has some great lyrics and you can't beat Randy's southern voice. You may think that I'm talking foolish.  You've heard that I'm wild and I'm free.  You may wonder how I can promise you now, this love that I feel for you always will be.
	28. "Much Too Young" - Garth Brooks You may be surprised to read that this is the highest-ranked Garth Brooks song on my list.  And if you would have asked me a year ago, there's no way I would have ranked this song at all.  But when I listen to all of Garth's songs at work, this one stood above the rest. And while the line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold.  I'm much too young to feel this damn old.
	29. "Objects in the Rearview Mirror" - Meat Loaf Meat Loaf is pretty incredible.  His life story is almost too crazy to actually believe.  This song is literally his life story set to music.  Twelve minutes of Meat Loaf's torrid childhood and path to stardom. It was long ago and it was far away, oh God it seems so very far.  But if life is just a highway, then the soul is just a car.  And objects in the rearview mirror may appear closer than they are.
	30. "Tiny Dancer" - Elton John Credit: DSU Oh the stories that go with this song.  Because "Tiny Dancer" and Ryan Glanzer kinda sorta sound the same phonetically, I became legendary at DSU.  People at parties that I wasn't even attending replaced the lyrics with my name.  I will not lie, it is always a proud moment when I hear "Hold me closer Ryan Glanzer." Hold me closer tiny dancer.  Count the headlights on the highway.  Lay me down in sheets of linen.  You've had a busy day today.
	31. "Wild Wild West" - Escape Club Credit: Valleyfair Aside from "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," this is the song I've probably performed at karaoke the most in my life.  I can remember this song from my early grade school days too, probably around first grade.  No one will ever be able to name another Escape Club song, that's for sure. She's so mean, but I don't care.  I love her eyes and her wild, wild hair.  Dance to the beat that we like best.  Heading for the nineties living in the wild wild west.
	32. "The Other Way" - Weezer I know what all you Weezer fans are thinking... How does this song rank ahead of "Only in Dreams," "Island in the Sun," "Hashpipe," "My Name Is Jonas," etc.  But the "Make Believe" CD pretty much stayed in my car CD player for a solid year, and the songs on that album are way high on my list. I have many doubts about my motives.  I have many fears about my greed.  I have always hurt the one that I love, so I turn and look the other way.
	33. "On Bended Knee" - Boyz II Men Credit: Nils Hallaraker If this doesn't take you back to that first seventh grade dance in 1995, fellow '01 grads, I don't know what will.  Boyz II Men were on top of the music world, and even though they had a couple bigger hits, this was always my favorite.  I credit foreign exchange student Nils cause I had forgotten about it till he sang it on a school bus during basketball season once. Can we go back to the days our love was strong.  Can you tell me how a perfect love goes wrong.  Can somebody tell me how to get things back the way they used to be.  Oh God give me a reason, I'm down on bended knee.
	34. "100 Years" - Five for Fighting Credit: Jordan and Mom Why do I remember this song best for Jordan playing it on the piano?  Well, regardless, it's a great song.  I think it was big in 2004.  Jeff and I were listening to it on the drive home from Valleyfair and we both commented that even though it had been out for a while, it was a quality song and we weren't sick of it. There's never a wish better than this, when you've only got a hundred years to live.
	35. "Hey Jealousy" - Gin Blossoms When I think of music in the late 1990s, this, of all songs, comes to mind first.  I bet I'm the only person who would think that, Gin Blossom band members included.  But it's a quality song.  So many of the Gin Blossoms songs were great.  This one, "Till I Hear It From You," "Follow You Down." Tomorrow we can drive around this town, and let the cops chase us around.  The past is gone but something might be found to take its place.  Hey jealousy.
	36. "In a Week or Two" - Diamond Rio Credit: Mom I got two cassette tapes for Christmas in 1992--Brooks & Dunn's "Brand New Man" and Diamond Rio's "Close to the Edge," both off the Arista label.  I loved the Brooks & Dunn album.  Diamond Rio wasn't as good, but the big hit off the album, "In a Week or Two," was incredible. In a week or two I was gonna buy you diamonds.  In a week or two, a long long string of pearls.
