70 songs that always move me

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

Published by WarrenBluhm

Wordsmith and podcaster, Warren is a reporter, editor and storyteller who lives near the shores of Green Bay with his wife, two golden retrievers, Dejah and Summer, and Blackberry, an insistent cat. Author of It's Going to Be All Right, Echoes of Freedom Past, Full, Refuse to be Afraid, Gladness is Infectious, 24 flashes, How to Play a Blue Guitar, Myke Phoenix: The Complete Novelettes, A Bridge at Crossroads, The Imaginary Bomb, A Scream of Consciousness, and The Imaginary Revolution.

One thought on “70 songs that always move me

  1. Love these songs and would add a few. From music to people, eclectic is my favorite world!😊❤️🙏🏻

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