101. Don't Give Up on Me by Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up on Me)
Adam and I saw Solomon Burke perform—sitting in his throne—after this record came out. A legend.
102. Sometimes I Don't Get You by Yo La Tengo (I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass)
When I was frustrated at Budget Travel, I used to look forward to Molly McAleer's segments on Defamer. When she left that gig, she and a friend made a farewell video with "Sometimes I Don't Get You" as the soundtrack; it was set at that lamppost installation at LACMA, and even seeing a photo of that will ignite this song in my head for days (4 daze, I mean).
103. Regrets by Eurythmics (Touch)
Were Eurythmics intentionally impersonating Grace Jones?
104. Jackson by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line)
Walk the Line was a great movie with some soggy parts, but Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were spectacular, not least of all because they did their own singing. I recently rewatched most of the film while on a plane, and of course the flight ended right before the part I was dying to see. Their version of "It Ain't Me Babe" may also make this list.
105. Kisses on the Wind by Neneh Cherry (Raw Like Sushi)
People thought Neneh Cherry was hip-hop!
106. The Bottle by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson (Super Rare Disco Vol. 2)
Now that's a groove. Bonus points for the flute not being too annoying.
107. Nip It in the Bud by the B-52's (Party Mix/Mesopotamia)
For all their famed wackiness, the B-52's didn't cut loose often. And then there's "Nip It in the Bud," the last track off their Mesopotamia EP, which perhaps only I liked.
108. The Origin of Love by Hedwig & the Angry Inch (Hedwig & the Angry Inch)
I remember the first time I heard this song. My friend Kristen and I were driving somewhere in Huntington Beach, and she put it on the stereo, saying she knew I'd love it. She was right. The movie hit me the same way—I watched it in my apartment, totally enthralled, and when I needed to go the bathroom I stood up and froze. I couldn't imagine pausing it.
109. Drowned World/Substitute for Love by Madonna (Ray of Light)
Madonna has umpteen better songs, and this might be when she began to lose her pop touch. (Why do singers think we care about their inner lives? "I traded fame for love" is not a relatable problem.) And yet the surprise of it—of it being the lead track to the record, of there not being a traditional structure or hook, of all that humming—I don't know, I've always loved it.
110. Fool for a Country Tune by Dusty Trails (Dusty Trails)
Someone needs to remake this right now. Shelby Lynne? Joaquin and Reese? Reese solo?
111. Middle Distance Runner by Sea Wolf
It's sexy when people sing about their limitations.
112. Foundations by Kate Nash (Made of Bricks)
Kate Nash got lumped in with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, but for my money only the latter makes sense. How can such a bitter, brittle song be so catchy and fun?
113. Love Letters by Ketty Lester (Blue Velvet)
Maybe Shelby Lynne could revisit "Love Letters" while she's at it. Does she have the chops? Adele, let's get that covers album going.
114. Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River
I think I know what this song is about, but I'm not positive, and I refuse to listen too closely or look up the lyrics because I don't want to break the spell it has on me. Whenever the second lead singer, in particular, sings, I stop what I'm doing and listen. His voice is such a throwback.