Top 50

Thanks Alessi. Good question. Top 50?
Without any particular order (order? i scoff at the word!) :

1. A Kiss to Build a Dream On -Louis Armstrong

Lang's and Bennett's version was also good. I believe that this is the most romantic song, ever. If you'd sing it to me, i'd marry you in a second.

2. The Very Thought of You- Billie Holiday's Version

Whether it be a crazy song (she's famous for her lilting 'devil may care' tunes) or one of her heartbreakers , Billie Holiday's voice always sends shivers to my very soul.

3. Love in Vain- Robert Johnson

All my heartaches and losses, wrapped up in this one song.

4. Before You Accuse me-Eric Clapton

My ex was part of a blues band (named dr. strangelove, after the '64 Kubrick film) when we were in college. I loved it when they played it over at that small bar... what was the name of that bar? I'd always have fond memories of that band.

5. Moonlight Sonata-Glenn Miller

When i was smaller than I am now, my father used to rock me to sleep on his ricketty, wooden rocking chair. Back then, he was the manager of the Coopertive Bank in Lucena so he was always tired. My parents never read me fairy tales since I could read them on my own since I was three so, to put me to sleep, Papa always played Miller on our big LP player.

Now, that player is gone and so is Papa. I miss them both.

6- 8. Stella by Starlight, I Fall in Love Too Easily, There's No You-Miles Davis

My mother loved Davis. She used to listen to his records when she was in Japan, selling her paintings so that she could have money for food. Whenever i hear Stella by Starlight, I imagine my mother, young and penniless, standing on odd streets, forever a stranger. forever lost.

9-12. Red House, Fire, Hear My Train A-Comin, Night Bird Flying- Jimi Hendrix

I remember Pamboy's husky voice and the writings on the walls of the Kofiholics shop in LB.

13-15. Don't Think Twice, It's Alright, All I Really Want To Do, Farewell Angelina- Bob Dylan

I was never familiar with Dylan before K. Dylan to me always looked like an insane angel, always preparing for flight.

16. Let's Call the Whole Thing Off- Ella Fitzgerald's version
Easily one of the most enjoyable jazz tunes. i never get tired of it.

17. Ramblin' Rose- Nat King Cole

My father's biggest worry : " Who will love you, when your ramblin' days are gone?"

18. Annie's Song- John Denver

Yes, i'm only 23. I'm the only one who likes this song! And Tito Jessie, Papa's cousin.
Since Tito Jessie has been dead for 5 years, there's just me.

19-21 Take My Breath Away, Honey Pie, As Time Goes By- Tuck and Patti

Tuck Andres is a god by himself but it's always a pleasure hearing him with Patti. True complements. Gotta find me one of those.

22. Get Lost- Eric Clapton

Remember the movie, The Story of Us? Aww...

23. Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners

Memories of Jos and my days in Vista Del Rey, laughing and singing and dancing like maniacs to the Save Ferris version. Happier times. My life's "pis time".

24-26 Valerie, Where Have You Been?, Drunk Again- Reel Big Fish

My "i'm bitter, who gives a shit" songs. Was listening to them last night and I couldn't help but include them.

27. Purpose- 311

My ex's other band (come one n' all) used to play this during our first year together. Crazy. The lyrics leave a lot to be desired but I'm more of a melody girl so I really don't give a fuck.

28. Secret Garden - Bruce Springsteen

The movie is admittedly overrated by now but this song makes me remember that I am and will always be, first and foremost, a woman.

29. Whose Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses? -U2

This song will always remind me of you.

30. Strange little Girl- Tori Amos

The waif's song. I always hear this song in my head when I 'm packing my things, going nowhere.

31. Carnival-Natalie Merchant

One of my highschool favorites.

32-33 About the Weather, More than This (10,000 Maniacs)

I remember after graduation, we went to a bar and More Than This played on the radio. The result: One icky and tearful group hug.

34. Sour Girl- STP

I was someone's personal stalker in college so I empathize. " What would you do if I followed you?"

35-37. Strange Attraction, Close To Me, Pictures of You- the Cure

Josh, my friend from ETEL, and I love the Cure. Oh, and also Love Song, which was also a beautiful song but is now a total sellout because of 311 and the movie fifty first dates. i'd regret the day that i'd meet anyone who thinks that the 311 version is the original version.

38. Love of My Life- Carlos Santana

Tsk, tsk. Promises, promises.
This song's title should be "Hey Ease Up, I Just Wanna Get Laid."

39-42 Crying, Dude Look Like a Lady, Jaded, Hole in my Soul- Aerosmith

I was insane over Aerosmith a little too late. They've been around for a coupla years but I went gaga over them when I was already in college. So forgive me if I swoon.

" For every love letter written, is another one burned."

43. Got You Where I Want You- The Flys

A lot of people are not familiar with this song. It's part of the soundtrack for the movie "Disturbing Behavior."

Because of this song, I remember the back of the LB library. A dark room. The sky full of starlight.

44. Always with me, Always with You- Satriani

LK is the only person I know who can actually produce the same sound on one of his guitars.

45. Carnival- Cardigans

"I will never know cause you will never show/ Come on and love me now/ Come on and love me now"

Says it all, don't you think?

46. Girl From Mars- Ash

Bebot ( Julia Ormond look-alike/ Punk debonair) used to sing this song with me. But she always insists that the song she remembers me by is Cherry Pie by Warrant.

Jen's Song.

47. Landslide- Dixie Chicks

If you try listening to this song while watching the sun set, you'll find yourself suddenly sobbing because the heady combination of the fleeting colors, the sudden darkness, and that hungry voice makes you feel misplaced and surprisingly insignificant.

48. Secret Smile- Semisonic

Pasay. Pasay. Pasay

49. Angry Johnny- Poe

My only 'angry chick' song. Insipid but it helps let out my feelings of angst!

50. Sleep to Dream Her- Dave Matthews Band

Topics like unrequited love make me feel like such a poser. I am attracted to the idea of pining but I never have had the pleasure of that particular delusion.

51-53 #1 Crush, You Look So Fine, Special- Garbage

You might remember #1 Crush from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack. I was hoping to see Leonardo in tights. Oh well.

54. Mrs. Robinson- Simon and Garfunkel

Papa was the one who was fond of Simon and Garfunkel but again, this song reminds me of my mother. If you don't know the lyrics till now, you are not worthy.

55. Octopus' Garden, Real Love, Something- Beatles

I always dreamed that my future husband would sing Real Love to me on our wedding day. In front of all my relatives. My desire to humiliate will never wane.

56-58. Roxanne, Wrapped Around Your Finger, When We Dance- Sting

K used to have this theory that Sting had/has an affair with a prostitute because his songs hold so many allusions to being in love with someone who had to 'share her body through the night."

Hmm.

59-60. She Talks to Angels, Seeing Things- Black Crowes

I can assure you that an hour with Chris Robinson's voice and Cadbury is enough to fill any emptiness inside you.

60. In Your Eyes- Peter Gabriel

" She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart but she gave me a pen."
-John Cusack, Say Anything

61-62. In the Mood for Love, La Vie En Rose- Louis Armstrong

Prague will always be pink and waiting for me.

63. You Lost that Loving Feeling- The Righteous Brothers

Could I be Maverick for once? You've been hogging Maverick for 12 years!

Fifty's too small a number. I'll make this a hundred soon. Thanks for giving me something to do.