I think it has something to do with a special closeness I feel with the band or artist. It's like not only do I love this artist's music, but I feel a special relationship with them in some way. And of course, I also stand behind, their music and their overall output.
I'm kind of a list guy (aka, an obsessive-compulsive nut). And my original list of My Favorite Artists was probably written more than a decade ago. It consisted of 20 artists, naturally ending with The Slant (Denise's band).
They were:
1. Jethro Tull
2. The Who
3. Pink Floyd
4. Yes
5. The Good Rats
6. Procol Harum
7. Bruce Springsteen
8. Joni Mitchell
9. The Cars
10. The Police
11. Blondie
12. Eurythmics
13. The Smiths
14. The Go-Go's
15. Fleetwood Mac
16. Rush
17. 'Til Tuesday
18. The Cranberries
19. Nirvana
20. The Slant
Note that The Slant was the only local band without a national following. I reserved that honor for them, although at some point, I may decide to change that. (More on that in my next post).
I don't remember how long it took, but before long (probably around the time I started on Sputnik Music), I added another five artists from more modern times:
21. Future Bible Heroes
22. Paramore
23. Bayside
24. Black 47
25. Blackmore's Night
Now in my weird little mind, each of these entries is kind of all-inclusive. What I mean by this is, for example, by including Future Bible Heroes, I automatically include The Magnetic Fields and all of the various Stephin Merritt projects; along with 'Til Tuesday, I get Aimee Mann; along with The Slant, I get Killer Kelp, etc. I also get the projects by the various solo members of the band, e.g. all of the Pete Townshend solo albums, all of the various offshoots of Yes, etc.
In my next blog post, I'm going to talk about some possible new additions to this list. But I'm going to close this post out (and also make it very long) by telling you that at this point, when I had twenty-five artists, I made myself a series of thirteen playlists for my MP3 player. Each included one song from each artist, in this original numbering of 1 though 25. This means each list has 25 songs in it, approximately the size of a strong double-album (and long enough to take a really nice nap to). I've listened to these lists extensively over the years, and now that I'm sick and I can't do a whole lot more than listen to music, I'm using them again.
You'll notice they're kind of quirky - they very much reflect my own taste. And while it's not exactly true that the first list contains my favorite song by each artist, the second my second favorite, etc., it's a little bit true.
Why 13 lists? Simple. The Slant only ever recorded one album other than their Christmas LP, so one one list for each of the 13 songs on that album.
Don't care at all about any of this? I don't blame you. Feel free to move on to the next post. But if you're up for it, here are the 13 playlists for my Favorite Bands of All Time:
