What's your Favorite Songs?

[American Patriot]

Tell us what favorite songs you have, why they are favorites and perhaps WHEN they were favorites. For instance what year, and time in your life.

Let's hear some of them.

Oh, do you SING them yourself?


Rick

[American Patriot]

So... since I started the thread, I'm going to start the chatter.

My dear, sweet wife got me a brand new, 80 gig iPod for Christmas and I've got about 40 gigs of music on it, having converted all the CDs in our collection I could locate, but I don't have ANY jimmy buffet stuff in our collection. So, I did some hunting, searching and ... digging and came up with about 30 gigs of other music, including everything from Rap (crap really, lol) to Country and Western, classical, a lot of Classic Rock. I've not categorized everything yet, and it's probably going to take me months to get play lists made etc.

And guess what, I located it, and now have an mp3 copy of the song, so if anyone wants to hear it, let me know.

This is ONE of my all time favorite songs, ever. I never heard it until a couple of years back.

I like this song... I like Jimmy Buffet generally because he's funny, somewhat irreverant sometimes, and he tells stories in his songs. Most of the music I consider "favorites" are stories of some sort. Here's the lyrics to that song. It's one of them in my iTunes/iPod list.

Why THIS song? Well, someday, I will write down all the things I have done in my life and perhaps I can tell my great Grandchildren "there's still so much to be done". In my life I've been to a lot of places, seen a lot of things, had a lot of interesting, sometimes deadly experiences and lived to tell about it. My favorite places to have visited were Egypt, the Amazon (Brazille, the Amazon river, Rio Negro, Manus), China, Grand Canyon and my Granny's house... which will soon be no more. Those places are just SOME of the favorite places.

I spent time living in the jungle for just a short time, a few days, and combatted bugs, snakes (including a giant anaconda), monkeys and pirranah. I spent a month in Brazille, and 4-5 days in the jungle. It was... an experience I will never forget, and probably never repeat. LOL

In Egypt, I explored ruins, King's tombs and spent a bit of time at a real archealogica dig. I didn't exactly have experiences like "Indiana Jones", but it was just as bad. We lost a bunch of Marines and Airmen during "Desert One".

I spent another part of my life in another jungle. Weapons and guns blazing.

I left China, is a BIG HURRY.... so, the song reminds me of things I've done in my life, even though they aren't the same things as the song -- but, well, just the premise is enough for me.

Anyway, that's my story about this song. I have a lot of other "favorite" songs, but this is one that stands out for me.



Last Mango In Paris

By: Jimmy Buffett, Marshall Chapman, Will Jennings, Michael Utley
1985


"For all the living legends I've had the pleasure to know. There's
still so much to be done."

I went down to Captain Tony's
To get out of the heat
Then I heard a voice call out to me
"Son come have a seat"
I had to search my memory
As I looked into those eyes
Our lives change like the weather
But a legend never dies

Chorus:
He said I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And Jimmy there's still so much to be done

I had a third world girl in Buzios
With a pistol in each hand
She always kept me covered
As we moved from land to land

I had a damn good run on Wall Street
With my high fashion model wife
I woke up dry beneath the African sky
Just me and my Swiss Army knife

Chorus:
I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And Jimmy there's still so much to be done

We shot the breeze for hours
As the sun fell from the sky
And like the sun he disappeared
Before my very eyes

It was somewhere past dark-thirty
And I went back to the head
I read upon the dingy wall
The words the old man said:

I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And Jimmy there's still so much to be done

I ate the last mango in Paris
Took the last plane out of Saigon
Took the first fast boat to China
And Jimmy there's still so much to be done

That's why we wander and follow La Vie Dansante

- Notes:
Background Vocals: Timothy B. Schmit

[Brian Baldwin]

Ok.. A quick few favorites of my vast collection.

Hair of the Dog --- Nazareth (first rumble in highschool for lack of better word)

Fantasy --- Aldo Nova (How cool was that??)

You don't know me --- Ray Charles (Just something about Ray that you gotta love.)

White lightning and wine --- Heart (I used to ******* when I was younger)

Superman --- Five for fighting (My son was 4 when he heard this song while watching some kid show and excitedly thought it was about me. LOL)

Just about anything Creedance Clearwater Revival ever sang I have and listen to regularly along with Scorpions, White Snake, Bob Segar, Aerosmith, The Who, and Cream. way too many songs to list. I could fill Rick's iPod three times over.

[Luke]

A topic I can't resist! Not enough bandwidth to list all my faves. The short list would be:
The Weight by the Band
Late 60's early 70,s Young Luke gets laid.

Willin by Little Feat
Young Luke "has been from Tuscon to Tumcumcari, Tahachipe to Tongapah had my head stove in and I'm still on my feet. But if you give me weed whites and wine and you show me good times then I was willin. And yes I have performed this tune in a lot of bands I have been in.

