Top 50 Songs (30-26)

30. "The Hazards of Love 4  (The Drowned)" by The Decemberists

It was actually hard to figure out which Decemberist songs I liked the most. Colin Meloy is a powerhouse. His music just keeps staying great. I chose this song because it is really a great closing song to any album, but especially for a concept album. The song is a story all in itself. It kind of has that "star-crossed lovers" thing going for it. I think there are multiple interpretations to the song, but my interpretation is that our two lovers will find peace together in death. The water imagery is great. One of my favorite lines, repeated at the end of each chorus is "these hazards of love never more will trouble us." I love the steel guitar work and the acoustic guitar work is simple and beautiful.

29. "In Other Words" by Ben Kweller

Ben Kweller's debut solo album never ceases to amaze me. He was 20 years old and had already seen the signing of his defunct band, Radish, by a major label. The band splits and the music only gets better. I could wax romantic about the whole album for hours, but I will talk about the song instead-- my favorite from the album. The song starts with just Ben and his piano, and as the song progresses layers pile upon layers: guitar, steel guitar, bass, drums, and banjo toward the end. The song has three very distinct movements. At the beginning you think, "This is a nice song, for sad bastard music." During the middle you start thinking, "This might be going somewhere." And by the end you are singing along at the top of your lungs, "Oooo, oooo, ooo, ooo. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah."

28. "Watching the Wheels" by John Lennon

First of all, let me state that Double Fantasy is vastly underrated. Even some of the Yoko songs are good. This song for me sums up John's housedad years perfectly. The song epitomizes the balance in life that he finally discovers at home with his son. The vocal work is also some of John's best.  I do love it when the the keyboards/piano build into the chorus. John proves to us he is still the same old smartass that raised hell in Liverpool and Hamburg, insulting those who call John lazy and believe that the years he has spent with his son to be a waste. The lyrics are as sarcastic and pointed as ever, but in the end, John realizes, "I just had to let it go." It's a true testament to the fact that people, even the stubborn John Lennon can plain out. I also think this song often has a place in various stages of my life, and the relatability only helps solidify the song in my mind.

27. "Aside" by The Weakerthans

The Weakerthans were a band that I discovered in college that have stuck with me (and actually stuck around) ever since. "Aside" is one of their most punk-influenced songs. It is fast and a straight out rocker. John Samson does lean toward his folk side in the song though, and the distortion (or lack thereof) in the guitars is refreshing. The lyrics are fantastic. Samson is incredibly under-recognized for his poetic abilities. I mean, where else can you get a great lyric like, "I'm leaning on a broken fence, between past and present tense." This song is one that I can't help but play air guitar to whenever I hear it.

26. "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John

So I know what everyone is thinking. Really Shelby? Elton John? That's about as indie rock as Garth Brooks. I fell in love with this song the moment I saw the movie Almost Famous, which is still one of my favorite movies and a movie that gave me a vast desire to write. The scene in the movie where the band has been arguing and having hard times, but this song comes on in the tour bus and all is forgiven. Nothing needs to be said-- the camaraderie that the band finds through the song is enough. The song is great in itself. It tells a story of vulnerability, love, and comfort. I also got the pleasure of seeing Sir Elton perform it live last year, and it made me love it even more. This song is piano rock at its best.