932. Creep by Radiohead (1992)

"Creep" broke Radiohead. Not bad for the band's debut single. "Creep" is about a drunk twentysomething that feels inadequate in the company of women. The character's self loathing and self consisciousness leads him to question why he's even in their company to begin with because he's "a creep" and "a weirdo." Radiohead has gone on to be one of the most critically acclaimed popular acts in music history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk&ob=av2e

933. It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr (1971)

"It Don't Come Easy" was not Ringo's first post-Beatles single. He released "Beaucoups of Blues" in September, 1970. "It Don't Come Easy" came seven months later and reached #4 on the charts. George Harrison cowrote the hit and played guitar. Badfinger members Pete Ham and Tom Evans sang backup.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpxGD1YAUi8

934. The Logical Song by Supertramp (1979)

Supertramp takes on conformity and the education system in "The Logical Song." At the beginning of the song, the character is young and innocent. Then, the public school system gets its hands on him. The character is taught to conform and loses his creativity. Additionally, he's afraid to speak out for fear of being labeled or ostracized. The pressure to conform conflicts with his natural inclinations and he is left to beg people to "please tell me who I am." The confusion brought on by his education leaves our hero disillusioned at the end. His innocence and idealism lost.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQfjIw3mivc

935. Great White Buffalo by Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes (1974)

Ted Nugent gives a history lesson in "Great White Buffalo." He accurately details the relationship between Native Americans and the environment and how white encroachment onto Indian lands decimated the buffalo. Hunting buffalo became fashionable for easterners and the federal government adopted a policy of extermination in order to pacify Indian lands. Without the buffalo, the natives lacked food and raw materials for survival. The demise of the buffalo ended the plains way of life for native peoples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMZwS0ZonEU

936. Smells Like Nirvana by Weird Al (1992)

Weird Al outdoes himself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklUAoZ6KxY&ob=av3e

937. Charlie Brown by The Coasters (1959)

Although Charlie Brown first appeared in 1950, this has nothing to do with the Peanuts character. The song follows the antics of a school kid that is something of a Bart Simpson. He's disrepectful and goofy, but not malicious. After getting in trouble, he wonders "Why is everybody always pickin' on me?"  Lieber and Stoller wrote the #2 hit. They wrote some of music's greatest hits including "There Goes My Baby", "Hound Dog", and "Stand By Me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UnPzp2lmNk

938. Sheep by Pink Floyd (1977)

Pink Floyd critiqued the socioeconomic and political conditions in England during the seventies with their concept album Animals. The album was loosely based on Orwell's Animal Farm and could easily be applied to the industrial west as a whole. The album's critique of capitalism ventures from traditional European leftist thought and into communism. In the end, the people (the sheep) rise up and overthrow the capitalists and gain control of the means of production. "Sheep" contains a cynical reworking of Psalm 23 in which the workers plot their revolution.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me down to lie, Through pastures green, He leadeth me the silent waters by. With bright knives, He releaseth my soul. He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places. He converteth me to lamb cutlets. For lo! He hath great power and great hunger. When cometh the day we lowly ones, Through quiet reflection and great dedication, Master the art of karate, Lo! we shall rise up And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5mJQGMqJvw

939. Desert Song by Def Leppard (1993)

Def Leppard released "Desert Song" with other outtakes and rarities on 1993's Retro Active. The song came out of the Hysteria sessions in 1987. It became a rock radio hit six years later and is one of Def Leppard's best. "Desert Song" is one of the last Def Leppard releases co-written by guitarist Steve Clark who died in 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxKHWeOcl0U

940. Cat's in the Cradle by Harry Chapin (1974)

"Cat's in the Cradle" records the life of a father with little time for his kids. It intersperses nursery rhymes to augment the feeling of detachment and passage of time. At the beginning, the man's son is born and he grows up over the course of four minutes. At the end of the song, the father proudly (and sadly) realizes his son grew up to be the same way as their roles reversed and the son had no time for him. Alienation serves as an undercurrent as the father doesn't have time for his family as modern life intervenes. The work also hammers home the idea that time is constantly moving and to treasure every moment because it might not come again.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5r2spPJ8g

In 1992, Ugly Kid Joe covered "Cat's in the Cradle":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B32yjbCSVpU&ob=av3e