Being a semi-pro musician spoils a lot of songs, after you listen to them till they are played to death, then play them a few thousand times they lose the charm they intially had.
Most all Beatle songs.

[Luke]

Upon further review: Several glaring ommisions come to mind

Stormy Monday Blues, by T Bone Walker
late 60s young Luke learns the joys of 12 bar blues

Lord Clapton forgive me, 1974? More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase, playing with a disco/show horn band, first time playing bass guitar.

Move It On Over, Hank Willams Sr. mid 70,s. All the hours Dad listened to the Grand Ole Opery sunk in. Luke plays in multitude of Country and Western bands. Didn't like most of the songs but saw the best right cross ever between drunk redneck and his girlfriend

Honorable Mentions:
River Deep, Mountain High
Deep Purple /Book Of Talyson lp

Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum
Hammond B3 organ and 145 Leslie speakers contribute to todays hearing loss.

I'll Fly Away, gospel tradional song. 2 years ago reunited with old band mates and best friends to form "Christian rock" group part time.

The list never really ends....................

[American Patriot]

No one else wants to play?

Geez. lazy bums

[kammry]

Favorite songs growing up were "Sad Eyes" by Robert John and "Reunited" by Peaches and Herb. No particular reason that I can remember

Through my time training at Ft. Sam Houston Cinderella's "The Last Mile" got me though when I was feeling homesick.

"Wish You Were Here" by Blackmore's Night reminds me of my time in Bosnia and of a good friend from that time.

Songs that are currently favorites are:
Lydia McCauley's "Aeternitas" (a song I can only sing half of, but cannot get out of my head when I listen to it)
Blackmore's Night's "Fool's Gold" (a fun song, but sad as well)
Loreena McKennitt's "Bonny Portmore"
"Song of Ireland" by Eddie Rabbitt (what's not to love about his voice and a song about the "old country")

And I love almost everything I hear by Blackmore's Night and Eddie Rabbitt. I don't know that I have an all time favorite. There's just too much music that I love.

And I love singing, so yes I try singing everything I can and some I probably shouldn't.

[Aplomb]

"I know a place" and "Downtown" were on an album by Petula Clark that I received for a present along with some kid music gadget to play tunes in. I thought those were some pretty cool songs, and I played them repeatedly. At one point in time those were my favorite songs.

[Backstop]

No one else wants to play?

Geez. lazy bums

HEY!

I'm too busy listening to music to post.

Some of my favorite songs/albums:

1. Allman Bros - Statesboro Blues, No One To Run With
2. Grateful Dead - Touch of Grey
3. Nanci Griffith - One Fair Summer Evening
5. Skip Ewing - Coast of Colorado
6. Tom T. Hall - I Can't Dance (HAHA!)
7. Steel Breeze - You Don't Want Me Anymore
8. Head East - Never Been Any Reason
9. Jethro Tull - Aqualung

There are so many more.

I never listened to this man prior to hearing this song. He has an innate ability to musically communicate emotions unlike most singer/song writers:

Alan Jackson - Where Were You

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

[Aplomb]

I like that song, too, Backstop. I like patriotic and political type songs. With music and lyrics, I like to listen to what goes with my moods. When I was going through some rough times I thank REM for "Everybody hurts" that helped to pull me through. When I'm feeling up, which is most of the time, I like the average "pop" music like "You were meant for me" by Jewel and "Lady, you bring me up when I'm down" by the Commodores. My favorite country singer is Garth Brooks, my favorite oldies band is The Lovin' Spoonful, and my favorite song at this moment is ...

Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Crazy


I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that phase.
Even your emotions had an echo
In so much space

And when you're out there
Without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy
Does that make me crazy
Does that make me crazy
Probably

And I hope that you are having the time of your life
But think twice, that's my only advice
Come on now, who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you think you are,
Ha ha ha bless your soul
You really think you're in control

Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them
Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably

[Brian Baldwin]

Favorite songs growing up were "Sad Eyes" by Robert John

Hey Kammry... Ever listen closely to those lyrics? Great song but the guy in the song is a real S.O.B. LOL It too is one of many songs I have on my hard drive.

[kammry]

It's been a long time since I've heard "Sad Eyes". I used to know the song but what it really mean anything to me at 11 years old. I just loved to hear it and didn't hear it often. I know that cheating songs tend to have pretty catchy lyrics and melodies and many of the songs I've memorized through the years fit in that category so this fits right in, I reckon

[MTStringer]

Somehow, I never pictured Rick a Buffet fan, "goes to show you never can tell", as the old song goes. Rick, Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads is an excellent 4 disc set of Jimmys best, with the exception of Banana Republic, one of my own favorites. If you ever get the chance to see him live, go, you'll enjoy it, he's a helluva nice guy and his shows are always fun. Good sometimes to dump all the worries and let what hair is left hang out, you know.

