My Top 15 Favorite Songs

 Going up to someone and asking them for their top 15 favorite songs is like asking a beetle what he thinks of The Beatles - you probably won't get a clear answer. Like most people, my favorite songs often change with time and life, but I will say this - I love many songs. Some songs have more of an impact on me than others, so I will give you my list, but be weary, this is highly opinionated and can possibly start wars. Just kidding. Maybe I'm not. Let's do this.

15.

I See You - YES (1969)

Believe it or not, it's the second song on YES' debut album and is overall one of my favorites. My list would not be complete without this psychedelic song. The gentle strumming on guitar played by Steve Howe is very peaceful and magestic. Overall a magical song with genius lyricism.

14.

Woodstock - Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1970)

Woodstock tells a story. A story of the most legendary live concert of all time. This song is a piece of history considering Crosby, Stills, and Nash played their first gig together at Woodstock, and they did it while tripping on acid hard. If that doesn't define Rock and Roll, I don't know what does. This ballad shows how lifestyle and the overall outlook of life was changing in the late 60s and early 70s. Though the song is a cover, it (and the entire Deja Vu album) is a legendary cornerstone of rock,

13.

Catch The Rainbow - Rainbow (1975)

One of the biggest reasons I love this song so much is that almost no one knows it. It's a very passionate love song with psychedelic undertones and incredible vocals by Ronnie James Dio. Gosh, I just can't stop with the debut albums. Anyway, I'm in love with every part of this slow bittersweet love song, and it just overall reminds me of the smell of the grass and river in the early morning. I'm not a big fan of slow songs, but when it comes to them, this is my favorite.

12. 

No One to Depend On - Santana (1971)

This song is precisely why I love Santana. The punk-esk vocals are perfectly on point with the Spanish drumming (COWBELL!) and Carlos Santana's fast strumming. This song is so perfect. Gosh, I love it. At the 3-minute mark, Carlos just starts going OFF! He makes sounds with his guitar that are extremely hard to describe and overall just awesome. I love this song, and I especially love how underplayed it is.

11.

Little Guitars (Part I & II) - Van Halen (1982)

I'm going to be honest, Diver Down is my favorite Van Halen album and I believe little guitars makes it so. The amazing acoustic guitar introduction and fun electronic guitar sound effects are absolutely legendary and couldn't be played by anyone but Eddie Van Halen. I am confident in saying that this song makes my list.

10.

Working Man - RUSH (1974)

If you haven't taken the hint yet, I love debut album hits. Working Man is a perfect concluding song on a perfect debut album. Let's get to the juicy part - the guitar solo. It starts around 2:10 and continues until 4:35 without losing his tempo once. Alex Lifeson is one of my favorite guitarists for many good reasons, but his tempo and overall vibe are the main ones. I love the crazy busy parts of the song, but I also love the more silent basslines which build anticipation. Overall an epic song.

9.

Breathe (In the Air) - Pink Floyd (1973) 

The Dark Side of the Moon is the pinnacle of 70s studio rock and the defining statement of Pink Floyd's career. It defines psychedelic rock and overall is a flawless song about the beginnings of life and how it carries on. Everyone knows the album, and everyone understands why it changed rock forever. Whether you love it or hate it, you have to be willing to accept that it is one of the greatest.

8.

Strutter - KISS (1974)

Strutter! A legendary hard rock song that opens KISS' career off right. The road will be rocky and difficult, but it sure will be rockin'! This song is simply just catchy. The chorus is memorable and the 2 short guitar solos by Paul Stanley are a perfect peek into the jams Kiss will be dropping later in their careers. I just love this song because of how iconic it is. I couldn't keep this song off my list in any universe, it's a necessity. 

7. 

Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin (1976)

I'm sure many would consider it an odd choice when it comes to Led Zeppelin, but I truly believe it is their greatest work. I love the guitar buildup/bridge and the repetitive violent guitar thrashing. I believe that Led Zepplin's final talent peak was their album Presence, which is why this song makes my list. Overall, the song perfectly exemplifies the mood of the album - battle. It is a song where the instruments battle each other throughout the time it is played, and don't get me started on Jimmy Page's guitar solo. 

6. 

Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix (1975)

Poetry. Let's be honest, love songs make the best songs overall. Jimi Hendrix is the most legendary guitarist of all time, and arguably the most legednary artist overall. Little Wing is a short and sweet hopeful jam full of immaculate flow. I mean, only one of the most legendary musicians of all time can take a glockenspiel and make it rock. He did it, with the passionate flare of his guitar and his wavy vocals.

5. 

