808. Outshined by Soundgarden (1991)

Originally, Soundgarden was a metal band. They changed their sound and expanded their horizons after breaking with the Badmotorfinger album. Their breakthrough single, "Outshined" features an outstanding riff and one of the greatest lines in music history. Not many lines are better than "I'm looking California and feeling Minnesota".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6c1iv2Jhcc

807. Closer by Nine Inch Nails (1994)

Trent Reznor's "Closer" was so explicit and the video so disturbing that it had to be heavily edited for television. The video is one of the best ever for a song. An interesting version complete with farm animals exists out in the biosphere somewhere which puts a twist on the song.

http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DPTFwQP86BRs%26oref%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fresults%253Fsearch_query%253Dcloser%252Bnine%252Binch%252Bnails%2526aq%253Df%26has_verified%3D1

810. Brian Wilson by Barenaked Ladies (1992)

"Brian Wilson" is about a man whose life course is similar to Beach Boy Brian Wilson's. Wilson suffered a breakdown trying to compete with the Beatles and spent three years secluded in his bedroom. Originally released in 1992, the band re-released the song in 1997. Brian Wilson himself later covered the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch84fmOa414

811. Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen (1982)

The Nebraska album was Bruce Springsteen's reaction to economic turmoil and dislocation of the late seventies and early eighties. Most of the songs deal with ordinary people struggling through life. One exception is the title track which recounts Charles Raymond Starkweather's murder spree in 1958. The twenty-year-old Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend killed eleven people over two months. She served 17 years in prison while he was executed. Springsteen's unemotional delivery hammers home the impersonal and uncaring nature of the criminals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwcOhOv4fho

I'm Eighteen by Alice Cooper (1970)

Alice Cooper's breakthrough hit...

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee....

It took way too long for his induction!

Live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXZcJojTucg

Studio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNF2KNcRm-U

He's a Rebel by The Crystals (1962)

Darlene Love performed on some of music's best known hits. However, her name rarely appeared on her work. This is probably her best known (non-Xmas) work...

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu3bKBIEypE

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond (1969)

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee...with a song hijacked by the Boston Red Sox...

Caroline Kennedy was the inspiration for the song.

Live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4udYq7-0Gg

Lyrics (Studio Version):

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

Right Place, Wrong Time by Dr. John (1973)

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dr. John....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuRDMu87tl0

House Where Nobody Lives by Tom Waits (1999)

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Tom Waits:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0YxjH09TDU

A Song For You by Leon Russell (1970)

2011 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leon Russell:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37dw2r45Xzg

812. Legs by ZZ Top (1984)

ZZ Top became a cultural phenomenon with their flashy videos and trademark beards. "Legs" provided the formula. A hot red classic car and a bevy of models too cool for you. The band parlayed the format to superstardom after fifteen years together. Following "Legs" and Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher", rock bands began inserting scantily clad women into their videos. A few years later, Hip Hop videos followed suit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EXXZVdUJ98

813. The KKK Took My Baby Away by the Ramones (1981)

The Ramones did not release another single until 1989's "Pet Cemetary." They did continue to record and release albums.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI7JjiZuiVc

Moment 4 Life by Nicki Minaj feat. Drake

Lady Gaga, Jason Aldean, and the Foo Fighters remain at #1 on the pop, country, and rock charts.

So, #1 on the R&B charts....

I tend to think she knows she's about half way through her 15 minutes...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7GW8TYCEG4

814. Sliver by Nirvana (1990)

Nirvana looks at life through the eyes of a young child. Originially released by Sub Pop, the song was re-released after the band hit it big. In 1993, they filmed a video with Cobain's daughter Francis Bean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QECJ9pCyhns

815. Fell On Black Days by Soundgarden (1994)

Chris Cornell says the song is about being very happy and then realizing you are very unhappy and life sucks. I always thought it was about someone that committed a crime and ended up in prison for life. In a sense, I was not far off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpecGg07cFQ

816. Norwegian Wood by The Beatles (1965)

Although primarily written by John Lennon, George Harrison's influence is keenly felt. Harrison incorporated the Indian sitar into the song. Harrison later became deeply interested in Indian culture. Lyrically, John wanted to write a song about his extramarital affairs without tipping off his wife. Paul McCartney claimed that they were trying to write about prostitutes and lesbians and the main character torched the woman's home in the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3cUejOltsA

Mine Smell Like Honey by R.E.M.

