100 Best Songs Ever (80-89)
Continuing my Best Songs Ever... (see my previous post for details about my list, how I decided on these songs, etc.)
80. You Want This / Janet / Janet Jackson / 1993
Using several classic song samples, Janet created the perfect late summer track. It’s fun, sexy and bold without being over the top. The beat pops and Janet’s delivery is perfectly confident. I’m convinced this song is meant for nothing more than dancing and having a good time, and that’s not a bad thing!
81. Someone To Call My Lover / All For You / Janet Jackson / 2001
Take a brilliant guitar riff from America’s “Ventura Highway,” add some contemporary beats and lush melodies along with Janet’s coy vocals and you have an entirely new and memorable song. Some people attacked her for using such a distinct song sample, but I love it! I enjoy when artists use familiar sounds as inspiration. Janet took a step to the side, leaving overtly sexual tones out of the mix, instead choosing to focus on sweet and romantic notions. It’s a magical musical experience.
82. Thriller / Thriller / Michael Jackson / 1982
There’s not much to say about this song that hasn’t already been said! Even if you despised Michael Jackson, I think most everyone liked something about this song, whether it was the danceable beat, Vincent Price’s spooky spoken outro, Michael’s superb vocal delivery or the dance moves that took the world by storm. This song continues to stand the test of time. Need I say more?
83. Africa / Toto IV / Toto / 1982
This song was released when I was born, so is it any wonder I’d come to love it? It’s totally innovative! What I really love is the thought and time they took to create this song, experimenting with all kinds of unique instruments and percussion pieces. It was a mess that morphed into a perfect arrangement of ethnic and electronic.
84. On My Way Home / The Memory of Trees / Enya / 1995
Another magical track from Enya, she brought all the serene and ethereal elements she could. The opening lyric of being given ‘one moment from Heaven’ is truly divine. This whole song sounds like something a chorus of angels might sing just for fun. There’s a little Asian flavor here, mixed with familiar muted arpeggios. I could listen to this song for hours on end.
85. Bad Romance / The Fame Monster / Lady Gaga / 2009
You either love her or hate her, but you can’t deny the mark Lady Gaga has left on pop music. The video for this song is what ultimately influenced me to include this track, but the song itself is genius. It’s so twisted and gross you can’t help but be intrigued! Lady Gaga’s idea to incorporate Hitchcock references works beautifully with the pounding instrumentation and bombastic drumbeat. Whether you want to dance on the floor or shout out a track in the car, this is perfect. I actually prefer the video version with the handclaps incorporated into the ending vocals.
86. So Happy I Could Die / The Fame Monster / Lady Gaga / 2009
This might be my favorite Lady Gaga song. From the otherworldly opening to the sudden ending, I love the lush synthesizers and minimal percussion. The chorus is particularly gorgeous with the vocals shimmering and cascading through the euphoric chords. This is one of the few tracks Lady Gaga sounds restrained on, almost as if she’s singing to herself. I’ve contemplated the meaning of this song many times and have come to the conclusion it has something to do with maintaining self control in a chaotic environment. If I’m right, I know exactly what she’s talking about: You hold onto yourself to keep from totally losing it. Even too much happiness can’t be a good thing.
87. Take My Hand / No Angel / Dido / 1999
Before I watched Dido’s live Brixton Academy performance, I had no idea this song is about sex. Dido says she wrote this song to reel guys in, and despite the blunt comment, this is incredibly tender and romantic. I love the lyrics, even if they’re obvious requests for intimacy. The music is dreamy with lots of intention. The instrumental break during the bridge is carefully composed of triplet melodies and syncopated hand drums. It’s very different than most of Dido’s work and screams passion. It’s both soothing and empowering.
88. I Will Love Again / Lara Fabian / Lara Fabian / 2000
At first listen, this sounds very much like many generic pop songs. But Lara is no slouch in the vocals department and delivers a flawless performance. It’s an uplifting track that effortlessly enlightens and empowers. This was Lara’s one shining moment in the United States and it’s a shame her popularity never took off. She really is a rarity in the music world, and this song highlights her incredible range.
89. Everything I Do (I Do It for You) / Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Motion Picture Soundtrack) / 1991
Ok, I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t deny how romantic this song is. There’s a reason it consistently tops best of lists and sat at the top of charts around the world for weeks. Everything fits together perfectly: The piano intro, Brian’s heart wrenching vocals, the electric guitar solo: There’s no doubt this song moves most people in a deeply profound way. It’s so simple but so pure, and really hits that gooey make-you-melt spot. The production is spot-on.
