The jESKA Top 5

I'm actually starting to go a little mad over these top 5 lists (no offense, to anyone) and I think a week is all that should've occurred with these top 5s. I'm tired of thinking about what my top 5 songs "of all time" would be and why, and can't even imagine attempting a top 60 minutes, despite what I said about in a previous comment. Also, I'm pretty sure this is still a fairly inaccurate compilation on that front, but Adam badgers like no other so without further ado (& in no particular order) :

Blue Valentine (written and performed by Tom Waits, 1978)



Another Tom Waits. I feel a little like I'm punishing some of you b/c of the frequency of Tom Waits songs in these Top 5s, but I just couldn't help it. I love this song. I think one of the things I like so much about Tom Waits in general is that he creates songs and stories and sounds that aren't necessarily reflective of his own story but of a story that he wants to convey. I think it's a natural inclination for singer/songwriters to write what they know (or close to it), and that's what most of them do and I really appreciate that he creates really distinct characters with his songs.

California (written and performed by Joni Mitchell, 1971)



I don't even know how to put into words why I love this songs so much. It's the sort of song that I could listen to at anytime, and it's especially pleasing to unexpectedly hear it because it always puts me in good mood. This is from her acclaimed album Blue which ranks on several top album lists. And for you jazz buffs out there, it might interest you to know, "the album was influenced by jazz, particularly the music of Miles Davis. Mitchell used alternative tunings on her guitar to allow easier access to augmented chords and notes in unexpected combinations."

Crazy (written by Willie Nelson; as performed by Patsy Cline, 1961)



Maybe this one's too cliche and cheesy for some but seriously, it's iconic, beautiful, and moving and I think deserves to be in some top 5 list or another. It does fall into the performance vs. singer-songwriter category and it determined that I stand differently on that debate than I thought I would. I really wanted to opt for Willie but her performance of this song is what propelled it to stardom, even though I'm a huge Willie Nelson fan (which I guess is one of the few musical contributions from my family, since I haven't shared this bond with anyone else to date). He has much more to offer the world than On the Road, Again and To All The Girls I've Loved Before.

Kodachrome (written and performed by Paul Simon, 1973)



Does everything look worse or better in black and white? I can't decide anything else after this stupid list, so why don't you duke it out amongst yourselves and tell me.

Tonight You Belong to Me (written by Billy Rose & Lee David, 1926; as performed by Bernadette Peters & Steve Martin from The Jerk, 1979)



Ukulele and cornet, esp. the cornet -- need I say more? Maybe. Bernadette & Steve are just adorable in this scene. You know how there's always that stupid question in stupid quizzes of "what is your ideal date?" -- this would certainly be mine. Sigh, if only I knew how to play the cornet.