Top Ten Best and Top Ten Favorite songs;

The top ten BEST songs of all time!!!


1) Dylan, Bob (1963). “blowin’ in the wind”. The freewheelin’ bob. In terms of content this song has a very universal idea of being or becoming a man. This piece of music is well structured and musically, as all of Dylan’s songs, has the perfect combination of instrumentals and vocals throughout the song.
2) Led Zepplin (1971). “Stairway to heaven”. Led Zepplin IV. This song is famous as one of the best songs ever because it has one of the best guitar solos (played by Jimmy Page) in the history of ; and the vocals of Robert Plant combine to make a completely amazing song.
3) Jimi Hendrix (Bob Dylan cover) (1967). “all along the watchtower”. John Wesley Harding. Jimi Hendrix’s cover of this song is better than Bob Dylan’s wonderful original because his voice better suits the song. In terms of subject matter, this song is universal because it shows the audacity of manipulating chronological time.
4) Lennon, John (2000). “Imagine” Imagine. This song is completely universal in terms of subject matter because everyone can “imagine all the people” and the song really shows an original universal outlook on life and approaches a peculiar way of looking at life and the people around you. The musical aspects of the song are mellow and flow well with the vocals of John Lennon.
5) Dylan, Bob (1964). “The times they are a changin.”The times they are a changin’.This song has a very universal concept because it is about time. and time itself is a universal idea. The musical aspects of the song create a melodramatic mood and create a duality with the theme. Musically, not one of the most amazing songs but the ideas portrayed through the song are what is truly influential.
6) John, Elton (1983). “I guess thats why they call it the blues”. Too low for zero. In terms of subject matter, John’s universal idea conveyed through this song is universal to almost anyone who has ever missed something and/or had “the blues”. Musically, this song is considered one of the greatest because of Elton John’s fantastic use of the harmonica. In this song, he combines the use of his harmonica and piano in order to convey a sad and true blues tone.
7) Presley, Elvis(Big Mama Thorton) (1953, 1956). “Hound dog”. Nightmare. This is a somewhat universal song. In terms of subject matter, this song is somewhat universal and has a recurring theme. In terms of the music itself, there is little creativity because this song has been redone many times. The first being originally by Big Mama Thorton then the song was covered by Charlie Gore & Louis Innis.
8) Bowie, David (1969). “Space oddity”. David Bowie. This song in terms of content has a completely universal topic because almost everyone knows about NASA.In terms of music itself, it is very soothing and slow like a lullabye and creates a drowsy mood Bowie’s voice is very smooth and somewhat monotone but this is used in a positive manner in
“space oddity”.
9) Cash, Johnny (1956). “I walk the Line”. (single). Cash’s song is , in terms of subject matter, is ambiguous because there is room for interpretation in this song. although “the line” in this song may have a certain meaning, it is open to interpret because it is an ambiguous topic. Musically, this song is strictly old fashioned country, acoustic guitar and deep voiced lyrics.
10) Jackson, Michael (1988). “man in the mirror”. Bad.This is one oof the most universal of Michael’s songs.It can be applied to almost anyone’s life and seen through their eyes. Musically, it is not the most creative but still has some good qualities.

