My Top Ten Favorite Song List From Artists Like Dave Matthews Counting Down to John Lennon

When I was younger I was a very shy child. I felt alone most of the time. Of course, I had a few friends who were brave enough to become a friend to such an introvert like me, and it was usually because they were such extroverts, and in my opinion, I was a refreshing change for them.

Through the years of my quiet youth, you can imagine that I lived inside my head a lot. This is where I believe I developed my interest in writing. I was a daydreamer, and actually; I still am, but I would daydream always about being someone different than who I was. With that, I also formed a very musical ear. When I listened to music with my daydreams, I felt happy. I would just enter a new world and the one I was actually living in would float away somewhere and not exist.

Born in the early 70s, I went through many decades of distinct type music, and then as an adult, I grabbed an interest in lots more genres; Reggae, classical, even hip-hop on occasion peaked my interest.

For this hub, I thought I would write a diversified list of different songs I have absolutely loved through my years. I would say they are my very favorite, in fact, they are. However, I have so many favorites from the years that it’s impossible to list every single one. Nevertheless, I did my best to pick some good ones.

I will state the year the song was released and maybe a few more facts, but then I will discuss why I like the song itself. I will do this, because, I hope for discussion pieces more than just informational. I know when I read lists like this, if it is too informational, I will get extremely bored, but if there are a few facts with personal preference to it, I will read it with a bit more enthusiasm. I may be different in that way, but I draw from real life and emotion more than I do from facts. In saying that, I hope you like it. Also, look for my poem at the end! :)

Here’s my favorite songs of the decades' list;

This song by “The Dave Matthews Band," was released as a single in December 1996. The song was one from the bands hit album "Crash," and made it to #7 on the Billboard charts by March 1997.

Inspiration for the song is said to be Dave’s wife Ashley Harper. He wrote this song on the college campus which his wife was alumni of; Sweet Briar College, Virginia.

However, this is my top ten list of favorite songs, so my reason for placing it as one of my favorites is simple; this song moves me. I love how Dave makes his lyrics relatable without them being identifiable. What I mean by that is; usually, songs I like have lyrics of poetic notion. “Crash into Me,” is a song that has poetic realms that are so relatable as you listen, but sung in a very different way. For example, lyrics in this song like;

"Sweet like candy to my soul, sweet you rock and sweet you roll." Or, "Hike up your skirt a little more and show your world to me."

These are lyrics that excite as you listen to them. They are different, unique, and as I said before, very poetic in form.

This song has always taken me to a different place in my mind, and I love it! It’s exactly what I want a song to do. The music is captivating to go along with the verses, and it’s an all-around epic song. A song, in my opinion, that will remain in one’s head forever. It certainly does mine.

This next song made my list for many reasons; “Guaranteed” is the last track from the movie “Into the Wild,” soundtrack that came out in 2007. It’s a very inspirational song as the movie is. I had to choose just one of these songs, but I had several I wanted to list because I just absolutely love this soundtrack and Eddie’s voice and vision.

This being the last song from the soundtrack, there is a moment of pause at the end, then you get a treat of a hidden track of the song, where Eddie hums the vocals. It’s a beautiful song and just a great tribute to the late Chris McCandless. I will not go into considerable detail about the movie, but it’s a very inspirational movie that I would recommend. The movie and the soundtrack are both favorites of mine.

So many great lyrics, I don’t think I have a favorite in this song. However, one that sticks out in my mind while writing this is;

"Got my indignation, but I’m pure in all my thoughts; I'm alive…"

This song I could listen to over and over without ever getting tired of it. The whole soundtrack is one that I never tire of and listen to quite frequently if I just want to feel inspired.

I hope, if you have not yet watched this movie or listened to the soundtrack, that you do so soon. I bet you will love it as I do!

Released in 1993, this song was very captivating to my ears. It became my favorite song back then.

I was in my early twenties, at a confusion point in my life, and this song probably made sense to me in all aspects of my life at the time.

I love the way the song starts and the lead singer; Dolores O’Riordan, kind of hums her way into it and how the music increases from the start of just a wonderful sound and song.

These are great lyrics that mean something to a lot of listeners. After all, we’ve all been crazy in love. Probably more times than just one and this song brought a feel to what we all go through if someone is cheating on us.

