(Don Chance)
This is an evolving list. It will never contain more than 25 songs but I do expect it to change as my interests and tastes change and as I come to like other songs.
(listed alphabetically)
Angie (Rolling Stones): the Stones' best ballad; some great guitar and piano work
Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty): the joy of sax
Black Velvet (Alannah Myles): This tribute to Elvis captures the essence of the Memphis sound of Elvis
Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen): best open road song
The Boys of Summer (Don Henley): Great guitar work
Broken Wings (Mr. Mister): just a great song; enough said; this song resonates deep inside of me
Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd): as the Red Cross says, a classic song
Constant Craving (k.d. laing): some of the best harmony
Crazy for You (Madonna): most sensuous song
Danger Zone (Kenny Loggins): fast and loud but way too short
Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones): in my view, the best hard rock song ever
Hard Habit to Break (Chicago): a new edition, this beautiful piece has great sequences of two- and three-part vocals
Hotel California (Eagles): bizarre story with great guitar work; especially the acoustic version
I Found Someone (Cher): her finest work on a great song written by Michael Bolton; also some great hard rock guitar riffs
I'm Not in Love (10cc): great way to tell off an ex
Live to Tell (Madonna): another guy-bashing song but I like it nonetheless
Long, Long Time (Linda Ronstadt): a little sentimentally whiny but the violins are great
Mainstreet (Bob Seeger): like a piece of Americana; it belongs in the Smithsonian
Maybe I'm Amazed (Wings): best piano rock song
Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison): maybe the most popular song of all time
Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough (Patty Smyth with Don Henley): A recent addition
Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin): a rock classic; every new guitarist learns this one
Start Me Up (Rolling Stones): Great for booting up your PC
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (Crosby, Stills and Nash): Strange song written by Stills for ex-girlfriend, July Collins; try to figure it out; also this song is probably one of the greatest guitar arrangements in all of music
Waiting for a Girl Like You (Foreigner): Always been crazy about this one; don't know why