My Top Ten Favorite Songs

　
　
10) Nine Days(2000).“Absolutely (Story Of a Girl)”. The madding crowd. In terms of content, this song is one of my favorites because I can relate to it in almost everyway. The universal idea is telling the story of this girl who “cried a river and drown the whole world” but “she looked so sad in photographs” and the speaker loves her because he knows how beautiful she is when she smiles:) .Musically, this song isn’t the most original. The guitar isn’t amazing, but very well played, and the singer has a very smooth voice, nothing too shocking for a song like this.
9)Blind Melon(1993).“ No Rain”. (Single). This song, in terms of subject matter, is one of my favorites because it employs a universal idea by ways other songs do not. It uses the rain and things the speaker does in order to showcase his depression or sadness for the time being and how awful his life is because of these things. In terms of expertise in music,
8)Killswitch engage(2004). “The end of heartbreak”. The end of heartbreak. This is one of my favorite songs because it is the perfect song to listen to when you’re angry, upset, or depressed. It has a good balance of deliverance between screaming and singing.
7)The beatles(1967). “strawberry fields forever”. It was intended to be on the album
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band but it ended up being released as a single. This is my favorite Beatles song because it is very soothing and almost makes you drowsy when you listen to it. It has a very psychedelic tone and really puts you in a good mood.
6) Awolnation (2011). “sail”. (single). This song is a very ambiguous song because the lyrics are all over the place and hard to follow at times. Its one of my favorites because it really heightens your energy and gets you going.
5)Pearl jam(1998). “Last kiss”. (single). “Last kiss” tells the story of a car crash and the speaker’s girlfriend or wife’s tragic death. It is ironically both a happy and sad song because he does get to hold her this last time and he will see her in heaven but she won’t be able to share their lives together. This is a favorite of mine because the way he tells the story truly “yanks on my heartstrings”.
4)Panic at the disco(2005). “I write sins not tragedies”. A fever you can’t sweat out. Panic at the disco is one of my favorite bands. All of their songs are very original and make you want to get up and dance. “I write sins not tragedies” is one of my favorite songs by them because it was the first song I had ever heard from their album and it is the reason I started to listen to them. It explains how some people just don’t close the door.
3)Johnny Cash(1963). “ring of fire”. The best of Johnny Cash. This is my favorite country song. When I was little this song played on the radio twenty four seven and I always tried to sing along even though I didn’t know the words. This song brought my father to like country music.
2) Secondhand serenade (June 1 2010). “something more”. Hear me now. This song is my second favorite song because it basically tells the story of my life and how I’ve always felt. Because everyone is always fighting and being upset but really what are we fighting for? Do we even know all of the time what it is we are fighting for? Why cant we just try and be happy. This song really speaks to me and that is why it is my second favorite song.
1)Audio Summer (2008). “be there”. Audio summer. Thesis my ALL TIME favorite song because I can relate to it. The universal idea may not relate to everyone but it does to me. And musically, there is not much, it is very simple techno music. But, I think that is why it is my favorite song; because it is simple and clear.

American culture through music

Amanda Paulhus

4/10/12

G period POS

Mr.Kefor

                The subject matter, content and point of view in today’s top songs differ extremely from those of past artists and generations.

The songs included in the current top 100 employ many aspects of American culture today. The music itself and the genre explain a lot about the people who listen to it in this generation. Today, most of the music on the top 50 or 100 is pop, or rap. Of course not all of the music on the top 100 is pop or rap but a vast majority of it is. Most of the music selection talks about life now and how the speaker either has made theirs better or worse. In many cases there are pieces about how someone or something has greatly affected the speaker’s life.  Songs such as “boyfriend” by Justin Bieber and “Rack City” by Tyga are high up on the billboard but contain little to none poetic merit. Some devices are used weakly such as  imagery and rhyme scheme in “Swag swag swag, on you \Chillin’ by the fire why we eatin’ fondue \I dunno about me but I know about you\ So say hello to falsetto in three two” and hyperbole or exaggeration used in “ If I was your boyfriend, never let you go “Keep you on my arm girl you’d never be alone\I can be a gentleman, anything you want\If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go, never let you go”. Though poetic merit is lacking in most popular songs there are still aspects of it. The lack of merit employs laziness in today’s culture as well as incompetence. This makes the people seem less smart because they aren’t approaching their full potential of merit in song but rather trying to make them catchier.  

                Gender roles are presented steadily throughout today’s music. Though both men and women artists portray a strong appearance and manner in their work, some show sign of weakness, depending on the artist. Artists like Katy Perry and Christina Perri show weakness in some of their songs like most artists but surprisingly more than others, their melancholy songs are the ones that always seem to be at the top. Gender roles are portrayed in songs like Adele’s “set fire to the rain” and Snoop Dog’s “young wild and free”. In Adele’s “set fire to the rain” she employs gender roles in lines such as “I let it fall, my heart, \And as it fell you rose to claim it” and “It was dark and I was over\Until you kissed my lips and you saved me”. In these lines she is implying that the “you” she is speaking of is a man and that such a man has control over her and her life. In Perri’s song “arms” she refers to the same idea when she sings “ you put your arms around me and I believed that it’s easier for you to let me go” and “ you put your arms around me and I’m home”.  The fact that gender roles are somewhat presented in today’s music shows the idea that gender roles take place in our everyday lives, which they don’t as much as what is implied.   

