100 Favorite Songs: 26-30

Love gone wrong in the '60s and '70s

26. "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

"Silver Springs" didn't make it into the original cut of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, but it just may be my favorite song on the (rereleased version) album. It's a beautiful piece of music with a cathartic "we would have been awesome together, idiot" message.

Personally, I'm not a fan of knickers, even though I'm a fan of period drama.

27. "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Led Zeppelin (1973)

I only let myself pick 2 songs per artist, so "Over the Hills and Far Away" is the last for Led Zep on this list. What can I say? I can't resist the soft beginning/rockin' chorus combo.

I can never get over how goofy Jimmy Page looks.

28. "Walk on By" by Dionne Warwick (1964)

I love Burt Bacharach.

My mom has some great Dionne Warwick was a total diva stories from 1970s BYU.

29. "Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty (1970)

When you're on the losing end of the break-up.

Where can I get that sequin guitar strap, please?

30. "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel (1970)

This song has been stuck in my head since my 5th grade obsession with Bridge Over Troubled Water, and it hasn't gotten less awesome.

Can anyone tell me what painting this is? I just chose this video because it had good audio.

Medley of the Day: Short songs I could listen to over and over

1. "J’y Suis Jamais Alle" by Yann Tiersen. This is part of the Amelie soundtrack and the only song that uses this theme. It's a sweet melody that sounds and feels like a carousel. Plus, it's hard not to be charmed by the accordion.

2. "Song for the Asking" by Simon & Garfunkel. Paul Simon could always write songs that sound nostalgic. It just sounds like memories. This song is full of such sincere yearning it's heartbreaking.

3. "Golden Slumbers" by The Beatles. There is an inordinate number of Beatles songs that are less than a 2 minutes, but this one I always want to be longer. Wedge between "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" and "Carry that Weight" on Abbey Road, this pseudo-lullaby shows up. The words say sleep, Paul McCartney's vocals scream passion. Nothing is more darling than Paul trying to put soul in his voice.

4. "Aquarium from Le Carnaval des Animaux" by Camille Saint-Saëns. This instrumental piece is nothing but magical. I was first introduced to it in the film Days of Heaven which adds a fairytale air to a sadly realistic film. Early trailers of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button used it, fooling me into thinking the film would be just as magical as the song or as beautiful as Days of Heaven. Turns out, just the song added the magic. Enjoy.

5. "Bookends" by Simon and Garfunkel. Here's Paul Simon again, crafting gorgeous pieces of music into small packages. If only I could harness the poetic melancholy of this song to a full album.

Medley of the Day: Fulfilling my civic duty edition

Today I filled out my absentee ballot for Washington state*. This is the first presidential election I've been able to vote in, so I think that calls for a medley about America.

First up, Simon and Garfunkel's "America". Please bask in Art's hair and vest in this live version:



The American dream vs. Reality in West Side Story's "America", complete with fabulous choreography:



I think the most important thing we can learn from the following song is not that "You Can Still Rock in America", but that Night Ranger had more than one hit:



Did you think I could do an America medley without a country song? Here's Waylon "Good Ol' Boys Writer"Jennings with his song "America":




*Would you want to vote in Utah?