Foreplay / Long Time – Boston (1976)

The introduction... the sounds, the organ, everything about it sends shivers down my spine. This song is one of the most perfect songs of all time. The harmonic vocals with the combination of acoustic and guitar are perfect. The guitar solo by Tom Scholz has its very own unique tone. The song overall has the vibe that it can get a crowd on its feet. It's almost like an anthem for Rock itself.

4.

Can't Believe It's True - Rory Gallagher (1971)

A magnificent ballad about pondering the concept of love and losing hope in love altogether. The song is very catchy and the riffs are even more so. The vintage tempo and guitar give the song a very unique mood and overall define the reason Rory Gallagher is one of my favorite artists. I believe not only is this song catchy, but it's also musically genius. This song is my opinion the perfect example of why Jimi Hendrix looked up to Gallagher so strongly.

3. 

Riders on the Storm - The Doors (1971)

We all have different takes on The Doors, and choosing a song to make a list was like having your parents hanging off the edge of a cliff and you can only save one. When it comes to Jim Morrison, every song he sings is a piece of art - however, when it comes to Riders on the Storm, there is good reason in choosing. The ambiance of rain with heavy use of the organ and overall nostalgic sounds simply throws me back to being in the back of my dad's old stained car. This song is simply painfully iconic and recognizable - however, it was a close competitor with other Doors songs.

2.

Carry That Weight / The End - The Beatles (1969)

A very odd choice, right? Well here's why. Carry That Weight is an incredibly concluding song of the Abbey Road album, adding many parts of many of the album's songs into it, and The End is an unforgettable conclusion to The Beatles' studio career. George Harrison's legendary final solo is a well renound culmination of the Beatles' overall talent, and the final lyrics are a perfect message to spread to the world at the end of their musical harmony - "And in the end, The love you take, Is equal to the love you make.".

1.

Echoes - Pink Floyd (1971)

In my opinion, Echoes is the greatest piece of musical genius of all time. It is a song of metaphorical resonance, a deep meaning, a deeper message, and experimental beauty, and yes, it's almost 24 minutes long. Echoes is the concluding song on Pink Floyd's legendary 6th studio album (and pre-cursor to Obscured by Clouds[pre-cursor to Dark Side of the Moon]) Meddle. Echoes is a song with meaning, mostly surrounding the concept of human society and communication. It heavily focuses on the concept of connection between beings and the concept that there is a reason humans came to be. The song's flow, mood, vibe, tempo (and everything else) change just about three million times throughout the course of the track. At one point in the song, there is a 4-minute section of just weird sound effects, but during it, you have to keep in mind that it's Pink Floyd. Everything has meaning. That's why I love this song so much. 

GRETA VAN FLEET - Hope for Rock's Future

Many people believe that Rock N' Roll is dead. Of course most people don't want that to be, but I believe there are still bands emerging from the ashes of the Fall of Rock (early 2000's). The band I believe gives us hope for today would be Greta Van Fleet. I recently spent $180 on a pit ticket for their next showing and it wasn't for nothing. Their tone reminds many of Led Zeppelin's later works mixed with many others. Give them a listen and tell me what you think.

What is music theory?

 A question asked by many. Heres your answer.

What's my Favorite Song?

Happy early 50th Birthday, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath!

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is a legendary and unforgettable metal album by the band Black Sabbath. It is in my opinion the greatest of their discography and truly deserves recognition on my website considering it is just simply so good. Everyone talks about Paranoid and Master of Reality, but people tend to overlook the talent used in its creation. 

    Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was Black Sabbath's fifth studio album and was recorded at the Record Plant studio in Los Angeles in the September of 73'. It was produced by legendary producer Tom Allom (who produced albums for Judas Priest and Def Leppard). The record was a commercial success, managing to hit number four on the U.K. Album Chart and number 11 on the U.S. Billboard 200. 

    The cover of the album was designed by famous American artist Drew Struzan (who was well known for making big-time famous movie posters). The album was originally supposed to be named "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Saturday Bloody Saturday", but they eventually decided to shorten it. Enough about the album. Let's hear about the songs!

1.    Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

A legendary self-titled song with strong riffs and even stronger vocals. The transition to the chorus from verse goes from a heavy metal theme to a beautiful and peaceful acoustic vibe which then suddenly ends with a magnificent "Fill your head all full of lies!" and a sudden switch back to the epic metal guitar. Also, don't get me started about the riff switch right before "Where can you run to?". Awesome. Epic album opening - no doubt about it!

