Before moving on to the top-5, a couple of things. Be sure to click the song title if you want to see the music video for each one. Next, it's time that all the honorable mentions be acknowledged. So, here’s the list of those that just missed: “Fireflies” (Owl City), “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison),“Happy Birthday to You” (Preston Ware Orem), “Papa was a Rolling Stone” (The Temptations), “Can’t Touch This” (MC Hammer), “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (George Jones), “Folsom Prison Blues” (Johnny Cash), “What’s Going On” (Marvin Gaye), “Respect” (Aretha Franklin), “Like a Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan), “Bridge over Troubled Water” (Simon and Garfunkel), “Hotel California” (The Eagles), “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder), “Great Balls of Fire” (Jerry Lee Lewis), “Mrs. Robinson” (Simon and Garfunkel), “Lose Yourself” (Eminem), “Proud to be an American” (Lee Greenwood…best performed by William Speight and Casey Sturgill at the Thorpe/Burleson wedding).
Now on to those that really matter.
5. “Ring of Fire”-Johnny Cash (1963)
No music countdown would be complete without “The Man in Black.” Cash was known for his hard country sound that some classified as “Rockabilly.” What exactly is “rockabilly”? We don’t have the time to digress, and I really don’t know anyway.
“Ring of Fire” was co-written by Cash and his last wife, June Carter Cash. The two filled up newscasts in 2003 when June died in May (no pun) of that year. Not to be outdone, Johnny kicked the bucket just four months later in September. Naturally all the adoring fans insisted June was getting lonely up in heaven, and Johnny was getting lonely down on Earth…Problem solved.
Bottom line; this is the 5th of the first 6 songs in the countdown to have a deceased singer. When you die, you fly in American pop culture, baby.
Johnny said he got the idea for the mariachi-style horns “in a dream with a Mexican theme.” Love Cash to death, but I’m guessing this dream occurred before he dropped the booze and cocaine. Turned out great, though! The song has been covered and majorly released by over 50 artists, making it one of the most industry-popular songs on the list.
4. “Ain’t too Proud to Beg”-The Temptations (1966)
Songs from Motown could have filled this list, but I tried to pick one of the finest. This is one you all should have heard, even if you’re from my generation. Movies and TV shows use the tune quite often, and it gets played on Oldies radio stations religiously. In fact, it is CURRENTLY one of the most requested songs on oldies stations today. The most requested song on oldies radio, in case you were wondering, is “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Elliot Lurie and Looking Glass. The source of my information you may ask; the syndicated “True Oldies Channel.”
“Ain’t too Proud to Beg” was the product of several Motown all-stars including Smokey Robinson, Norman Whitfield, and of course The Temptations. The producers, songwriters, and artists would often meet in their “Hitsville, USA” offices to go over songs and perfect their latest works. The fact that they were involved with an organization called “Hitsville, USA” pushed the Temptations way up this list. The song peaked at 13 on the overall Billboard chart and remained number 1 on the R&B chart for eight weeks in ‘66.
And in case you’re wondering about the death tally, many of the Temptations have come and gone on this great, green earth. Of the 17 members that have been a part of The Temptations at some time or another, eight are dead. Of the original five who were responsible for “Ain’t too Proud to Beg,” four have checked out including David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and Eddie Kendricks. Otis Williams stands alone; for now.
3. “Sweet Home Alabama”-Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
Did you think I would go through this countdown without paying homage to my current state of residence? Wasn’t gonna happen. Even without my current address being considered, “Sweet Home Alabama” should make the top-ten. Debatable? Maybe for you. It’s my number three.
This song is synonymous with outdoor sporting events as well as any outdoor event where people like to party. For a song that is seemingly void of much meaning, there’s a lot behind it.
Like Johnny Cash’s epiphany, the rift for the song came to bassist Ed King in a dream. I’ve never once had a dream with awesome rifts playing in my head. I’ve also never had a dream that propelled me to national fame. I guess some people have it, and some people don’t. Or maybe, it’s just some people use heavy drugs and some people don’t. I don’t know.
Moving on. In the studio version that most of you have probably heard, you hear the song open with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant saying, “Turn it up.” Interestingly enough, this was just a recording mistake that they decided to keep in because it fit. Van Zant was simply telling the producer to bump up his headphones during the recording. So far, this song has been carried by a dream and a recording mistake. Makes me think I’m in the wrong business.
