Bring on the Roaring ’20s!

I was recently prompted by my dear friend Patrick to provide him with a list of my favorite songs, in ranked order no less. Recently is an exaggeration, as this was about a year ago, but after much, much thought and deliberation, I was able to create such a list.

To begin, I pulled together a list of just over 1000 songs I really, really like. I quickly realized that some singers and bands were dominating the list, and what fun would the list be if the top 20 songs were ALL by Smashmouth, so I set a rule— 1 song per band or artist. So even if my 23rd and 16th favorite songs are both by Mozart (though I later added a rule that no classical or opera songs were allowed, so no Mozart at all), number 23 has to go. An artist who leaves a band to pursue a solo career, or even just records a side project, can show up more than once, but that’s the only exception to the rule.

Setting those rules helped— the list had been winnowed to 600-something songs— but it was still too long for a top songs list. Here’s my Top 658! What? That’s nonsense! Then I had the idea of a top 365 list: one song per day for a year. Lo’ and behold, 2020 is a leap year. That gives me one extra song! Thus was born

Greg’s Top 366 Favorite Songs of All Time, in Order

And so, as the shadow of the 20-teens grows long, I am prepared to kick off the Roaring ‘20s by revealing to you, my beloved readers, one song per day, in order, from 366th to 1st, so you may learn, as have I, what songs I like best, and in what order.

To whet your appetite, here are the songs that didn’t quite make the cut— an unlucky 13 if you will— songs 367 through 379:

  • 367. The Animated Egg – Sock It My Way
  • 368. Billy Joel – You May Be Right
  • 369. Animotion – Obsession
  • 370. Vanessa Daou – Two to Tango
  • 371. Beats International – Dub Be Good To Me [feat. Lindy Layton]
  • 372. American Analog Set – Know By Heart
  • 373. La Sonora Dinamita – A Mover la Colita
  • 374. LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great
  • 375. Monk Higgins – One Man Band (Plays All Alone)
  • 376. Stereo MC’s – Watcha Gonna Do?
  • 377. Broken Bells – The Ghost Inside
  • 378. Redbone – Come and Get Your Love
  • 379. Archie Bronson Outfit – Dart for My Sweetheart

Now you know 13 songs that won’t be in the list. And what of the next 366? Come back to this blog on January 1st, and each day thereafter, to witness the circadian communications of my cherished canticles.

13 thoughts on “Bring on the Roaring ’20s!”

  1. Just fyi, we met through RAW, I represent Sacramento artist Todd Morgan. You email caught my attention as it mention roaring 20s and Todd, though Pop/Rock artist primarily, loves the heck out of those old Jazz artists of that era. I see that’s not quite what your reviving here but I’m interested enough to stick around and hear you out, so to speak. Good to hear from you, Happy New Year!
    Barbara

    1. I remember you and Todd quite well. He was a great performer, and a wonderful addition to the showcase. I hope he’s finding great success as a musician. Let me know if he has a show in San Jose and I’ll spread the word, and do my best to come see him play.

  2. Hi Greg,
    I have the Spirit of ’29 old time jazz band. We play New Orleans jazz from the twenties and have worked with you a few times. I also have Reinhardt Swing, a Hot Club of France style band. We play a few times a year at the Cliff House in San Francisco in addition to the usual private parties. I was delighted to hear from you, but with regard to favorite songs, my taste, with few exceptions, goes back to the’20’s and ’30’s.
    Enjoy.
    Eliot

    1. Of course I remember the Spirit of ’29! I watched you on the Berkeley campus when I was a student 30 years ago, and I’m happy you are still playing. You are always my go-to band referral any time a client wants music. As for the list, only 6 of my 366 favorites were recorded in 1939 or earlier. Check back on March 3rd, when the countdown hits #304, and you’ll hear a great track from 1931.

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