Music Post on a Saturday Night. Mhmmmm.
My 5 Favorite Beatles Songs
5. Let It Be
The first time I heard this song, I had no idea who the Beatles were. Yeah, growing up in a house were everyone was an immigrant from a country where music consisted mostly of uplifting salsa dancing songs didn't help much, haha. Music for me was a mixture of latin music and 70s music. However, there were some highlights (Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, etc). Well, this being the first Beatles song I ever heard, I instantly fell in love with it. The song was written by Paul. The piano is so friendly and simple. The very first lyric is so inviting because we've all found ourselves in our "down" times.
Favorite Lyric:
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
4. A Day in the Life
Okay, first, the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album is simply incredible.
Next, John's voice is so comforting in this song. And finally, Paul's orchestra idea was pretty darn phenomenal. Okay, so here's the deal with this song: it begins as an easy-to-fall-in-love-with song because of the lyrics and the friendly notes, but then goes into a great orchestra piece that almost clashes with the song, but then blends in perfectly. Paul and John did an awesome job with this song. Also, at first I didn't understand the lyrics all that well, but after reading a bit about them, the song became a lot more interesting.
Favorite Lyric:
And though the news was rather sad
Well, i just had to laugh
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
You know how everyone says John and Paul were amazing song writers? Well, damn it, so was George Harrison.
By far, this is one of the best songs of the Beatles, well at least in my opinion. The lyrics, the music, the guitar...the guitar!
As soon as the music began the first time I heard this song, I knew I was going to love it. Good job George!
Favorite Lyric:
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
2. Something
Once again, a song written by George Harrison. I'm telling you, Harrison may not have written as much as John and Paul, but when he wrote it was magic. This song is just fantastic. It was included in the Abbey Road album, which is another album filled with beautiful music. Another great feat is that George has the lead vocals, and it must be said: they are great. This might sound weird, but I love the way he pronounced "lover."
Favorite Lyric:
Something in the way she moves,
Attracts me like no other lover.
1. In My Life
Written by Paul and John, this is one of my favorite songs I have ever heard.
There's not much I can say about this one except listen to it if you haven't already.
Favorite Lyric:
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
My 5 Favorite Bob Dylan Songs
5. Like a Rolling Stone
This was ranked by Rollingstone magazine as the best song ever written. The song is great, but I'm beginning to suspect there is a connection between these two. Well, even though it has received so much praise, I don't think it is his best song (albeit, one of his best). Of course, it's all about everyone's different taste in music. But the lyrics are pretty intense (ultimate revenge song, I swear) and the music is very fun to listen to. It's one of my favorite simply because it's a great song.
Favorite Lyric:
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
4. One More Cup of Coffee
One of the best things about Dylan's music are his lyrics. His lyrics are stories, many times (if not all) in forms of poems. I love the sound of this song because it is so different from the typical song he would usually sing. It makes me travel to the setting of the song. I love the lyrics to this song. This is actually the first Dylan song I ever heard so this is the song that I first fell in love with before listening to all his other stuff.
Favorite Lyric:
Your loyalty is not to me
But to the stars above.
3. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Maybe Bob Dylan had a lot of anger in him, I don't know. But many times his lyrics are angry and reproach something. This song does it on a... well, let's say nicer level. The title pretty much sums up the feeling in this song: don't worry about it. Either way, anger or not, I love the song because it feels so simple and pretty (can a song be pretty?....Yes!).
Favorite Lyric:
An' it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don't know by now
2. Mr. Tambourine Man
In essence, this is a poem accompanied by fantastic music. The first time I heard this song I thought, wow, the verses he wrote in this song are so relatable but thoughtful: I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade. I have many different versions of this song that are sung by different artists, including the Byrds version, which is probably more popular than Dylan's. But I feel when Dylan sings it, he makes it far more personal. The Byrd's version is equally beautiful but not equally impacting, if that makes any sense. Strangely enough, in that same list of best songs ever written (in Rollingstone magazine) the Byrds version is rated higher than Dylan's. Hmm.
