Like how I did the first time, I’m going to rank 20 random songs from my “Liked Songs” playlist on Spotify (which has almost 4000 songs) to highlight some tracks that may not have otherwise seen much love.
I’m also adding a rule from now on of no repeats between lists … which is easy to keep track of for now, but we’ll see how good my memory fares in future instalments!
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
Play It Once Or Twice
20 – The Dark Side (Alternate Reality Version) (Muse)
“The Dark Side” is probably my favourite song from “Simulation Theory”, but the Alternate Reality Version takes away all of its best aspects.
The slower, moodier take doesn’t work at all – give me cheesy synths and big solos!
19 – Jimmy Kane (Muse)
I promise I’m a Muse fan, but so far in both “Random Songs” rankings I’ve placed them near the bottom of the lists … that’s the luck of the draw, I suppose.
Groovy bassline, but otherwise “Jimmy Kane” isn’t noteworthy.
18 – Toy Boy (Stuck in the Sound)
“Toy Boy” is one of those songs I can never name but I’m sure I’ve heard before.
It’s a standard 00’s Rock hit, but it gets me moving.
17 – Never Going Back Again (Fleetwood Mac)
“Rumours” has so many great songs that I love, but “Never Going Back Again” is one I admittedly skip quite often.
It’s fun and bouncy but bare-bones compared to other Fleetwood Mac hits.
Good Fun
16 – The Book I Read (Talking Heads)
“Talking Heads 77”, on the other hand, is an album I haven’t listened to in full in years … and yet I’m constantly reminded that it’s full of fun tracks.
“The Book I Read” has some typically eccentric David Byrne-isms.
15 – Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town (Talking Heads)
One of the first songs that got Talking Heads noticed – not necessarily one of their best, but a good one nonetheless.
14 – Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach (Gorillaz)
The opener to one of my favourite albums (if you don’t count the orchestral intro).
“Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach” has a massive bass and a cool Snoop feature.
13 – Bambi (Prince)
I can’t believe Prince played every instrument on “Bambi”.
12 – I Want To Break Free (Queen)
A classic Queen song.
11 – When You Gonna Learn? (Jamiroquai)
Every Jamiroquai song is passable at the worst of times and a blast at their best, and “When You Gonna Learn?” is somewhere in the middle (i.e. funky and catchy).
10 – Born Slippy (Nuxx) (Underworld)
“Born Slippy” is such a different song than what I usually listen to, but the soft section contrasts the heavier, dance-inducing chorus nicely.
Banger
9 – Moon Rocks (Talking Heads)
The more I listen to “Moon Rocks” the more I think it’s one of Talking Heads’ most underrated songs.
It’s zany, memorable, and each of the verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge sections are equally great.
8 – Moby Dick (Led Zeppelin)
John Bonham was one of the greatest Rock drummers of all time.
The riff of “Moby Dick” is already killer, but Bonham’s drum work takes the song to the next level.
7 – Reelin’ In The Years (Steely Dan)
The more I listen to Steely Dan, the more I appreciate their musical craftsmanship.
The piano and guitar in “Reelin’ In The Years” are so catchy, and the chorus always makes me bob my head.
6 – Zombie (The Cranberries)
Yes, she sounds like a seagull, but it’s a vocal refrain any seagull would be proud of.
“Zombie” is the kind of Hard Rock song anyone can enjoy.
5 – Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles)
I fell in love with “Walk Like an Egyptian” again thanks to JoJos, and now every time it comes on I have a blast.
It’s unabashedly fun and it balances the slower and faster sections brilliantly.
4 – More Than a Feeling (Boston)
A favourite of Dad Rockers everywhere.
“More Than a Feeling” doesn’t do anything to push the boat out, but it’s consistently excellent and catchy.
3 – Baba O’Riley (The Who)
There was a time in my life when I listened to “Baba O’Riley” about ten times a day for a few months … so it might be a little overplayed in my personal life, but even so I still love it.
Pete Townsend’s riffs are massive, and that final chorus is euphoric.
A Personal Favourite
2 – Suffragette City (David Bowie)
People always point to “Starman” and “Ziggy Stardust” when talking about Bowie’s famous 1972 album, but “Suffragette City” has always been a personal favourite.
It’s bombastic and full of energy, and Bowie’s lyrics are suitably cheeky.
1 – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)
There are some songs in music history – like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” – that are destined to top any music list their appear on.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is no exception – it’s arguably THE song of the 90’s, with amazing riffs and a powerful vocal performance from Cobain.
Aaaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below:
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