20 Tracks

A few weeks ago there was an engagement post on the hellsite once known as Twitter asking folks to make a twenty song compilation of their all-time favorite songs. Not necessarily the best ones, but the ones you love, the ones that give people a glimpse into what moves you. The only hitch is that you couldn’t repeat an artist.

Naturally, I decided to take this prompt and turn it into a blog post with the added rule that I couldn’t list any of the Monkees solo work (otherwise this list would be a quarter Monkees tunes) and since this is my blog post, I decided to add a little note about each song I picked.

This was not easy. As a long-time music enjoyer, this was incredibly difficult and I could easily do another twenty songs (and probably another twenty after that). And I just might. But for now, here is my initial twenty song compilation. You’ll find nothing groundbreaking here. I’m pretty dull, actually. However, I fully encourage you to check these songs out on whatever music-acquiring service you prefer. After all, I do love them for a reason.

Sunny Girlfriend– The Monkees- This is my go-to answer for my favorite song ever. I love it. It jives with my soul. There’s also an acoustic version that I love.
This Can’t Be Love– Julie London- I discovered the music of Julie London thanks to Emergency! and I’ve been blessed ever since. I have so many favorites of hers, but this one just gets me.
The Three Bears– Bobby Troup- I can’t include Julie London on this list and not include her husband. I love this song because it’s literally just a jazz version of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. It’s fabulous.
Flirtin’ With Disaster– Molly Hatchet- My dad’s influence on my musical tastes involve a lot of country and southern rock. This one holds a special place in my heart because that Molly Hatchet tape spent a lot of time in the cassette player in Dad’s car.
Pink– Aerosmith- This would be my mother’s influence on my musical tastes. Toys in the Attic was one repeat in Mom’s car, but this cheeky number is a favorite of mine.
Superfreak– Brucey Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, and John Anderson- I have a major affinity for random covers. I have a whole playlist dedicated to covers and mash-ups. This is my all-time favorite. It’s a bluegrass-y version of the Rick James classic. It shouldn’t work, but it does.
Beautiful Face– Paula Fuga- I am one of those people that will hunt down a song if I hear it on a TV show and I really dig it. I heard this one on an episode of the 2018 Magnum PI. It’s got a sultry, Julie London vibe that I love. I will own much of Paula Fuga’s music before I’m done.
Werewolves of London– Warren Zevon- Do I need to be cheered up? Then I’m going to howl along with this song. My mood cannot stay foul when I’m singing about ripping your lungs out, Jim.
Let’s Go Together– Circe Link- Circe Link is a Monkees daughter-in-law and three Monkees sons also participated in the track, but this doesn’t violate my Monkees rule. It’s the upbeat tune and the jaunty clarinet combined with the lyrics about plotting to unalive oneself that just sends me, especially as a person who has struggled with this exact thing.
The Seven Deadly Sins– Flogging Molly- A hundred years ago, one of my friends sent me several burned CDs of music she thought I might like. She was right. I liked all of it. But Flogging Molly was the band I liked best out of the bunch. I can’t listen to their music without thinking of her. Thanks, Gin.
Pump It Up– Elvis Costello- I have no idea how I came across this jam, but it’s another one of those instant mood lifter songs. It’s a must dance.
Sin Wagon– The Chicks- There should be more country on this list because I actually do listen to a lot of it, particularly from the ’90s. But I have spent a lot of time scream-singing this song, and if you didn’t know you could do that with a country song, yes…yes, you can.
Dragula– Rob Zombie- Dig through the ditches, burn through the witches, slam in the back of my dragula is my live, laugh, love.
I Wanna Dance with Somebody– Whitney Houston- The video plays in my head whenever this bop comes on. It’s my favorite Whitney song. I don’t care if that’s the wrong answer. It’s true.
On the Hunt– Lynard Skynard- I’ve listened to a lot of Skynard (thanks, Dad), but I actually didn’t come across this one until I heard it on an episode of CSI: Miami. There’s something about their music that I just really like and this song is a groove.
Soldier of Love– Pearl Jam- I was only going to put one cover on my list, but the truth is I like every cover that Eddie Vedder does. I actually bought this CD single for the A side “Last Kiss” (which is also a cover), but I ended up liking this one more.
She Bop– Cyndi Lauper- Of all of the songs about masturbation, this one is my favorite.
Unskinny Bop– Poison- I chose this song to represent all of the hairbands I jammed to back in the day. Because little ’80s me jammed to them all.
Wannabe– Spice Girls- I love this song unironically. It’s my go-to warm-up jam for workouts. It puts a little attitude in a my step.
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground– Willie Nelson- There’s just something about his voice and those lyrics that give me shivers. If I’m in the right mood, this song can make me cry and that’s not a bad thing.