My Top 100 music and songs of all time

Nope, this has nothing to do with photography, but here's something I had wanted to do for a very long time – a list of my all-time favorite music and songs.

The title says 100, and the list should hit this number sooner or later.

1. Shimmer, by Fuel
   Year: 1996
   More on Fuel.
   Highlights: Brilliant rock track that builds up in intensity, and the music sticks in your head.
   Lyrics snippet:

   She dreams a champagne dream
   Strawberry surprise, pink linen and white paper
   Lavender and cream
   Fields of butterflies, reality escapes her

   

2. Crush, by David Archuleta
   Year: 2008
   More on David Archuleta.
   Highlights: A brilliant song about young love that's not from yet another boy band. Superb vocals.

   Do you ever think when you're all alone
   All that we can be, where this thing can go?
   Am I crazy or falling in love?
   Is it real or just another crush?

   
   David Archuleta – Crush, on YouTube.
   If you're wondering how to pronounce his name, watch this American Idol clip in which David sings Heaven.

3. So Much In Love, by Art Garfunkel
   Year: 1988
   More on Art Garfunkel.
   Highlights: Catchy melody and lyrics that speak of simple and pure love.
   Lyrics snippet:

   As we stroll by the sea together
   Under stars twinkling high above
   So in love are we two
   No one else but me and you

4. Talking In Your Sleep, by The Romantics
   Year: 1983
   More on The Romantics.
   Highlights: Strong and clear backing rock-flavored track.
   Lyrics snippet:

   When you close your eyes
   And you fall asleep
   Everything about you is a mystery

5. Wonderland, by Big Country
   Year: 1984
   More on Big Country.
   Highlights: Brilliant guitar work and tight drumming.
   Lyrics snippet:

   I watched that pride be torn apart
   Beneath a darker sky
   With innocence within ourselves
   We sing the same old song
   And you will take my hand
   And make believe it's wonderland

6. Here We Are, by Gloria Estefan
   Year: 1989
   More on Gloria Estefan.
   Highlights: Superb musical arrangement and complex percussions, and heartfelt singing by Gloria.
   Lyrics snipper:

   When I have you close to me
   The feeling's so sublime
   That there's nothing I can do
   To keep from loving you

7. Everybody Wants To Rule The World, by Tears for Fears
   Year: 1985
   More on Tears For Fears.
   Highlights: Powerful lyrics and a driving beat.
   Lyrics snippet:

   It's my own design
   It's my own remorse
   Help me to decide
   Help me make the most of freedom and of pleasure
   Nothing ever lasts forever
   Everybody wants to rule the world

8. Lessons In Love, by Level 42
   Year: 1986
   More on Level 42.
   Highlights: Nice, steady beat and bass guitar lines.
   Lyrics snippet:

   Heavy hearts token words
   All the hopes I ever had
   Fade like footprints in the sand

9. We Belong Together, by Mariah Carey
   Year: 2005
   More on Mariah Carey.
   Highlights: Very catchy R&B tune, Mariah's vulnerable, yet strong, voice.
   Lyrics snippet:

   I can't sleep at night
   When you are on my mind
   Bobby Womack's on the radio
   Singing to me
   'If you think you're lonely now'

10. Promise Me, by Beverly Craven
    Year: 1990
    More on Beverly Craven.
    Highlights: Beautiful music, beautiful singing, beautiful lyrics.
    Lyrics snippet:

    You look like you're in another world
    but I can read your mind
    how can you be so far away
    lying by my side

    

11. Have You Heard, by Pat Metheny (recorded live in Europe)
    Year: 1992 (Recorded Live in Europe)
    More on Pat Metheny and the album, The Road To You, in which this song was first released.
    Highlights: Extremely competent musicianship.
    The embedded Youtube video is of his performance in Japan. I much prefer the Europe version which has more ambience and better-balanced playing throughout.
    
12. Rush, Rush, by Paula Abdul (alternatively, get her Greatest Hits album, which received favorable user reviews)
    Year: 1991
    More on the song and Paula Abdul.
    Highlights: Great singing by Paula with an achingly beautiful string section makes this ballad a must for hopeless romantics. The music video is a take on Rebel Without A Cause, and features some nice acting by Keanu Reeves and seductive dance moves by Paula.
    Lyrics snippet:

    You're the whisper of a summer breeze
    You're the kiss that puts my soul at ease

13. Down To Earth, by Curiosity Killed The Cat
    Year: 1986
    More on Curiosity Killed The Cat.
    Highlights: Very cool, laid back style of singing that's very difficult to emulate.
    Lyrics snippet:

    Don't wanna wanna be misled
    Don't wanna fall on a razor's edge and
    You feel at ease you're begging please don't take me down for nothing

14. Billie Jean, by Michael Jackson
    Year: 1983
    More on Billie Jean and Michael Jackson.
    Highlights: Groovy beat, Michael's style of singing and dancing (make sure you watch the music video).
    Lyrics snippet:

    People always told me be careful of what you do
    And don't go around breaking young girls hearts
    And mother always told me be careful of who you love
    And be careful of what you do cause the lie becomes the truth