2.    A National Acrobat

The issue with this album is I can't decide what song is my favorite. This song is filled with a much lower guitar town and lots of harmony done by reverb and the other bandmate's supporting voices. The lyrics are also much deeper, for instance when in verse II Ozzy says "When little worlds collide, I'm trapped inside my embryonic cell, And flashing memories are cast into the never-ending well". Part II of the song switches the tone up completely (around when lyrics "You gotta believe, yead, I'm talking to you" are said). Overall an excellent song filled with a deeper buried meaning at the end, proclaiming "Just remember love is life and hate is living death, Treat your life for what it's worth and live for ever breath, Looking back I've lived and learned, but now, I'm wondering, Here, I wait and only guess what this next life will bring, haha!" (funny joke, because he's explaining that life must be well lived since you only have one, yet he thinks he will be given another, very clever.)

3.    Fluff

Many believe (including my Dad) that this song is a "filler" song, which as many know, is a song added to a record in order to meet the length requirement states by the publishing agency, however I disagree. Fluff is not metal, it is very fantasy like and medieval. It is a twist instrumental with a peaceful tone and uplifting tempo. I believe Fluff is an ironic piece of metal genius. 

4.    Sabbra Cadabra

Who would have thought an album such as Sabbath Bloody Sabbath would have a love song? Well it does, but it's not very romantic. Simply put, (and interpreted by me) this song is about an unhealthy sexual obsession with a woman who gives a man his purpose. The bridge to part II of the song accompanied by a psychedelic keyboard solo after lyrics "Good to know she's all mine" shows Black Sabbath's wide range of talent. The second part of the song consists of persistent guitar playing and a jazzy piano tuning in and out of the song which AGAIN shows their talent. Overall, a very unique and killer jam.

5.    Killing Yourself to Live

Many know this song as the most popular song on the album. The range of guitar's tone (switching from a hard and dirty roar to a bubbly, echoey overall trippy riff is absolutely legendary. The song is simply about being burdened hard by the rock and roll / metal lifestyle. Butler (primary bassist and lyricist of the band) was hospitalized for severe alcohol poisoning caused by heavy drinking (obviously). The refrain talks about literally killing themselves day by day because of the mass use of and reliance  on drugs during their labored tours. Honestly, the history behind the song is almost sad, but the rock is so awesome that you can't possibly complain.

6.    Who Are You?

A very trippy and conclusive song on the album. The song feels almost as though it starts a new type of music, because of the slight lack of guitar and reliance on the unique keyboard sound. The song feels very space-like, almost making the listener feel like they are floating through mars. The suspenseful snare also adds an interesting vibe to the song, almost making you feel like you're marching toward an alien army (what am I even writing lol). Very strange song, probably tied with Fluff for the most unique and unexpected song on the album.

7. Looking for Today

In my opinion, this song is the most rock-esk song on the album. The metal genre is lessened, and the over all rock n' roll flavor is replenished. The riffs are unforgettable, however Bill Ward's drumming is the most impressive part of the song. His tempo is much faster then other songs, and he carries it with pride and consistency through the entire song. Overall an excellent lead into the albums concluding song,

8. Spiral Architect

Though challenging, I'm afraid I simply have to chose Spiral Architect as my favorite song on the album. You can hear every Sabbath song mushed into one in this song. The guitar, drumming, vocals, and bass playing is absolutely incredible. The lyricism rolls from a theme of life and values all the way to fantasy and death. Ozzy simply talks about how he has learned to see the good in the world, and also how the world forces us to be a certain way, but he pushes a message - "Laughter, kissing, love is showing me the way" and "Of all the things I value most of all, I look upon my earth and feel the warmth and know that it is good. You know that I should!" Legendary.

Who is the Greatest Band of All Time?

Is there really any argument that The Beatles are the greatest band? I would list songs by them, but there are literally so many that I can't even begin to help you comprehend the amount of hits that come from their talent. Almost every rock band since the 1960s say they're inspired from The Beatles. If you disagree, feel free to comment who you think!

The 5 Big Voices of Rock

 Rock N' Roll is a genre that fits many subgenres. Some forms of metal, country, pop, bluegrass, blues, and punk all fit into rock, and you can hear it! The reason I'm stating this is because some of the voices I believe encompass rock people may argue are not rock, but are a subgenre of it. Rock is rock, and it is diverse! These artists will be in no order and are purely interchangeable.

Ozzy Osbourne

We've all heard his voice. We've all known his talent. He sang for the band Black Sabbath for about 8 years, then went solo. He hits notes nobody else can dream of hitting, and is very vocally recognizable. He is widely believed to be the voice of metal / heavy rock for a reason - he is unique. You can find many impersonators of other singers, but Ozzy impersonators are nearly impossible to find because of his unique sound and tone. He is most well known for his performances in the tracks Paranoid, Sweet Leaf, Crazy Train, No More Tears, and many others.