	37. "Calling You" - Blue October Credit: Jason LaPlant I had hesitated about putting this song so high on the list.  But then again it is a very good song.  It's something that I can't quite explain.  I heard it first in American Wedding... and then Jason raved on about how he liked the song. I will keep calling you to see, if you're sleeping are you dreaming, if you're dreaming are you dreaming of me.
	38. "El Scorcho" - Weezer Credit: LaPlants Another masterpiece from my second favorite album of all-time.  You have any idea how many times a group of us have huddled together and screamed the lyrics to this song?  I'm a lot like you so please, hello, I'm here, I'm waiting.  I think I'd be good for you, and you would be good for me.
	39. "You Give Love a Bad Name" - Bon Jovi It may be Bon Jovi's most popular song, but it's not quite #1 on my list.  As recently as 1999, it was the only song I recognized by Bon Jovi.  But then of course I had that big phase after "It's My Life" where they catapulted to become my top band of all-time. Shot through the heart, and you're to blame, you give love a bad name.  I play my part and you play your game.  You give love a bad name.
	40. "Movin' Out" - Billy Joel I don't know where I first heard this or why it stuck with me, but it became one of my favorite songs and perhaps my best karaoke song to perform.  It seems odd that I would put this ahead of Billy Joel's bigger hits like "We Didn't Start the Fire" or "Piano Man," but I did. Anthony works at the grocery store saving his pennies for someday.  Mama Leone left a note on the door, it said Sonny move out to the country.
#41-60 February 18, 2007
	41. "I'd Do Anything for Love" - Meat Loaf Credit: Jesse Van Heukelom Maybe the biggest Meat Loaf hit of all-time, "I'd Do Anything for Love" is a 12-minute mini-opera featuring a confusing lyric.  "What is that?"! people always ask.  Well if they'd just listen to the lyrics they'd know that "that" changes each verse. I would do anything for love, but I won't do that.
	42. "Another Cup of Tea" - Tuesday's Robot Credit: Travis Boultan One of the more curious songs on the countdown is from local band Tuesday's Robot, a folk group that Travis & Jonny played alongside a few times.  They gave out free CDs after a show once, and I listened to it countless times.  The CD is good, but this first track is pretty amazing I think. I gathered up all of my bright ideas, I wrote them down on my wrist.  I never did drink a drop of ink falling from your fingertips.
	43. "Believe" - Brooks & Dunn Credit: CMA Awards Here's one very popular country song of 2006 that I turned the station on every time it came on the radio.  It was soooo slow and depressing.  But once it won so many awards at the CMAs, I had no choice but to give it another chance.  It is a really slow, depressing song, but a very good, powerful one too. I raise my hands, bow my head.  I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red. They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see, oh I believe.
	44. "Black Balloon" - Goo Goo Dolls Credit: Bon Jovi The Goo Goo Dolls were always okay by me, but I saw them open for Bon Jovi twice and then a few of their songs really became great.  My favorite was "Black Balloon."  I'm still not really sure what a black balloon is but it must have something to do with drugs. Coming down the world turned over. Angels fall without you there. I go on as you get colder. Are you someone's prayer.
	45. "Pepper" - Butthole Surfers Credit: Jeff LaPlant The only reason I give Jeff credit is that I heard this song on Drive 105 while riding to work with him a few times in 2004.  This was one of those songs I liked the first time I heard it but had to do a ton of searching to figure out what it was and who it was by.  Well, it was by the radio-unfriendly-named Butthole Surfers. I don't mind the sun sometimes, the images it shows.  I can taste you on my lips and smell you in my clothes.
	46. "Eternal Flame" - The Bangles Credit: Stan Zantow That kindergarten year on the school bus, I remember riding home from school bundled up in my snow suit, sitting in the first row of seats all by myself, gazing out the window, and this song was playing.  I kinda forgot about it and then a few years later heard it and those kindergarten memories came rolling back. Close your eyes, give me your hand.  Darling, do you feel my heart beating, do you understand.
	47. "Afternoon Delight" - Starland Vocal Band Credit: Anchorman I heard Afternoon Delight for the first time in junior high and literally laughed at it and changed the station.  I felt stupid listening to it.  But it kept coming up, in movies, TV, whatever.  People loved to make fun of this song.  Derrick Geiszler and I took it a step further by recording it ourselves and making one of the most homoerotic music videos known to man. Gonna find my baby gonna hold her tight, gonna grab some afternoon delight.  My motto's always been when it's right it's right, why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.
