12 Songs that Deserved to Played at 10

These are not the best 12 songs of all times, though perhaps some belong on that list. These are just loud fast songs that cannot be appreciated at less than ear damaging decibels. Ok, so I’m an old bastard. Can’t be helped.

Every Picture Tells a Story—Rod Stewart, 1971

“I firmly believe that I
Didn’t need anyone but me
I sincerely thought I was so complete,
Lo… Look how wrong you can be”
Sloppy as hell, politically incorrect, but raucous as it gets. Ah, if the kids only knew what they were missing.

Blame It—Rupee-2002

I don’t know diddles about Soca, but through my wife I have discovered dozens of great Caribbean tunes. This is one of the great ones. As a middle aged guy from the suburbs of Chicago, I cannot wine my waste, but every time I hear this I dream I can. Nonetheless, I feel gipped by my upbringing.  

Fortunate Son—John Fogerty-1969

“Some folks are born
silver spoon in hand,
Lord don't they help themselves.
But when the tax man comes to the door,
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale.”
Anger for the war, but as timeless as “This Land Is Your Land”. Not a folk song though, needs to be played really f’in loud. Add volume, Stir frequently.

American Idiot—Green Day-2004

I remember-- fool that I am -having a conversation about this band a few years back. My friend said musicianship was so, so. Sort of let it go at that. Since then I have thought so many times, yeah but the rage is alright with me. A great angry song, one that despite my inability to understand half of what’s out there, makes me think the kids are alright.

49 Bye Bye’s/ For What It’s Worth- Steven Stills—1970

“Jesus Christ was the first nullified revolutionary…”
Another song where the roiling anger is what it all comes down. For those of you who know it, this baby is more than 40 years old, so if you do know it you’re flipping up there. Dig it…

I Want to Be Sedated—Joey Ramone 1977

In a year when Rita Coolidge demolished the great Jackie Wilson’s Higher and Higher, the boys from Queens got it all right. F***, why not? Seemed like half the world including Rita was sedated.  Mindless silliness, but you can dance to it. Well, us white guys can anyway. Gotta do the overbite thing though.

Death or Glory- The Clash-1979

“We’re gonna fight til you lose”
Reagan wasn’t even president yet, but here we get an intensely personal cry to fight on.

She’s the One—Bruce Springsteen-1975

That Thunder in your heart
At night when you're kneeling in the dark
It says you're never gonna leave her
But there's this angel in her eyes
That tells such desperate lies
And all you want to do is believe her
Emotional & fierce—even though it never really gives you the answer. As with Meeting Across the River one is left wondering how it all came out.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

A song for former church goers. The chorus at the end fills with rapture even as Jagger relates the most basic of truths.   

Mannish Boy—Muddy Waters—1955

Though I’m partial to a later recoding with Johnny winter from 1977, a great howl of pride.

Pin Ball Wizard—Pete Townend-1969

Here, I def prefer the 1986 recoding on deep end live. Something about Daltrey’s bombast did not always sit well with me, Baba O’Reily, Miles and Miles, My Generation, Magic Bus, notwithstanding. Oh, sorry, I take that back. Anyhow I still love Pete best.

Paradise City—Guns ‘N’ Roses--1987

The guiltiest of guilty pleasures.” Please take me home…”