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