This list is a mix of songs from Fugees, Refugee Allstars, Wyclef, Lauryn and Pras.
If you also miss the hip hop of the 90's, you will Love this list! Top 10 Fugees-relaterad songs!
Rasmus: Spotify
1. To Zion - L Hill
2. Doo Woop (that thing) - L Hill
3. Fu-Gee-La - Fugees
4. Ready or Not - Fugees
5. The miseducation of Lauryn Hill - L Hill
6. The Mask - Fugees
7. Final Hour - L Hill
8. Every Ghetto Every City - L Hill
9. Everything is everything - L Hill
10. I used to Love Him - L Hill
Joel: Spotify
1. Fu-Gee-La - Fugees
2. Doo Woop that thing - L Hill
3. Ready or not - Fugees
4. Ghetto superstar - Pras
5. To Zion - L Hill
6. The Score - Fugees
7. Turn your lights down low - L Hill
8. We tryin to stay alive - Wyclef & Refugee camp allstars
9. Runaway - Wyclef
10. Ex-factor - L Hill
May 19, 1967 - The Beatles at the press launch of Sgt. Pepper, at Brian Epstein's house (24 Chapel Street, London)
Some people base their whole lives on the fact that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the best album of all time. We don't want to argue with that or even choose side in that discussion, but we will however post our list of the greatest albums of all time, and Sgt. Pepper's will probably be in the top ten for the both of us.
In the meantime we would like to rank the songs on the album. They fit together perfectly in the original order, but since The Beatles is available on Spotify, we made playlists with each list.
Here we go!:
Since we first heard Simon and Garfunkel at the age of 5, the music of Paul Simon has always been a major part of our lives. We would like to pay our respect and love to the songwriter from Queens, by making this list of the top 50 Paul Simon-songs. (Simon & Garfunkel included)
Paul Simon, New York 1975
If you get the chance, we strongly recommend to go and see Paul Simon perform live. We have seen him live in concert many times and he still sounds fantastic.
Nuff said, here comes the list: Joel TOP 50 PAUL SIMON - Listen to Joel's list: Spotify Link
Kathy's Song
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
America
Homeward Bound
I Am a Rock
Save the Life of My Child
Song For The Asking
Fakin' it
Punky's Dilemma
The Sound of Silence
A Hazy Shade of winter
At the Zoo
Bridge over Troubled Water
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Bleecker Street
Darling Lorraine
The Dangling Conversation
Late in The Evening
Still Crazy After All These Years
El Condor Pasa
April Come She Will
Keep the Customer Satisfied
Scarborough Fair
The 59th Street Bridge Song
Mrs. Robinson
Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall
Mother and Child Reunion
Duncan
Run That Body Down
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Papa Hobo
Kodachrome
Was a Sunny Day
Why Don't You Write Me
So Long, Frank Loyd Wright
Loves Me Like a Rock
My Little Town
I Know What I Know
Rene And George Magritte with Their Dog After the War
So it´s time to post the first lists from me (Joel) and my cusine Rasmus. Since we both are fanatics of everything that is associated with The Beatles, we realized that if we are going to make a list of the top 20 best songs ever made, The Beatles would be so dominant that the list would be boring for us to do. Therefore, the premise of this list is: Only one song per artist/band No songs by our standard favs (no Beatles, no solo work from John / Paul / George, no The Beach Boys, no Paul Simon and no Bob Dylan) The artists and groups mentioned above deserves their own lists and will get their own lists in the near future.
With that said, here is the lists:
Rasmus - TOP 20 SONGS EVER Spotify link 1. Cycles - Frank Sinatra
What makes a song complete and in consideration to be number one on this list? In this case it's a perfect mix of the head ingridients of the artist Frank Sinatra with his very likeable approach, singing the lyrics about the ups and downs of his life so true and real, with his beautiful voice in the fall of his career, together with a smooth piano and a very suitable recording. The relationship to Frank Sinatra is and will always be special.