Favorite Lyric:
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.
1. Hurricane
The reason I love this song so much is the story behind it. I sit and listen to it exactly the way I sit and watch a movie. I picture the entire song as a movie. I try to figure out how Dylan managed to fit the lyrics so perfectly into the song verses and notes. It's really great work at it's best. This song, to me, is a lot like Subterranean Homesick Blues in that so much is said through the story that he writes about, and you're constantly trying to keep up with it. But the story behind this song is so interesting; it's about a true life boxer who was apparently framed for murder back in the 60s. I recently saw a documentary on it and the story is pretty much about the legal system at it's finest (and by finest, I mean at its absolute worst). It's fast, it's fascinating, and it makes you hit the rewind button as soon as it's finished just to fully understand it all.
Favorite Lyric:
Put him in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.
My 5 Favorite Chuck Berry Songs
5. Roll Over Beethoven
That's right, you just roll on over. Haha. To clear this out, there are some classical music pieces that leave you speechless, but then there's Chuck Berry. His music is so much fun to listen to and has a great rhythmic blues feel to it. This song is all about leaving the soft and relaxing music behind and getting up and dancing to great guitar, a great voice, and a fun time!
Favorite Lyric:
My hearts beatin rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin the blues.
Roll over beethoven and tell tschaikowsky the news.
4. Promised Land
Wow, as soon as the beginning of the song starts to play, you get this urge to jump up and ride the long ride Chuck is talking about. At least I do. I don't know if people had ever heard his type of music before he came along with these songs of his, but I couldn't possibly imagine being exposed to music like this during the times it came out in. Later on, Elvis and the Grateful Dead covered this song, so go imagine how much influence his music had on everyone.
Favorite Lyric:
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.
3. Route 66
It's a dream of mine to visit a part of Route 66. A couple of years ago I read all the history behind it and the importance that this route had once. Of course, today we've got highways that connect us to everywhere, and some even to nowhere, but there was a time when Route 66 would have been your only choice. So I'm glad there's a kickass song written about a kickass route. Granted this song was not originally a Chuck Berry song, I still think he made the best of it. Second place goes to Nat King Cole.
Favorite Lyric:
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.
2. Sweet Little Sixteen
The first time I heard this song it sounded very familiar. Then I realized it was because it had practically the same music to "Surfin' in the USA" by the Beach Boys!!! Yes, the song was written by Chuck, and they used the melody and just replaced the words. That's how awesome this song is: it can work in different ways. Beat that.
Favorite Lyric:
All the cats wanna dance with
Sweet little sixteen
1. Johnny B. Goode
I've heard this song, I would say, well over x amount of times but it just never goes under my "overplayed" section like other famous songs (i.e. yesterday by the beatles). I'm still trying to figure out why, but I think it may have something to do with Chuck's personality that can be felt through every single one of his songs. He's got stories to tell, whether about himself, other people, or different subjects in general, he's got something to say. But the best part is that his music was always uplifting and... well, fun. Fun never gets boring. Johnny B. Goode is the best way to get a full taste for what Chuck's music has to offer. It's all his goodness into one song. And Chuck, well, was too good, haha. Well, I should say "is" because he's still alive.
Favorite Lyric:
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
My 5 Favorite Simon & Garfunkel Songs
5. Hazy Shade of Winter
One of the best things about Simon & Garfunkel songs are their lyrics. They are beautiful and far beyond the usual "love" songs that have forever filled up the radio stations. Not to undermine love songs, because there are plenty of beautiful fascinating ones; but there's something so refreshing about listening to lyrics that are different. Once again, their songs are more like stories, sometimes poems. This particular song I discovered many years after my mom played and replayed her favorite songs by them throughout my childhood. I instantly loved it so much, mainly because of the way the lyrics tied the seasons with the way things evolve in life. Another great feat was that it was so fast paced compared to their other songs. It was my ringtone for a good two years, too, haha.