80. You Want This / Janet / Janet Jackson / 1993
Using several classic song samples, Janet created the perfect late summer track. It’s fun, sexy and bold without being over the top. The beat pops and Janet’s delivery is perfectly confident. I’m convinced this song is meant for nothing more than dancing and having a good time, and that’s not a bad thing!
81. Someone To Call My Lover / All For You / Janet Jackson / 2001
Take a brilliant guitar riff from America’s “Ventura Highway,” add some contemporary beats and lush melodies along with Janet’s coy vocals and you have an entirely new and memorable song. Some people attacked her for using such a distinct song sample, but I love it! I enjoy when artists use familiar sounds as inspiration. Janet took a step to the side, leaving overtly sexual tones out of the mix, instead choosing to focus on sweet and romantic notions. It’s a magical musical experience.
82. Thriller / Thriller / Michael Jackson / 1982
There’s not much to say about this song that hasn’t already been said! Even if you despised Michael Jackson, I think most everyone liked something about this song, whether it was the danceable beat, Vincent Price’s spooky spoken outro, Michael’s superb vocal delivery or the dance moves that took the world by storm. This song continues to stand the test of time. Need I say more?
83. Africa / Toto IV / Toto / 1982
This song was released when I was born, so is it any wonder I’d come to love it? It’s totally innovative! What I really love is the thought and time they took to create this song, experimenting with all kinds of unique instruments and percussion pieces. It was a mess that morphed into a perfect arrangement of ethnic and electronic.
84. On My Way Home / The Memory of Trees / Enya / 1995
Another magical track from Enya, she brought all the serene and ethereal elements she could. The opening lyric of being given ‘one moment from Heaven’ is truly divine. This whole song sounds like something a chorus of angels might sing just for fun. There’s a little Asian flavor here, mixed with familiar muted arpeggios. I could listen to this song for hours on end.
85. Bad Romance / The Fame Monster / Lady Gaga / 2009
You either love her or hate her, but you can’t deny the mark Lady Gaga has left on pop music. The video for this song is what ultimately influenced me to include this track, but the song itself is genius. It’s so twisted and gross you can’t help but be intrigued! Lady Gaga’s idea to incorporate Hitchcock references works beautifully with the pounding instrumentation and bombastic drumbeat. Whether you want to dance on the floor or shout out a track in the car, this is perfect. I actually prefer the video version with the handclaps incorporated into the ending vocals.
86. So Happy I Could Die / The Fame Monster / Lady Gaga / 2009
This might be my favorite Lady Gaga song. From the otherworldly opening to the sudden ending, I love the lush synthesizers and minimal percussion. The chorus is particularly gorgeous with the vocals shimmering and cascading through the euphoric chords. This is one of the few tracks Lady Gaga sounds restrained on, almost as if she’s singing to herself. I’ve contemplated the meaning of this song many times and have come to the conclusion it has something to do with maintaining self control in a chaotic environment. If I’m right, I know exactly what she’s talking about: You hold onto yourself to keep from totally losing it. Even too much happiness can’t be a good thing.
87. Take My Hand / No Angel / Dido / 1999
Before I watched Dido’s live Brixton Academy performance, I had no idea this song is about sex. Dido says she wrote this song to reel guys in, and despite the blunt comment, this is incredibly tender and romantic. I love the lyrics, even if they’re obvious requests for intimacy. The music is dreamy with lots of intention. The instrumental break during the bridge is carefully composed of triplet melodies and syncopated hand drums. It’s very different than most of Dido’s work and screams passion. It’s both soothing and empowering.
88. I Will Love Again / Lara Fabian / Lara Fabian / 2000
At first listen, this sounds very much like many generic pop songs. But Lara is no slouch in the vocals department and delivers a flawless performance. It’s an uplifting track that effortlessly enlightens and empowers. This was Lara’s one shining moment in the United States and it’s a shame her popularity never took off. She really is a rarity in the music world, and this song highlights her incredible range.
89. Everything I Do (I Do It for You) / Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Motion Picture Soundtrack) / 1991
Ok, I know what you’re thinking, but you can’t deny how romantic this song is. There’s a reason it consistently tops best of lists and sat at the top of charts around the world for weeks. Everything fits together perfectly: The piano intro, Brian’s heart wrenching vocals, the electric guitar solo: There’s no doubt this song moves most people in a deeply profound way. It’s so simple but so pure, and really hits that gooey make-you-melt spot. The production is spot-on.
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