941. Schism by Tool (2001)

Tool won a Grammy for "Schism." It was well deserved as the song continually changes musically. The meters are in constant flux resulting in bizarre time signatures.  Extreme and constant musical change is appropriate for a song about disharmony and division.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhjG47gtMCo

942. We Don't Need Another Hero by Tina Turner (1985)

Tina Turner began an amazing comeback in 1984. Her career bottomed out by the early eighties. In 1984, she released Private Dancer with the smash "What's Love Got To Do With It?" In 1985, she starred as Aunt Entity in the Mel Gibson film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. She performed "We Don't Need Another Hero" for the soundtrack. She filmed the video in her Aunt Entity persona and won a VMA for Best Female Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1FPK5-Rm38

943. Unholy by Kiss (1992)

The album Revenge was a return to a loud, hard sound from KISS. "Unholy" was edgier and less commercial than their recent endeavours which included "God Gave Rock n Roll To You." It was also the first KISS single with Gene Simmons as lead vocalist in a decade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmrX_WlM2w&ob=av2e

944. Pressure by Billy Joel (1982)

The song deals with the pressures of everyday life. It's a song all of us can identify with. The Piano Man uses a synthesizer to replicate a manic feeling. Interestingly, if "Pressure" was in another key, it'd be a polka.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iyv905Q2omU&ob=av2e

945. I'm Still Standing by Elton John (1983)

The song is about Sir Elton John's comeback from personal issues. It became a big international hit in 1983 and one of the soundtrack songs for that particular summer. The video accompanying the song is representative of the period.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHwVBirqD2s&ob=av2n

946. Infatuation by Rod Stewart with Jeff Beck (1984)

Rod Stewart hit #6 in 1984 with this hit. The video received extensive play on MTV and features a cameo by Jeff Beck. The old man in the video resembles Lyndon Johnson. Stewart filmed two endings for the video. In one version, Stewart gets the girl. In the other, she drives off laughing at him.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26l9d_rod-stewart-infatuation_music

947. Real World by Matchbox 20 (1998)

Rob Thomas wrote this as Matchbox 20 signed their recording contract. It was the band's first hit and details the stress over everyday life. In the song, the main character wishes the real world would leave him alone and he fantasizes about various scenarios in which he has more control. Who hasn't had those feelings?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJazZIWNgg&ob=av2n

948. Gimme Some Lovin' by The Spencer Davis Group (1966)

Lead singer Steve Winwood was 18 when this song peaked on the charts in 1967 (released late '66). The song has been with us ever since appearing in a number of movies including The Blues Brothers and Good Morning Vietnam. It's also been used in commercials ad nausea. I hear the song now and think of Dennis Hopper doing retirement commercials for formerly hip baby boomers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxA3atHD2QM

949. Cars by Gary Numan (1980)

If you want to get a feel for New Wave music, "Cars" is the place to start. Numan took inspiration from a road rage incident to create this work. The song features the use of synthesizers and lacks a chorus. By the mid-80s, synthesizers were a staple of popular music. This was somewhat controversial and artists that relied on them were dubbed "plastic keyboard bands."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

950. Sweet Little Sixteen by Chuck Berry (1958)

Chuck Berry hit #2 with this ode to female rock n roll fans. In the hit, a 16-year-old girl attends a concert dressed in high heels and a tight skirt. Everyone wants to dance with her. The next day, she is sweet and innocent again as she returns to school. The only Chuck Berry hit to top "Sweet Little Sixteen" on the charts was the #1 hit "My Ding-A-Ling" in 1972.

The Beach Boys turned "Sweet Little Sixteen" into "Surfin' USA." Chuck Berry was eventually given a writing credit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h3tXq5pkJ8&ob=av2n

Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

"Teenage Dream" dethrones Eminem and Rhianna this week and takes over as the #1 song in the country. Katy Perry can't sing, but people seem to like her stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE

951. I Put A Spell On You by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (1956)

Hawkins wanted to write a blues ballad. Instead, he got drunk and wrote this awesomely bizarre song. He did not remember recording it, but the experience taught him he could do more by screaming than being  serious. Hawkins refined an act to go along with the song. In it, he appears as a cannibal complete with tusks and a smoking skull. The song has been covered many times. The most famous versions come from Nina Simone and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It has also been covered by Jeff Beck, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Bryan Ferry, Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, Marilyn Manson, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, and Pete Townsend with David Gilmour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orNpH6iyokI

952. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic by The Police (1981)