Brand New R.E.M. Sounds old school. Best song of the year thus far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuvi7AUfZPo

817. Say It Ain't So by Weezer (1995)

Rivers Cuomo wrote all the music, but only had the line "Say it ain't so." The rest came when he thought of a high school moment. He came home, opened the fridge, and saw a solitary bottle of beer. His parents divorced because of his father's alcoholism. He saw the beer and worried his mother and step-father would then get divorced.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENXvZ9YRjbo

Don't You Wannna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson

#1 this week in country.

Lady Gaga still #1 on pop and the Foo Fighters are still #1 on the rock charts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4ti6TKzt0

818. Guitar Man by Elvis Presley (1968, 1981)

Jerry Reed scored a modest hit with "Guitar Man" in 1967. The following year, Elvis covered the song in his comeback special. In 1981, a remixed Elvis version hit #1 on the country charts and hit #28 on the pop charts.

Elvis '68:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3gkBMuyq8U

Remix:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC_n9e4VOPI

Jerry Reed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNaN4aZJiZU

819. Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel (1966)

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel decided to depress us with a song evoking the imagery of the onset of winter. While many people enjoy winter, it brings on a certain level of sadness in most. S&G tap into that sadness. There is also a feeling of failure in the main character's rant, "see what's become of me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSd4QJBEMvk

The Bangels covered the song in 1987.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM

820. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by William Shatner (1968)

If you thought William Shatner's version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" was unique, check out "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Ar79f8aN8

821. Mr. Tambourine Man by William Shatner (1968)

"Mr. Tambourine Man" is one of music's greatest songs. It was written by Bob Dylan and transformed by the Byrds. It has been covered over and over. In one of the oddest covers, William Shatner decided to record his own version. He would leave the set of Star Trek and head to the studio to cut his own spoken world album. In between Shakespeare, Shatner did this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0hTtsqiFCc

822. 96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians (1966)

This actually made Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time...It is best known for the organ riff and is considered one of the first "Garage Rock" hits. It is also credited for jump starting punk rock. The Mysterians lead singer, Question Mark, is thought to be Rudy Martinez of Saginaw, Michigan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgfnCTp3p7U

96 Beers from Detroit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4POj4UuJvU

823. The Battle in the Snow by John Williams (1980)

This is one of the best tracks on one of my favorite soundtracks of all time. You can feel the AT-AT walkers marching on the rebels in the music. I was 8 when the movie came out which may help explain my affinity for the film and its music...and yes the original version is superior to the special edition!

The Track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm8OXtgPBRY

The actual battle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWjj8EKTkWE

Rope by the Foo Fighters

#1 this week on the rock charts.  Lady Gaga is still #1 on the pop charts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At3rZUgQsh8&feature=related

824. Lawyers, Guns, and Money by Warren Zevon (1978)

"Lawyers, Guns, and Money" describes a date gone horribly wrong. The protangonist goes on a date with a lady tied to the Russians. The next thing he knows, he's in Havana!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw

825. Take Me To The River by The Talking Heads (1979)

The Talking Heads covered Al Green's classic in 1979. It is included in their concert film Stop Making Sense. The song is about harmonizing religious conviction with material life.

The Talking Heads:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anjT71N4PGM

Al Green:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGD8aQ2GKr0&feature=related

826. Southern Man by Neil Young (1970)

Neil Young launches into a stinging criticism of the south. "Southern Man" symbolically represents the entire region and questions its racism and policies toward blacks. Young wonders if they will ever make things right considering the southern economy and cotton kingdom was built on slave labor. Lynyrd Skynyrd answered Young's critiques in "Sweet Home Alabama" launching a perceived, yet non-existent, feud. Young has been known to play "Sweet Home Alabama" in concert while Lynyrd Skynyrd members profess an affection for Young's music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVRxdPWV3RM

827. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel (1970)

America entered the seventies much as it left the sixties...in turmoil. Simon and Garfunkel address the underlying tension and stresses of 1970 America in "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Interestingly, the song exposed turmoil within the duo. The pair split after the album, but they went out on top as the song proved a major hit.

There have been many covers of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" most notably Elvis in 1970 and Johnny Cash in 2002.

Simon and Garfunkel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-PNun-Pfb4

Elvis:

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

Johnny Cash (w/Fiona Apple):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6gyUotqwPM