The meat of the song is much more thought out. Neil Young wrote and sang the song “Southern Man” which took on many problems in the South, most notably slavery and the debt that Young believed African Americans were owed. Skynyrd lead singer, Van Zant wrote “Sweet Home Alabama” as a response to Young’s overwhelmingly negative take on the South. It’s important to note that Van Zant wasn’t supporting slavery or past abuse with the song. As he put it, “We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two.” This is absolutely the most historically interesting song on the countdown in my opinion. The debate that Van Zant and Neil Young were having wasn’t too drastically different than the much more polished musings of W.J. Cash who wrote “The Mind of the South,” and the Southern Agrarians who wrote many manuscripts supporting the ideals of the American South (but not slavery). W.J. Cash ran down the south much like Young did. The Agrarians admitted a gross error in judgment on the issue of slavery, but insisted the other ways of the South were worth preserving and would lead to better lives.
Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Sweet Home Alabama”; they’re as far as you need to go when trying to understand the complex history of the South. Who knew?
2. “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival (Summer of ’69)
Another great song with American historic relevance. John Fogerty, lead singer and writer, explained in several interviews that he saw Richard Nixon’s daughter hanging out with Dwight Eisenhower’s son at a fancy function. Fogerty was disgusted because neither were going to be adversely affected (if at all) by the Vietnam War. Fogerty was against the war in Vietnam and more recently became outspoken against the war in Iraq.
I’ve heard many folks say that CCR’s hit is not patriotic. I disagree completely. I believe the more correct assessment would be that it is not a ringing government endorsement. But, I think it absolutely qualifies as patriotic, because Fogerty was speaking to an injustice that he thought to be great at the time. He didn’t think it fair for the poor folks to be getting drafted to fight while the “fortunate sons” sat at home playing Tidily Winks.
Rolling stone ranked the song as their 99th best of all time. Similar to Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” Fogerty’s “Fortunate Son” has been covered and sampled by many different artists in different genres ranging from .38 Special to Wyclef Jean. Popular culture has taken to the song as well. Wrangler pumped the jam in a line of commercials aimed at promoting a new style of jeans. Wrangler smartly avoided the controversial lyrics. The song was also featured in Forest Gump and Live Free or Die Hard. Hard to find another song on the list that is more qualified to make the top ten.
1. “Fire and rain”-James Taylor (1970)
What an amazing song. Taking a look back through the list, I believe this song has the most powerful lyrics of any other listed. Most, if not all of us, can relate to this song in one way or another. A common theme is advanced urging the listener to take no day, no one, no thing for granted. Many, MANY writers have taken this song head on to dissect it and delve into its deepest meanings. That’s what sets “Fire and Rain” apart. It’s fantastic on many different levels. Great to listen to, good lyrics, and meaningful. Not to mention CAROLINA’S own James Taylor is responsible! Speaking of which; Town of Chapel Hill, please listen to me. Find a better bridge to name after this man than the one on S. Columbia that crosses over 15-501. In fact, find something better altogether to name after this man.
Back to the song. First of all, Rolling Stone had no clue about what they were doing when they ranked it way down at 227 out of 500 of the greatest songs of all time. Clearly belongs much higher. Admittedly, just my opinion, and Rolling Stone, I’ve heard, is a bit of an authority in such matters. Oh well.
What exactly is it about? Who was it written for? Theories abound, and Taylor himself has given mixed answers on the subject, but it seems clear that the friend he expected to see again was Suzanne Schnerr who died in a plane crash. In an NPR interview, Taylor also said that it was partly about his struggle to get over drugs and alcohol. Lastly, the song was an attempt in part for Taylor to try and deal with his own fame which wasn’t always pleasant and enjoyable.
You can find the tune on the album Sweet Baby James. Awesome to end with a fantastic Carolina alum who grew up right in Carrboro. For some ungodly reason, he now resides in the northeast, but I won’t hold it against him. Nobody’s perfect.
Thanks for reading and to borrow from the psycho, Lout Holts, I would like to tell you this. If you like Americana with the Muffin, drive with your headlights on during the day to show your support. If you don’t like American with the Muffin, drive with your headlights off at night.
C-Ya later alligators!
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