	48. "My Best Friend's Girl" - The Cars Credit: Valleyfair One of my favorite songs from the 80s, and one of my best karaoke songs to perform, is "My Best Friend's Girl."  Another of those songs that Valleyfair played to death over the course of my four years there, I always dropped what I was doing to sing along loudly. You got your nuclear boots, and your drip dry gloves. And when you bite your lips, it's some reaction to love--ove-ove--ove-ove.
	49. "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper Credit: Napoleon Dynamite It's not necessarily the Cyndi Lauper version specifically that I'm a fan of, but all of the covers as well.  I actually like the Nadia Turner version from Season 4 of American Idol maybe the best.  Brooke did a great cover of it as well.  It's a good 80s song. When you're lost you can look and you will find me.  Time after time.
	50. "Beautiful" - Smashing Pumpkins I'm a big fan of the whole Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness double album.  In fact, I just recently decided to finally buy it.  If I needed to put a song on loop to put me to sleep, I might have to go with this one.  It's a strange slow song with an addicting beat. Beautiful, you're beautiful, as beautiful as the sun. Wonderful, you're wonderful, as wonderful as they come
	51. "I Just Wanted You to Know" - Mark Chestnutt Credit: Me My favorite era of country music was from 1992-1994.  There were just tons of songs from that time that are incredible.  One of the best, and the one that exemplifies that whole period is Mark Chestnutt's "I Just Wanted You to Know."  It's one of those songs with lots of flashbacks going on in my head. I just wanted you to know, sometimes driving home at night.  I let your memory take control and you're sitting by my side.
	52. "American Pie" - Don McLean Credit: Brandon Hanson One of the longest songs known to man, "American Pie" is pretty much a classic everywhere you go.  I first heard it on one of those Hanson road trips where they listened exclusively to oldies.  Inevitably, someone does this just about every time at karaoke.  Plus I just recently found out that the song was about the plane crash that killed singers Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, and Richie Valens. Bye bye Miss American Pie.  Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry.
	53. "My Girl" - The Temptations Credit: ABC After watching a 3-night miniseries on The Temptations on ABC in junior high, I became a big fan and bought two of their greatest hits albums.  There were some really good songs, like "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "Get Ready," but "My Girl" is the standard and everyone knows it. I guess you'd say, what could make me feel this way, my girl, my girl, my girl.  Talkin bout my girl.
	54. "Bad Company" - Bad Company Credit: Dad While going through Dad's old 8-tracks once, we popped in some Bad Company and their self-titled track came on.  I thought it was a cool song and downloaded it.  There was a time, in fact, where I said this was in my top five songs ever, but it has since back-pedaled. Company Always on the run. Destiny is the rising sun. Oh I was born 6-gun in my hand. Behind a gun I'll make my final stand.
	55. "Bad for Good" - Meat Loaf Credit: Me Bat Out of Hell: III can never compare to the first two Bat albums.  But there are a couple great songs, including "Bad for Good," which Meat Loaf actually covers from writer Jim Steinman's 1981 solo album.  And in true Jim Steinman fashion, the song is about ten minutes long. If there's something I want, then it's something I need.  I wasn't built for comfort I was built for speed.
	56. "Levon" - Elton John Credit: Taylor Hicks My second-favorite Elton John song is "Levon," which Taylor Hicks performed wonderfully in Season 5 of American Idol.  I liked it before that, too.  In the summer of 2004 Travis Boultan remarked what a good song it was.  And he shall be Levon, and he shall be a good man.  He shall be Levon.
	57. "Don't Know Why" - Norah Jones Sometimes when I really want to slow down and relax, Norah Jones is the cure.  I'm not sure what genre this is--maybe jazz?  Sometimes when you find out other people like a song a lot, it makes you like it that much more.  When I discovered president Mitch and manager Aaron were big fans, it kinda bumped up a notch for me too. I waited till I saw the sun, I don't know why I didn't come.
	58. "More Than a Feeling" - Boston Credit: Dad Hey, two eight-track debuts within a few songs of each other!  This is another one I first heard while testing old 8-tracks in the shop once.  I attempted--attempted--to do this in karaoke once at Willow Lake.  I made a fool of myself trying to hit those high notes. It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play.  I think you're dreaming, just see Marianne walk away.
