1. "To Zion" - Lauryn Hill
Carlos Santana, one of the great guitarists of the late 60's/early 70's (and maybe any era of pop music) certainly found his mojo again with his collaborations with Rob Thomas and, in particular, this song. Here is the marriage of two artists who had discovered (or in Santana's case, rediscovered) the transcendence of music as a form of - even beyond self-expression - autobiography. One of the things for which we owe musicians the most credit is their willingness to/aptitude at sharing themselves with us. Santana and Lauryn do that here with stunning honesty and beauty.
2. "Layla" - Derek & The Dominos
Look no further than Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" to understand the value of this song. And, that's its least popular portion (the lovely, but more subdued, piano part).
3. "Fire and Rain" - James Taylor
James Taylor is not of those "acquired taste" singer-songwriters. His vocals and playing are immediately appealing. Unlike Neil Young and Leonard Cohen, there are no grating voices to overcome or, at least, endure. Unlike Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan, James forgoes the wordiness for clarity in storytelling and emotion alike. This tune is a gorgeous memoriam for his late wife.
4. "All My Love" - Led Zeppelin
Admittedly, this tune is exceptionally un-Zeppelin. It opens with a synth (let alone a mid-80's Foreigner "I Want To Know What Love Is"-like synth). But, beyond that, we're so used to hard-rock mysticism and mythology from the Zep that so touching a work seems otherworldly. But it is indeed a song from Robert Plant to his son, whose death unfortunately inspired the creation of this beautiful song.
5. "He Was A Friend of Mine" - Dave Van Ronk
Singer-songwriters are robbed of their props because they make a habit of singing covers. However, in a situation of cruel coincidence, these songwriters often write tunes that other singer-songwriters get famous singing. Their life's work is often a sad, short-lived, vicious cycle. The lucky Willie Nelson has made a career of writing songs for others and, almost in turn, singing others' songs. Dave Van Ronk was not so lucky - but we are surely lucky to hear his work.
6. "Julia" - The Beatles
Yes, Lennon could be bombastic, cynical, and even nasty - but people tend to forget how gentle and loving he could be when he wanted to be. The Beatles are most interesting when they are melodically complex, but this song defies that rule. The verse is basically a monotone, but somehow achieves a beauty that some of their most intricate vocals cannot.
7. "You're So Vain" - Carly Simon
One of the greatest diss songs in all of music, because the "you" in question is so ambiguous. Maybe it's a big middle finger to all of Carly's exes, or just one beaux in particular, but either way, the song is an in-your-face anthem.
8. "Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder
Written for his (then) newborn, Aisha, Stevie pours his ecstasy into this track. His harmonica is almost as expressive as his voice here - a tall task.
9. "My Sharona" - The Knack
Some people have the distinct displeasure of having the same name as a famous pop song woman (Micky, Michelle, Caroline). The real Sharona, however, got to see her own unique name skyrocket to household familiarity.
10. "Danny's Song" - Loggins & Messina
Like a soft-rock "Isn't She Lovely", Loggins's "Danny's Song" pays tribute to both a child and a wife. A soaring melody on its own, it comes to when the two voices chime in unison. Beyond the obviously and typically stellar vocal work from these two, the strings and piano subtly but surely carry the song.
11. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" - CSN
Some girls get 3 or 4 minutes of peripheral one-hit wonder stardom. Judy Collins, a great musician in her own right, gets nearly 8 minutes of lyrics. The love of the song is pained, but in that way, more honest.
14. "Grandma's Hands" - Bill Withers
Bill Withers crafts this image of his grandmother so carefully that you can't help but sense how special of a woman she must have been. There are songs about kids, fathers, mothers, siblings, children, lovers, etc., but so rarely are grandparents the subject. The storytelling - projecting "Grandma" as a multi-talented guardian angel - is touchingly honest.