Billy Idol

Rebel Yell is one of the best pop-rock albums of the 80s. Billy Idol's iconic punk rock voice is easily described as unforgettable. The crisp rasp and wide range of pitch are incredible to listen to. Some love him, some don't, but everyone has to be able to admit that his voice was one of the biggest voices on the radio during the 1980s. His best vocalization would be in songs like Rebel Yell, White Wedding, Come On, Eyes Without a Face, Dead on Arrival, and Hot in the City.

Roger Waters

I will start this off by saying this - I am incredibly biased. Pink Floyd is easily my favorite band of all time, but I will say this - Waters' voice is purely magical. He sings softly, yet can hit very difficult notes (not necessarily high notes, but notes that are hard to sustain). His voice is almost dreamlike, even better accompanied by slight reverb and echo. The vocals he is capable of are very strong and have a light rasp, but nothing too punky, more of a psychedelic wave than anything. Some of his best songs would be Money, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, Another Brick in the Wall pt.II, and my personal favorite song of all time, Echoes.

Jim Morrison

As you listen to The Doors' work, you can definitely tell that Morrison was a poet. Arguably, he was one of the most passionate vocalists in the music industry. He truly had the God-given talent of putting emotion into every word he says. Many say he's the inventor of music that involves screaming because of the commonality of his groaning, moaning, and yelling into the mic both on stage and in the studio (or bathroom). He is an extremely recognizable singer and is most definitely a staple of Rock N' Roll history. Some of his best tracks include Break on Through (To the Other Side), Soul Kitchen, Light My Fire, People Are Strange, Love Her Madly, and L.A. Woman.

Robert Plant

I'm sure many were expecting to see him on the list, so I figured I would put him on there. Led Zeppelin is arguably one of the (if not the) greatest Rock bands of history. His voice is very high yet not feminine, and overall simply legendary. His visual performances on top of his truly talented voice account for an incredible live performance no matter the occasion. Even his solo work is incredible. The strong hiss of his S's and the slight shake of his voice during higher and stronger notes is truly candy to the ears. Some of his best vocal accomplishments include Babe I'm Gonna Leave You, The Lemon Song, Tangerine, No Quarter, Tea for One, and Big Log (Solo).

Top 10 Best Guitarists of All Time

        Though drums, bass, and all other instruments are extremely vital to the progression of Rock N' Roll, I would argue that the guitar is the most imperative tool when it comes to rocking out. Nothing compares to the reverb of a classic guitar riff. Though the topic is quite difficult to discuss, here are my opinions on the top ten best guitarists of all time.

10. Eric Clapton

You may be wondering why is Clapton so low on my list? The answer is simply preference. Clapton performed with flying colors in the songs White Room, Sunshine of Your Love, and Layla. He is known to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, however more because of the way he changed the game.

9. Glenn Tipton

  

People may think I'm crazy for putting Tipton above Clapton, but there is a reason for this. I am a person who loves the underdog, and Tipton is a perfect example of one. He plays guitar in the iconic songs of Judas Priest like Breaking the Law, Living After Midnight, Electric Eye, and my personal favorite, Beyond the Realms of Death. His unique interpretation of the hair metal genre is encompassed perfectly through his use of more modern and pop-esk riffs. He also kills any guitar solo he plays.

8. Carlos Santana

I feel like this one is just a given. He is the King of Latino Rock. His passionate flare adds a pizzazz to his music on any song he performs. His quick fingers and unique tone account for an overall legendary name in the genre of rock. His most legendary feats would be his performances on songs like Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, No One to Depend On, and Incident at Nashabur. 

7. Adrian Smith

Not everyone loves Iron Maiden, but even if you don't Smith and Dave Murray are incredibly hardcore guitarists. Though it is an argument that never ages, I firmly stand by the opinion that Adrian Smith is the better guitarist in the band. He is known for his legendary solos in songs The Prisoner, 22 Acacia Avenue, The Number of the Beast, Run to the Hills, and my all-time favorite Iron Maiden song Hallowed be Thy Name. 

6. Alex Lifeson

Rush is a band that I was raised on. I've heard every album, and I must truly say it is an overall perfect band, however, the contribution of Alex Lifeson's legendary guitar solos and the overall tone is life-changing. He is most known for his talented performances in songs Tom Sawyer, The Spirit of Radio, and 2112, but I most love his talent in songs like Here Again, In the Mood, Working Man, and In the End.