[Bastastic]

Where to begin on this one? My music genre varies from classical to extreme death metal. Lets start with some songs you might know. After that I'll go into my generation. LOL

Growing up all I use to listen to was doo-wop. If my dad was in the car, or room, he controlled the radio. From him I learned these groups.

The Drifters
The Temptations
The Belmonts
The Crests
The Flamingos
Jive Five
The Penguins
The Platters
Four Tops
The Duprees
The Five Saints

That is from the top of my head, but I know they are more. Next are the groups I listened to in my early teens.

Boyz II Men
Seal
Madonna
Martin Page
Alanis Morissette
Savage Garden
Matchbox 20
Goo Goo Dolls
Bach
Smashing Pumpkins
Deep Blue Something
Coolio
The Gin Blossoms
Blues Traveler
No Doubt
The Wallflowers
Bush
The Flys

So far you got the idea that I listened to a lot of radio and a lot of VH1 when it was good. Somehow, somewhere along the line of high school one of my best friends introduced me to heavy metal. At first I thought it was crap. But then came along Marily Manson. My life was forever changed. Now is the current groups I listen to. This started from around 1999.

Marilyn Manson
The Offspring
Fear Factory
Cradle of Filth
Bleeding Through
Orgy
Uneath
Comeback Kid
Devildriver
Coal Chamber
Killswitch Engaged
A Perfect Circle
Tool
Bury Your Dead
Korn
Remembering Never
Hemlock
40 below summer
It Dies Today
As I Lay Dying
Darkest Hour
Poison the Well
Atreyu
Lamb of God
36 Crazyfists
All That Remains
Between the Buried and Me
Lacuna Coil
Mudvayne
Slipknot
The Misfits
Otep
Rammstein
System of a Down
Throwdown
Trivium
Through the Eyes of the Dead

From that list above, I have seen everyone of those groups in concert and I even bought a beer for some of the band members! Everyone of those groups have a song that has effected my life in one way or the other. Did I lose anyone? LOL

[samizdat]

I can dig Backstop's stuff.

Bastastic- that's Mowtown, not doo wop.

I like Brahms, Rimsy Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Gregorian chant. Bach is a little dreary for me, but I like rhapsodies. Can't slight Bethoven or Mozart.

Boardwalk, Popsycle and 409 are doo wop.

Get ready, tempt.
Buffaloe Springfield, for what it's worth
His eyes are on the sparrow
Dem bones
Sight of de Lord
Left speechless
Christ is salt of earth, light in darkness
(popular American spirituals, mostly negro)
Mine eyes have seen the glory...
Holy God We Praise thy Name
etc.

[Bastastic]

The Temptations and Four Tops could go either way for doo-wop and Motown, but I am more than sure the rest on the list is doo-wop. After years of listening to "Oldies But Goodies" volumes and buying my dad "The Doo Wop Box" Vol. 2 a few years back I think those groups fit in the doo-wop category more than Motown.

[Ryan Ruck]

Favorite song... I don't really have a favorite song, but I do have two favorite bands. That would be Metallica and AC/DC.

Other groups and artist I like include:

• Aerosmith
• Drowning Pool
• Korn
• Eagles
• Powerman 5000
• George Thorogood
• Marilyn Manson
• Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Rage Against The Machine
• Guns n Roses
• Jet
• Hendrix
• Johnny Cash
• KISS
• Megadeth
• Rob Zombie
• The Stones

And probably a few others I can't think of in the "rock" genere, like some "Oldies" songs.

Now, that isn't to say that "rock" is all I listen to. I also like listening to Blues, Jazz, Romantic Classical, and Opera when I want stuff a little less energetic. And, when I'm feeling a little... offbeat... I've been known to listen to other things like Cuban music, Dub, Irish music, Hawaiian music (hey, it's cheaper than actually going there!) and even Indian music.

In case anyone is wondering where you can regularly listen to such diverse types of music, I'll tune in to different stations on AOL Radio. For anyone that hasn't used it before, it's kind of like satellite radio except over the internet. In fact, they have a few XM Radio stations on there, and it is mostly commercial free (they do have some every so often). Personally, I like it...

[Aplomb]

Hahaha. Hey, Ryan, I found this one hidden in your list of wild metal musicians-Johnny Cash. I like him, too.

[American Patriot]

Johnny Cash did heavy metal?????

oh yeah, "I got it One piece at a time" -- now THAT was heavy metal.

/chuckles

[MTStringer]

Glad to see Johnny mentioned. Way back, we'd (mom, dad,me) go to some dive Dad favored, have some shrimp or some other wonderful fried artery clogger, and play songs on the juke box. Always had to drop a nickel ( sigh) for Walk The Line and Ring of Fire. Johnny was one of the first no- BS singer/writers to gain popularity, kinda' like Merle, they'd seen too much to keep it in, I guess. I do believe that's why he crossed the line from C&W to mainstream as well as he did, and why his songs seemed to somehow relate to kids young enough to be his grandkids.