The Ever Elusive Top Ten

It is that time of year. Radio stations, newspapers, and a host of others are coming out with their top picks for 2020, whether it’s in books, music, movies or any other category that they can think of. Not to be outdone, WXPN, Philadelphia’s public radio station is playing “The 2020 Greatest Songs of All Time as voted on by you, our listeners.” As I write this they are on number 268, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, which follows Stevie Wonder’s “Living in the City” and Van Morrison’s “Tupelo Honey”. A nice eclectic mix. 

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What is it about these countdowns that draw you in? Why do I keep checking the WXPN website to make sure that make sure that my personal favorites are represented, even though I didn’t vote and won’t change my opinion regardless of the list? Why am I gratified that there are already two George Harrison songs in the Top 300, even though I would have put them higher?  

We all know that there is no magic to these countdowns. I am fully aware that if some station in Dallas or Nashville were doing the same survey of their listeners, which they probably are, at least 3/4 of the songs would be different. In fact, it would be even be vastly different if it was a station in Philly that didn’t cater to white baby boomers like me.  

For example, “And You and I” by Yes just started, cementing Philly as a prog rock city. It probably would not make the list in many other locales, and would be disdained on other Philadelphia radio stations. And yet I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t care. I do. I want my tastes validated, no matter how pathetic that may be. (What, “I am the Walrus” is only No. 266!!!!!!). 

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Of course, few people who put in a list think about these songs as the “Greatest” as opposed to the songs they like the most. Although maybe to most people there is no difference between what they like and what is the “Greatest”. We all have enough hubris to think that because we like something it must be Great. I am no different (What, you think that Muskrat Love isn’t Great???)   

At least I listen to this music, and the list will remind me of some artists that I have not heard for a while that I need to revisit (e.g., Little Feat and Patti Smith). The book lists that I annually peruse are a clear exercise in futility. With the backlog of books I already have, I will be lucky to get to books published in 2020 over the next five years. Yet I will slavishly pore over the NYT Notable Books, or the NPR list of the best of 2020. Even worse, I will feel bad because I have not read any of these books. Self-imposed torture.

    

Best of movie and TV show lists are another source of frustration. Unlike the books, I will at least see some of these. But if the last few years are any indication the vast majority will flow over to next year, or the year after, or never, no matter what I intend. Plus, people are more likely to ask whether I have seen this or that and even though I know it is impossible to see everything I will feel like I am missing out on something when I have to say “No, I haven’t gotten to that show yet.”  

The bottom line is that whether it is hubris, a need for validation, or some other drive buried deep in my psyche I will continue to check out these lists. I will pause waiting for the next selection, hoping that it is one I revere (Supper’s Ready by Genesis just came on. Not bad, but I prefer Watcher of the Skies or The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway). Please, please let number 1 be one of my favorites!!! 

P.S. I would be remiss to list my top 10, at least for today (in no particular order): 

1. My Favorite Things – John Coltrane (WXPN No. 167) 

2. Life During Wartime – Talking Heads (WXPN No. 195) 

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Beatles (WXPN No. 41) 

4. All Things Must Pass – George Harrison (WXPN No. 299) 

5. Exodus – Bob Marley and the Wailers (WXPN No. 831) 

6. Whipping Post – Allman Brothers (WXPN No. 79) 

7. Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd (WXPN No.35) 

8. Blackstar – David Bowie (WXPN No. 1110) 

9. Close to the Edge – Yes (WXPN No. 140) 

10. Minuano (Six Eight) – Pat Metheny Group (Didn’t expect it to be on the list. Personal favorite) 

WXPN Top 10: 

1. Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen (Philly loves Springsteen) 

2. Imagine – John Lennon 

3. Like A Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan 

4. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones 

5. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen 

6. In My Life – The Beatles 

7. The Weight – The Band 

8. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin 

9. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys 

10. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stone