100 Favorite Songs: 56-60

Music of the '70s, '90s, and today!

56. “Bad Company” by Bad Company (1974)

I love anything that sounds like a grizzled drifter.


I love that the drummer is the only one bringing the crazy, while every one else mellowly goes about their work.

57. “Evil Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra (1975)

Strings + rock = fabulous combination. Also, fun falsetto.

Who knew Jeff Lynne had eyes?

58. “Paper Bag” by Fiona Apple (1999)

So many things to love: horn section, angry girl lyrics, and a melody in my range.

Happy birthday, Daddy?

59. “The Heart of Life” by John Mayer (2006)

I enjoy the inherent contradiction of playing an electric guitar gently like an accoustic, but I think it benefits this song. It gives the cheesiness with an edge that supports the song's lyrics.

I recommend this song for epic emotional breakdowns.

60. “Chop ‘em Down” by Matisyahu (2004)

Live at Stubb's is one of those albums I bought on a whim and have never regretted it. I'm tragically undereducated about Matisyahu's other work, but I love this guy live.

I will never be able to look at Matisyahu and not think of my sister's fiance.

Medley of the Day: 70s awesome edition

What follows are songs that I always associate together, probably for their strong and simple percussion, but mostly for their gritty sing-along-ability.



1. "Bad Company" by Bad Company. A supergroup that consisted of some of the band from the next song. A little theatrical with awesomely mysterious lyrics.

2. "All Right Now" by Free. Fun vocals, great beat, simple chorus = awesome.

3. "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain. If I have to explain why the sensual guitar and vocals are so awesome, you need to get your rock gland checked. Also, includes my favorite sentence tag of all time, if you know what I mean.