This post is part of a series counting down my favorite songs of all time. Follow the links at the bottom of this post to read related posts.
55. Pharoah Sanders - The Creator Has a Master Plan
Every “Favorite Songs of All Time” list should have a nuclear option. A song so destructive that it should only be listened to where there is no other alternative, a last resort to ensure absolute aural destruction. This is that song. Pharaoh Sanders isn’t the strangest jazz cat of all time, but he was out there enough to record this epic composition, a half-hour long recording that swirls sheets of sound around the simple titular mantra. I rarely listen to this song. It doesn’t lend itself to casual listening, obviously. But it may be among the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. As an aside, the zenith of my career as a radio DJ was the moment I played this song in its entirety and uninterrupted on air. Hooray for college radio!
54. Belle & Sebastian – Get Me Away From Here, I’m Dying
This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one twee song. Sarah Records, Beat Happening, Dan Treacy, I love ‘em all because I’m a huge sissy. Each encompasses a different strain of twee, but remain consistent in naivety. In many ways, Belle & Sebastian represent the most commercial manifestation of the genre. Or maybe the most successful manifestation. In any case, like many twee listeners, they were my introduction the concept. It’s all about wimpy clean guitars and tender melodies. I don’t believe in the idea of guilty pleasures, but if I did, I could probably be put on trial for my collection of twee tunes. Naturally, I would have to enter a plea. A twee plea, if you will.
God, that was awful.
53. Swell Maps – Full Moon in My Pocket / Blam!! / Full Moon (Reprise)
Glory to the magnificent bastards that conceived this suite. I’m not quite sure what to write about this set of songs. This is rock and roll at its finest, three chords and a sneer. Though each song technically is a separate track, when combined, they transform into a Voltron-like force of post-punk awesomeness.
52. Marva Whitney – Things Got to Get Better
Marva was one of James Brown’s funky people. Along with Vicki Carr and Lyn Collins, Whitney provided the feminine perspective to Brown’s libidinous funk charge. But lets not confuse feminine with dainty. All three ladies proved to be just as fierce as Brown himself when it came to laying down a track and this track exemplifies that fact. It’s a flat-out soul haymaker with a vocal performance that can compete with any studio performance recorded by Brown himself. There are a few different versions of the song, some of which include backup vocals with Brown and Carr. I couldn’t find my favorite (the solo Whitney version), but the version linked above gets the point across just fine.
51. Silver Jews – Random Rules
In this dude’s opinion, David Berman is one of the finest wordsmiths of the 90s. There’s something uniquely engaging about his plain-spoken lyrics. And the versatility! While some songwriters strive to be serious and taken seriously, Berman seems unconcerned with that hang-up. In fact, his brittle sense of humor and devil-may-care attitude are the most humanizing aspects of his craft. Admittedly, there is an inconsistency to the entire Jews catalog, but the bright spots shine with incredible luminosity. “Random Rules” is the most radiant of all, a melancholy tune of loss and regret served up with a spoonful of twang.
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