100 Best Songs Ever (90-100)

After reading dozens of lists from magazines, critics and everyday fans, I decided to compile my own list of the 100 Best Songs Ever. I love critiquing music. I’m an avid fan of almost all music, but since I’m partial to electronic and ambient sounds with rich chords and intense melodies, there will be many sweepingly epic songs included. You will definitely notice a trend in genres.

I must confess there are many great songs I’ve never heard, and since I’m admittedly biased, you might ask yourself, ‘where in the world is that song? How could she not include that?’ But this is not meant to be a neutral list. I picked these songs because they speak to me on a deeper level, move me emotionally or just make me want to scream and shout. Others represent crucial moments in my life that continue to take me back. Many of these songs are extraordinarily sensual: They enlighten and stir the soul. Some of them are quite sexy as well. I love songs that take you somewhere and make you feel like you’re flying while watching the most beautiful colors and sparkles fly by. Some songs make me feel like I can run forever, and others put a joy in my heart so intense I feel like I could just burst with positive energy.

My favorite song continues to change on almost a daily basis, so there is no rhyme or reason to the order. I simply wrote them down as I thought of them. Many decades are present, with the early 2000s most prominent. Please note, there are hundreds more songs that I love, but these are the cream of my crop.

I made this list because people curiously ask me about my opinion from time to time, and I'm just anxious to share some of what I think is some of the best music on the planet. It's a long list, so I'm sharing it in chunks, going backwards from 100.

90.    In the House of Stone and Light / In the House of Stone and Light / Martin Page / 1994
For a brief moment, Martin Page took over the airwaves with this funky, spiritual track. It opens with ethnic flutes and what sounds like singing birds before the rest of the modern percussion fades in. Many of the chords are out of the ordinary, which I love. You don’t know what to expect next. Martin’s voice is very distinctive, and still sounds like nobody else’s. I hadn’t listened to this for years but then decided to buy the album on a whim. I’d forgotten how much I love it! This is a sweet and poppy uplifting treat.

91.    Somnambulist (Simply Being Loved) / Emotional Technology / BT / 2003
Even though it’s not well known, this song is significant: I believe it still stands as the song with the most digital edits ever (6,178). BT joked that his hand still hurts from this song. It’s great because it’s not structured in your typical verse-chorus-verse formula: It kind of bounces all over the place, but there is a prominent chorus that makes appearances often. The end of the track is magnificent, with the entire song playing in quick snippets backwards. If you’re even remotely ADD, you will love this. If you prefer soothing numbers, you can still appreciate the technical brilliance. BT can produce my music any day!

92.    Life in Technicolor / Viva la Vida / Coldplay / 2008
Coldplay took a leap of faith and literally changed their tune when they released this album. Barely holding on to their familiar sound, they came crashing in with circling arpeggios and airy chords. This song is magical. It reaches you on a spiritual level. Even without lyrics it’s just awesome. I love that the album opens and closes with this same melody (“The Escapist”). This seems to enhance your senses, making everything brighter, clearer and happier. The dulcimer is fabulous! What a wonderful, worldly sound.

93.    Strangers / Come Here / Cass Fox / 2006
I discovered this track on Faithless’ MySpace page. What a find! I’d never heard of Cass before. After exploring her website I decided to buy her debut album. This track continues to stand out amongst the rest. It’s very soft, sensitive, but powerful. Cass’ vocal approach is wonderful, and she sounds whimsical and angelic. The string arrangement is bliss! 

94.    Save Me / Come Here / Cass Fox / 2006
This is my other favorite track from Cass’ debut. It’s got a bluesy touch sparkled with electronic twinkles. It immediately picks me up and makes my day better. I can’t listen to this and not sing it: It’s very appealing and friendly. Cass executes the vocals very well, and sounds at home among the shuffling drumbeats. The bridge is warm and relaxing with its bright piano and improvised vocals.

95.    The Scientist / A Rush of Blood to the Head / Coldplay / 2002
Coldplay has many fantastic piano ballads, but I love this one more than the others. It’s extremely heartbreaking (especially the video), but something about it is refreshing and uplifting. The lyrics are beautifully written and Chris Martin’s delivery is fantastic. I often tear up when I listen to this: There’s a huge rush of emotions that can’t really be stopped. As sad as this is, I’d love to be absolutely certain someone feels this way about me. ‘You don’t know how lovely you are’: Gosh, that’s brilliant!

96.    Just Another Day / Jon Secada / Jon Secada / 1992
Jon has since vanished into the realm of once-chart-topping singers, but in the early 90s he was one of radios most played artists, and this song was the fire starter. My mom liked this first and then turned me on to it. I borrowed the album from her (for a couple years) and enjoyed every song, but this one always stood out. The opening drum rhythms get you bobbing your head and then Jon’s tender vocals start. His voice is just extraordinary, and soars over the music.

97.    Closer / Uppers & Downers / Fisher / 2002
I heard Fisher’s remake of “L.O.V.E.” during the credits of How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, and had to find the song for myself. It took me weeks, but I finally discovered this album and snatched it. Little did I know I’d fall in love with this song. It starts out angelic, creeping in with rich chords and Kathy Fisher’s mysterious, deep voice. I love her lower range: It’s so rich and different. This is one of those seductive and sexy songs that put you in a trance.

98.    Clocks / A Rush of Blood to the Head / Coldplay / 2002
This was my very first addiction to Coldplay. I discovered it when the band played on Jay Leno. For a couple weeks, I wouldn’t listen to anything else. The piano arrangement is like a little tangible star from the sky. When a song can’t get any better, it gets inside you. This is the perfect example. I still haven’t figured out exactly what this song is about, but it doesn’t matter: It’s the melody that moves me, not the lyrics. Chris Martin’s sensitive falsetto sits comfortably among the magical instrumentations. Other great songs have come from Coldplay since then, but in a way, nothing tops this.

99.    Angel / Jon Secada / Jon Secada / 1992
My sister and I used to make fun of Jon’s abrupt vocal attack at the beginning of this song. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate the urgency. It’s much better than lazily singing the intro. You get the sense Jon’s really trying to make a point. It’s extremely easy to listen to him sing. The chorus is beautifully executed, and I love that the song has no percussion.

100.    In My Place / A Rush of Blood to the Head / Coldplay / 2002
This ranks right up there with “Clocks”. It’s intense and powerfully unsure. The strings are lush and beautiful and the guitar riff makes a great statement. This song is really unique, totally unpredictable in melody with introspective lyrics and rich with harmonies. Like an awesome classical track, it has crescendos and builds toward the end. It’s very fun to sing: When I sing along I tend to sing my own harmonies. The production is flawless and it’s just the right length: It concludes nicely.