Inspired by Daryll's Post, I have decided to pull together the top 20 songs of my life so far.
It's a difficult process really. As a youngster I was a on a solid diet of The Beach Boys, Elton John, Simply Red, Michael Jackson & The New Kids on the Block. All lovingly spoonfed to me by my brother and sister (10 and 11 years older than me respectively). When I finally started to form my own taste for music (at age 9 or 10), I gladly absorbed everything MTV wanted me to as a member of their target demographic. My first album was Peter Andre. Then at 13 I finally stumbled up some more respectable artists. I remember being at a third form dance where Nirvana's 'Smells like teen spirit' was played. The song blew me away, I'd never heard anything like it before. Unfortunately the rebel within me was quickly quashed as I became a follower of Jesus later that year. The hope of identifying any of the greatest artists of my teen years was buried beneath a filthy torrent of CCM (DCtalk, Delirious, Audio Adrenaline, The Lads). While this music wasn't all bad, I've spent my time since youth group trying to catch up on the stuff that real artists are making.
I'm yet to rank, but am gradually assembling a collection of tracks that have changed my world. Here it is so far, please feel free to assist me in the process...
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles
Sleep Now in the Fire: Rage Against the Machine
The Blowers Daughter: Damien Rice
Marching Bands of Manhattan: Death Cab for Cutie
Smells like Teen Spirit: Nirvana
Hallelujah: Leonrd Cohen performed by Jeff Buckley
Daniel: Elton John
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: U2
Where the Streets Have No Name: U2
And then there are a few sitting just outside list-status at the moment. Mostly because they are either too new for me or because of my anti-CCM bias. We'll see if they make it in later on...
Ingenium: Matt Holleman (this album was never released and he doesn't like people listening to it)
Invalid Litter Dept.: At the Drive In
Obsession: Delirious
Cicatriz ESP: The Mars Volta
UPDATE:
Tears in Heaven: Eric Clapton
Black or White: Michael Jackson
Huge songs when I was a youngin'...