5. Rory Gallagher

Many people don't even know his name. Many don't understand the influence he has had on the future of the guitar. Jimi Hendrix claimed that he was the greatest guitar player in the world. That is evidence enough to consider him within my top five. His best solo performances would be on songs like A Million Miles Away, Can't Believe It's True, Do You Read Me, and Sinner Boy.  

4. David Gilmour

Is there any argument for this one? Comfortably Numb, Another Brick in the Wall pt.II, Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Have a Cigar, Breathe, Childhood's End, must I continue? Forget the studio talent, his live performances (even to this day) are easily some of the best music you will ever hear. His talented improvisation on stage is incredible and definitely comes very close to being #3 on my list, but sadly, he doesn't beat 

3. Jimmy Page

Page doesn't play the guitar - the guitar plays him. He treats it like a limb attached to his body. He treats it tenderly, almost making love to it on stage. He and Robert Plant are responsible for the legendary sound of Led Zeppelin, often arguing on stage with their talent, trying their hardest to outperform the other. Jimmy Page is the third-greatest guitarist of all time because of his performances on songs Communication Breakdown, Ramble On, Immigrant Song, Stairway to Heaven, Over the Hills and Far Away, Kashmir, and Achilles' Last Stand. 

2. Eddie Van Halen

Ahhh, Edward Van Halen. The prince of the guitar. No one can match his talent. No one! He's known for one of the most well-known and iconic guitar Instrumentals - Eruption, however, is most well known for his sound. No matter the song he is playing, you can tell it's Eddie. The introduction to Women in Love is (in my opinion) the greatest encompassment of his vibe/sound. He is known for playing in the songs Runnin' With the Devil, You're No Good, Take Your Whiskey Home, [Oh] Pretty Woman, and many more. 

1. Jimi Hendrix

The King of the Guitar. There is absolutely no reason for me to even explain why he is the best. He spoke guitar. He made sounds with the instrument that people didn't even know were possible and was extremely humble about it. He showed the world the countless possibilities of the guitar. He could play it with his tongue... I MEAN COME ON!!! He is most well known for the songs Purple Haze, Hey Joe, All Along the Watchtower, Voodoo Child, and Little Wing. He is the most legendary guitarist of all time, and most likely will be until the fall of humankind. 

Why Old Music is Better Than New Music

    Music is an art that has been around since the first traces of human civilization. It is an art based on the roots of a concept we all know called "preference" which relates to opinions. You have lots of them and I do too. Here's my opinion on music today - it's not trash, but definitely recycled. Similar lyrics with similar themes and beats - some people love it and some people hate it. Music has always relied on a person's emotions and opinions/tastes for its popularity. Anyway, here's my theory.

Music was at its best right before, during, and after the North Vietnam War.

    Here are the facts - every song you've ever heard since then was inspired by the leading bands that ruled the eras. When most people my age think of bands like The Beatles, Credence Clearwater Revival, Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young), Cream, Jefferson Airplane, The Mamas and Papas, and just about a million more (if they even know them), they think "Well that stuff is just too old!" or "That's the stuff my grandpa listens to! Why would I listen to it?". Well hear this, little brat, your grandpa knew his stuff! He knew real music!

    While it's hard to summarize a topic as controversial as this, I must sadly say that drugs played a pretty large role in the production of the music of then and the themes of its industry. Psychedelics and uppers were the go-tos in those times - after all, after the 50s, times were changing rapidly. The economy was returning to normalcy (leaving the post-WW2 era) and people were beginning to preach peace, love, and a free life due to Vietnam. As the years progressed and the new millennia began, downers including opioids, codeine, hydrocodone, and Xanax became much more prominent in the music industry. This led to rap taking over music and now being the most popular genre to this day. 

      A song is nothing without meaning. A big problem with today's modern music is most of the songs have similar themes or lyrics. A perfect example of rap would be Tupac V.S. any rapper today. Tupac put words with meaning into his lyricism, anywhere from songs about corruption to songs about peace - V.S. Today's songs are about stealing girls, doing drugs, and breaking laws. Also, it's not just the rap! Country isn't country anymore, pop isn't what it was in the 80s (the best era of pop), and most of all, rock and roll isn't even close to what it used to be. The best bands when it comes to modern rock are either old bands, cover bands, or bands who are inspired by the original rock legends.

    So... What the heck happened? Truth is, I don't know. I wish music was still made as it was then. Voices had vocal cords, hands hand talent, and arms had a steady rhythm. Though there are still many talented artists today, something changed very rapidly and it perplexes me. What's the solution? Go listen to something old! Play it around your friends. Maybe someone will find it catchy and start listening to it. Maybe that will happen to the right person and we will have a new hero to look up to. After all, if the industry switched back to its 60s and 70s style, it would be at it's best once again.