366-songs

[366-songs]

45) Courtney Barnett - Debbie Downer

Being alone can be hard sometimes, even for people who like to be alone. Good music can make it easier.

[366-songs]

44) Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools

Listening to Aretha’s voice, especially on “Chain of Fools” is like an auditory painkiller. I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I do have a soul ear, which is a term I just made up.

[366-songs]

43) Rihanna - Work (feat. Drake)

It’s been stuck in my head for days, and shows no sign of escaping. And I don’t even like Drake! How long has it been stuck in your head?

[366-songs]

42) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Stir It Up

When confronting the brutal cold that is headed toward - or already enveloping - much of the country, I find it helpful to think of two things:

1. Warm places. 2. Who you want to be warm with.

Now, try to think of any song that accomplishes both of those better than “Stir It Up”

[366-songs]

41) Blue Oyster Cult - (Don’t Fear) The Reaper

You know what’a a fun game to play? Rock Band. 

[366-songs]

40) Action Bronson - Baby Blue (feat. Chance The Rapper)

Action Bronson is the funniest MC out there, bar none. Throw him on a tight Mark Ronson beat and add in a dash of Chance, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Best lyric:  I'm not exactly flawless, but I'm gorgeous, just like a horse is / I know the thought of me succeeding makes a lot of people nauseous / Still I'm on the back of the boat taking pictures with the swordfish

That someone could make a song this catchy, this funny, about giving your past the finger and succeeding despite (or in spite of) it is pretty great.

[366-songs]

39) Smashing Pumpkins - Zero

I wish Billy and James would make amends with one another. Neither one of them has done anything worth much since their falling out, but fuck, they were great together. “Zero” came on while I was driving to work and it was just the kind of wake up call I needed on a Monday morning.

[366-songs]

38) Seal - Kiss from a Rose

Batman Forever and Super Bowl 50 were both unmitigated disasters to watch, but at least Batman Forever had Seal going for it. Super Bowl 50 just tried to parody Seal and it was also a disaster.

[366-songs]

37) Metallica - Battery

Put “Battery” into your workout playlists. Trust me. You will feel invincible.

[366-songs]

36) The Wood Brothers - PYT

I used the phrase PYT in conversation with two of my friends, and one of them didn’t get it. While I was surprised, I can’t say I blame her. Everyone has pop cultural blindspots. 

After making sure she listened to Michael’s version, I told both of them to look up the Wood Brothers’ cover, which is excellent but also, very different. We have the @theavc to thank for this. Here’s hoping they play this at @bonnaroo this year.

[366-songs]

35) Deftones - Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)

Dave Mirra died of an apparent suicide today. He was someone I idolized as a kid; his runs in the X-Games were legendary among me and my friends in elementary and middle school. The two Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX games had eclectic and fantastic soundtracks, both of which helped inform so much of my musical tastes. Remember, if you’re not feeling safe, it’s okay to reach out, talk to someone. There’s no shame in getting help. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

[366-songs]

34) The Cars - My Best Friend’s Girl

I don’t know if The Cars named themselves that knowing that they’d make some great driving music, but it’s a pretty apt name. Listening to their self-titled album on the way home from work today was a delight. Also, was anyone better at writing a chuggy new wave riff than Ric Ocasek? 

[366-songs]

33) The Roots - Proceed

You should always proceed, and continue, to rock the mic, whatever your version of “the mic” is. 

[366-songs]

32) Misfits - Angelfuck

Glenn Danzig may be unbalanced, but man, Misfits were the best when he was in charge. Listen to that voice.

[366-songs]

31) The Pharcyde - Otha Fish

I will go to bat for this song and for The Pharcyde until the day I die.

[366-songs]

30) Pusha T - Crutches, Crosses, Caskets

Who is twenty years-plus into their career and still killing it as well as they were when they started? Someone tell Hova to stop resting on his laurels, because King Push is the new standard for excellence.

[366-songs]

29) Bully - Milkman

If you ever doubt your own capabilities, listen to this song. You can be a shark again, too.