Spinning on that dizzy edge

Triple J are running the Hottest 100 of All Time in July. They last did it back in 1989, when this song was number 1 (I suspect it'll be up there this year too):



I voted this week, and it was difficult! First you creat a shortlist, and then you select up to 10 favourites from that list. You can also nominate your number 1 song, which enters you in a prize draw.

I browsed my iTunes collection (over 10,000 songs) to create my shortlist of 55 songs. From that, I had the torturous task of selecting just 10 songs. Here they are (in no particular order, apart from number 1), with my reasoning behind each choice...

1. 'Just Like Heaven' The Cure

Click here (YouTube embedding disabled).

This song just makes me happy - the melody, the lyrics, and the association it has with happy moments in my life. Also, I love to dance to it. In my loungeroom.

(The Cure's 'In Between Days' could've easily made it into the top 10. I love to dance to it too.)

2. 'Find The River' R.E.M.



That's the acoustic version - you can find the original music video on page 2 at this site.

R.E.M. are my favourite band, in case you hadn't already figured that out. 'Find The River' and 'You Are The Everything' are my two favourite songs, but 'Find The River' wins for the sheer joy I feel listening to it. The instruments, the harmonies, the lyrics - perfect.

3. 'Disarm' Smashing Pumpkins



This song reminds me of uni in the early 90s. I have a specific memory of a summer holiday down the south coast of NSW, listening to this song over and over. We especially loved the line, "To wither in denial".

Oh yes, and I should mention - as a (bad) violinist, I love string arrangements in pop/rock songs. *swoon*

4. 'Light & Day' The Polyphonic Spree



This one should also come as no surprise. A beautiful, joyful song. Great to sing along to in the car. It's a good motivational song too.

5. 'I've Got A Plan' My Friend The Chocolate Cake



One of my favourite Australian bands. I first discovered them in the early 90s with my first boyfriend (he's now gay, and one of my best friends, and isn't that a whole other story?), and I've lost count of the number of times we've seen them live. This song in particular resonates for me, but there are so many to choose from.

6. 'Lover, You Should've Come Over' Jeff Buckley



The 'Grace' album is amazing of course, and many people love the more well-known songs like 'Last Goodbye', 'Grace', and 'Hallelujah', but I adore this one. My favourite line is, "She's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever". I was lucky enough to see Jeff in concert in 1995 - amazing.

7. 'At First Sight' The Stems



My favourite Aussie love song. "Just say the word and I would die for you."

8. 'The Rainbow Connection' Kermit the Frog



What's not to love? I saw The Muppet Movie at a drive-in in 1979 or 1980. We owned the LP soundtrack too. Hmmm, I wonder if my Mum still has it somewhere...

9. 'Even When I'm Sleeping' Leonardo's Bride



Another wonderful Australian love song. I saw Abby Dobson perform this at The Famous Spiegeltent in December last year, backed by her old bandmate Dean Manning. It brought a tear to my eye.

10. 'Crash Into Me' Dave Matthews Band

Click here (YouTube embedding disabled).

I was a late convert to the Dave Matthews Band - they're not hugely popular in Australia (at least not on the radio), and I first heard this song on an American workmate's computer back in about 2005. I quickly amassed all their albums, and saw them live in 2007. They've just released a new album, which I need to buy. I love many of their songs, but this one is my fave.

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So - what's your top 10?