I forgot to do this but here it is now (Santiago Vinasco)
“A Day in the Life” by The Beatles
It’s impossible to pick a favorite Beatles song but this is one that puts me almost in a state of hypnotization. The crescendo technique by the 41 piece orchestration between the verses is masterful. John and Paul’s voices are as trippy as their lyrics. “I’d love to turn you on”, the line at the end of one of the stanzas might be referring to drugs-which was controversial, but, a lot of great songs are. The best part of the song though, is when George Martin bangs on three pianos simultaneously and the engineers turn the faders on so the notes go on for a reaalllyy long time (a trick that was very clever and original).
Since I’ve Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin
It’s also impossible to choose a favorite Zeppelin song. This is not your typical Zeppelin song but it is definitely a masterpiece of music. The passion! You can feel it burning in the musicians’ hearts. So powerful, so brilliantly produced. Jimmy Paige is a God of guitar. I love Zeppelin’s bluesiness. This is real music people.
Ready to Die by Notorious B.I.G.
Biggie R.I.P. This song, on his debut album Ready to Die, is so hardcore. THIS IS REAL HIP-HOP. It’s raw, lyrically genius (in terms of clever lines and straight up good rapping), and gives us a real picture of how it’s like to live in a lower class neighborhood full of drugs and guns.
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Anyone who doesn’t know this song deserves to die. Although the lyrics don’t mean anything according to Freddie Mercury, that’s where part of the beauty of the song lies. This is one of the greatest songs of all time because of it’s innovation; you got over a hundred vocal tracks, the orchestration is perfect, there are many transitions, the video for the song is quite possibly the first music video ever made (others were produced on film), and it is undoubtedly an incredible rock and roll song. R.I.P. Freddie Mercury
Pigs (Three Different Ones) by Pink Floyd
It’s also impossible to choose a favorite Pink Floyd song though this may be mine. I like it because the lyrics talk about political injustices. It’s about a British lady named Mary Whitehouse who lead a movement to ban sex from TV. Pink Floyd and I agree that people should be able to choose what they want to watch. The song also personifies pigs as being the people on top who think they know what’s best for everybody like, the government, police, and CEOs. The song is also another trippy one. The cowbell sounds great and the simple but awesome guitar solo completes the song.
Where I’m From by Jay-Z
Let’s be honest…Jay-Z fell off after The Black Album. Although he still remains one of my favorite rappers, his new shit is not nearly as good as his original stuff. He used to want it badly. Now that he’s got everything, it’s like he’s not even trying. Reasonable Doubt, the album from which this song hails, is his buried treasure. It’s his masterpiece. I believe in order to be a true hip-hop fan, one must realize that. The song describes his troubles and “hard knock life” living in Marcy projects, Brooklyn. You can feel the angst in his voice. All the cocaine and gun shootings, he lived through it. The instrumentals is the epitome of rap music. It almost makes Jay-Z’s childhood environment come to life in your imagination.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
Everyone has a favorite MJ song. This may be mine. Not only for the brilliant trumpet and viola playing, or the incredible drum lines but because of the simplicity but power of the chorus: “Keep up with the force, don’t stop. Don’t stop ’til you get enough” It teaches us to keep loving and stay passionate in order to achieve your goals in life.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix
Simple explanation: Best. Guitar. Riff. Ever. If you want to hear some of the best electric guitar playing, look no further. Oh and the lyrics make you feel great. “Well I was standing next to a mountain, I chop it down with the edge of my hand” . Fucking Epic.
The Scientist by Coldplay
Coldplay is arguably the best alternative band of our generation. I think everyone knows that. This song remains one of my top 3 Coldplay songs because it’s lyrics remind me of how idiotic I was to neglect a previous lover because I was too busy worrying about my problems. My selfishness led to the inevitable demise of our relationship (which I completely regret. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to “go back to the start” lol. Moving song. I hope more people learn the same lesson.
Ms. Jackson by OutKast
This song deserved it’s Grammy. Although I’ve never had to apologize to a mother about being a bad father to her granddaughter, a similar scenario is drafted in my head: apologizing to the aforementioned girl’s mom for dealing with the broken heart of her daughter. The beauty of music is that you can say anything you want. You don’t have to tell someone how you feel through your words but rather the music you create. This is a really catchy song with awesome modern electronic effects and good piano.