Or as the old saying goes:"It's Franks world, we just live in it". 2. Cant take my eyes off you - Frankie Valli
Italian-american singers it is! This song never gets old, even if you listen to it thousand times in a row. It works in almost every situation no matter what mood you're in. In the car, at a party, on a dinner, in the morning or when ever you feel like listening, this one is always a good option.
Frankie Valli released it as a solo single after many successful hits together with The Four Seasons. Their story is portayed and can be seen in the fantastic musical Jersey Boys.
The song is also recorded by the talented Lauryn Hill on the album "The miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (1998). 3. Three wheels on my wagon - The New Christy Minstrels
The New Christy Minstrels was an american folk music group who started in 1961. Among the many members, both Kenny Rogers and Barry McGuire can be named, although they are more well known for their solo work.
This song "Three wheels on my wagon" is from the 1965 album called The New Christy Minstrels Sing and Play Cowboys and Indians. The top track is three wheels on my wagon but check out this rare album, it contains a bunch of golden treasures and is really underrated by the kids today.
4. Aint no mountain high enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
This is classical. ANd even though it is one of the most played songs ever, it never gets old. The intro with the 1967 drum-kit feels fresh every time and the band sounds fantastic. The adorable Tammi Terrell who sadly left us too early, sings with such devotion and passion on this one, together with Marvin Gaye and his smooth perfect pitch. The song should be used in school to show students a great example of a male and female duet.
5. My baby just cares for me - Nina Simone
Nina Simone released this song in 1958. She continued to record many classics but this is the one that she probably will be most remembered by. There is a very fine documentary from 2015 called "What happened, miss Simone?". We strongly recommend both the film and the voice of Nina Simone, works good with red wine in the evening.
6. Where do you go to my lovely - Peter Sarstedt
Released in early 1969, the song reached number one on the Brittish charts for 4 weeks. Listen to the lyrics about the girl named Marie -Claire and her life journey from the poor backstreets of Naples to the jet-set life in Juan-Les-Pins and Saint Moritz.
The production of the song is quite rare for it's time and contains a accordion throughout the whole song together with a strumming acoustic guitar. Peter Sarstedt is often referred to as a one hit wonder phenomenon. The weridest thing is that he died today at the age of 75.
7. Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree - Tony Orlando & Dawn
Also a very classical song, released in feb 1973 by the american group Dawn featuring Tony Orlando. Listen to the lyrics about the prisoner who is sitting on a bus, on his way to see his loved one for the first time in many years, and has sent her a letter with the instructions that if she wants him, she shall tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree. If there is no ribbon when he passes by with the bus he will stay on the bus and forget about "us". Perfect mix and production.
8. Vincent - Don Mclean
American Pie might be the bigger hit, but Vincent has always been the favorite Don Mclean-song. With the melancholic mood and the honest and personal vocals about the artist that "took his life, as lovers often do". Released on the album American Pie in 1971 and reached #2 in the UK as a single. 9. Be my baby - The Ronettes
Iconic group, iconic song. Be my baby by The Ronettes from 1964 is in many ways the ultimate song and production. Produced by Phil Spector and a great example of his technique working with driving drums and creation of the wall of sound. With Ronnie Spector on lead vocals and Cher singing background vocals, you cant go wrong.
The song has inspired many songwriters throughout the years, is covered by John Lennon and is Brian Wilson's favorite song. How about that, huh?
10. Both sides now - Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell. The intelligent California-based Canadian, is one of the greatest songwriters of all times. Both sides now was written by Joni in 1967 and was originally released by the artist Judy Collins. Joni later released her own version in 1969 and the song has been covered by many singers ever since. Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton and Pete Seeger to name a few.
