My Celebrity iTunes Playlist

Since iTunes has not yet called me to post my Celebrity playlist, I'm guessing they don't realize that I'm as big and important as I think I am. Until they come around, I'll go ahead and leave the list here. So here we go, about a dozen or so of the greatest songs that you know (or should). And bear in mind, I'm a musical snob. If you're mad cause you don't see any Rascal Flatts or "Fergalicious" you probably shouldn't be reading this blog anyway. Try Country Weekly or People.

1. Bruce Springsteen - "The Promise"
Found on the 18 Tracks Collection that came with the Tracks box set, this is pure songwriting. While I'm as big an E-Street fan as any, this tune is Springsteen solo with a simple piano, sosimple I can even play it on the ivories. A similar theme as 'The River," this tune is a coming of age realization that all those things you dream about as a child or teen, you one day wake up to find them no where near reality.

2. The Band - "It Makes No Difference"
While I first heard this song on the "Northen Lights" record, you must watch "The Last Waltz" to fully appreciate the heart-wrenching vocals of Rick Danko on this masterpiece. While penned by Robbie Robertson, Danko sings every word as if it were the last song he'd ever sing, as if his heart was shattered. "I love you so much/It's all I can do/Just to keep myself from telling you/That I never felt so alone before." Maybe the most powerful line in recorded song.

3. Chris Wall - "Three Across"
From the "Tainted Angel" record, it's almost easy to miss the great guitar licks and harmony provided by Reckless Kelly (who serve as the band throughout the record) because you're lost in the lyrics of this one. Wall's unforgettable realism and imagery paint the picture of the guy who grew up the "third wheel" and watched his buddy get the girl of his dreams. Then he watches the town around him and all those memories of drive ins, cheap motels on the edge of town and drinking in lake parking lots "just disappear." One of the greatest country songs I've ever heard. Period.

4. Counting Crows - "Raining In Baltimore"
Such a dark build through the whole song. I can see that hotel room he wrote this in. It's probably that lonely Best Western built above the bus station outside of downtown. I can see the rain on the window just from those lyrics. I'd bet everything I own this was written after weeks on the road and being stuck in that shithole. It's on the first record "August and Everything After," a very fine record to help you through a break-up.

5. Willie Nelson - "Always On My Mind"
I couldn't dream a better letter to an ex-wife on one of those nights when you realize you've done it all wrong. You have so much to say and you sit down to write a 9 page letter, but all those pages couldn't say it better than this tune. And Willie's delivery is classic. Probably the best singing he ever did is on this track. It's on "Stardust".

6. Guy Clark - "Anyhow, I Love You"
From "Texas Cooking" record, this tune has God's harmony choir singing on one track...Emmylou, Waylon and Rodney Crowell. When Waylon comes over the top with that high harmony at the end of the tune my knees buckle every time. And the chorus is so country, so simple...but brilliant.

7. Jason Isbell - "Dress Blues"
If any of you reading this have this record "Sirens in the Ditch" from Jason Isbell, i'd be extremely surprised. This guy played guitar for the Drive By Truckers who haven't really impressed me, but this song knocked my dick in the dirt. "Mommas and Grandmommas love you/That's all they know how to do/But you never planned on the bombs in the sand/Or sleeping in your dress blues." Rather than write a protest song about war, Isbell just writes about the most heartbreaking part about it...a town coping with the loss of one of its' own. This song might convert a republican to democrat.

8. John Eddie - "If You're Here When I Get Back"
Just like Jackson Browne's whole "Running on Empty" record, this song might be lost on someone not on the road for days, weeks and months on end. However, to those of us who know that feeling, our life is written in this. Regret for leaving, longing for home, fear of unfaithfulness and joy of returning. And Springsteen-esque description.

9. Jordan Zevon - "Studebaker"
A version of his dad Warren's old classic, this song reminds me of the O. Henry short story "Gift of the Magi." It's the old ironic tale where the wife sells her long hair to buy her husband a gift and the husband sells what he has to buy the woman a fancy hairbrush set. The character in this tune spends all his money on a car to try and get out of a dead end town and live life, only to realize that his "damned Studebaker keeps on breakin' down again." Isn't it ironic. Don't you think?? Sorry, poor attempt at humor and to make sure you're still with me.

10. Keith Whitley - "Dont Close Your Eyes"
You could quite conceivably interchange about 14 other Keith Whitley songs with this one, but the point is that on all of them he proves that he was the GREATEST country singer that ever lived. Purists will fight me with Merle, Cash, Hank Sr, etc, but I stand behind this claim. There was no purer voice than Whitley, and no greater loss than his early death. Only the good die young.

11. Marc Cohn - "Walkin in Memphis"
From his "Rainy Season" record. This song is the greatest produced track I've ever heard. When it goes to the bridge "And Reverend Green..." and starts walking the song morphs into a spiritual gospel tune and the B3 organ drives it home. I get chills just thinking about that part. And fuck Lonestar for even trying to play that song.

12. Otis Redding - "These Arms of Mine"
PURE SOUL. NEVER WILL THERE BE ANYTHING LIKE IT.

13. Patty Griffin - "Up To The Mountain"
The newest entry on the playlist, it's from her 2007 "Children Running Through" record. An anthem to keep going when it's hard and looks like there's no future. Beautiful song and vocals that make you cringe they're so good.

14. Roy Orbison - "I Drove All Night"
I heard that Guy Clark told someone if you could capture 25% of what you're feeling in the words of a song that you were doing a good job. I can feel every bit of that 90 mph journey when you're eyes feel like they want to close but you've only got a few more miles to get there and into someone's arms. God he could sing.

15. Ryan Adams - "Desire"
This track is on "Demolition," which was a collection of songs that didn't make his first couple solo records. Not bad for a track that didn't make a record. It's stripped down so you don't lose the lyrics and it give it that lonely feel. One man's trash...

16. Todd Snider - "Long Year"
"It's been a long, long year...How did I get here?" If I had a dollar for everytime I've asked myself this very line I'd be a very rich man. I probably wouldn't be writing this blog and I would have an iTunes celebrity playlist. This is on "Happy to Be Here." Todd's a lyrical genius. Our generation's John Prine, only wittier.

17. Tom Petty - Southern Accents
Johnny Cash once said that if "Dixie" wasn't the song of the South that this would be. I can't write anything better than that, so just go listen and realize Johnny was right.

18. Waylon Jennings - "If You See Me Gettin' Smaller, I'm Leavin"
I think this is off "Ol Waylon," but whatever it's off of it's pure genius. "Who knows who they came to see/A Mad man full of beer/A four piece band and a charter bus/My borderline career." All about dealing with the feeling of just wanting to give it all up, disappear and be normal, walk away from the never ending circus.


That's it. It's not the 18 best songs ever, it's not my favorite 18 songs. It's just 18 songs that everyone should hear. Music that will change your life. And the world.