And nope, this isn't a vh1-esque trip down memory lane to remember chickens being torn apart by savage canucks. No, this list is a compilation of moments that happen during your enjoyment of a song be it cool lyrics, killer guitar riffs, or an acid trip inspired drum solo, or something.
I've made up my own list, complete with time stamps as to where you can hear that moment, and I'd like to hear your favorite moments as well.
So, here we go:
#10 Cypress Hill – Insane In The Membrane
Compared to the other tracks in this list, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. I love the bass-line to this song. Just stirs up images of the 3 Office Space guys getting down being hard core mofo’s. My favorite moment in the song is the breakdown in the middle of the song (2:14) that leads up to my favorite lyrics’, “like William Strong playing trumpet - all hit that bong - and break uh something soon – I gotta get my props – cops come and try to snatch my crops – these pigs wanna blow my house down”. Genius. I love every bit of the song, but that sticks out most of the other bits in that piece.
#9 John Fogerty – Rocking All Over The World
Certainly, the guy has had better songs released in his career but for me, nothing rings out more than him blaring out (1:56), “And I like it – I like it – I like it – I like it – I li-li-like it – li-li-like it – la-la - here we go!” That sits right next to Bob Segers intro to, “Old Time Rock n Roll”, as a favorite rock-oldies moment.
#8 U2 & The Wallflowers – With Or Without You/One Headlight
Only gravedigger (on the boards) has a copy of this song/mix I threw together a couple of years ago. I can’t forget the surprise, confusion, realization, and apparent approval on the faces of the crowd I dj’d to when unveiling this at a small party. It happens at around (4:05) when Bono’s voice hits a high pitch, it gets looped as the drumline to One Headlight kicks in, followed by the guitar riffs. Shameless shilling to throw this onto my top ten list, but nonetheless is one of my favorite moments in music.
#7 Janis Joplin – Me and Bobby McGee
This is a bizarre upbeat song with a sad lyrical tale unraveled over the course of its 4 and a half minute run. My favorite part is Janis crying out (1:49) that she’d trade in all her tomorrows for one single yesterday. The regret, the pain...just makes me want to cry.
#6 Billy Idol – Hot In The City
Another moment worthy of loop, but not only because it leads into the lyrics by Idol, are the back up singers almost whispering, “Stranger”, repeatedly (1:18) complimented by the synthetic violin playing in loop in the background. Remains a favorite due to nostalgic memories of a mom & pop pool hall I frequented way back when.
#5 Spirit Of The West – And If Venice Is Sinking
You only have to hear this song to recognize its beauty. The minute details in the various instruments playing. The lyric (2:36), “It always leaves me laughing, leaves me feeling, but of course…”, that leads into the chorus remains a favorite moment. But my favorite moment is actually the combined instruments that play repeatedly after final chorus (3:11) as you can hear the drums, the bass, the mandolins, the tuba, and the show stealing accordion. I could listen to that in loop forever without going insane.
#4 The Barenaked Ladies – What A Good Boy (Live)
If only I could have been there when this was recorded. The emotion poured into the song almost gets me the same way Harvest Moon’s chorus does. From the vulnerable (1:17), “Be With Me Tonight” to the raging (1:57), “I Wake Up Strange…”. Nothing though caught my fancy other than the song ending that sounded like it was inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrds, “Tuesday’s Gone”, that happens (at around 4:16).
#3 The Tragically Hip – Bobcaygeon
I like the lyric, “Coulda Been The Willie Nelson, Coulda Been The Wine”, a lot but when I listen to this song, nothing gets me more high that the part when Downie blasts out about that night in Toronto (2:03) with its checker board floors – then climaxing – when the man stood up to the mic and sang (2:16) when his voice rang with an Aryan twang. The entire song is perfect, but that moment sticks out the most.
#2 Neil Young – Harvest Moon
I’m somewhat torn on which version I love the most, the studio version or his unplugged performance. Ultimately though, when it comes down to it has to be the sweet as honey chorus that kicks in (1:26, studio version) that made me want to cry the first time I heard it…and eventually, driving on long commutes have become in the habit of singing along to.
#1 Bob Seger – Night Moves
I can’t think of any song that doesn’t get played more than this, when I witnessed too many lawn parties in my short lifetime. I’m still waiting for some movie to incorporate this tune in a classy way doing the song justice. My favorite moment in the song is an obvious choice when the silence that happens after Bob wails out, “Waited On The Thunder”, his quiet lyrics that lead into the acoustic build up (3:40) will always remain one of my favorite bits of music. Kind of makes me want to learn the guitar, or at least visit an aunt who could play this song herself.