Chorus;

"You got me wrapped around your finger, do you have to let it linger, do you have to, do you have to let it linger…."

The 90s were filled with such great bands and music “The Cranberries” was one of my favorites of that time. I’ll never tire of this song and many more by this band.

To this day I love folk music. James Taylor has always been the king in that genre in my opinion.

“Fire and Rain” was played on the radio back in 1970. It was James’s feelings on the loss of a childhood friend that would inspire this great hit. Along with his own experience with the drug scene that came with being famous in that era.

I don’t recall when I first heard this song, but I’m sure growing up I heard it often through the years. I remember getting into James Taylor’s music when I was of pre-teen years, around 12, I would say. I just remember this song being the one I recognized one day while listening to the radio, and the feeling it gave me.

“I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain, I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I saw lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.”

Those lyrics always resonated inside of me. I think because of how I was such a quiet child that never really felt that she fit in, and I could remember very lonely times where other kids would be out doing things and I would be by myself with nothing to do. I do recall plenty of bullying not only from other children but sadly from grown-ups. I was misunderstood, even so, I’m very blessed that I came out of those times with what I hope is great wisdom and empathy for others. I think this song helped me through some really tough times. It wasn’t even the complete lyrics, but a certain identifying factor of the song that I related to, as I do to many songs that James Taylor has recorded.

If you like classical, you know that Debussy was one of the most influential composers of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. I love Debussy. I don’t know how to describe his compositions as anything but whimsical and free.

I started getting into classical music in my twenties. I found that the sheer majestic feel of it helped me through my lonely days, as those were some really hard times for me. I was in a very abusive relationship at the time, and this music just kind of helped me escape into my little world, especially this song. Its name came from the French term meaning “light of the moon” or “Moonlight. It’s beautiful!

The more I listened to classical music; I found that I loved Chopin’s Nocturnes probably best of all, but I will always consider this song to be my very favorite.

I’m not a country crooner fan by no means, even though I am southern, I haven’t been much into country music. Yes, I do like some of it, of course, but it’s probably last on my list as a favorite genre. However, this song is a favorite of mine, and old Willie is probably one of the legendary country artists I like the best.

Willie has a way to draw you in with his real-life lyrics. To me, most of them have this old Wild West feel to them, even if they are a love song. When I listen to this song, which was recorded in 1981, for the movie “Honeysuckle Rose” that Willie was the star in, I can imagine old west days and him finding this woman in dire need as she rode up on her horse. I may be wrong, but I think that’s the greatest thing about a song anyway; that you can interpret it in any way you like. You can make the scene up yourself.

"I knew someday you would fly away, for love’s the greatest healer to be found. So leave me if you need to, I will still remember…angel flying too close to the ground."

The words to this song are so touching. I love the message of love being a healer, no matter if it is reciprocated back. I think there is a great message in this song and it’s always been a favorite of mine.

Must know frontman Jakob Dylan as Bob Dylan’s son, but, I just know him as a musical God!

This song is not one, I believe, rode the radio waves very much. I happened upon it by chance one day listening to some of The Wallflowers hits, and it’s been my favorite song of theirs since. I know so little about this song, I only "think" it came on there “Rebel, Sweetheart” album in 2005.

The lyrics, again, are just what I go for in a song. They are very poetic and left up to interpretation by the listener. To me, it’s about the years going by and watching life deteriorate. Some would say it’s a blame game shunning God, but I think it’s just lyrics about being angry at God for time passing and still getting worse. I relate to that because as I have lost in this life and had a tremendous amount of bad luck, at times, I found myself screaming up to God in anger asking that question we all want to know at times; why? This is what the song hits on for me. However, make no mistake, I always get why God does the things he does in the end, and I love him very much.

"Back over the rotted bridge I cross…open up these graves let the bodies talk."

There are so many lyrics that just absolutely stimulate the ear and mind. Jakob Dylan for sure gets his great songwriting and originality from his legendary father.

This song, as you may know, is an original song by “The Rolling Stones,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It was released on their “Sticky Fingers” album back in 1971, which, coincidentally is the year I was born. The inspiration for the song is said to be from a relationship that Mick Jagger had with Marianne Faithfull. There was trouble in their paradise and this is where the lyrics came from.

This song has been re-recorded by several different artists, but my favorite cover of the song is “The Sundays” version.

