A shortlist of my favourite songs

I refrained from blogging all weekend. Why? To avoid ranting. Work pissed me off, then other things pissed me off, then yet another thing pissed me off. But why bother moaning? That's just how life is.

So anyway, what to write about? I'm thinking the one thing I can talk forever about. Music. The other day I came close to doing the impossible. I made a playlist on iTunes called Made of Awesome, and started adding my favourite songs. I don't think all my favourites are there, by any means. Some because I've forgotten right now, because the appropriate time to play a particular song hasn't come up lately, or because for whatever reason a song isn't on my PC. It's also hard to decide which songs are favourites of the moment, and will be forgotten in a few months, and which will always be favourites. Anyway, that impossible thing. Nine of those awesome songs were Oasis songs. That means I almost had a top 10! So here's the songs in that playlist. Hopefully doing this will help me decide what else to add.

• Aerosmith - I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing

This song is amazing. I first heard it in the context of Armageddon, and in that it's just... :-O and I've loved it ever since

• The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Perfect. This song is actually perfect. Why is it a favourite? Well other than the fact that it's perfect, I remember learning to play it with my sister on guitar, then going to see The Bootleg Beatles a few days later. We went to the front, and it was like they sang it at us. I'll always love this song.

• Bright Eyes - Road to Joy

Odd choice, compared to my others, but I love this song. I'm thinking I should add more Bright Eyes to this list, actually. I was first introduced to them with Nothing Gets Crossed Out and Lover I Don't Have to Love, and this made me get some more of their music, but it wasn't until I listened to the whole of I'm Wide Awake It's Morning and came to this song that I really took notice. It was playing in the background while I was studying, and this came on and I stopped what I was doing. Maybe it's not their best song, but it's the one that had an impact on me first, and is still my number 1 on Last.fm.

• Cock Sparrer - Because You're Young

I first heard this played as a cover in The Vic by a guy who had the right attitude, but couldn't sing it. I loved the lyrics though, even then. "Because you're young, you're torn between, a world of hate, and a world of dreams" - I love those lyrics.

• Little Man Tate - Just Can't Take It

Little Man Tate are so last summer. Followed them about the country to see 4 gigs in 4 cities, met them twice, autographs and all that...but although they were so much fun live the music won't stand the test of time. With the exception of this song. It's a strange one to call a favourite ever song, but I love this one. It stands out over everything else they've done.

• Mando Diao - Ochracy

Should this be on here? I've tried to keep out recent obsessions. This is one of those. The difference is though that I think this one will stick around. Mando Diao are a band I discovered a couple of months ago, and most of their music is fun to listen to, but nothing spectacular. I think they're almost like my LMT of this year. Ochracy, however, is not only a great idea (it means the time between the end of a great gig and sunrise, and everything that happens in between) but a mind blowing song. Mind blowing in the sense that it's...amazing. Everything about it.

• Oasis - Don't Look Back in Anger

Okay, so here we go with the Oasis. Starting with an obvious one. This song is fantastic. One of the best songs you'll ever hear live. I swear, I had a tear in my eye the first time I heard it played live, in Manchester in 2002.

• Oasis - Champagne Supernova

See reasons above + the times this song reminds me of. A holiday at Butlins with that magical black Oasis tape, and a new year with family watching a Wembly gig on tv. Good times, and an amazing song.

• Oasis - Don't Go Away

This song was written by Noel Gallagher about his mum when he thought she had breast cancer. It's beautiful. The acoustic version I have makes you want to die, it's that good. This song is the reason I think it's sad that Noel hates Be Here Now as an album and won't play it live.

• Oasis - Slide Away

Back when I first liked Oasis, it was all about What's the Story. My sister raved on about how good Definitely Maybe was, and especially a song called Slide Away, which was her favourite song. I remember picking up on Definitely Maybe when it was being played in the car, and this song stood out as being beyond awesome. It's a beautiful song, and it quickly became one of my favourites. Now, I would say that it is my absolute number one favourite song ever. I didn't copy my sister. She didn't make me listen and influence me to like it. I heard it independently and came to the same conclusion. It's playing now actually, and that first note...wow. Words can't describe how much I love this, especially from someone who isn't good with describing with words.

• Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive

This song is inspirational. The lyrics are among Oasis' best. I was just about to say that it was their best song for years, but I've realised that Let There Be Love isn't on the list. I may rectify that later, but this song is great.

• Oasis - Sad Song

You know what's sad? That this only made the Japanese version of Definitely Maybe. Having this song on there would end there What's the Story vs Definitely Maybe debate for good. It's one of my favourite songs to sing, and I love the lyrics.

• Oasis - Half the World Away

Pretty much the same as I said above, really. A great song to sing with great lyrics. Both are great songs to listen to when you're down, because I think they're actually uplifting, in an odd way.

• Oasis - The Masterplan

I feel repetitive, but again, same as above. Great song, great lyrics, good to listen to when you're down.

• Oasis - Let's All Make Believe

My favourite B side. This song is true, and that's why I love it. Let's all make believe that we're still friends and we like each other. This line is true. This makes sense to me. People not saying what they really mean. People not helping each other. It's depressing, but it makes sense, and that's why it means something to me.

• Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujah

Yes, I know this isn't his song. This is my favourite version though. I love the emotion in it. This song moved me from the first time I heard it sung by Rufus.

• The Who - Tea and Theatre

I feel wrong putting a song from The Who's latest album before all their others. The thing with many of there others, at least those I know, is that I love them, but none move me like this one. It was great to hear live, and I often play it as my last song before bed. It's fuelled by emotion, and whether it is about lost band members or not, it's still a beautiful song.

Wow, that list seems short. I know more belongs on there, and I think with the addition of Let There Be Love, I might have an Oasis top 10. It needs more thought though, as do more additions to the Made of Awesome playlist. I feel like Pink Floyd should be represented, and AC/DC. With the latter, I can think of 3, but it depends on mood. The Who need more on their too, but again, it depends on mood. This is hard :P

And that was a great way to waste time. I enjoy making lists like this. PBS lists don't allow you to explain properly though, and this 19 is just provisional, with a thought to an alltime great list consisting of perhaps 30-40 songs. PBS threads expect 10. TEN! I can't even get a definitive Oasis 10!

----------------
Now playing: Oasis - Keep The Dream Alive
via FoxyTunes