	59. "It's My Life" - Bon Jovi Credit: Me This song could easily be #1 if I hadn't overplayed it to death from 2000 to 2001.  I credit this song entirely for getting me into Bon Jovi.  It was one of those songs where I heard it on the radio for the first time and it was a life-changing experience... well, sorta. It's my life, it's now or never.  I ain't gonna live forever.  I just wanna live while I'm alive.
	60. "That Summer" - Garth Brooks This song was my favorite off the first Garth Brooks album I owned, The Chase.  I later paid more attention to the lyrics and realized the song was about a young Garth Brooks working for a widow woman on her farm one summer, and the woman seducing Garth.  Till she came to me one evening.  Hot cup of coffee and a smile.  In a dress that I was certain she hadn't worn in quite a while.
#61-80 February 14, 2007
	61. "Friends in Low Places" - Garth Brooks Around 1992 or so, there were two big country songs that were dominating the charts--"Friends in Low Places," and "Achy Breaky Heart."  People had very strong feelings towards these songs.  Either you loved or hated them.  I was a big fan of "Friends," even though I didn't really interpret the lyrics until years later.  Today, one of the best party/bar songs known to man. I've got friends in low places, where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away.
	62. "Blister in the Sun" - Violent Femmes Credit: Jason LaPlant I had no idea who the Violent Femmes were before I saw them in concert in St. Paul in 2004.  It was pouring rain, but we stood in the water and watched a damn good concert.  Another real crowd-pleaser at the bar scene.  Still the mystery remains as to what the lyrics are really about... When Im out walking I strut my stuff yeah Im so strung out, Im high as a kite I just might stop to check you out. Let me go on like I blister in the sun
	63. "Lord Have Mercy" - Travis Tritt This is undoubtedly an odd choice for the list, especially so high, but for some reason, lots of memories from that 4th grade era come back when I hear this song.  Especially my baseball card collecting days and us playing tackle football on the asphalt at recess.  Don't ask me why this song is associated with that stuff, but it is. Won't you tell me if you can, why life's so hard to understand.  Why's the rich man busy dancing, while the poor man pays the band.
	64. "Memphis Soul Song" - Uncle Kracker Credit: Lifetime Fitness Another song that likely will never stand the test of time but right now is tattooed in my brain after hearing it so often at Lifetime Fitness.  It's a great song, I think.  Uncle K has some good vocals when he's not so explicit. She's like Mississippi when the some comes up at dawn.  She moves me like a Memphis soul song.
	65. "Photograph" - Weezer I have to say this is one of the catchier Weezer tunes, and a great karaoke crowd-pleaser.  I sang it a few times at Fat Daddy's in Madison.  I don't know what else to say about it other than it's great, but not Pinkerton great. If you want it, you can have it.  But you gotta learn to reach out there and grab it.
	66. "Guitar Town" - Steve Earle Credit: KOKK There were a handful of songs back at good old KOKK that I heard for the first time when I played them myself over the radio, and this was one of them that came up in the queue one time.  It's not fast, not slow, just kinda a low-key country song. Hey pretty baby are you ready for me?  It's good you're rockin Daddy down in Tennessee.
	67. "In the Waiting Line" - Zero 7 Credit: Garden State There seems to be a nice theme going here between Scrubs and Garden State soundtracks.  This song plays in the scene where Zach Braff is at the party and people are doing drugs.  Great movies make songs like this seem a lot greater. Everyone's saying different things to me, different things to me.
	68. "Nothin' to Lose" - Josh Gracin Credit: American Idol This song is very significant.  I had grown out of my country music phase around 2004 or so, but one morning while showering in the basement of 912 North Egan, this song came on the radio and caught my attention so much that Josh Gracin single-handedly pulled me back on the dusty country trail.  I later saw him perform in concert. Oh yeah by the way she grooves, she's got me rollin in dirt in a white t-shirt, breaker breaker big nine she's a big ol' flirt.
	69. "I'm No Superman" - Lazlo Bane Credit: Scrubs Well, obviously this song wouldn't be here if not for it being the Scrubs theme song.  I also would have no idea who Lazlo Bane was.  And technically, I still don't, other than the fact that they did the Scrubs song. I know what I've been told, you gotta break free to break the mold.  But I can't do this all on my own, I know that I'm no Superman.
