So there’s a grip of artists that I’d lvoe to do lists for but don’t feel like I know enough to do the list properly. I mangled a couple already, so I’m not going to make that mistake again. Instead, I’m going to take 25 acts I really, really dig and list my favorite of their songs. This could be a fun one.
Artist–2Pac
Song–Me and My Girlfriend.
Yeah, you can say this song was made once by Nas–“I Gave You Power”–and another time by Organized Konfusion–“Stray Bullet”–but this was one of the rare times Pac really rode a metaphor. Shit, forget rode a metaphor. Just used one at all.
Artist–A Tribe Called Quest
Song–Scenario
If I have to explain, I can’t help you.
Artist–Aerosmith
Song–Janie’s Got a Gun
I remember seeing once on Pop-Up Video that the label referred to this as “Steven’s Masterpiece.” And considering this was written by someone that has four, maybe five, songs that don’t involve getting laid and/or high, that’s pretty accurate.
Artist–Al Green
Song–For the Good Times
There are a million directions I could go here. I’m really partial to “Simply Beautiful” and “Funny How Time Slips Away,” but I’ll go with “For the Good Times” simply because I’ve seen it, time and time again, paralyze a car full of people, keeping us in the car until the song was over even though we were running late.
Artist–Anthony Hamilton
Song–Float
My favorite singer of today. Straight kills this one.
Artist–Aretha Franklin
Song–Ain’t No Way
I tend to associate this song with an ex-girlfriend–which lends a spectacular irony, lemme tell ya–but it’s still incredible. For me, it’s so interesting how much I dig the song, believe every word…and still, I’m exactly the kind of dude Aretha’s singing about.
Artist–Beatles
Song–While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Yeah, my favorite Beatles joint is the one written by Harrison with Clapton on guitar. It might be the least Lennon/McCartney song in the catalog.
Artist–Bill Withers
Song–Make Love To Your Mind
Big problem, though. You better be ready to make an honest woman outta this one, Bill. If you make love to the mind, then properly do the same with the body, you’ll never be able to shake her. Never.
Artist–Black Sabbath
Song–War Pigs/Luke’s Wall
Perhaps Geezer’s best written song, maybe the most effective groove…just a great political statement from a group most wouldn’t expect one from.
Artist–Bob Dylan
Song–Hurricane
So many directions to go, but I’ll go with one of the harder rocking and driving cuts in the catalog. Plus, he’s just about as concise as he’s ever been, given this topic.
Artist–Bruce Springsteen
Song–Rosalita
Back when Bruce was still fairly optimistic. By the time “Born to Run” came around, he’d sold his folk out. That’s fucked up, Bruce.
Artist–Busta Rhymes
Song–Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
If you were a college freshman in 1997, please stand up and let ’em know about this one.
Artist–Curtis Mayfield
Song–Choice of Colors
It’s got some strange moments, but I just love this one to no end.
Artist–David Bowie
Song–The Man Who Sold the World
I really, really wish I’d written this one.
Artist–The Doors
Song–People Are Strange
Really weird, but it explains why so many dudes are messed up about women. Sayeth the Lizard King, “women seem wicked when you’re unwanted.”
Artist–Dr. Dre
Song–Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang
Top 5 hip hop single of all-time. Period.
Artist–Earth Wind and Fire
Song–I’ll Write a Song For You
Not the biggest EWF fan, but this is flawless. Great song, great melody, and the best of Philip Bailey’s falsetto.
Artist–Eightball and MJG
Song–Space Age Pimpin’
Literally flawless.
Artist–Erykah Badu
Song–Booty
I prefer “Other Side of the Game,” but it had to be said that this song begins to explain how she does it to these dudes.
Artist–Juvenile
Song–Juvenile on Fire
So many dreadful things to say about this one. But it’s dope. Hate me if you want.
Artist–Led Zeppelin
Song–Trampled Under Foot
Really, who knew Zeppelin could do funk?
Artist–Living Colour
Song–Solace of You
LC was so friggin’ versatile. If only Vern was a better guitar player. Yeah, I said it.
Artist–Nas
Song–NY State of Mind II
That verse about his friends is real, heartfelt, and incredible. Technically magnificent, too.
Artist–Notorious B.I.G.
Song–Niggaz Bleed
There’s a lotta ways you can go on here and still be in the clear. But since I couldn’t choose between the two versions of “One More Chance,” I went with the best story he ever told. Well, there’s “I Got a Story to Tell.” Yeah, this one’s hard. Lemme get back atcha.
Artist–Pink Floyd
Song–Wish You Were Here
First, it’s one of the few Floyd songs that’s best enjoyed on terra firma. Second, it’s Roger Waters’ masterpiece. Third, just go listen to it. I swear you’ll be glad you did.