11. A whiter shade of pale - Procol Harum
1967, love is literally in the air and Procol Harum is on top of the charts in UK. The song was a huge global hit and made Procol Harum known to the world. The song is very significant for the later part of the 60's and has been accused of stealing part of the song from Bach (Air in G), but is considered only as influential, not stolen. 12. Moon river - Audrey Hepburn
Moon River is a song from 1961, composed by Henry Mancini with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It received an Academy award for its performance by Audrey Hepburn in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). The melody was written by Mancini to fit Audrey Hepburn's vocal range. The song is covered by many legends and also appeared in a remarkable scene in the Chevy Chase movie Fletch from 1985.
13. Will you love me tomorrow - Shirelles
Will You Love Me Tomorrow is a song written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. It was originally recorded in 1960 by the Shirelles, who took their single to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is also notable for being the first song by an all-girl group to reach number one in the United States. It has since been recorded by many artists over the years, including a 1971 version by co-writer Carole King.
14. The winner takes it all - ABBA
The Winner Takes It All, original demo title "The Story of My Life", was written by both Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, with Agnetha Fältskog singing the lead vocal.
The song appears on the album Super Trouper from 1980 by ABBA - the biggest Swedish pop-export ever.
15. I hear a symphony - The Supremes
I Hear a Symphony is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.
Written and produced by Motown's main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song became their sixth number-one pop hit on Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the United States.
16. Somewhere over the hrainbow - Judy Garland
This epic piece was written by Harold Arlen (music) and E.Y. Harburg.(lyrics).It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz (1939) and was sung by actress Judy Garland, in her starring role as Dorothy Gale.The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland's signature song, as well as one of the most enduring standards of the 20th century.
Both Eva Cassidy and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole have made fantastic contemporary versions of the song, check it out!
17. Life on mars - David Bowie The song was first released in 1971 on the album Hunky Dory and in 1973 (!) released as a single. The song, with piano by Rick Wakeman is a ballad masterpiece that has been described by the BBC as "a cross between Broadway musical and a Salvador Dali painting."
Keep an ear on the high note-flute in the beginning of the second verse!
Best line: She could spit in the eyes of fools, as they ask her to focus on sailors fighting in the dance hall. 18. Sweet talking guy - The Chiffons
The Chiffons were an American all-girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960. The group had a number one hit in the US with he's so fine in 1963. Sweet talking guy was on the album with the same name. Written by Doug Morris and Eliot Greenberg for The Chiffons in 1966. The original members were:Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, Barbara Lee and Sylvia Petersen
19. Back to black - Amy Winehouse
Some people become legends. When Amy was still alive, one could tell that her unique voice was going to make her remembered as one of the best and most legendary singers of all time. Sadly enough she left us too soon. The music lives on forever and Back to Black is one of the classics. 20. True love ways - Buddy Holly If you have seen the musical called The Buddy Holly Story, it's impossible to forget this song and the destiny of a flight for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
Buddy Holly was only 22 years old the day the music died. He had much more to give the world both as a songwriter and artist. True love ways is a ballad, which makes it different than the rest of Buddy's collection who contains of more classic Rock n roll tracks.
Joel - TOP 20 SONGS EVERSpotify link 1. True love ways - Buddy Holly
My all time favorite, I love the arrangement with the strings and Buddy's close-up vocals. In this version you can hear the studio-room in the beginning with the engineer shouting "Quiet boys". Listen to the saxophone and Buddy's songwriting skills in this love ballad from October 1958. 2. Waterloo sunset - The Kinks
London 1967. The finest work of songwriter Ray Davies. The gut at my local record-shop (Tompen) and I mutually agreed that Waterloo Sunset is the perfect song to have at our own funerals. Listen to the love-story of Terry and Julie together with the strumming acoustic Kinks-guitar. 3. Cycles - Frank Sinatra
An old mans life-summary. It goes up and down and life keeps running in cycles. This is my favorite Sinatra-sound, no big swinging band just a lonely piano and a soft guitar and the voice of our century, Ol' Blue Eyes. 4. Do you know the way to San Jose - Dionne Warwick
From 1968 album in Valley of the Dolls by Dionne Warwick. Written for Warwick by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Dionne Warwick received a Grammy award for the song in 1969 and became one of her biggest hits and signature songs. Pay extra attention to the backing vocals and how the drums works with the bass in this masterpiece. 5. Cant take my eyes off you - Frankie Valli
New Jersey born and raised Frankie Valli met with the songwriter Bob Gaudio and this song is the fine result of their work together. Bobs genius as a songwriter and Frankie's high pitch voice created one of the most successful collaborations in the music business.
