Top Ten Songs Of All Time
1. Round Here
by Counting Crows
Round Here is widely considered as Counting Crows' most brilliant song. Lead singer Adam Duritz sings about Maria, a young woman from out-of-town who doesn't quite fit in. Emotional, haunting, and distinctly angry, Round Here reminds its listeners of the dangers of conformity. The song's somber and reflective lyrics are utterly captivating, connecting emotionally with its listeners like no modern music can. Adam Duritz's vocals are expressive and striking, and the song's instrumentation, especially at its bridge, is absolutely breathtaking. No description can do it justice. Round Here is a force of nature, completely unmatched by any other song, rock or otherwise. Counting Crows has created a song that has stood, and will continue to stand, the test of time.
"She knows she's more than just a little misunderstood/She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous"
The ten songs listed and described below are the greatest songs ever written and composed. In other words, this is my ultimate playlist!
Happy jamming!
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2. The Nearness of You
made famous by Norah Jones
"It's not the pale moon that excites me/That thrills and delights me"
This song is one of Norah Jones’ most famous. Jones' cover of The Nearness of You debuted on the album Come Away With Me, which continues to be Jones’ most popular album since its release in 2002. The song’s genius lies with two things, the first being Jones’ piano playing. The only instrument used in the entire song is the piano. Throughout the song, Jones plays gorgeous piano chords that resonate with her vocals. The second aspect of the song that makes it so unbelievably brilliant is Jones’ voice. Her voice is an mixture of jazz, pop, and blues, with an infusion of folk and country. Her vocals blend perfectly with the sweetness of the piano, creating a sound that perfectly suits the song’s poetic lyrics. The Nearness of You is absolutely flawless.
3. Oblivion
by M83 (feat. Susanne Sundfør)
"Breathe in the light/I'll stay here in the shadows"
M83 and Susanne Sundfør's Oblivion is the last song on the films soundtrack album Oblivion: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to accompany the 2013 post-apocalyptic science fiction film of the same name. The song retells the story of Jack and Julia Harper, Tom Cruise and Olga Kurylenko's characters from the film. Oblivion is, by far, the greatest motion picture theme song since the invention of the soundtrack. Susanne Sundfør's emotional, booming, and almost etherial voice captures the essence of the poetry-like lyrics of the song. M83 gorgeously merges new wave, techno-style sounds with traditional horn and string arrangements to create a unique instrumentation that perfectly accompanies Sundfør's vocals. The song also includes a stunning piano solo outro. Oblivion is a must-listen!
4. A Long December
by Counting Crows
"I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on/To these moments as they pass"
First debuted on their hit album Recovering the Satellites, Counting Crows’ A Long December is one of the band’s best songs. It is also featured on their greatest hits album, Films About Ghosts. Lead singer Adam Duritz has been open about the autobiographical nature of this song, but the lyrics do have meaning beyond the literal level. The song is about looking to the future during a particularly difficult period in one’s life and telling oneself that things are going to get better. A Long December is one of Crows’ more relaxed songs, with a catchy piano riff in the beginning and simple-sounding guitar chords echoing throughout. Durtiz’s vocals are soft at times and electric at others, and are middle-pitched throughout the entire song. All in all, A Long December is a hopeful song, and its message is heightened by the vocals and instrumentation.
5. Serpents (Basement)
by Sharon Van Etton
"Serpents in my mind/I am searching for your crimes"
Sharon Van Etton is known for her electrical yet subtle vocals paired with uncomplicated yet heartfelt lyrics, and Serpents is no different. Serpents was originally recorded for Etton’s third album, Tramp, but was rerecorded for AMC’s The Walking Dead soundtrack, on which the song was renamed Serpents (Basement). The basement version to this song is similar to the demo version that can be found on Spotify, and is my favorite recording of the song. The basement version features subdued sounds from electric guitars, and Etton’s vocals have a raspy quality that pairs beautifully with the guitar chords. The lyrics are poignant and reflective, which complements both Etton’s voice and the instrumentation. Serpents (Basement) is truly a must-listen.