Wow, that’s 25 already. Pick this up again next week?
11 thoughts on “25–The Compilation”
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You most definitely have to pick this up again. This list has me amped! As always, you picked some goodies. A few of mine:
Tribe – Footprints (can I get a level on the bass & on the treble/footin’ up and down like a UNLV Rebel) or Midnight (the video for Jazz (we got)/Buggin’ Out definitely goes on that list from the other day, as does De La’s clip for Breakadawn (see below) – oh and finally saw your #3 – whoa!
Aretha – Spanish Harlem
Busta – Woo Ha!
De La Soul – Breakadawn
That line you quote from the Door’s goes directly to yesterday’s post (sorry to be all over with this one). First off, if you’re wondering what liking Ridin’ Dirty says about you, then you’re already a winner. I’ve given up on figuring out what liking “Bitches Ain’t Shit” says about me. As you stated re: Fuck My Car, there is “truth in the madness”, the truth that most people who get all stretched out about misogyny and hip hop fail to acknowledge. It’s an “I love you/I hate you thing”. You love and covet the very thing that can render you powerless, even if just for a few moments. But you also fear it, and that fear gets expressed in many ways. Beyond that, we all know that there are chicks in the world straight gamin’ cats. Free drinks, dinner, show tickets, clothes, bills paid, etc., etc. I personally would never (and have not ever) run game on a dude for my own material gain, but if you’re willing to open your wallet to subsidize my cosmo at the bar, who am I to stop you?
Great post! It’s crazy to think that Dre didn’t even want G Thang to be a single. Good thing Snoop convinced him otherwise. Also, I still remember watching the Arsenio Hall show as a youngster and seeing the live performance of Scenario. The thing I remember most clearly was thinking to myself “Got damn, who is this Busta Rhymes cat?” Good times.
One more note…great Pac reference…I’m partial to Temptations and So Many Tears. Temptations because it’s a great example of how good he was at writing about his life in ways everyone can relate to. So Many Tears, because to me it is the best example of his greatest talent which is his ability to communicate emotion through his songs. That’s where he was a genius.
Pink Floyd – Learning to Fly (I can’t think of a better song that captures the idea of what people think they are capable of on coke. Whenever I get to direct my 80s magnum opus it will be the song playing during a great drug and party montage. “I thought I thought of everything” is an unreal lyric in the context.)
Tim & Magoo – Luv 2 Luv Ya (Welcome to Our World was a very, very dope cd. Was the chance to see what kinds of things Tim was capable of lyrically and having a great collabo with Missy that is under appreciated.)
evan
Bo, “Wish You Were Here” is a great song, and an underated album as well that is often lost between “Moon” and “Wall.” I’d like for you to give David Gilmour some credit though. He co-wrote it with Roger, and is the one singing it. Also, the bass riff intro on “Have A Cigar” is the single greatest bass riff of all time.
You know what Bill Withers song I can’t stop playing? “Lovely Day” What a feel good song to listen to on the drive to work every morning, or to just lay in bed in the morning hugging your girl.
Aerosmith’s “Janie’s Got A Gun?” Really? Really? Hmmm, OK… I would have chosen “Last Child.”
How dare you diss Vernon. How DARE you… 🙂
I think “The End” is the crown jewel of The Doors catalog.
You know what Tupac song tears at my heart? “Dear Mama” You can just hear the pain.
Finally, the EWF song featuring Phillip Bailey I like best? “Serpentine Fire”
Great list Bo!
this cat evan mentioned timbaland’s lyrics…
wow.
Agreed on “Have a Cigar”, but “The End” is overrated as is everything Zeppelin ever did. Page was good, but Plant’s biggest accomplishment was making it out of the womb. And yes, I know everyone loves Led Zeppelin. I don’t care. They sucked.
I’m on Bo’s side re: the Doors, but I’m also partial to “Waiting For The Sun” and “Queen of the Highway”. The Bowie song was a good choice, but does it get disqualified because the Nrivana version was so much better?
I’ll be waiting eagerly to see what your favorite India.Arie song is.
I love Ain’t No Way by Aretha. Definitely her best song. Definitely.
I know, I know, I’m late off the blocks for this one…
But I had to comment. You FINALLY worked Aretha into a post! FINALLY!
Thank you, Bo. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.
This made my day.
🙂
I definitely feel a spin-off coming on… Songs that Changed Your Life. For this list? Definitely throw Ice Cube “Today Was A Good Day.” in the mix.
Okay, Bomani
Some of these songs I have never heard. I just can not believe you picked ‘Space Age Pimpin’ although I do love that song (yes I know I am not supposed to).
However in reference to Tupac I think that Brenda’s Got a Baby would have been a better choice but hey it is your list.
Lita