tales of an ordinary girl

I read a post a few months ago about a certain blogger's top 100 songs. I thought, "I'm up to the challenge. Certainly I could pick out 100 top songs and post them."

The challenge was more than I realized at the time. It was very difficult to narrow it down and when I felt I had a good list I'd listen to it on my iPod... and then re-arrange the entire list on each listen. A new album would be released and sometimes I'd have to fit it in. I'd remember a great song I hadn't heard in a long time and I'd have to fit it in.

I know there are songs that should be there that I'm not remembering or that are yet to be released, but this is it, for now. This is my Non-Definitive, Top 100 Songs, For This Week Anyway List.

Please feel free to comment on the songs, whether you love them or hate them. And I'd love to know some of your favorites too. It's always good to discover new songs.

So...

76. Black - Sarah MacLachlan
I think this song is about corporations, but I've never known for sure. There are two versions - live and recorded - that are quite different. I like the recorded version for its haunting simplicity.

77. Proof - Paul Simon
I always liked the Rhythm of the Saints album and this song is one of my favorites from the album.

78. The Nurse Who Loved Me - A Perfect Circle
This had to have been written by James Iha. It has the same melodic quality of his Smashing Pumpkins songs.

79. I Love, I Love (Traveling II) - Dar Williams
This is a beautiful song about the singer explaining why she can't stay and must move on.

80. The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkle
I always heard this was a song written about Kennedy's death. To me it captured what I think of as the 60's and I love the imagry.

81. Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
Just simply a love song

82. Madrigals [Demo Version] - Howie Day
I like the feel of this song, although I'm not sure what it's about exactly. You'll hear that a lot in this list.

83. Coffee Stain - Sarah Harmer
Some songs tell a story without being a story.

84. Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Ok, I'm a sucker for songs like this. I don't know why. It's catchy.

85. I Know - Fiona Apple
Beautiful written and sung

86. Song for a Winter's Night - Sarah MacLachlan
This is the closest I get to a holiday song on the list. It makes me think of spending time alone at a cabin, snowed in, in the middle of winter.

87. Hazy Shade of Winter - Simon & Garfunkle
Another song with good imagry, this time a little more upbeat.

88. Rooster - Alice In Chains
Good song, though a bit sad, considering

89. Slow Like Honey - Fiona Apple
This used to be my favorite Fiona Apple song, but it's dropped quite a bit in the last few years. I still love the lines, "When I'm gone like yesterday/When I'm high like heaven/When I'm strong like music."

90. New Orleans Bump - Wynton Marsalis
He's fantastic in concert. I wish I could find one song I slightly remember from years ago when I saw him in college. But now I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, it's so faded in memory.

91. Supernova - Perpetual Dream Theory
The lyrics are like poetry. I'm not sure what they mean exactly, but I take it this is a love song.

92. Brighter Than Sunshine - Aqualung
An optimistic love song.. go figure

93. DARE - Gorillaz
Yeah, I like this

94. Darling One - Susanna Hoffs
For me, a very touching song

95. Drift On - Butterfly Boucher
There are days I feel like this.

96. Drilled a Wire Through My Cheek - Blue October
Surprisingly catchy and just intersting.

97. Breathing Hope - Eleanor McEvoy
The only song that's ever come close to why I love music

98. Southbound Train - Nanci Griffith
This reminds me of the train trips I took in college

99. Fade Into You - Mazzy Star
Haunting, but I have no idea what it's really about.

100. Everything Changed - Abra Moore
Abra's voice isn't my favorite, but I do love her songs.

And there's more to come later this week...