Success is measured, in music, by how many people listen to it and whether or not it makes the top 100 or so. If a song never reaches the charts it is viewed as not as popular or successful. Most of the music proffered today lacks meaning unlike much music from an earlier generation. Much of the music today that has meaning doesn’t make the top 100 but is still popular with certain groups of people. People today, mostly, conform to a stereotype and, again mostly, listen to whatever is popular for the time being and follows the crowd when what’s “cool” changes. The music that is most popular in our culture today does not represent all of Americans just the majority. This generation does not compare to past ones, the thought behind its music is lost.

Short Story: people are crazy by Billy Currington

               “He returned home rather late last night” I said. “There were peculiar noises throughout the night; although it was nothing I thought to call the police over. They asked me to go into the house with them and look around for anything out of the ordinary; I agreed to do so but wondered if I truly had the opportunity to say no.  

                We were both older, and I had been his neighbor for a long time at that point. He was nice to my children and I, although, he was an alcoholic. He always went to new bars; “whatever the kids were in to” he’d say. He would come home and tell all of us about his experience. But he would always say after he told us “god is great, beer is good, but people are crazy”. They didn’t let me see where my dear friend had passed but they asked me questions like they would a victim of a horrid crime. They were obvious questions though  such as “ did he have any family members? “ and the answer would always be the same, it was clear he did but none of them cared enough to come visit the poor old man. “He had six children.” I told them he married twice; both times it evil women with cold hearts, if one at all. They only came around years earlier around Christmas time before the old man started drinking. His ex wives thought he was a terrible influence on the children at such a young age.” I paused; they were already teenagers at that point so why they thought of it that way I don’t understand.

                I had forgotten to mention money although they had forgot to ask, I thought it was relevant to bring up. “He had a lot of money,” I told them. “But he didn’t care much about anything…he didn’t really care too much about his money either. He assumed it would go to a better cause once he passed away.”  I continued to answer their obvious and rather narrative questions and eventually, they let me go home. I had the whole speech about not leaving town in case they need me for further questioning but honestly?  “Me leave town? I’m 68 years old…where do you think I’m going?” I thought. Although, I was far older than him, he had always looked like he was at least twenty years older because of the alcohol abuse done to his body.

                But, anyways I heard they found the bartender who had been tending that night. I couldn’t wait to hear all about it the next morning. I guess it went something like this; I’m sure they did the whole “I’m going to show you a picture …do you know this man?” Thing.  They didn’t. They took me to watch his interview; so I could see what did and didn’t match mine. He said “I know I saw that man but I can’t remember his name or anything like that.” he paused. “He was sitting with a rather young fellow compared to himself and he’d bought a lot to drink…you know what?” he exclaimed. :” the guy he was with…his name was Tommy. I remember hearing him say something like ‘you’re a good man Tommy’ throughout the night.” Then the police asked him something about the way Tommy looked and he said he didn’t know but that is beyond the matter.

                Many questions went buy and they still hadn’t mentioned money, I had been waiting.  Once they finally did it didn’t do them any good anyways. All he said was “he didn’t mention money. They had this sort of family reunion feeling about them. They ranted about women they had been with and how much fun they had so far. It seemed like they thought time was slowing down and their opportunities were slowly drifting away. They both purchased abundance that night. He may have bought a lot of beer but so did everyone else and that didn’t mean they had fat pockets either.” he exclaimed. The men interviewing him gave him the most interrogating stares that day, I remember, when he stopped speaking or paused you could tell he was scared to answer. He practically sweat a puddle in that very room.

               

                The police and detectives had all their stories, all their interviews and still nothing was good enough for them. They knew this case was dry. But they didn’t even know the mysterious man’s name…

The next day, two days after Eddie’s tragic death, this beloved neighbor was skimming though his will , because of course Melanie was Eddie’s much older sister if you haven’t figured that out by now and  she was the only sibling he had left. As she read through the listings of who gets what and what goes to charity and whatnot she finally made it to the end and read “I now, as of June 20^th 2001, give all of my fortune and my houses to this man I met at ‘Louie’s bar’ this evening and PS: his name is Tommy Walker (he’ll know I am when he reads my obituary though so don’t write his name too clearly).