I've been keeping a Ta-Da List for awhile of what I consider the best songs of all time. Technically, it's more the best songs of my time, which isn't quite 36 years. In fact, it's more like 26 years, because the only thing I heard frequently before that were my mom's John Denver records. And the soundtrack to Mary Poppins.
This list will likely grow and/or be refined over time. Some of these songs changed my life, some may change yours. You don't have to agree.
In no particular order...
"I Have To Save The World" - Venus Hum
From the Songs for Superheroes album, this song immediately struck a chord with me. Lyrically it's about all kinds of people depending on you and feeling trapped because no one has your back when you need it. Any coach can relate. It's such a solid electronic sound, too.
"The Stairs" - INXS
From the oft forgotten X, INXS had a lot to offer before Hutchence selfishly took his own life. It comes down to a few lines:
"Do you lead, or are you lead?
Are you sure that you don't care?
There are reasons here to give your life,
And follow in your way.
The passion lives to keep your faith,
Though all are different all are great.
Climbing as we fall,
We dare to hold on to our fate,
And steal away our destiny
To catch ourselves with quiet grace."
"Sound" - James
This is one of several songs that kind of builds up until it's bursting with sound. It has a key line as well: "Do everything you fear, in this there's power. Fear is not to be afraid of." This song really will shake you out of mediocrity, I guarantee it. I rediscovered this song just this year when I discovered they had a live album, which is completely awesome. The live version is even better. I mean, real fucking musicians all over the place, including trumpet.
"Edge of The Ocean" - Ivy
First heard this I think on the TV show Alias, as well as various movies and other shows I'm sure. This is the biggest stand out from the "soft female vocal over electronic music" genre. It always leaves me feeling relaxed and has over the years helped me feel that love is a real thing.
"Shine" - Tracy Bonham
It might not be everyone's thing, but this song could be the best song period. It says the kind of thing that I've said to many people close to me, that what they bring to the world is immeasurably good, and they need to know that.
"I'm Burning" - Jesus Jones
Another track from the band only really known for "Right Here, Right Now," they pushed an interesting industrial-pop-electronic sound, and this song is all about that feeling you get from someone who drives you crazy with desire.
"See The Sun" (Live version) - Dido
I always liked this song, even when it came out, but it had special meaning for me later on, during the separation and divorce. It competes with "Shine" for favorite song. This is another I rediscovered with the live version, where she just belts out the bridge with intensity not found on her studio albums. Appropriate given its lyrics, which saved my ability to really love, I think: "Do you remember telling me you found the sweetest thing of all? You said one day of this was worth dying for. So be thankful you knew her at all, but it's no more."
"In Your Eyes" - Peter Gabriel
This song is old enough that I don't tie it to specific memories or people, but it's such a good song. The live version is pretty cool too.
"I Am Superman" - R.E.M.
This is on the end of Life's Rich Pageant, and I doubt many people know it. It's short, but is really one of R.E.M.'s best songs.
"Shout" - Tears for Fears
The 80's included a lot of crap, but this was very much proof that popular music didn't have to suck. It wasn't afraid to be a long song, either, which was unusual for radio.
"All in All" - Toad The Wet Sprocket
Toad was all about the interesting harmonies, and this song in particular combined that with a certain "big" guitar sound.
"Pride (In The Name of Love)" - U2
The "Martin Luther King" song, "Early morning, April 4, shot rings out in the Memphis sky. Free at last, they took your life, they could not take your pride." Most appropriate use in film: Elizabethtown.
"Drown" - Smashing Pumpkins
This was on the soundtrack for Singles, the movie that put a face on the Seattle grunge phenomenon of 1993 or so (even though the Pumpkins are from Chicago). This song has three or four minutes of glorious guitar feedback and noise, and if you like that kind of thing, it's easy to just lose yourself in it.
"Kim The Waitress" - Material Issue
Another band lost because of a suicide. While "Everything" was covered by another band, this was one of their greatest songs. It captures that feeling of desire for someone completely out of your league, and has a wonderful Middle East sound to the guitar at times. This band could have been so huge.
"Up To The Roof" - Blue Man Group
The anthem for everyone who is tired of living what they were sold. The original had Tracy Bonham singing, and the live version has Adrian Hartley, and both do it well. This gem is why I wish BMG would trust themselves to do more actual song writing, and integrate those songs into the stage shows.
"Wanted Dead or Alive" - Bon Jovi
If growing up with this song didn't make you want to learn to play the guitar, I don't know what's wrong with you. This is one of the only songs that I can ever recall working perfectly with a music video. It really captured the life on the road feel of the lyrics.
"Girlfriend" - Matthew Sweet
I'm never sure how to describe Matthew Sweet to people, but I guess I'd say take pop lyrics, put some driving but accessible guitar to it, and rock out, and you've got him. This is likely the best song of his that I've heard, and it really stand up to time.
"Supervixen" - Garbage
Their first single from their first album. I'm not sure if it's as good as I think it is, but it seems like the perfect start to introduce you to the band. It suffers somewhat from feeling over-produced (something they loosened up on a little with time), but I still love this song.
"Stripped" (Live) - Depeche Mode
Ah, 101 makes you want to punch Dave Gahan for saying "Thank you!" over and over, but this track is such a definitive picture of what Depeche Mode sounds like, and it sounds fabulous loud. I was lucky enough to see it performed live and in the front row (in Cleveland, not Pasadena). They've been hit or miss, but they've still got a corner on their sound.
"Skinny" - Filter
Another "building up" song, I love that it shows how the singer can sing and rock and roll scream. One of the band's best songs, easily.