Local Hot Shots Pick Their Top Five Songs of All Time

Lynn O’Brien, Local Musician.

1) “Consequence of Sounds” by Regina Spektor
2) “Evaporated” by Ben Folds Five
3) “Something in Blue” by Thelonius Monk
4) “Mushaboom” by Feist. “Mushaboom” is a ridiculously easy to listen to song; a very simple, feel-good tune … anyone can sing along to it!
5) “You Bring Me Down” by Supermario Speedwagon. “You Bring Me Down” has so much character and heart that it’s impossible not to love; it has been stuck in my head for almost a year now.

Bob Steltman, University of Illinois Professor.

1) “Eyes of the World” by The Grateful Dead. I love music and have over 10,000 CD/record albums at home, so it is really hard to condense that down to top five. “Eyes of the World” was probably the Dead’s best song; I think it is the epitome of their sound.
2) “Remedy” by The Black Crows
3) “Sway” by The Rolling Stones
4) “Max Wedge” and “Stingray” by The Didjits
5) “Northern Sky” by Nick Drake. “Northern Sky” is an absolutely beautiful, quiet song.

Star Lathan, Moonstruck Barrista.

1) “The Scientist” by Coldplay
2) “This Year’s Love” by David Gray
3) “When We Were Young” by The Killers
4) “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green
5) “Heart of Glass” by Blondie. There are different reasons why these are the best; most bring back some good, sad, or fun memories.

Matthew Duckworth, Sound Engineer at Canopy Club.

1) “Disarm” by Smashing Pumpkins because we all have a little “killer” instinct.
2) “Hate Me” Blue October, the Foiled album version. It’s perfect for breaking up with your girlfriend and sending the “it’s me, not you” message! Also, I’m pretty sure the intro voice message is from my mother.
3) “Sunday” by Bloc Party. Perfect for hangovers. Make your new girlfriend feel better about last night.
4) “Blues From Down Here” by TV on the Radio. Because this ain’t the last you heard from me.
5) “Cute Without the ‘E'” by Taking Back Sunday. I love the show Cheaters. Is that bad?

Brian Gulik, Keyboardist and Backup Vocalist of the Band, Operetta

1) “Leaf House” by Animal Collective. A marvelously original and thought-provoking lullaby. This song is best heard in a car at night with the windows down.
2) “Skanky Panky” by Kid Koala. The craziest turntablism song you’ll ever know. Look up the video to this song on YouTube and contemplate the talent that must go into a creation like this.
3) “I Luv the Valley, OH!” by Xiu Xiu. Simultaneously sad and fun. Let yourself sink into this song. The part when he screams “OH!” will send shivers through your veins.
4) “Sitting” by M83. How ironic that the perfect dance party song is titled “Sitting.” I love the intro to this song.
5) “Obstacle 1” by Interpol. Nobody does contemporary rock like Interpol. Learn to play this song on the guitar and you’ll fall in love with it.

Seth Fein, owner of The Nicodemus Agency and Pygmalion Music Festival

1) “One of the Millions” by XTC. Colin Moulding is arguably the finest bassist in the history of rock music, and he showcases his talents here in ways that cannot be described in words.
2) “Hey Goodbye” by Macha & Bedhead. Macha was one of the most innovative indie bands in the late ’90s and this song pairs them up with slowcore darlings Bedhead from Austin. Pure bliss.
3) “The Hurting” by Tears for Fears. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were just 18- and 19-years-old when they wrote this first song on their first album, and it remains perhaps the most important of all songs to me.
4) “Sheep” by Pink Floyd. I don’t do drugs anymore – but when I did, nothing was more epiphanic than when Roger Waters and Co. reach the crescendo of this song near the 10 minute mark. Pure genius.
5) “Here’s to the Kids who are Different” by Cortisol. My brother has been secretly creating the best music in the world since our band broke up. This song reminds me of spending time with my best friend and fiancee, Justine.

About Rosalind Walters, Ken Beaver and Jaron Birkan

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