OT: What's your favorite song from every band you ever listened to?

Submitted by Wendyk5 on February 23rd, 2023 at 4:13 PM

My husband and I are driving from Chicago to Phoenix next week to take in some Cubs spring training and have been looking for ways to bide the time during the drive. He came up with a game and we've been obsessed ever since. We're each creating a playlist consisting of our one favorite song from every band we ever liked or listened to. It's a daunting task considering we're both in our late 50's. We'll listen to and critique each others list over the course of the drive. He already has 6 hours worth of songs. I'm not suggesting you put your lists here, just giving you an interesting challenge in these football-free months. If you're into music, it actually can be a challenge to pick just one, especially from a favorite band. 

L'Carpetron Do…

February 23rd, 2023 at 7:14 PM ^

I thought this comment was hilarious and spot on. But Wendy rules and this is my kind of challenge so I'll toss in a few. Hope they're good enough for her list:                                    

The Kinks: Come Dancing                                                                                                   

Talking Heads: Crosseyed & Painless   

Pearl Jam: Release (but who am I kidding?: Evenflow)                                                           

U2: (tie): Still Haven't Found... and Silver & Gold (HM: Bad and Desire)

Guns N' Roses: Estranged                                                                                           

Radiohead: Subterranean Homesick Alien                                                                   

Smashing Pumpkins: Perfect                                                                                             

Dave Matthews Band: Tripping Billies                                                                                       

The Killers: Read My Mind (HM: Smile Like You Mean It, The Man)                                     

Foster the People: Call it What You Want                                                                         

Portugal the Man: Live In the Moment 

And just because it's probably the purest rock song ever made and fun in the car: Remedy by the Black Crowes. I won't bother with my Metallica, RATM or Wu Tang selections. Have a fun trip Wendy!                  

Twitch

February 23rd, 2023 at 10:23 PM ^

Your list made me think of my own favorites from some of these bands.  Not sure if this qualifies but there is a certain live cover of "All Along the Watchtower" by Dave Matthews that is by far my favorite from them.  "State of Love and Trust" or "Black" by Pearl Jam, can't choose.   Absolutely love "You Could Be Mine" by G'n'R, always turn that one up.

L'Carpetron Do…

February 24th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^

Ughh, I know - State of Love and Trust is amazing. The unplugged version is incredible. It's the hardest acoustic song I've ever heard.  Pearl Jam is one of the bands that just have too many. I only went with Evenflow because I feel like it changed my life as a kid haha. Black is also excellent. Do I count Hunger Strike?

You Could Be Mine gets extra points because it was on the T2 soundtrack. 

ONEarm

February 24th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^

After reading the title I felt overwhelmed. My first thought was, "I don't even remember all of the names of the bands I've ever listened to. How in the hell am I going to pick a favorite song from a band whose name I don't remember?"

1997 I downloaded an .mp3 that I remember liking, but the file name didn't really say who it was or what the name of the song was. How do I work that into my list? I have so many questions...

steviebrownfor…

February 23rd, 2023 at 4:30 PM ^

I am currently in the process of listening to Rolling Stone's "best 500 albums of all time" list (currently on #300: Shania Twain's Come on Over)

A few songs i've enjoyed along the way:

Bill Withers - Grandma's Hands

Stevie Wonder - Love Having You Around

Santana - Oye Como Va

Parliament - Mothership Connection

Tom Waits - Big Black Mariah

Durham Blue

February 23rd, 2023 at 11:18 PM ^

I like Beverly Hills better than Undone.  I'm with you.  The only problem with Beverly Hills is it gets stuck in my head after I hear it.  So when it's stuck in my head and I drive by an apartment complex or city that has a name with four syllables, I inevitably sing that name into the song.  Try it, it's a good time.

Por exemplo:

Heavenly Homes, that's where I want to be, gimme gimme, livin' in Heavenly Homes

Harmony Park, that's where I want to be, gimme gimme, livin' in Harmony Park

Life on the Green, that's where I want to be, gimme gimme, livin' in Life on the Green

Neighborly Nest, that's where I want to be, gimme gimme, livin' in Neighborly Nest

Blue Vet

February 23rd, 2023 at 4:32 PM ^

The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun."

That song doesn't fit your list, and I'm not sure if it's even my favorite Beatle's song but at a few crucial times in my life, its promise that things will brighten has felt powerfully meaningful.

(Of course, other times, that promise has felt like a cruel joke—but it's still meaningful.)

P.S. Say Hi at the games to my sister & bro-in-law, from ChicagoLand to Phoenix.

Other Andrew

February 23rd, 2023 at 5:25 PM ^

It can fit because Wendy said “favorite.” It would be easier to choose the “best” from each band because you would apply some sort of objective “they say” logic to your preferences. But you’re allowed to have a favorite that isn’t “the best.” And then you’re gonna have to think about the moments in your life when the song mattered. But then you’re going to think of another moment, or a live performance, or the one you’d want to hear again and again and again. Dammit I’m not going to sleep tonight am I? Thanks a lot, Wendy! I know, quit thinking and go to bed…