The Top 100 Songs, Part Two

Seriously, I didn't expect there to be a two-week gap between Sections 5 and 4 of the list. But that's the way I am with blogs now, I guess. It's not that I like blogging less, it's that I have an ungodly amount of homework.
But in other news...
This section of the top 100 songs I start to get into the songs that I will defend with all my heart. The last section was a bit of a joke, I admit. I started thinking too much about how it would be much too strenuous to make a serious, well-considered list, and I let my playful side get the best of me. I also started thinking in terms of generic 'classic'-ness, rather than with my emotions. Therefore came the high placements of songs like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Comfortably Numb." I also went totally random in many situations, including such unworthy candidates as "Jump" and "Civil War".
Anyways, on with the list!

80. "All Along the Watchtower"-The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Maybe a generic choice, but this was one of the first songs to get me into classic rock, and it's a great example of concise, effective guitar soloing.

79. "Child in Time"-Deep Purple

A ten-minute epic that holds interest throughout. It's especially potent in its live form, where Ian Gilliam perfectly hits the high notes in the frenzied wailing section, and the band moves masterfully through the jam section.

78. "In Bloom"-Nirvana

I think Nirvana is overrated, of course, but I do love this song. It showcases Cobain's knack for melody that won Nirvana such a huge audience and critical fawning.

77. "Rock With You"-Michael Jackson

It's time to admit that my Michael Jackson bias is one of my strongest biases. I've been listening to him constantly since I was 4. But I do really love this song. It's smooth, supple, and endearing.

76. "Mojo Pin"-Jeff Buckley

Buckley might be the best singer I've ever heard, and the music of "Mojo Pin" lives up to his voice. Also the namesake for my personal blog.

75. "Idiot Wind"-Bob Dylan

More straightforward than his previous work, but amazingly incisive. Harsh and biting, Dylan takes his personal problems and turns them into a larger-than-life epic.

74. "Think About You"-Guns n' Roses

Consensus between certain members of Guitargasm! seems to be that "Think About You" is in fact, the best track on Appetite for Destruction. I would rate it second myself, but who can resist the pop magic of a tune like this one?

73. "Another Star"-Stevie Wonder

Wonder totally owns this song with his passion. It's got a great melody, but the second verse of this song is godly, thanks to his bleeding vocals. Slightly overlong and repetitive, but hits amazing heights.

72. "They Punctured My Yolk"-The Flaming Lips

A slow dirge that builds into emotional crescendo quietly and effectively. It's tender and life-affirming, and stands as the centerpiece of the Lips' best album, Clouds Taste Metallic.

71. "Sweet Charity"-Mr. Bungle

This is probably the coolest song you will ever hear. By cool, I don't mean awesome, but laid-back, stylish, and sophisticated.

70. "(Just Like) Starting Over"-John Lennon

This is probably one of my favorite melodies ever. Only its shallowness keeps it from rising higher.

69. "The Show Must Go On"-Queen

Slightly marred by its cliched lyrics, this song still makes me tear up, knowing that it was written about Freddie Mercury's pending death. Reaches great emotional heights.

68. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"-Michael Jackson

A psycho Michael Jackson epic, even bettering "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." He may have been a pop star, but this song has a unique eccentricity that proves that he was his own man.

67. "You Can't Always Get What You Want"-The Rolling Stones

A proven classic and a well-made epic. Anthemic and hard-hitting.

66. "Gimme Shelter"-The Rolling Stones

Showcases the subtle guitar work of Keith Richards and co., and also wonderfully bolstered by the guest female vocalist.

65. "I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man"-Prince

A little long, which seems to be the flaws holding down a lot of songs in this section. However, one of Prince's best pure pop songs, and features a killer guitar solo.

64. "I'd Have You Anytime"-George Harrison

Not particularly better than a lot of tracks on All Things Must Pass, but that only reflects on the greatness of that album. A great opener, displaying the unique emotional presence of Harrison from the first line.

63. "Killer Queen"-Queen

Queen celebrates their pomposity here with a melody to die for, and ridiculous, tongue in cheek lyrics. A song to make you smile.

62. "Creepin'"-Stevie Wonder

This is an underlooked album track; a dreamy ballad that takes my breath away. Also features a concise, but mind-blowing harmonica solo. Oozes melody and emotion.

61. "Fall On Me"-R.E.M.

To conclude this section of the list, I offer "Fall On Me," which has an amazing melodic build like most of the other songs here, but tops them all because of harmony and the humble R.E.M. aesthetic.