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 01
1. Jethro Tull - Heavy Horses
2. The Who - Behind Blue Eyes
3. Pink Floyd - Welcome to the Machine
4. Yes - Turn of the Century
5. The Good Rats - Songwriter
6. Procol Harum - A Salty Dog
7. Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road
8. Joni Mitchell - Chelsea Morning
9. The Cars - Just What I Needed
10. The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
11. Blondie - 11:59
12. Eurythmics - Doubleplusgood
13. The Smiths - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
14. The Go-Go's - Head Over Heels
15. Fleetwood Mac - Landslide
16. Rush - Limelight
17. 'Til Tuesday - Voices Carry
18. The Cranberries - Linger
19. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
20. The Slant - Call You on the Phone
21. Future Bible Heroes - She-Devils of the Deep
22. Paramore - Brick By Boring Brick
23. Bayside - Existing in Crisis (Evelyn)
24. Black 47 - Funky Ceili (Bridie's Song)
25. Blackmore's Night - Renaissance Fair
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 02
1. Jethro Tull - Life Is a Long Song
2. The Who - Amazing Journey/Sparks
3. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
4. Yes - And You and I
5. The Good Rats - Ashes to Ashes
6. Procol Harum - As Strong as Samson
7. Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
8. Joni Mitchell - Conversation
9. The Cars - It's All I Can Do
10. The Police - King of Pain
11. Blondie - Denis
12. Eurythmics - Love Is a Stranger
13. The Smiths - This Charming Man
14. The Go-Go's - We Got the Beat
15. Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
16. Rush - The Spirit of Radio
17. 'Til Tuesday - You Know the Rest
18. The Cranberries - Salvation
19. Nirvana - All Apologies
20. The Slant - Simple
21. Future Bible Heroes - I'm a Vampire
22. Paramore - Hallelujah
23. Bayside - Stuttering
24. Black 47 - Voodoo City
25. Blackmore's Night - Past Time With Good Company
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 03
1. Jethro Tull - Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day
2. The Who - You Better You Bet
3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
4. Yes - Wondrous Stories
5. The Good Rats - Injun Joe
6. Procol Harum - Pandora's Box
7. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
8. Joni Mitchell - Free Man in Paris
9. The Cars - Drive
10. The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger
11. Blondie - Sunday Girl
12. Eurythmics - Julia
13. The Smiths - Bigmouth Strikes Again
14. The Go-Go's - I'm With You
15. Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me
16. Rush - Red Barchetta
17. 'Til Tuesday - What About Love
18. The Cranberries - Zombie
19. Nirvana - Polly
20. The Slant - Outside My Dreams
21. Future Bible Heroes - Memories of Love
22. Paramore - Misery Business
23. Bayside - Sick, Sick, Sick
24. Black 47 - Big Fellah
25. Blackmore's Night - Under a Violet Moon
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 04
1. Jethro Tull - Too Old to Rock 'N' Roll: Too Young to Die
2. The Who - Sea and Sand
3. Pink Floyd - Us and Them
4. Yes - I've Seen All Good People
5. The Good Rats - Cover of the Night
6. Procol Harum - Barnyard Story
7. Bruce Springsteen - 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)
8. Joni Mitchell - That Song About the Midway
9. The Cars - Let's Go
10. The Police - Synchronicity II
11. Blondie - Contact in Red Square
12. Eurythmics - Here Comes the Rain Again
13. The Smiths - Girlfriend in a Coma
14. The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed
15. Fleetwood Mac - Gold Dust Woman
16. Rush - Freewill
17. 'Til Tuesday - Love in a Vacuum
18. The Cranberries - Dreams
19. Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box
20. The Slant - Since I Met You
21. Future Bible Heroes - Hopeless
22. Paramore - All I Wanted
23. Bayside - Choice Hops and Bottled Self Esteem
24. Black 47 - Livin' in America
25. Blackmore's Night - Loreley
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 05
1. Jethro Tull - Black Sunday
2. The Who - Don't Let Go the Coat
3. Pink Floyd - Hey You
4. Yes - Into the Lens
5. The Good Rats - Cherry River
6. Procol Harum - Shine on Brightly
7. Bruce Springsteen - Racing in the Street
8. Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
9. The Cars - Touch and Go
