Every generation thinks there music is the best. So this week I asked my dad to give me his top ten songs that our generation should know. Being born in the 60’s, his taste is drastically different from mine. He had trouble ordering the best of the best of his growing up. In the end we were left with a list ordered not necessarily by the best, but by the priority with which we need to know them. Most every one of the bands you will know that name of, The Stones, The Who, The Cure, The Talking Heads, The Clash; all the greats. What may surprise you though, are the songs picked for each band. After you give the list a read, I encourage you to ask your dad about his top ten. Maybe they will line up with mine, maybe not. Either way you will get a lesson about “the days when music was good.”
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10. The Cure – A Forest
This song is an odd one. Everyone knows the English rock band The Cure, but “A Forest” is not one of their biggest hits. The song was on the bands second album, and was released as a single, coming out before the album in its entirety. My dad included it on the list because he always wanted to make a music video for the song and envisioned a man running through a forest in pursuit of something, or perhaps away from something, the something most likely being a woman. At first which he was doing would be unclear, but when the lyric “I’m running toward something” hit it would become clear that he was chasing after a girl. The official music video is seen below and is simply the band in the recording studio.

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9. Sly & The Family Stone – Everyday People
I love the fact that VEVO decided to take this throw back song and make a modern video for it. It features clips from all sorts of time periods and all sorts of cultures. The song is included on the list not only because it is so catchy, but for its wonderful message. “we are the same, no matter what we do.”

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8. The Who -- Baba O’Riley
My dad loves synthesizers. I don’t know if that is because of this song, or if he likes this song because of the synthesizers. I say this because growing up as a teen this was the anthem of his friend group. His parents had a farm that they would go up to in the summer and have bonfires out in the fields. It was their teenage wasteland; where he and his friends got wasted and jumped over bonfires. Out there, there is no reason to cry, only good times and good vibes can make it into the wasteland. That’s what makes this song so special. Every teen deserves a place to escape to, where only happiness can persist.

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7. The Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)
This song has a very happy go lucky feel to it, perhaps why it is also called “Naïve Melody.” It is another great song for teens to hear, especially ones my age who are always worrying about the future and picking a major or what not. “Feet on the ground/Head in the sky/It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing/ Hi yo I got plenty of time.” It’s okay guys, we don’t have to know what we want to do with our lives. Another golden nugget comes up later in the song, “Never for money/Always for love.” Don’t follow a profession for its pay grade, follow your passions and do what you love.

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6. Golden Earring – Radar Love
This is a great song to drive to. Even beyond the literal description of driving found in the lyrics, the strong vigilant beat marches on encouraging you to do the same. At its core it is a love song, as most are. This one is about driving and driving to find your love, wherever she may be. All teens want to feel like their love is somewhere out there, so long as they have the drive inside to find them. Fun fact, I always misheard the lyrics as “red hot love.”

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5. The Clash – Lost in the Supermarket
London Calling, the bands third album, was what brought The Clash to America. “Lost in the Supermarket” was among the many hits on the album. I always loved this song because when I was little all I heard was the silly line about coming in for a special offer and then getting lost. In my older years I realized it is as a critique on American consumerism. He came in for a “guaranteed personality” but got lost in the consumerism.

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4. Pearl Jam – Wishlist
I have always seen this through a strange light as the first time my dad played it for me, he told me he wanted me to play it at his funeral. Some of the wishes seem to be directed at a lover, “I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on/the Christmas tree/ I wish I was the star ontop”. Beyond this, however, I think it’s about wanting to be something, wanting to make something of yourself and do something with your life; happy somethings.

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3. Johnny Cash – Ring of fire
I love this song. The crisp trumpets found throughout never get old. Another love song, this one warns of the dangers of love and how one can get burned. Once you get lured in by the sweet taste of love, the fire goes wild and there is no escaping as you fall down, down, down. Johnny Cash made the list because he is a respected musician that everyone should know. This song in particular was chosen because it warns of the perils of love. This is a danger all teens should be made aware of what with all the larger than life pop love songs out there on the radio today. Love is not always a “Teenage Dream” love is imperfect.

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2. Devo – [I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction
Are they men? No, they are Devo. This is a cover of the Rolling Stones’ song “Satisfaction.” Their version is sped up and has the characteristic quirky robotic sound that most Devo songs have. The video that accompanies it is equally, if not more, quirky, almost scarily so what with the thrashing man. This took the two spot because my dad loves the band and thinks more should know of their antics.

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1. The Stooges – 1969
My dad was younger when this song came out, so he probably has it lodged in his head from hearing it then. The message is that time moves on. It was 1969, he was 21, and in another year and all that will change is that he will be 22. Each year is like the last, a year with nothing to do. I am willing to guess this is more of a description of the band’s boredom with the world, as I am sure there were a great many people doing a great many things in 1969 than of reality. The message though, of time moving on, is a good one. When things aren’t going your way, remember, it’s just another day of another year.