Second Best oh Second Best: Songs 40-21

I could learn to live with that

anyway. you didn't think in the move I forgot my list did you? Of course not. In fact, day two of the Portland-LA drive (not to be confused with the LA-Chicago drive) was spent listening my way from top to bottom of this list. it sounds good, trust me.

without further ado...

40. "Lullaby for the Sleeping Elephant"- Mayday
is the overall metaphor heavy handed? sure. but is it a beautiful and angry protest song nonetheless? you betcha.
39. "Light Up My Room"- Barenaked Ladies
I may have outgrown BNL (they were my favorite band for the early part of high school, along with other unfortunate choices Dave Matthews and Blink 182. How far i've come) but I can't shake this song, my favorite of theirs then and one of my favorites now
38. "Ashes to Ashes"- David Bowie
37. "No Cars Go"- Arcade Fire
this was my favorite of their songs even before they re-recorded it for Neon Bible, and that version is even better.
36. "Smash"- the Offspring
this song is just plain awesome. remember when the Offspring were punk? that was great. way to fuck it up, offspring.
35. "Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods)"- Desaparecidos
more concept album fun. I always imagine this song as the climax in the worlds most awesome rock musical, with the two guitars representing the couple...maybe someday...
34. "Pictures of Success"- Rilo Kiley
simply for the bridge: "they say California/'s a recipe for a black hole/and I say I've got my best shoes on/I'm ready to go"
33. "Always New Depths"- Bloc Party
The song that got me into Bloc Party, although I am a little ashamed to say I first heard it on a target commercial. One of my favorite songs to blast with the windows down.
32. "2Wicky"- Hooverphonic
I can't really explain why I like this song so much, but its stuck with me since eighth grade (another KROQ special) so there must be a reason for it)
31. "Twilight"- Elliott Smith
30. "I Spy"- Guster
This was number two or three a couple years ago, another song from a band i don't listen to at all anymore that i used to love that just stands so far above the rest of their catalog it won't go away
29. "Brace and Break"- the Thermals
Offspring take note...this is how you sound awesome.
28. "Jackass"- Beck
27. "The High Party"- Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
26. "Catamaran"- Bear vs. Shark
I'm pretty sure I've praised this song and this band enough for now
25. "Idiot Wind"- Bob Dylan
Thanks dave, for pointing out how much better this song is than Don't Think Twice, Its Alright and any other dylan song I may have trotted out as my favorite. I was wrong. We are idiots babe/its a wonder that we still know how to breathe.
24. "Lemmings"- Blink182
This seems to be a theme of this section. But i don't care what anyone says about this band or the stuff they've released since, this song is great. There are plenty of songs we've been listening to the last few years by BTMI! and One Reason and stuff with the exact same sentiment, and its done just as well here. Its good enough to include in your aol screen name. if youre me.
23. "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight"- The Postal Service
Though the first time i professed my love for this song i was told that that was so last year, I still love it, even though at this point that would be so three or four years ago. So melancholy and heartfelt and beautiful and awesome and full of Jenny Lewis background.
22. "For Meg"- On the Might of Princes
For me, this is the unofficial GP anthem. I'll scream it til your ears bleed/you'll always have a friend in me. Damn straight
21. "On the Bus Mall"- The Decemberists
What a beautiful song. One of those precious few songs that still can give me goosebumps after a hundred listenings (and the four right chords can make me cry...oh wait, thats something else). even better once i learned what the bus mall was.

almost there!

j