I first heard their version while watching the movie “Fear,” starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon; that roller coaster scene was awesome while this song was playing.

It’s not the movie that makes me like this version of the song the most though. I think the lead singer, Harriet Wheeler, has a tremendous voice. Her voice is very subtle, yet dominant that way. I love the lyrics to this song as well; Mick Jagger wrote very powerful and moving lyrics.

"No sweeping exits or offstage lines, can make me feel bitter or treat you unkind."

So many emotional endearing lyrics, but I think the above lyric is the one I relate to the most and cannot explain why, unless, it’s just that I feel nothing anyone can or has ever said to me keeps me with a bitter heart. I don’t know why, but in time, I always learn to forgive and forget, especially if I love the person.

This one is on my list because, it, like the others, moves me in a very real way, and I love Harriet’s voice; her British accent resonates beautifully in a few of the words in the song, and I think it makes the song even more unique. I love that about this song and her voice singing it.

What can I say about this song…I mean, when I heard it for the first time I was hooked, I listened to it over and over again. The lyric of this song is just my anthem. It’s probably a lot of people’s anthem.

"It’s a bittersweet symphony this life…trying to make ends meet you’re a slave to money then you die…"

The first-line grabs your attention, and after that, it’s just infectious.

“Bittersweet Symphony” was released on June 16, 1997. It was off The Verve's album, "Urban Hymns."

This song made an impact on me from the first listen, and it has stuck with me ever since. There is no certain reason it’s one of my favorites except; words, music, band, everything about it is an epic!

This song was also featured in another hit movie the actress Reese Witherspoon happened to be in called, “Cruel Intentions.” I hope you listen and enjoy it as much as I do.

Last but certainly not least, this song is my all-time favorite, and I made sure to put it in the #1 slot.

What can you say about this song? What can you say about the man who sings this song? They are both amazing to me, and for as long as I can remember this has been my favorite song of all time and will always be my favorite song of all time.

It encompasses peace. It touches on how we should look at religion. Some think it is insinuating that we should not think of heaven as a place, but I think the total opposite when I listen to this song. I believe it’s just making a "what if" statement altogether. It’s hinting to put the differences aside that shouldn’t matter in the first place and come together as a peaceful nation.

The message is valid to an extreme point, and this song is so poignant in stating its purpose. John Lennon was awesome at relaying his thoughts.

"Imagine all the people, living life in peace. Yooohoo, oooh… You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you will join us, and the world will be as one!!!"

John released this song in 1971, again, the year I was born. Yes, I have to mention what an epic year I came from. Anyway, he released it in that year on the album of the same name, “Imagine.”

I will not be surprised if some of you comment that this is, in fact, your favorite song too. It’s such a legendary tune, by a legendary man.

My time here on earth

is numbered, and I IMAGINE

as my thoughts do wonder…

A BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY

Of rest when I lay my head

down on my day of death…

Will I be met with lions and

lambs, perhaps a band of

WILD HORSES will abound.

The sheer beauty to think

that way, makes my mind

slip away…

I’ll stroll through fields of

gold shine; my lord of peace

will walk beside…

and as I stammer out my first

real question. I’m frightened to

see his facial gesture.

Nevertheless, I look up,

as GOD SAYS NOTHING BACK.

Instead, he looks at me with

a smile, he says, “ you

Will know all things you

desire in time.”

“For now, you must walk

with me along these streets

that are now your home.”

“Pick up your pace and

not once na'er fear,

you are no longer entangled

like an ANGEL FLYING TO

CLOSE TO THE GROUND;

you will fly higher

than high now.”

And in a blink of an eye,

he set me up on

A mountain so tall…

I could see CLAIR DE LUNE,

to the right, she was shining

like beautiful diamond

dust in the night…

he continued to speak as

I lay my head on his shoulder…

“ You my child will never fear

FIRE & RAIN; you did your life

proud, and you will now only see

sunny days amongst my scenic

clouds.”

My eyes opened quickly

as my head fell to the side

he disappeared like a soft

mist to my surprise…

I heard his voice LINGER

in the wind, “I will always

be here GUARANTEED…

I sat there not knowing which

way to go, but knew I had no

worries, I then arose…

I stepped off the high mountain

with no apprehension and with a

slight jolt, I felt my angel wings

so very softly CRASH INTO ME.