10. The Police - Message in a Bottle
11. Blondie - Call Me (Theme From American Gigolo)
12. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
13. The Smiths - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
14. The Go-Go's - Beneath the Blue Sky
15. Fleetwood Mac - Gypsy
16. Rush - Red Sector 'A'
17. 'Til Tuesday - Maybe Monday
18. The Cranberries - Promises
19. Nirvana - Come As You Are
20. The Slant - Game Player
21. Future Bible Heroes - Death Opened a Boutique
22. Paramore - We Are Broken
23. Bayside - The Ghost of St. Valentine
24. Black 47 - Izzy's Irish Rose
25. Blackmore's Night - The Dancer and the Moon
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 06
1. Jethro Tull - Cross-Eyed Mary
2. The Who - Dig
3. Pink Floyd - Mother
4. Yes - Heart of the Sunrise
5. The Good Rats - Papa Poppa
6. Procol Harum - Homburg
7. Bruce Springsteen - Dancing in the Dark
8. Joni Mitchell - The Gallery
9. The Cars - Shake It Up
10. The Police - Roxanne
11. Blondie - (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear
12. Eurythmics - There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart)
13. The Smiths - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
14. The Go-Go's - Lust to Love
15. Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun
16. Rush - Roll the Bones
17. 'Til Tuesday - Limits to Love
18. The Cranberries - The Icycle Melts
19. Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World
20. The Slant - Sell Me
21. Future Bible Heroes - Keep Your Children in a Coma
22. Paramore - When It Rains
23. Bayside - Devotion and Desire
24. Black 47 - Maria's Wedding
25. Blackmore's Night - Shadow of the Moon
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 07
1. Jethro Tull - Velvet Green
2. The Who - Pinball Wizard
3. Pink Floyd - Learning to Fly
4. Yes - Starship Trooper
5. The Good Rats - Back to My Music
6. Procol Harum - Still There'll Be More
7. Bruce Springsteen - Drive All Night
8. Joni Mitchell - Cactus Tree
9. The Cars - Candy-O
10. The Police - Can't Stand Losing You
11. Blondie - Dreaming
12. Eurythmics - This City Never Sleeps
13. The Smiths - Panic
14. The Go-Go's - Vacation
15. Fleetwood Mac - Sara
16. Rush - Presto
17. 'Til Tuesday - David Denies
18. The Cranberries - Ode to My Family
19. Nirvana - About a Girl
20. The Slant - Nuclear Age
21. Future Bible Heroes - But You're So Beautiful
22. Paramore - Crushcrushcrush
23. Bayside - Boy
24. Black 47 - Bodhrans on the Brain
25. Blackmore's Night - Fires at Midnight
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 08
1. Jethro Tull - Clasp
2. The Who - Cut My Hair
3. Pink Floyd - One of These Days
4. Yes - Parallels
5. The Good Rats - Dear Sir
6. Procol Harum - All This and More
7. Bruce Springsteen - Point Blank
8. Joni Mitchell - For Free
9. The Cars - You're All I've Got Tonight
10. The Police - Walking on the Moon
11. Blondie - Danceway
12. Eurythmics - Thorn in My Side
13. The Smiths - Vicar in a Tutu
14. The Go-Go's - This Town
15. Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon
16. Rush - Fly By Night
17. 'Til Tuesday - Coming Up Close
18. The Cranberries - Roses
19. Nirvana - Lithium
20. The Slant - Morse Code
21. Future Bible Heroes - Doris Daytheearthstoodstill
22. Paramore - Where the Lines Overlap
23. Bayside - Transitive Property
24. Black 47 - The Day They Set Jim Larkin Free
25. Blackmore's Night - Ocean Gypsy
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 09
1. Jethro Tull - Dun Ringill
2. The Who - It's Hard
3. Pink Floyd - Dogs
4. Yes - Run Through the Light
5. The Good Rats - Boardwalk Slasher
6. Procol Harum - Fires (Which Burn Brightly)
7. Bruce Springsteen - Spirit in the Night
8. Joni Mitchell - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter
9. The Cars - You Might Think
10. The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
11. Blondie - Love Doesn't Frighten Me
12. Eurythmics - Right By Your Side
13. The Smiths - Is It Really So Strange?
14. The Go-Go's - Turn to You
15. Fleetwood Mac - Little Lies
16. Rush - Subdivisions
17. 'Til Tuesday - Maybe Monday
18. The Cranberries - Electric Blue
19. Nirvana - Rape Me
20. The Slant - Slipping Away
21. Future Bible Heroes - I'm Lonely (And I Love It)
22. Paramore - Fast in My Car
23. Bayside - I Can't Go On