Favorite Lyric:
Hang on to your hopes, my friend
Thats an easy thing to say, but if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend
That you can build them again
4. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
I still have no idea what this song is about. Well, I do understand what it's about: a person asking ridiculous things from a past lover. But what do parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme have anything to do with it? Well here's the deal with this song: Simon and Garfunkel didn't really write this song. It's a song that is of Scottish descent from a song called the Elfin Knight. Then it was combined with the story of a Scarborough Fair, a charter granted by King Henry III at the time, and tada! You get a beautiful English song. But S&G added another song to it turning it into the fantastic Scarborough Fair/Canticle.
Favorite Lyric:
Tell her to find me an acre of land, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand, then shell be a true love of mine.
3. The Only Living Boy in New York
Well, I tend to listen to this song when I'm feeling a bit down. Why? Well:
Favorite Lyric:
"I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, Ive got nothing to do today but smile."
2. The Boxer
This was, for a long time, my favorite S&G song. It's a story about a boy with dreams. The "Lie-Li-Lie" part of this song adds a nice touch. This is one of the songs my mom would play over and over again. Our trips from Montreal to Bridgeport, the nights when she would be depressed about being miles away from her family, sundays when there wasn't much to do, all these and many more, were filled with plays and replays of this song. This led to my asking her why she was so attached to the song. When she was 17 she hiked her way from San Salvador to Honduras one summer. On her way there she was carrying a small portable radio/cassette player on the back of her backpack and listened to his song many times. She came across a small town of indigenous people who offered her water. It was a very beautiful story. It is a very beautiful song.
Favorite Lyric:
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
1. Sounds of Silence
Written after JFK's death, it can be sometimes hard to decipher. But read the lyrics, they are far beyond fascinating. Every single sentence in this song has such a strong meaning. The notes are equally beautiful and interesting. This song to me, is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Of course, like I said earlier, it's all about taste.
Favorite Lyric:
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
5. Let It Be
The first time I heard this song, I had no idea who the Beatles were. Yeah, growing up in a house were everyone was an immigrant from a country where music consisted mostly of uplifting salsa dancing songs didn't help much, haha. Music for me was a mixture of latin music and 70s music. However, there were some highlights (Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, etc). Well, this being the first Beatles song I ever heard, I instantly fell in love with it. The song was written by Paul. The piano is so friendly and simple. The very first lyric is so inviting because we've all found ourselves in our "down" times.
Favorite Lyric:
And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
there will be an answer, let it be.
4. A Day in the Life
Okay, first, the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album is simply incredible.
Next, John's voice is so comforting in this song. And finally, Paul's orchestra idea was pretty darn phenomenal. Okay, so here's the deal with this song: it begins as an easy-to-fall-in-love-with song because of the lyrics and the friendly notes, but then goes into a great orchestra piece that almost clashes with the song, but then blends in perfectly. Paul and John did an awesome job with this song. Also, at first I didn't understand the lyrics all that well, but after reading a bit about them, the song became a lot more interesting.
Favorite Lyric:
And though the news was rather sad
Well, i just had to laugh
3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
You know how everyone says John and Paul were amazing song writers? Well, damn it, so was George Harrison.
By far, this is one of the best songs of the Beatles, well at least in my opinion. The lyrics, the music, the guitar...the guitar!
As soon as the music began the first time I heard this song, I knew I was going to love it. Good job George!
Favorite Lyric:
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
2. Something
Once again, a song written by George Harrison. I'm telling you, Harrison may not have written as much as John and Paul, but when he wrote it was magic. This song is just fantastic. It was included in the Abbey Road album, which is another album filled with beautiful music. Another great feat is that George has the lead vocals, and it must be said: they are great. This might sound weird, but I love the way he pronounced "lover."
Favorite Lyric:
Something in the way she moves,
Attracts me like no other lover.
1. In My Life
Written by Paul and John, this is one of my favorite songs I have ever heard.
There's not much I can say about this one except listen to it if you haven't already.