So, there it is.
I've made up my own list, complete with time stamps as to where you can hear that moment, and I'd like to hear your favorite moments as well.
So, here we go:
#10 Cypress Hill – Insane In The Membrane
Compared to the other tracks in this list, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. I love the bass-line to this song. Just stirs up images of the 3 Office Space guys getting down being hard core mofo’s. My favorite moment in the song is the breakdown in the middle of the song (2:14) that leads up to my favorite lyrics’, “like William Strong playing trumpet - all hit that bong - and break uh something soon – I gotta get my props – cops come and try to snatch my crops – these pigs wanna blow my house down”. Genius. I love every bit of the song, but that sticks out most of the other bits in that piece.
#9 John Fogerty – Rocking All Over The World
Certainly, the guy has had better songs released in his career but for me, nothing rings out more than him blaring out (1:56), “And I like it – I like it – I like it – I like it – I li-li-like it – li-li-like it – la-la - here we go!” That sits right next to Bob Segers intro to, “Old Time Rock n Roll”, as a favorite rock-oldies moment.
#8 U2 & The Wallflowers – With Or Without You/One Headlight
Only gravedigger (on the boards) has a copy of this song/mix I threw together a couple of years ago. I can’t forget the surprise, confusion, realization, and apparent approval on the faces of the crowd I dj’d to when unveiling this at a small party. It happens at around (4:05) when Bono’s voice hits a high pitch, it gets looped as the drumline to One Headlight kicks in, followed by the guitar riffs. Shameless shilling to throw this onto my top ten list, but nonetheless is one of my favorite moments in music.
#7 Janis Joplin – Me and Bobby McGee
This is a bizarre upbeat song with a sad lyrical tale unraveled over the course of its 4 and a half minute run. My favorite part is Janis crying out (1:49) that she’d trade in all her tomorrows for one single yesterday. The regret, the pain...just makes me want to cry.
#6 Billy Idol – Hot In The City
Another moment worthy of loop, but not only because it leads into the lyrics by Idol, are the back up singers almost whispering, “Stranger”, repeatedly (1:18) complimented by the synthetic violin playing in loop in the background. Remains a favorite due to nostalgic memories of a mom & pop pool hall I frequented way back when.
#5 Spirit Of The West – And If Venice Is Sinking
You only have to hear this song to recognize its beauty. The minute details in the various instruments playing. The lyric (2:36), “It always leaves me laughing, leaves me feeling, but of course…”, that leads into the chorus remains a favorite moment. But my favorite moment is actually the combined instruments that play repeatedly after final chorus (3:11) as you can hear the drums, the bass, the mandolins, the tuba, and the show stealing accordion. I could listen to that in loop forever without going insane.
#4 The Barenaked Ladies – What A Good Boy (Live)
If only I could have been there when this was recorded. The emotion poured into the song almost gets me the same way Harvest Moon’s chorus does. From the vulnerable (1:17), “Be With Me Tonight” to the raging (1:57), “I Wake Up Strange…”. Nothing though caught my fancy other than the song ending that sounded like it was inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrds, “Tuesday’s Gone”, that happens (at around 4:16).
#3 The Tragically Hip – Bobcaygeon
I like the lyric, “Coulda Been The Willie Nelson, Coulda Been The Wine”, a lot but when I listen to this song, nothing gets me more high that the part when Downie blasts out about that night in Toronto (2:03) with its checker board floors – then climaxing – when the man stood up to the mic and sang (2:16) when his voice rang with an Aryan twang. The entire song is perfect, but that moment sticks out the most.
#2 Neil Young – Harvest Moon
I’m somewhat torn on which version I love the most, the studio version or his unplugged performance. Ultimately though, when it comes down to it has to be the sweet as honey chorus that kicks in (1:26, studio version) that made me want to cry the first time I heard it…and eventually, driving on long commutes have become in the habit of singing along to.
#1 Bob Seger – Night Moves
I can’t think of any song that doesn’t get played more than this, when I witnessed too many lawn parties in my short lifetime. I’m still waiting for some movie to incorporate this tune in a classy way doing the song justice. My favorite moment in the song is an obvious choice when the silence that happens after Bob wails out, “Waited On The Thunder”, his quiet lyrics that lead into the acoustic build up (3:40) will always remain one of my favorite bits of music. Kind of makes me want to learn the guitar, or at least visit an aunt who could play this song herself.
So, there it is.