24. Black 47 - 40 Shades of Blue
25. Blackmore's Night - Sister Gypsy
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 10
1. Jethro Tull - Under Wraps #2
2. The Who - Love, Reign O'er Me
3. Pink Floyd - Brain Damage - Eclipse
4. Yes - Long Distance Run-around
5. The Good Rats - Victory in Space
6. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale
7. Bruce Springsteen - Tunnel of Love
8. Joni Mitchell - Carey
9. The Cars - Tonight She Comes
10. The Police - De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
11. Blondie - Under the Gun
12. Eurythmics - No Fear (No Hate, No Pain, No Broken Heart)
13. The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
14. The Go-Go's - Yes or No
15. Fleetwood Mac - Big Love
16. Rush - Show Don't Tell me
17. 'Til Tuesday- Don't Watch Me Bleed
18. The Cranberries - Pretty
19. Nirvana - Dumb
20. The Slant - Junk Mail
21. Future Bible Heroes - Living, Loving, Partygoing
22. Paramore - Decode
23. Bayside - Winter
24. Black 47 - Forty Deuce
25. Blackmore's Night - Streets of London
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 11
1. Jethro Tull - Jack-A-Lynn
2. The Who - Pure and Easy
3. Pink Floyd - Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)
4. Yes - Children of Light
5. The Good Rats - Great American Music Halls
6. Procol Harum - Broken Barricades
7. Bruce Springsteen - Atlantic City
8. Joni Mitchell - Tin Angel
9. The Cars - Dangerous Type
10. The Police - Reggatta De Blanc
11. Blondie - Island of Lost Souls
12. Eurythmics - Who's That Girl?
13. The Smiths - The Boy With the Thorn in His Side
14. The Go-Go's - The Whole World Lost Its Head
15. Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
16. Rush - Tom Sawyer
17. 'Til Tuesday - I Could Get Used to This
18. The Cranberries - Schizophrenic Playboys
19. Nirvana - Sliver
20. The Slant - Rubber Ducky
21. Future Bible Heroes - Cafe Hong Kong
22. Paramore - (One of Those) Crazy Girls
23. Bayside - Moceanu
24. Black 47 - Blood Wedding
25. Blackmore's Night - Way to Mandalay
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 12
1. Jethro Tull - Songs From the Wood
2. The Who - Substitute
3. Pink Floyd - Run Like Hell
4. Yes - Awaken
5. The Good Rats - Taking It to Detroit
6. Procol Harum - About to Die
7. Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land
8. Joni Mitchell - Blue Boy
9. The Cars - Panorama
10. The Police - Secret Journey
11. Blondie - A Rose By Any Other Name
12. Eurythmics - Missionary Man
13. The Smiths - Cemetery Gates
14. The Go-Go's - Skidmarks on My Heart
15. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
16. Rush - Vapor Trail
17. 'Til Tuesday - Will She Just Fall Down
18. The Cranberries - Animal Instinct
19. Nirvana - Pennyroyal Tea
20. The Slant - Diane
21. Future Bible Heroes - Lonely Days
22. Paramore - That's What You Get
23. Bayside - Mona Lisa
24. Black 47 - Long Lost Tapes
25. Blackmore's Night - The Circle
My Favorite Bands of All Time # 13
1. Jethro Tull - With You There to Help Me
2. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
3. Pink Floyd - Pigs (Three Different Ones)
4. Yes - Yours Is No Disgrace
5. The Good Rats - Gino
6. Procol Harum - Wreck of the Hesperus
7. Bruce Springsteen - Prove It All Night
8. Joni Mitchell - People's Parties
9. The Cars - Since You're Gone
10. The Police - The Bed's Too Big Without You
11. Blondie - The Tide Is High
12. Eurythmics - Would I Lie to You?
13. The Smiths - Frankly, Mr. Shankly
14. The Go-Go's - Can't Stop the World
15. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
16. Rush - Closer to the Heart
17. 'Til Tuesday - Everything's Different Now
18. The Cranberries - Never Grow Old
19. Nirvana - In Bloom
20. The Slant - Blue-Eyed Gypsy
21. Future Bible Heroes - How Very Strange
22. Paramore - Emergency
23. Bayside - We'll Be O.K.
24. Black 47 - Paul Robeson (Born to Be Free)
25. Blackmore's Night - Sake of the Song
Note that I did this without the use of mega-songs, like "Thick As A Brick" by Tull or "In Held 'Twas in I" by Procol. Note too that I came up with 13 playlists without using derivative versions of the band (e.g. The Magnetic Fields instead of FBH or Aimee Mann instead of 'Til Tuesday). Pretty impressive, eh? (No? Whatever.)
I'm out. Next post will be about possible additions to the My Favorite Artists list.
