# You're on a deserted island, and you only have one playlist of 10 songs..... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880 "2008-10-14T15:41:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/1 "2008-10-14T15:41:22Z")
Which would they be? Forget the logistics of the question. But suppose you have an Ipod, or an MP3 Player, or anything in which you can listen to 10 songs from various artists which would they be? Keep into consideration that the batteries in the Playlist player will run out, thus you can only listen to each song a few times before it the machine “dies” on you. Oh, and one last rule, you can only choose one song per artist. My list would be (numbers do not indicate favorites): 1. Shine on You Crazy Diamond (pts 1-5) - Pink Floyd 2. A Day in the Life - The Beatles 3. Elevation - U2 4. Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz 5. Sweet Child O´Mine - Guns N´Roses 6. Scenes from An Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel 7. Tiny Dancer - Elton John 8. Black Dog - Led Zeppelin 9. Ojala Que Llueva Cafe - Juan Luis Guerra 10. The End of It All - John Tejada What would your list be? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/2 "2008-10-14T15:44:20Z")
Duplicate thread reported. ---
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/3 "2008-10-14T15:44:23Z")
Delete duplicate thread ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/4 "2008-10-14T15:47:21Z")
I closed the other thread and fixed the spelling in the title of this one. Carry on… ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/5 "2008-10-14T16:29:44Z")
[asshole answer] They’d all have to be audiobook tracks. -Worst Case Scenerio -Robinson Crusoe -How to build a boat from sand etc [/asshole answer] ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/6 "2008-10-14T16:34:49Z")
Today, I guess the list would look like this (tomorrow, something completely different): 1. The Divine Comedy - Tonight We Fly 2. Husker Du - Celebrated Summer 3. The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows 4. The Replacements - Unsatisfied 5. The Clash - Complete Control 6. Otis Redding - Try A Little Tenderness (Live from Monterey Pop) 7. The Pogues - The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn 8. Gang Of Four - Natural’s Not In It 9. Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Airscape 10. XTC - Mayor Of Simpleton ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/7 "2008-10-14T16:53:12Z")
_Desert_ island. Tough choice. Ten, but not in order: George Thorogood: _Bad to the Bone_ Loreena McKennitt: _Seeds of Love_ Janis Joplin: _Me and Bobby McGee_ Sniff 'N the Tears: _Driver’s Seat_ Beatles: _In My Life_ Joe Cocker: _With a Little Help From My Friends_ Pink Floyd: _Wish You Were Here_ Queen: _Fat Bottomed Girls_ Johnny Cash: _The Man Comes Around_ Israel Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole: _Over the Rainbow_ ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/8 "2008-10-14T17:10:49Z")
1. Failure – “Another Space Song” (I could stop there, because in the past I have put this song on repeat _all day_ and have never tired of it. I don’t know how to explain this, as it’s not even that great a song. It’s like the sonic equivalent of good bread, I guess.) But in the spirit of the thread… 1. U2 – “The Unforgettable Fire” 2. Placebo – “This Picture” 3. Neko Case – “Favorite” 4. PJ Harvey – “A Place Called Home” 5. Mark Lanegan – “One Hundred Days” 6. The Kinks – “Animal Farm” 7. XTC – “My Bird Performs” 8. Tears for Fears – “The Working Hour” 9. Sufjan Stevens – “In the Devil’s Territory” ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/9 "2008-10-14T17:24:02Z")
Farewell Angelina- John Mellencamp The Band Played Waltzing Matilda- The Pogues American Pie- Don Maclean Sing, Sing, Sing- Benny Goodman Baker Street- Gerry Rafferty Paradise by the Dashboard Lights- Meat Loaf Guantanamera- Joan Baez Losing My Religion- REM Jack and Diane- John Mellencamp Tusk- Fleetwood Mac ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/10 "2008-10-14T17:34:49Z")
Marah- _Formula, Dollar, Cola, Draft_ Mojave 3- _Prayer for the Paranoid_ Smiths- _What Difference Does It Make_ Beta Band- _Dry the Rain_ Boris- _Naki Kayoku_ The Decemberists- _The Crane Wife 3_ Matt Pond PA- _New Hampshire_ The National- _About Today_ Nick Drake- _Things Behind the Sun_ Panda Bear- _Bros_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/11 "2008-10-14T17:57:05Z")
Nat Cole: These Foolish Things Paul Simon: Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes Eva Cassidy: Fields of Gold Led Zeppelin: Going to California George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue Vienna Boys Choir: Omnes de saba venient Bill Frisell: Over the Rainbow Annie Lennox: No More I Love Yous Verdi: Un dì, felice, eterea (preferably Domingo/Cortrubas) The Scorpions: Rock You Like a Hurricane ---
**Author:** ![kenner116](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@kenner116](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenner116)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/12 "2008-10-14T17:58:01Z")
John Entwistle - Heaven and Hell George Harrison - Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) Pearl Jam - Even Flow The Who - I Can See for Miles Paul Simon - Duncan (from Live Rhymin’) Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling into Place Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks a-ha - #9 Dream (Lennon Cover) Cream - Badge Crosby Stills Nash & Young - Carry On ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/13 "2008-10-14T18:00:26Z")
Only ten? Then no short songs. Mahler - 3rd Symphony Verdi - Requiem Rodgers - Victory at Sea Schubert - 9th Symphony Wagner - Die Gotterdamerung Brahms - 4th Symphony Shaffer - Ra Mozart - Requiem Feldman - 2nd String Quartet Cage - Organ2/ASLSP How many iPods do I get? ---
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/14 "2008-10-14T19:07:23Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Only ten? Then no short songs. > > Mahler - 3rd Symphony > Verdi - Requiem > Rodgers - Victory at Sea > Schubert - 9th Symphony > Wagner - Die Gotterdamerung > Brahms - 4th Symphony > Shaffer - Ra > Mozart - Requiem > Feldman - 2nd String Quartet > Cage - Organ2/ASLSP > > How many iPods do I get? Just one 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/15 "2008-10-14T19:21:02Z")
If you’re interested in other people’s lists try the BBC’s Desert Island Discs [web page](http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs.shtml). Eight tracks rather than ten and no limit on repeating artists but definitely the same idea. The show’s been running for 66 years! ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/16 "2008-10-14T20:02:53Z")
This is a sick, sick exercise. No matter what I pick, it won’t be enough! Oh well, I see some folks are going for length. I’ll just go for good songs that I’ll (hopefully) never tire of, and try to mix the styles a bit. I’m So Afraid - Fleetwood Mac, (The Dance version) Can’t You See - Marshall Tucker Band Only The Lonely - The Motels Chant from the Heart - Kitaro Nights in White Satin - Moody Blues Dreams I’ll Never See - Molly Hatchett Dreams I’ll Never See - Allman Bros The Great Gig in the Sky - Pink Floyd For the Love of God - Steve Vai Into the Mystic - Van Morrison Interesting that only one of these are from my top 5 desert island cd’s. Those are more about flow, mood, and overall quality than any one outstanding tune. Ask me again in an hour, and I might swap out some of the above for these: Europa - Santana Space Station #5 - Montrose Cowgirl in the Sand - Neil Young It’s a Long Way There - Little River Band (album version) And about 100 other tunes. ---
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-a-deserted-island-and-you-only-have-one-playlist-of-10-songs/467880/17 "2008-10-14T20:08:42Z")
Hmmm, on second though I´d change U2´s “Elevation” for Bob Marley´s “Three Little Birds”. Gotta have some (good) reggae in your life.