For What It’s Worth - Buffalo Springfield
It’s just still so…relevant.
I was born in 1967, so it was a tough task. Ask me again next week and I’ll probably give a different answer, but for today, it’s Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone.
Born in '41… I can’t possibly pick a favorite at this point, but the one I immediately thought of, which made an indelible impression on my young mind and which I still quite like, is “Ghost Riders in the Sky” as sung by Vaughn Monroe.
Purple People Eater. Nah, probably not but the '50s had some great songs, too many to pick just one.
1960s I was born in London and Waterloo Sunset was released when I was 11 months old. It’s always been a favourite of mine.
Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins or Elvis if you like
1950’s
My Dad was wearing blue suede shoes at his wedding. Mom still thinks he is cool.
“Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price - 1958
70’s, that’s tough; lots of genres to choose from, and I even like disco. If I have to choose one–probably “Fly Like an Eagle,” Steve Miller Band. The synth still drives me wild.
Same decade, and I did think of Ghost Riders, but I have to go with Laura from the movie soundtrack, or else as sung by Sinatra.
I could name another 50 songs before slowing down, but if it’s favorite that’s required, I’ll go with Laura.
Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones, 1968
Also my favorite song (and album) of all time.
A bit off topic, but what do you think of the live Get Yer Ya-Yas Out! variant? It’s quite different than the studio version. And, since that album was released in 1970, you could make it your favorite song from that decade as well!
Also, I hope you had a chance to see Godard’s film One Plus One (later changed to Sympathy for the Devil). The avant-garde political street scenes are forgettable, but the Stones scenes are great – you get to see them shape your favorite song, starting with a medium-slow folksy blues and gradually transforming it into a samba.
I was born in the 60’s. Although there was a helluva lot of good music, I have to go with a record released in the same year, and only one month before I was born: Pet Sounds in 1966. It doesn’t get any better than **“Wouldn’t It Be Nice”. **
1960’s. “Spirit in the Sky.”
1940s: I’ll Be Seeing You (Bing Crosby)
Another 1940s. I’d have to go with Cottontail, by Duke Ellington, with Ben Webster playing tenor sax.
In The Mood, by Glenn Miller was another very popular tune from that decade.
Both instrumentals, of course.
Not as difficult as I originally thought.Peggy Lee, Fever. 1958.
I made it easier on myself by picking a song from my birth year, 1982: Iron Maiden’s Hallowed Be Thy Name.
I have to second this, as a Brubeck album is the only thing from the fifties on my ipod, and that’s my favorite ear worm chaser. I get obnoxious ear worms out of my head by remembering Take Five.