100 Songs to Live By

Friedrich Nietzsche once said, 'Without music, life would be a mistake.' Although you might not agree with him on his philosophy of life, you at least have to give him that.  Now, why the sudden interest in music? For the kids like me whom went through a clear rock/punk/metal head phase, music was really the meaning of life. And by music, I mean the loud yelling, weird costumes and make up. Since we were not allowed to listen to Megadeath  unless we looked just like them, music defined most of us at the ages of 14 through 17. Now that I think of this phenomenon, I still notice many musical clicks even at college.

So the real question here is; why does it matter so much? Why do some songs take you to a place far far away where there is only the feeling of happiness, thrill or even fear? Today, I have received maybe the best New Years gift from a dear friend. She has sent me a list of '100 Songs to Live By'. Since she lives in the New York City and all of us are very busy with school work, making a living etc. sometimes it is nearly impossible for us to make some time to go back and reflect upon the days where we used to be together everyday. An old friend, a family member that lives far away, ex girlfriends, boyfriends, God knows pets even!

The 100 songs I have received from her today put me into an emotional tunnel. A couple of notes and random lyrics that are put together did make so much sense that got me thinking if it could actually be more meaningful than a proper conversation. I realized, music does explain so very much in some situations when we all have hard time to speak our minds. Nietzsche was right. Life without music would be a colossal mistake. Therefore, I would like to dedicate this entry to my dear friend Sydney Saubestre and everyone who may be having a hard time with the words at this very special time of the year. Merry Christmas! And here is my list for her. One hundred songs to live by...

1. Imagine- John Lennon
2. Like A Rolling Stone- Bob Dylan
3. Anarchy in the UK- Sex Pistols
4. Surfin' USA- The Beach Boys
5. Sweet Home Alabama-  Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. A Little Less Conversation- Elvis Presley
7. Those Were the Days- Mary Hopkin
8. Summertime- Janis Joplin
9. Welcome to My Life- Simple Plan
10. The Ocean- Led Zeppelin
11. We Will Rock You- Queen
12. L'Italiano Vero- Toto Cutugno
13. Start Me Up- The Rolling Stones
14. Here Comes the Sun- The Beatles
15. Girl- The Beatles
16. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Harold Arlen
17. Respect- Aretha Franklin
18. Tequila Sunrise- The Eagles
19. New York I Love You- LCD Soundsystem
20. Otherside- Red Hot Chili Peppers
21. Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps- The Beatles
23. Hit the Road, Jack- Ray Charles
24. Kashmir- Led Zeppelin
25. Blue Suede Shoes- Elvis Presley
26. Lying Eyes- The Eagles
27. Ob- La-Di, Ob- La- Da- The Beatles
28. Smoke On the Water- Deep Purple
29. Mr. Tambourine Man- Bob Dylan
30. Pretty Woman- Roy Orbison
31. Come Fly With Me- Frank Sinatra
32. Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes
33. Crazy- Gnarls Barkley
34. Hotel California- The Eagles
35. Blowin' In the Wind- Bob Dylan
36. Satisfaction- The Rolling Stones
37. Hey Jude- The Beatles
38. What's Goin' On?- Marvin Gaye
39. Touch-a touch-a touch-a touch me- The Rocky Horror Show
40. Hippy Hippy Shake- The Beatles
41. Lose Yourself- Eminem
42. Sunday Morning- Maroon 5
43. Through the Roof 'N' Underground- Gogol Bordello
44. Peaceful Easy Feeling- The Eagles
45. Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler- Pink Martini
46. 8 Days A Week- The Beatles
47. Tainted Love- The Cure
48. Sympathy For the Devil- The Rolling Stones
49. I Love Rock& Roll- Joan Jett
50. Something Stupid- Frank& Nancy Sinatra
51. Elenor Rigby- The Beatles
52. Jessie's Girl- Rick Springfield
53. Let the Sunshine In- Hair Musical
54. California Dream- The Beach Boys
55. Just My Imagination- The Cranberries
56. Singin' in the Rain- Frank Sinatra
57. People Get Ready- The Impressions
58. Good Vibrations- The Beach Boys
59. Johnny B. Goode- Chuck Berry
60. What'd I Say- Ray Charles
61. Yesterday- The Beatles
62. Purple Haze- Jimmy Hendrix
63. Stairway to Heaven- Led Zeppelin
64. Sunday Bloody Sunday- U2
65. River Deep, Mountain High- Tina Turner
66. That'll Be the Day- Buddy Holly
67. Billie Jean- Micheal Jackson
68. She Loves You- The Beatles
69. You Can't Always Get What You Want- The Rolling Stones
70. Rock and Roll Music- Chuck Berry
71. Cocaine Eyes- The Rolling Stones
72. Born to Be Wild- Steppenwolf
73. Losing My Religion- REM
74. Let's Get It On- Marvin Gaye
75. Back in Black- AC DC
76. Highway to Hell- AC DC
77. Stayin' Alive- Bee Gees
78. Blackbird- The Beatles
79. Going to California- Led Zeppelin
80. Bye Bye Love- Everly Brothers
81. Son of A Preacher Man- Dusty Springfield
82. Mamma Mia- ABBA
83. Dancing Queen- ABBA
84. Nothing Else Matters- Metallica
85. Somebody to Love- Jefferson Airplane
86. Get Up, Stand Up- Bob Marley
87. The Wall- Pink Floyd
88. Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
89. Paper Planes- MIA
90. Come As You Are- Nirvana
91. Lady Marmalade- Patti LaBelle
92. One Love- Bob Marley
93. Hit Me Baby One More Time- Britney Spears
94. Hallelujah- Jeff Buckley
95. Castles Made of Sand- Jimmy Hendrix
96. Hey You- Pink Floyd
97. I Want to Hold Your Hand- The Beatles
98. Like A Prayer- Madonna
99. Rockstar- Nickelback
100. Forget You- Cee Lo.

Here's a very well thought list of songs that could be used in many different situations. Music does change lives. I  just wanted all of us to remember one of the most precious tools to give messages and make others to feel the way we do. Enjoy.