International Music Day

It started with singing in the elementary school choir and, enthusiastically, evolved into bongo drums, a drum set, buying records, school music classes, high school bands, guitar, songwriting, rock bands, studio recordings, solo performances, a jazz trio, anthem singing and, along the way, music has steadily lifted, thrilled and saved me!

My iPod (see Aug 22 & 25th blogs) is at 3502 songs. I thought it would be fun on International Music Day, to list fifty favorite songs and reasons why, in a word, I like each one.

Chemistry - Semisonic (cheeky)
Suite: Clouds, Rain - David Gates (magical)
Dragonfly - Mahogany Rush (solid)
Wild Eyes - Stampeders (classic)
Get Down Tonight - KC & The Sunshine Band (boogies)
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith (stellar)
Teacher - Van Halen (bratty)
Killer Queen - Queen (slick)
Until The Night - Billy Joel (brooding)
What A Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers (brilliant)
Hot Blooded - Foreigner (awesome)
Being Alone Together - David & David (honest)
Control - Puddle of Mudd (raw)
Wednesday Morning 3am - Simon & Garfunkel (exquisite)
You Shook Me - AC DC (mighty)
Ordinary World - Duran Duran (shines)
Sailing - Christopher Cross (smooth)
I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight - Neil Diamond (dreamy)
Love's Theme - Love Unlimited Orchestra (sparkles)
New Girl Now - Honeymoon Suite (gritty)
I Really Love You - Ian Thomas (bare)
Another You - Nat King Cole (touching)
Belief - John Mayer (stirring)
En Pleine Face - Harmonium (pretty)
Time - Alan Parsons (silky)
Mediterranean Sundance - Al Dimeola (energetic)
The Air That I Breathe - Hollies (inspiring)
Calling Out - Leon Parker (compelling)
Call On Me - Chicago (posh)
Time After Time - Bireli Lagrene & Sylvain Luc (wails)
Concierto - Jim Hall (soothing)
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder (bustin')
All Or Nothing At All - Frank Sinatra (grand)
Brother To Brother - Gino Vanelli (sweeping)
2001 Space Odyssey - Deodato (visionary)
Basically Blues - Buddy Rich (swings)
Chameleon - Herbie Hancock (innovative)
Well You Needn't - Gonzalo Rubalcaba (frenzied)
Give It One - Maynard Ferguson (blisters)
Sympathy For the Devil - Rolling Stones (sears)
House At Pooh Corner - Loggins & Messina (endearing)
Funk #49 - James Gang (gigantic)
Pretty Lady - Lighthouse (irresistible)
Invincible - Chantal Kreviazuk (sweet)
Pick Up the Pieces - Average White Band (funky)
Fever - Madonna (grooves)
One Step Closer - Linkin Park (thrashes)
She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult (powerful)
Get It On - Chase (sizzles)
Go Down Gamblin' - Blood Sweat & Tears (roars)