Thursday, September 06, 2007

Theme Songs

During conversation at a friend's birthday party, the subject of personal theme songs surfaced. I've been ruminating on the topic for the last couple of days, and I've finally settled on my "Top Twelve."

These are the songs that fulfill the "theme song" definition provided on Ally McBeal: "...something you can play in your head to make you feel better." While there are a lot of other songs that I get excited about, many of them have an impact due to either mere nostalgia or a certain shadowy catharsis that doesn't quite fit the Ally McBeal definition. Also, I decided, rather arbitrarily, to allow only one song from any individual artist--thus, only one song by U2, John Mellencamp, and Simple Minds.

In any event, here's the top twelve, listed alphabetically by artist:

"Soak up the Sun" : Sheryl Crow
"Don’t Bring Me Down" : ELO
"One Thing Leads to Another" : The Fixx
"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" : The Gap Band
"Walkin’ on Sunshine" : Katrina and the Waves
"Small Town" : John Mellencamp
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" : Nirvana
"Alive and Kickin’" : Simple Minds
"Come Sail Away" : Styx
"Mysterious Ways" : U2
"Jump" : Van Halen
"A Country Boy Can Survive" : Hank Williams, Jr.

Because I will find it virtually impossible to narrow this list to a single song, I've set up a poll in the sidebar so that anyone who cares to weigh in can do so. Just know that the final decision--if it ever gets made--will be mine. :)

6 comments:

Kim said...

I don't know if my vote counts, since I don't know half the songs you've listed, but you have it in the sidebar anyway. I've always liked "Walkin' on Sunshine"--it makes me smile.

gad said...

Hey Kim --

All votes count. :) And, I've got all of these songs on my computer, so some time when the WC is slow, let me know what you haven't heard.

gad

Berty said...

What Kimm said.

gad said...

What I said to Kim.

Berty said...

Okay, I didn't vote (again) before the poll closed, but I was going to add "Come Sail Away." Sorry I missed it.

Anonymous said...

I would have to say "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox 20 should have made your list. If I had to pick a song, this song would be a top three for me.