My all-time favorite songs

A short while ago, as I was queuing up songs on Grooveshark to drown out the ceaseless chatter in the background at work, I though of making a list of my favourite songs of all time. For me to really like a song, it must have a tune that I like, plus the lyrics matter too. As far as genres go, I realize that I seem to like Metal and Pop particularly, though my preferences in that regard aren't too rigid. Anyway, here it is, in rough order of preference. All of what I say here is my opinion only, obviously:

1) Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve

I've brought people to tears by playing this so many times that their ears bled, as many people in Austin would attest. Not only does this have a great tune, the lyrics ring true too. But perhaps the biggest factor is that this reminds me of my earliest days in Austin, right when I started grad school. I had left behind a lot in India, and most of my days in Austin were spent by myself by choice. I had brought along a CD of mp3s with me from India, which I used to listen to often, and this song was one of them. Whenever this song plays, I'm transported back to those days of August 2005, of the sorrow of leaving so much behind and being alone in a strange land.

And yes, I know all about the Rolling Stones suing The Verve for plagiarizing this song.

2) No Rain, Blind Melon

Another one of my favourites from the days I spoke about earlier. I like it for its somber lyrics and catchy tune. I really did feel quite lonely in those early days, and this seemed to put thought to words quite adeptly.

3) Best of You, Foo Fighters

Perfect song to listen to while driving home after a long and tiring day at work. Great lyrics, and David Grohl probably needed an ambulance after screaming his lungs out for a solid three minutes. Strangely enough, Maitreyi seems to love it too, though she usually turns her nose up at some of the noisy songs I like.

4) Learn to Fly, Foo Fighters

I just like the general tune of this song, though the lyrics aren't too meaningful. The music video for this song is quite funny too. Not sure where I first heard this song, seems I've been listening to it forever.

5) Lucky Man, The Verve

Absolutely amazing both in terms of the music and the lyrics. I heard this quite recently, and have been playing it on a loop ever since. "Happiness, more or less; Is just a change in me; Something in my liberty".

6) Mama said, Metallica

For obvious reasons. The lyrics, right till the very end sound like the story of my life, though I guess I think too much.

7) You Can't Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones

"You can't always get what you want; But if you try sometimes, you might find; You get what you need." Trust me, I know.

8) My Vietnam fixation: Give Me Shelter, The Rolling Stones; Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival.

I think I like classic rock. Not much from the Beatles though, mainly from The Rolling Stones. And the above. When I listen to the above, I can picture G.I.s coming though the underbrush in Vietnam. OK, I confess, I just got that from Battlefield: Vietnam.

9) Songs by Coldplay: Glass of Water, Strawberry Swing (the live version), and many others.

The lyrics, vocals and tunes are all top notch.

This is getting quite tiring. As I keep on writing, more and more songs keep coming to my mind, and I feel this has no end. I'll put my pen down for now (so to speak), and will come back to this sometime later when inspiration hits me again (i.e. probably never). Plus it's getting late.