Sting wrote an early version of "Every Little Thing" in 1976. The Police released it in 1981 and it hit #3 in America. The Police dusted off the song and included some of the lyrics on "Oh My God" from the Synchronicity album. Sting used the lyrics again on the "Seven Days" track off Ten Summoner's Tales. It's also a great concert song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aENX1Sf3fgQ&ob=av3n

953. Wango Tango by Ted Nugent (1980)

I wonder what this song is about? Ted is always upfront!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FEVz5BGyO4

954. Shadows in the Rain by Sting (1985)

Sting reworked an old Police tune making it jazzier. This jazzed-up version seemingly puts the listener on Bourbon Street the morning after Mardi Gras. The character is out of control and ignores his doctor's warnings about delusional behavior. For his part, the protagonist doesn't care and just dances with his shadows in the rain.

Sting hired world class musicians to play on his first solo record, Dream of the Blue Turtles. Branford Marsalis played the sax and Darryl Jones of the Rolling Stones is on bass.

It also has one of my favorite lines:

"I woke up in my clothes again this morning
I don't know exactly where I am"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2h8ZqMe0TY

955. Alison by Elvis Costello (1977)

"Alison" is a mystery. Elvis won't say who the song is about, but denies it is about murder. He does not wish to spoil the song for people. Elvis himself came out of the punk and new wave scene of the late seventies and is an amazing lyricist known for his word play as well as divergent influences.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs6HbYit5-A

956. Back 2 Good by Matchbox 20 (1998)

Rob Thomas is considered one of the best songwriters of his generation. He demonstrates his skill in "Back 2 Good." Is the song about the end of a relationship, cheating, or both? Whatever the meaning, it's a good drinking song. I just can't believe it's been 12 years since this was released.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X5Dr-uFVGw&ob=av2e

957. Greensleeves (1580)

Public Enemy yesterday...and Greensleeves today! Well, I have the flu and this tune has an interesting rumor about it. It was NOT written by Henry VIII. King Henry died in 1547 before this musical style existed. The song's meaning is ambiguous, but may deal with the love of a prostitute. It could have been a 16th century "Roxanne." During this period, green was associated with sex. So, if the song's subject was not a prostitute, it could have been a cheating lover. Still another possibility is the lady in question was mistaken for a whore. Either way, the melancholy song has endured.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ItNxpwChE

Poker Face by Lady Gaga, Christopher Walken, and Cartman

If there ever was an artist open to parody, it's Lady Gaga.

Here's a mashup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tZG5j1nGsA

Cartman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSEST-oQH68&feature=related

Christopher Walken:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2guQYivZ6w

958. Fight the Power by Public Enemy (1989)

"Fight the Power" appeared in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. It's a call for revolution against the abuse of power. VH-1 named it the greatest Hip Hop song of all time. The most controversial parts of the song slam Elvis and John Wayne providing an indictment of the white community and America in general.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

959. Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin (1959)

Despite the smooth, cool cat stylings of Bobby Darin, "Mack the Knife" is edgier than anything from the Gangsta rap crowd. Listen to the lyrics about life oozing out as Darin tells the story about a murderer. Mack is a murderer, rapist, and arsonist. He'd probably cut up 50 cent before old 50 knew what hit him.

Despite being associated with Darin, the song is a cover of a 1956 song from Louis Armstrong. The original version stems from a 1928 play. The 1928 play has its origins in the Middle Ages. Simon Cowell calls "Mack the Knife" the greatest song ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qrjtr_uFac

960. Motor City Madhouse by Ted Nugent (1975)

Ted Nugent, professional guitarist and wackmaster extrordinaire, was one of the biggest acts of the mid-seventies. He belongs in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, but his politics and love of hunting alienates him from many of the voters. Plus Jann Wenner is a wuss. "Motorcity Madhouse" was a Detroit radio favorite for a couple of decades.

Studio Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyIQHEJTULQ

Live Version from 1977:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRiw4vZxSj4

961. Bless You Boys (1984)

When towns get behind their sports teams, they sometimes come up with cheesy slogans and songs. In 1968, the Detroit Tigers rallied around "Go Get 'Em Tigers." Sixteen years later, it was "Bless You Boys." This video includes clips from the 1984 season. It's fun to see season highlights, Old Tiger Stadium, the wave, 80s fashion, the price of parking, and Thomas Magnum!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrJDAnhgQ_M