6. Until the End
by Norah Jones
"And in and out of bed you keep your head wide open/'Cause you don't only dream when you're asleep"
This song is one of Jones’ jazziest and bluesiest. Until the End debuted on Jones’ third album, Not Too Late. Like most of her songs, Until the End features piano chords, but other instruments—such as subtle drums and guitar—shine through as well. The lyrics reveal a story about a friend or close relation that keeps entering into a relationship with the same person, despite the fact that that person has hurt them several times. It is also about seeing the real person behind the fame, and not judging them by their “famous last name.” As I said above, Norah Jones’ voice is especially jazzy and bluesy in Until the End, which makes the song all the more appealing. The instrumentation is subtle but gorgeous, and perfectly complements her voice. Like most of her songs, Until the End is poetic and lyrical, and is a testament to Jones’ talent.
7. Goodnight Elisabeth
by Counting Crows
"We couldn't all be cowboys/Some of us are clowns"
Another Crows song from the famous album Recovering the Satellites, Goodnight Elisabeth is one of the band’s most deep and meaningful songs. The song is, essentially, a song dedicated to Elisabeth, a women with whom the narrator has broken up. Duritz croons about being unable to forget her, about missing her. At the end of the song, the narrator accepts that Elisabeth isn’t coming back, and moves on. The beauty of the lyrics is furthered by the soft rock sounds emulating from the electric guitars, along with Duritz’s classic vocals. Goodnight Elisabeth is exactly what it seems like—a lullaby, written for Elisabeth. The music was composed in such a way as to make the song sound hushed and repetitive, like a lullaby, but it still stays true to Counting Crows’ style. It is a beautiful, significant rock ballad.
8 Lose Some Time
by Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
"And finding time to lose with you/Is water in the dust bowl"
Lose Some Time is arguably Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' best song. Debuting on their hit album This is Somewhere, Lose Some Time tells the story of two lovers who are cheating on their spouses, both of them struggling to deny to themselves that they are emotionally attached to one another. The song begins with a guitar intro that captures the very essence of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' folk-rock vibe. The lingering guitar slowly fades into the first few poignant lyrics of the song. Grace Potter's voice is soft and raspy with a whisper-like quality that is perfect for Lose Some Time's emotionally apprehensive aspects. The band's sounds have Indie-like characteristics that pair beautifully with Potter's vocals, and the song's lyrics read like poetry. Lose Some Time is completely underrated--go listen to it!
9. Free
by Haley Reinhart
"Let it be, let it be just a beautiful memory/Everything that starts will have an ending"
Haley Reinhart's Free is a bouncy, retro-style breath of fresh air. Reinhart describes her debut hit single as a "mature break-up song." Free artfully describes a failing relationship in which both partners are unable to live with or without each other, stuck in a constant game of tug-of-war. The song begins with a jazzy-pop piano solo that draws listeners in, building up to the first few heart-wrenching lyrics. Reinhart's unique, bluesy, and gorgeously raspy vocals are infused with romantic pain, yet they refrain from sounding unnecessarily bitter. At the song's bridge, her voice takes on a softer quality, beautifully accompanying the ever-present piano. The instrumentation throughout the song is distinctly soulful, setting Free apart from other popular pop tunes. Haley Reinhart's first hit single is absolutely addicting.
10. Wagon Wheel
made famous by Darius Rucker
"But I ain't a-turning back/To living that old life no more"
Wagon Wheel is the type of song that makes people want to clap their hands, tap their feet, and dance like ain't nobody watchin'! The song was performed and co-written by both Bob Dylan and Old Crow Medicine Show before it landed in the hands of Darius Rucker. Rucker's rendition of this country music classic is the best of the three, in my opinion. The song tells the story of a hitchhiker's journey from New England to North Carolina to visit his lover. Wagon Wheel's lyrics have a storytelling quality that appeals to listeners and adds a uniqueness to the song. The song's catchy and upbeat instrumentation is distinctive of country music. Rucker's vocals are as captivating as they were during his days as the famous lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. Wagon Wheel is an absolute treasure.