Favorite Lyric:
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
My 5 Favorite Bob Dylan Songs
5. Like a Rolling Stone
This was ranked by Rollingstone magazine as the best song ever written. The song is great, but I'm beginning to suspect there is a connection between these two. Well, even though it has received so much praise, I don't think it is his best song (albeit, one of his best). Of course, it's all about everyone's different taste in music. But the lyrics are pretty intense (ultimate revenge song, I swear) and the music is very fun to listen to. It's one of my favorite simply because it's a great song.
Favorite Lyric:
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
4. One More Cup of Coffee
One of the best things about Dylan's music are his lyrics. His lyrics are stories, many times (if not all) in forms of poems. I love the sound of this song because it is so different from the typical song he would usually sing. It makes me travel to the setting of the song. I love the lyrics to this song. This is actually the first Dylan song I ever heard so this is the song that I first fell in love with before listening to all his other stuff.
Favorite Lyric:
Your loyalty is not to me
But to the stars above.
3. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Maybe Bob Dylan had a lot of anger in him, I don't know. But many times his lyrics are angry and reproach something. This song does it on a... well, let's say nicer level. The title pretty much sums up the feeling in this song: don't worry about it. Either way, anger or not, I love the song because it feels so simple and pretty (can a song be pretty?....Yes!).
Favorite Lyric:
An' it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don't know by now
2. Mr. Tambourine Man
In essence, this is a poem accompanied by fantastic music. The first time I heard this song I thought, wow, the verses he wrote in this song are so relatable but thoughtful: I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade. I have many different versions of this song that are sung by different artists, including the Byrds version, which is probably more popular than Dylan's. But I feel when Dylan sings it, he makes it far more personal. The Byrd's version is equally beautiful but not equally impacting, if that makes any sense. Strangely enough, in that same list of best songs ever written (in Rollingstone magazine) the Byrds version is rated higher than Dylan's. Hmm.
Favorite Lyric:
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.
1. Hurricane
The reason I love this song so much is the story behind it. I sit and listen to it exactly the way I sit and watch a movie. I picture the entire song as a movie. I try to figure out how Dylan managed to fit the lyrics so perfectly into the song verses and notes. It's really great work at it's best. This song, to me, is a lot like Subterranean Homesick Blues in that so much is said through the story that he writes about, and you're constantly trying to keep up with it. But the story behind this song is so interesting; it's about a true life boxer who was apparently framed for murder back in the 60s. I recently saw a documentary on it and the story is pretty much about the legal system at it's finest (and by finest, I mean at its absolute worst). It's fast, it's fascinating, and it makes you hit the rewind button as soon as it's finished just to fully understand it all.
Favorite Lyric:
Put him in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world.
My 5 Favorite Chuck Berry Songs
5. Roll Over Beethoven
That's right, you just roll on over. Haha. To clear this out, there are some classical music pieces that leave you speechless, but then there's Chuck Berry. His music is so much fun to listen to and has a great rhythmic blues feel to it. This song is all about leaving the soft and relaxing music behind and getting up and dancing to great guitar, a great voice, and a fun time!
Favorite Lyric:
My hearts beatin rhythm
And my soul keeps on singin the blues.
Roll over beethoven and tell tschaikowsky the news.
4. Promised Land
Wow, as soon as the beginning of the song starts to play, you get this urge to jump up and ride the long ride Chuck is talking about. At least I do. I don't know if people had ever heard his type of music before he came along with these songs of his, but I couldn't possibly imagine being exposed to music like this during the times it came out in. Later on, Elvis and the Grateful Dead covered this song, so go imagine how much influence his music had on everyone.
Favorite Lyric:
Tell the folks back home this is the promised land callin'
And the poor boy's on the line.
3. Route 66
It's a dream of mine to visit a part of Route 66. A couple of years ago I read all the history behind it and the importance that this route had once. Of course, today we've got highways that connect us to everywhere, and some even to nowhere, but there was a time when Route 66 would have been your only choice. So I'm glad there's a kickass song written about a kickass route. Granted this song was not originally a Chuck Berry song, I still think he made the best of it. Second place goes to Nat King Cole.