	70. "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison Not a lot of timeless classics are going to be on this list, but "Brown Eyed Girl" I suppose is an exception.  I remember this song most vividly from riding with the Hanson family on one of those summer trips to Valleyfair in the late 90s.  For many years it was the only Van Morrison song I knew. Hey where did we go, days when the rains came. Down in the hollow, playin' a new game.
	71. "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin Credit: Guy LaMont I know on many charts, people have this as #1.  It's a great song.  We tried playing this at dances in high school and it became really awkward towards the end.  Guy LaMont was the biggest Led Zeppelin fan I knew and he certainly played a part in my knowledge of the Zep. There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, and she's buying a stairway to heaven.
	72. "Such Great Heights" - The Postal Service Credit: Jeff LaPlant I didn't know if it was true or not, but Jeff LaPlant told me in the summer of 2004 that this song was done by two artists who mailed parts of the song back and forth to each other.  If that's true, or even if it's not, it's a great song of the electronica variation, I guess. I am thinking it's a sign that the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned.
	73. "That's Why I'm Here" - Kenny Chesney Kenny's first big hit in my opinion came about around 1998 or so.  When I was out lining up some bales in the field in the tractor, I heard this song plenty and it became my favorite song for a brief time.  Kenny talks about his alcohol probs.  But he gets it all figured out by song's end. I ain't had nothing to drink.  I knew that's probably what you'd think if I stopped by this time of night.
	74. "Like a Rolling Stone" - Bob Dylan Much like "Stairway to Heaven," most Top 100 lists will have this at #1 or at least in the top ten.  But, since I'm so out of the loop on that kinda stuff, Minnesota native Bob Dylan will have to settle for 74th.  It took a ton of times listening to it to appreciate it. How does it feel to be without a home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone.
	75. "Today" - Smashing Pumpkins Some of my current favorites, despite being a decade old, are anything by the Smashing Pumpkins.  I used "Today" in the soundtrack for my short film I sent in to FOX.  Other than that, no stories to tell. Today is the greatest day I've ever known. Can't live for tomorrow, tomorrow's much too long.
	76. "How to Save a Life" - The Fray Credit: Scrubs Ah, the big hit of the summer of 2006.  Overplayed?  Yes.  But it was good enough to be overplayed I think.  It's one of those songs that got used a lot in hospital shows, like Grey's Anatomy, and--what else--Scrubs.  I still haven't paid close enough attention to the lyrics to know how to save someone's life though. Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness.
	77. "Once in a While" - Billy Dean Credit: 8 Seconds The slowest, most heartfelt country song known to man may be "Once in a While" from the bull-riding movie "8 Seconds."  Actually the entire soundtrack for that movie was pretty good.  This song grabbed me in just the right spot and it became one of those "tuck away for a possible wedding song" songs. Once in a while someone comes along.  That one-in-a-million heart, so pure and so strong.
	78. "Do You Realize" - The Flaming Lips Credit: Las Vegas 04 Travelers It seemed everyone in the van except me on that spring break trip to Las Vegas was already well-acquainted with The Flaming Lips and the big hits of the album, like "Do You Realize."  Not only does it bring back those amazing memories of that spring break, but it's a pretty unique-sounding song. Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face?  Do you realize we're floating through space?
	79. "The Guitar Man" - Bread Credit: Stuart Bell When I first got my Apple iBook in 2001, I went over to Uncle Stuart's house to raid his giant CD collection and find some good music to put on iTunes.  Under Stuart's recommendations, I took a couple songs by Bread, including "Guitar Man."  It catapulted to the top of my list of favorite songs of the early 70s. Night after night who treats you right, baby it's the guitar man.
	80. "25 or 6 to 4" - Chicago Credit: Paul Ehrke Anyone who went to a Willow Lake jazz band concert in 1999-2001 era undoubtedly heard this a few times.  With Josh Maynard's guitar solo, my trumpet solo, and Jordan's piano playing, we dominated this at the spring concert in 2001.  Yet the meaning of the title confuses me. Waiting for the break of day.  Searching for something to say.  Wanting just to stay awake.
