Some songs are forever linked to particular memories — my first girlfriend yelling “stop the car!” so she could jump out and dance to “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” on the radio — sitting in stunned wonder as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played their 10-minute version of “Ripplin’ Waters” at the Ryman Auditorium — staring at the radio asking “WHO is THAT?!” the first time I heard “Good Vibrations” and “The Word” — watching transfixed as Art Garfunkel on TV performed a new song called “Bridge Over Troubled Water” — grinning as Red and Son of Red slow-danced to “A Simple Man” on his wedding day …
Of all these lists of 70 for my 70th, the hardest one to corral was this one. So many songs, how do you stop at 70? But here is a selection of songs that continue to make me emotional or cause me to jack up the volume, all these years later.
In no particular order — I only numbered them to make sure I stopped at 70.
1. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
2. The Word – Sara Groves
3. (Just Like) Romeo and Juliet – The Reflections
4. Frenesi – Artie Shaw
5. Sing Sing Sing – Benny Goodman
6. Powerhouse – Raymond Scott
7. The Lamb Ran Away With the Crown – Judee Sill
8. She’s A Lady – John Sebastian
9. Darling Be Home Soon – The Lovin’ Spoonful
10. Lady-O – Judee Sill
11. I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James and the Shondells
12. For Free – Joni Mitchell
13. Manhattan Spiritual – Reg Owen and His Orchestra
14. A Case of You – Joni Mitchell
15. Ripplin’ Waters – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
16. Tennessee Stud – Doc Watson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
17. Wildflowers – Tom Petty
18. You’re in My Heart – Rod Stewart
19. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen
20. Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
21. Buy For Me the Rain – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
22. It Ain’t Over Yet – Rodney Crowell
23. Sing Your Praise to the Lord – Amy Grant
24. No Surrender – Bruce Springsteen
25. Everything That Touches You – The Association
26. Rockin’ Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu – Johnny Rivers
27. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
28. Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
29. Smile – Charlie Chaplin
30. A Marrying Kind of Love – The Critters
31. When Do I Get To Sing “My Way” – Sparks
32. You Just May Be the One – The Monkees
33. I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
35. Get Together – The Youngbloods
36. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel
37. All I Know – Art Garfunkel
38. Devil With a Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
39. Tokoloshe Man – John Kongos
40. Your Song – Elton John
41. Annie’s Song – John Denver
42. How Does It Feel – Slade
43. Fire and Rain – James Taylor
44. Today – New Christy Minstrels
45. Born On the Bayou – Creedence Clearwater Revival
46. Have It All – Jason Mraz
47. While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles
48. Release of the Spirit/He is Exalted – Twila Paris
49. Four Strong Winds – Ian and Sylvia
50. That’s The Way I Always Heard It Should Be – Carly Simon
51. Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel
52. For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her – Simon and Garfunkel
53. Without You – Nilsson
54. Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
55. Both Sides Now – Judy Collins
56. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby Stills and Nash
57. Bluebird – Buffalo Springfield
58. El Shaddai – Amy Grant
59. Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress – The Hollies
60. Walk Away Renee – The Left Banke
61. Lady – Kenny Rogers
62. A Simple Man – Lynyrd Skynyrd
63. Keeping My Eyes On You – Twila Paris
64. Jungleland – Bruce Springsteen
65. Close to the Edge – Yes
66. Echoes – Pink Floyd
67. Sweet Cherry Wine – Tommy James and the Shondells
68. Things I’d Like to Say – The New Colony Six
69. The Boys of Summer – Don Henley
70. I Need You – America
Love these songs and would add a few. From music to people, eclectic is my favorite world!😊❤️🙏🏻