Favorite Lyric:
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.
2. Sweet Little Sixteen
The first time I heard this song it sounded very familiar. Then I realized it was because it had practically the same music to "Surfin' in the USA" by the Beach Boys!!! Yes, the song was written by Chuck, and they used the melody and just replaced the words. That's how awesome this song is: it can work in different ways. Beat that.
Favorite Lyric:
All the cats wanna dance with
Sweet little sixteen
1. Johnny B. Goode
I've heard this song, I would say, well over x amount of times but it just never goes under my "overplayed" section like other famous songs (i.e. yesterday by the beatles). I'm still trying to figure out why, but I think it may have something to do with Chuck's personality that can be felt through every single one of his songs. He's got stories to tell, whether about himself, other people, or different subjects in general, he's got something to say. But the best part is that his music was always uplifting and... well, fun. Fun never gets boring. Johnny B. Goode is the best way to get a full taste for what Chuck's music has to offer. It's all his goodness into one song. And Chuck, well, was too good, haha. Well, I should say "is" because he's still alive.
Favorite Lyric:
Who never ever learned to read or write so well
But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell
My 5 Favorite Simon & Garfunkel Songs
5. Hazy Shade of Winter
One of the best things about Simon & Garfunkel songs are their lyrics. They are beautiful and far beyond the usual "love" songs that have forever filled up the radio stations. Not to undermine love songs, because there are plenty of beautiful fascinating ones; but there's something so refreshing about listening to lyrics that are different. Once again, their songs are more like stories, sometimes poems. This particular song I discovered many years after my mom played and replayed her favorite songs by them throughout my childhood. I instantly loved it so much, mainly because of the way the lyrics tied the seasons with the way things evolve in life. Another great feat was that it was so fast paced compared to their other songs. It was my ringtone for a good two years, too, haha.
Favorite Lyric:
Hang on to your hopes, my friend
Thats an easy thing to say, but if your hopes should pass away
Simply pretend
That you can build them again
4. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
I still have no idea what this song is about. Well, I do understand what it's about: a person asking ridiculous things from a past lover. But what do parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme have anything to do with it? Well here's the deal with this song: Simon and Garfunkel didn't really write this song. It's a song that is of Scottish descent from a song called the Elfin Knight. Then it was combined with the story of a Scarborough Fair, a charter granted by King Henry III at the time, and tada! You get a beautiful English song. But S&G added another song to it turning it into the fantastic Scarborough Fair/Canticle.
Favorite Lyric:
Tell her to find me an acre of land, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Between the salt water and the sea strand, then shell be a true love of mine.
3. The Only Living Boy in New York
Well, I tend to listen to this song when I'm feeling a bit down. Why? Well:
Favorite Lyric:
"I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, Ive got nothing to do today but smile."
2. The Boxer
This was, for a long time, my favorite S&G song. It's a story about a boy with dreams. The "Lie-Li-Lie" part of this song adds a nice touch. This is one of the songs my mom would play over and over again. Our trips from Montreal to Bridgeport, the nights when she would be depressed about being miles away from her family, sundays when there wasn't much to do, all these and many more, were filled with plays and replays of this song. This led to my asking her why she was so attached to the song. When she was 17 she hiked her way from San Salvador to Honduras one summer. On her way there she was carrying a small portable radio/cassette player on the back of her backpack and listened to his song many times. She came across a small town of indigenous people who offered her water. It was a very beautiful story. It is a very beautiful song.
Favorite Lyric:
In the clearing stands a boxer, and a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him
1. Sounds of Silence
Written after JFK's death, it can be sometimes hard to decipher. But read the lyrics, they are far beyond fascinating. Every single sentence in this song has such a strong meaning. The notes are equally beautiful and interesting. This song to me, is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Of course, like I said earlier, it's all about taste.
Favorite Lyric:
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share