1) Layla by Eric Clapton (Derek and the Dominoes)--original version
This simply has to be the best song ever written. While I DO like the 'Unplugged' version, the original is my favorite. From the guitar riffs to the plaintive lyrics, it doesn't come any better than this. Clapton is at his best with his singing and playing--I guess unrequited love IS a good motivator for writing songs! At the time he wrote this, he was in love with George Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd. After Boyd and Harrison divorced, Clapton married her. Clapton and Harrison remained best friends through the years--they called each other 'husbands-in-law.' Clapton eventually divorced Pattie. Most, if not all, of the songs on the Derek and the Dominoes album 'Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs' were supposedly written about Pattie.
2) (I'm Your) Hootchie Cootchie Man written by Willie Dixon
I love the blues and this is one of my favorite songs. I have it by several people--Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, etc--and I can't pick whose version I like the best. It is just down and dirty blues. A good, good song.
3) Sweet Home Chicago written by Robert Johnson
Anyone who has seen the movie 'The Blues Brothers' has heard this song. Possibly the best Chicago blues song ever written. I have it performed by Eric Clapton, but I really liked the way the 'Blues Brothers' did it in the movie, also. Good blues, but then Robert Johnson didn't write anything that WASN'T good!
4) Goodnight Moon by Shivaree
This song was played at the end of 'Kill Bill, Vol 2' while 'The Bride' was driving in a convertible. As soon as I heard it, I KNEW I had to find and download it. It is very quirky and once you hear it, you don't forget it--and it keeps playing over and over in your mind! It just hooked me and has never let me loose.
5) Hey Man, Nice Shot by Filter
This is the song that is in the video of the 'blood bath' game between Detroit and Colorado. The person that put the video and music together did a fantastic job--and I haven't been able to get the song out of my head. This is the newest 'best' song on my list.
6) Desire by Ryan Adams
I guess this is the closest I will ever get to country music. (Ryan Adams is listed as an alt-country artist in some places.) This I first heard on the Fox show 'House, MD.' It is quite a haunting song and the lyrics are great:
Two hearts fading, like a flower.
And all this waiting, for the power.
For some answer, to this fire.
Sinking slowly. The water’s higher.
Desire
With no secrets. No obsession.
This time I'm speeding with no direction.
Without a reason. What is this fire?
Burning slowly. My one and only.
Desire
You know me. You know my way in.
You just can't show me, but God I'm praying,
That you'll find me, and that you'll see me,
That you run and never tire.
Desire
7) Hallelujah written by Leonard Cohen
Many, many people have covered this song, but the best--in my opinion--was by the late Jeff Buckley. This is another song I picked up from 'House, MD'--they have WONDERFUL music on that show. Buckley's voice seemed to be very well suited for this song. Another haunting song.
(Plus one) While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Clapton makes another appearance via this song--albeit a supporting one. This song was written by George Harrison and it is on The Beatles 'White Album.' Clapton DID play on that recording. My copy of the song is the one that was on the album 'The Concert For Bangladesh.' Harrison held a benefit concert for the country of Bangladesh in 1971 with the proceeds from the concert, album, and movie to benefit the country. At this time, Clapton was well into his heroin addiction and Harrison invited him to participate in the concert as a way for him to get out into the world again. Despite Clapton barely getting to the concert on time and without rehearsing, Clapton gave one of the best performances of his life on this song. The guitar on this song is hauntingly beautiful. (Do we sense a trend here with the word 'haunting?') Anyway, this gets the 'plus one' spot because I don't have the version of the song that I want. When I can get the song off of the 'White Album' without having to pay $30 for the ENTIRE album, then I will have to decide if this song replaces one of the first seven. Then again, I just might expand my list to include all eight songs.
I hope you enjoyed the list--and that the songs weren't TOO obscure! As for who I want to tag, I will just say: EVERYONE! I enjoyed doing it and enjoy reading other people's lists even more.
I love Clapton too..
ReplyDeleteSee there? We do have some musical likes in common!!
As for the rest of them- I've never heard of them.. You aren't the first person to put that Ryan Adams on the list though.. I guess I'm going to have to check him out.
Can't go wrong with Clapton!
ReplyDeleteAs for anything else Ryan Adams has done, I don't know. I only know I like the one song. :)
Yes, I don't know too many people who have my eclectic taste in music. You would think I would like SOME country, wouldn't you? :)