Listen to the beautiful arrangement from 1967.
6. Aint no mountain high enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Never gets old or boring. Still until this day one of the songs that makes everybody a dancer. Check out more songs from the collaboration of Marvin and Tammi such as "Aint nothing like the real thing", "If I could build my whole world around you" and "You´re all I need to get by".
7. I say a little prayer - Aretha Franklin
Another Burt Bacharach song, originally released by Dionne Warwick in 1967 but re-released by Aretha Franklin in the fall of 1968. The Aretha Franklin-version became a huge success, especially in Europe.
8. A case of you - Joni Mitchell
Laurel Canyon, 1971. Joni Mitchell in her prime. A case of you is a great song from the masterpiece Blue that contains classics such as California, Carey and All I want. Listen to this album in the evening and a case of red wine and you'll be fine.
9. You´ve lost that lovin' feelin' - The Righteous Brothers You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' is written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. A longtime favorite in our family and the song has been played around the house for as long as I can remember. It was first recorded by the Righteous Brothers in 1964, and produced by Phil Spector.
10. I am...I said - Neil Diamond
Written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1971. The New Yorker Diamond tells us the story of how he is beein lost between two shores, living in LA but born and raised in NYC.
"LA is fine but it aint home, New York is home but it aint mine no more". 11. Everybody's talkin' - Harry Nilsson
Written by Fred Neil and recorded by Harry Nilsson in 1968. The year after (1969) it appeared in the movie "Midnight Cowboy" starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. The song was perfect for Harry's sensitive vocals and even though he had several hits during his career, no one was ever as big as Everybody's talkin'. 12. Where do you go to my lovely - Peter Sarstedt
Peter Sarstedt, may you rest in peace. After fighting health-problems in the last years he died on the 8th of february 2017 at the age of 75. Where do you go to my lovely will always be remembered as a major part of the music history.
13. Be my baby - The Ronettes
When the news-reporter of a morning TV-show in LA asked Brian Wilson in 1980 what kind of music he was inspired by, the answer was short: "I listen to a record called Be my baby by the Ronettes". You can see the interview right here:
14. Life on mars - David Bowie
From my favorite David Bowie album Hunky Dory. Just perfection. 15. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
The beautiful story of a struggling couple on a cold Christmas evening in NYC. Shane MacGowan sings a duet with Kirsty MacColl in this legendary, epic lovestory that combines the Irish drunk folk music with the rough streets of Manhattan and the pride of the Irish community in the US that still sings the Galway Bay.
16. Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree - Tony Orlando & Dawn
No words needed. It's just a fantastic story and a fantastic record. 17. A whiter shade of pale - Procol Harum
UK 1967, the vibe, the fashion, the sound! If you also like the music of the 60's, you will love this video:
18. S.O.S. - ABBA
The pride of Sweden, of course Benny Andersson deserves a spot on this list. I love S.O.S. because of the simple lyrics, the acoustic guitar in the chorus and the piano. 19. Out on the weekend - Neil young
Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles. A personal favorite from the album Harvest. The song is not available on Spotify so here is a video:
20. Vincent - Don Mclean
American songbook, right. Don Mclean is still touring and Vincent is of course one of the classics on the setlist together with Castles In the air and American pie. Play Vincent on vinyl, late in the evening when the stars are bright and crystal clear.
