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: Key Change edition

Nothing makes me giggle in delight more than a song that decides to take it up or down a notch with a key change at the last minute.

I know I already assaulted you with "I'd Love to Lay You Down" by Conway Twitty in the most ridiculous edition of The Audacity of Rock, but it bears repeating:

Speaking of country key changes, "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash. What is there, like 5? Good work, young Mr. Cash.

Although, a key change is the perfect way to end a prolonged musical experience as well. Take the show closing "Danse Mon Esmeralda" from Notre Dame de Paris. I kind of hate this song for making me think it's over, but instead just changing keys for another depressing reprise of the chorus, but it's too glorious to really hate.

Speaking of theatrical key changes, "Keep Yourself Alive" by Queen. I love everything about this song and this music video.

And no worries, the art of a great key change isn't lost. Here's MGMT's very recent "The Youth."

The Audacity of Rock: Part 29

90s R&B never goes out of style.

It's nice to know that emo is carrying to torch of drum machines and synth. Wait, they're actually playing instruments? What follows is based around Push Play's "Midnight Romeo.

First, what the song reminds me of most:

"You Make Me Wanna" by Usher (1997)

Usher truly is the master of the tender strings and drum machine topped with too many syllables per line of music.

Usher |MTV Music

Also seen here.

To be more accurate in my comparison with a white boy band, let's use some whited out R&B.

"Quit Playing Games with My Heart" by the Backstreet Boys (1996)




So here's the song in question.

"Midnight Romeo" by Push Play (2009)

It's mostly the beginning of this song that sounds totally 90s R&B, but the lyrics throughout are basically the white boy version of the unabashed "I want to get in your pants" song.

Push Play |MTV Music

Also seen here.

Wait a minute, is that banjo I hear in the chorus? Maybe not, but Push Play is also trying to use the phrase "Midnight Romeo." If that's not trying to be country, I don't know what it is.

But please, Push Play, don't even try to compete with country music for sexy.

"Hello Darlin" by Conway Twitty (1970)




Questions:

1. Usher makes me wanna to avoid middle school ice skating parties. What does he make you wanna do?
2. How much do you love this song?
"I'd Love to Lay You Down" by Conway Twitty (1980)


I know it's 80s country and cheesy, but you're kind of smiling, aren't you?