#81-100 February 12, 2007
	81. "Easy Tonight" - Five for Fighting Credit: Scrubs I'm a fan of some lighter alternative stuff, especially Five for Fighting.  I had always liked this song but after I heard it again on Scrubs set to some emotional scene at the end of an episode, it just got knocked a few pegs higher in my rankings. Shotgun fire anybody home, I got two dimes in the telephone. Alright, it's not easy tonight.
	82. "Dracula from Houston" - Butthole Surfers Credit: Scrubs Another song that I had heard a few years ago and always liked, and again, it was popularized when I saw it set to a scene from Scrubs.  As stupid of a name as this is for both a song and a band, it's a pretty cool song, even if the lyrics "Dracula from Houston" are never muttered at any point. Got no future, great big past. Little bitty guy on the rim of my glass. Gotta catch the plane so I can get my monkey. Teach him to be cool but a little bit funky.
	83. "Just About Right" - Blackhawk Credit: Me Oh this song must have come out around 1995, when I was starving for some fresh new country to listen to on loop all day.  The debut album for Blackhawk was pretty amazing, really.  All five songs on the first side of that cassette were big radio hits.  My favorite, of course, was "Just About Right," a song about painting of all things. Your blue might be gray, your less might be more.  Your window to the world might be your own front door.
	84. "Cryin'" - Aerosmith Credit: No Idea I knew I had to put some Aerosmith on the list.  They aren't my favorite but there are a lot of pretty good songs.  I gotta say "Cryin'" is probably my first or second Aerosmith favorite.  No real attachments or stories behind this song that I can remember, but I like it. I was cryin' when I met you, now I'm tryin' to forget you.
	85. "Purple Rain" - Prince Credit: MB, Inc. The mere fact that Prince and I work in the same square mile as each other earned him a spot on this list.  I pass by his recording studio twice a day and I became a little curious to see what all the fuss was about since I'd really never given his stuff a chance.  But, I must say "Purple Rain" is a song I could have seen myself slow-dancing to at an awkward seventh grade dance. But you can't seem to make up your mind, I think you better close it.  And let me guide you to the purple rain.
	86. "Rock Me Amadeus" - Falco Credit: All Me Terrible song?  Maybe.  It's an 80s German pop tune about a deceased composer and his ability to rock out.  I thought it would be so cool to learn the German lyrics to this song and perform it at karaoke sometime.  I practiced long and hard, then wowed a small crowd at karaoke in Madison in 2004 or so.  The drunken people seemed impressed. Er war ein Punker, Und er lebte in der großen Stadt. Es war Wien, war Vienna, Wo er alles tat. Er hatte Schulden denn er trank, Doch ihn liebten alle Frauen, Und jede rief, Come on and rock me Amadeus.
	87. "Hallelujah" - Rufus Wainwright Credit: Jason LaPlant Jason is a huge Rufus Wainwright fan, and over time, I've picked up on a good song or two from him.  I've never seen Shrek in its entirety that I can remember, but it is from the soundtrack to the first one.  I know this song has been performed by other artists but I like Rufus's best. I heard there was a secret chord, That David played and it pleased the Lord, But you don't really care for music, do you?
	88. "2 Out of 3 Ain't Bad" - Meat Loaf Credit: Parents Mom and Dad both apparently were fans of Meat Loaf when Bat Out of Hell first came out in 1977.  Twenty-some years later I picked up on it and it became my favorite album of all time, and all seven songs are pretty amazing.  Two Out of Three is probably the second-most recognizable from the album. I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you.  Don't be sad.  Cause two out of three ain't bad.
	89. "Rose Tint My World" - Rocky Horror Credit: Me One day, on a whim, I rented the movie Rocky Horror Picture Show, having no clue what it was all about.  Well, turns out it is a cult-favorite musical about a transvestite from outer space.  I guarantee not everyone would like this movie or the music, but I am a big fan.  This, I think, is the best song from the whole thing. We are wild and untamed things.  We are bees with a deadly sting.  Take a hit and your mind goes ping.  Your heart will thump and your blood will sing.
	90. "Layla" - Eric Clapton Credit: Minnesota Twins As a Twins fan, I really shouldn't have this on my list.  But every time the Twins lose, the instrumental ending to this song blares over the speakers at the Metrodome as the pouty fans file out the doors.  That's not why I like this song.  I like it cause it's a pretty good song.  If anything, the Twins losses lower its value. I tried to give you consolation, when your old man had let you down.
	91. "New Slang" - The Shins Credit: Jason LaPlant and Jake Drotzman I think the best movie soundtrack of all-time might have been from Garden State.  A handful of these songs are on the Top 100 list.  I give Jason credit for this one because he insisted I watch Garden State when we were living together back at DSU.  It was a great movie too.  Drotzman burned me a copy of the soundtrack later, upon request. God speed all the bakers at dawn.  May they all cut their thumbs. And bleed in their buns 'till they melt away.
	92. "One Man Wrecking Machine" - Guster Credit: Jeff LaPlant In that crazy summer of 2006, I wanted to download some new music, and randomly asked Jeff LaPlant to give me a few of his favorites that I may not have heard before.  This was the only song Jeff could come up with, and it appears it was a winner.  It is currently the fourth most-played song on my computer at work. I built a time machine.  Goin' to see the homecoming queen.  Take her to the Christmas dance.  Maybe I'll get in her pants... whatever.
	93. "Wonderful Tonight" - Eric Clapton Credit: KOKK Back when I was spinning the country hits of today and yesteryear back at 1210 AM KOKK, we had a handful of selections that weren't actually country, like The Eagles and Eric Clapton.  This is where I first heard "Wonderful Tonight," a nice little romantic number. And then she asks me 'Do you feel alright?' And I say 'yes, I feel wonderful tonight.'
	94. "Crazy Love" - Van Morrison Credit: Travis Boultan Travis Boultan gave me a copy of Moondance to listen to on a car ride home from the Twin Cities in 2003.  I tossed the CD in the backseat and forgot about it for a while.  Only as recently as October did I find it again, and brought the CD into work and listened to it.  I think the entire album is a masterpiece, and this is one of my favorite songs from it. Take away my trouble, take away my grief.  Take away all my heartache in the night like a thief.
	95. "You're Beautiful" - James Blunt Credit: Patrick Lynch On a February 2006 journey to Maryville, Missouri to visit Jeff LaPlant on his 21st birthday, Patrick played this CD on loop for most of Iowa.  We all agreed "You're Beautiful" was an instant hit.  It did, after all, win the RyanGlanzer.com Big in 2006 Award for Best New Song of the Year. And she caught my eye as I walked on by.  She could see from my face that I was f*$king high.
	96. "All Revved Up with No Place to Go" - Meat Loaf Credit: Parents I'll give you a little sneak preview for this countdown: all seven songs from Bat Out of Hell are on this list, and this song is last.  But they are all amazing songs.  For the record, I can relate pretty well to the lyrics of All Revved Up. Every Saturday night, I felt the fever grow.  You know what it's like, all revved up with no place to go.
	97. "Summertime" - Kenny Chesney Credit: Steve Carlson Back in April 2006, Steve Carlson offered me a discounted ticket to go to Kenny Chesney with him.  I agreed, and began listening to all of Kenny's latest stuff.  At the concert, I remember Kenny leading off the show with this song.  It pretty much became the country hit of the year for me. Cheap shades, a tattoo, and a Yoo-Hoo bottle rollin' on the floorboards.
	98. "Could've Been Me" - Billy Ray Cyrus Credit: Me Say what you want about Billy Ray Cyrus.  "Achy Breaky Heart" was crap, but the rest of his music was pretty decent.  I especially am fond of "Could've Been Me," from the same 1992 album.  I was pretty obsessed with country music in 1992 and hearing this song today brings back some memories of my ten-year-old days. But dreams move on if you wait too long.  It took me till now to see that it coulda been me.
	99. "Breakaway" - Kelly Clarkson Credit: No One I am an American Idol fan, and a fan of the contestants' music from the show.  I think this is going to be one of the few songs on the list from Idolists, but it is a good one.  As much as I hated working at the liquor store in Madison, I remember hearing this song on the radio several times each shift and it kinda grew on me. Buildings with a hundred floors, swinging around wild indoors.
	100. "I Got You" - Split Enz Credit: Jason LaPlant and Valleyfair Any 80s song, I gotta give a little credit to Valleyfair for blaring it in my ears for four years.  But this is Jason's favorite 80s song, and he's the one who got me into listening to it.  Name one other song by the Split Enz... can't do it.  This is a keep though... I don't know why sometimes I get frightened... You can see my eyes you can tell that I'm not lyin'.