If you could host Rage....pick 30 songs

[Dogwatcher]

Blind Melon – No Rain
Shannon Hoon’s lament for his depressed friend hit a chord via its film clip, which featured a little bumblebee. The song came on the wave of the ‘alternative’ explosion started by Nirvana. Played heavily at the surprise 16th birthday of my future wife.

Urge Overkill – Sister Havana
Another song from the same era. It’s a classic rock song. Great lyrics and great guitar riffs. Unlike Blind Melon who received a boost through Nirvana, this band suffered by comparison. Rock wasn’t cool when grunge exploded.

RATM – Killing In The Name Of
A killer political track which brought Zac De la Rocha’s band to prominence, and became a rallying cry for angry teens (or those who thought they were angry) right across the world. The neighbours hated it.

Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual
Some might see the inclusion of this classic pop/lounge song as a bit of a pi** take, but I’m a genuine fan. A regular karaoke favourite, and a legacy of listening to my parents’ music. I still think Tom’s a genuine star and love his pop abilities.

Although he could well be the male version of Cher.

Beastie Boys – Sabotage
People may dislike the Beastie Boys for their early brat rap/punk days. But this single really highlighted their musical development, insatiable beats and a classic film clip make this an essential track. It heralded their arrival as a cultural touchstone and returned them from the underground, where they’d been with previous album Check Your Head.

Nick Cave – The Ship Song
The most beautiful song that I have ever known. Mel hates it. I can’t understand why. A classic love song, that never tires. Should be played at my funeral. First heard in my early Triple J listening days. Then on The Good Son album which I taped off a friend’s dad. Even better was that my mum would let me play it in the car.

Killers – Mr Brightside
A more modern track. The Killers debut album is one of the best pop albums of the new decade. Brilliant songs, for singing along to and dancing. As well as reflection. A song Mel and I dance to regularly.

Blur – There’s No Other Way
One of the earliest songs from the Britpop legends. Introduced me to the new British scene. For a while with Oasis challenging – it was like the Beatles and the Stones all over again. At the same time I found out about The Inspiral Carpets, Carter USM, The Wonderstuff and The Happy Mondays.

Oasis – Whatever
I think this song may actually have originally been a B-side. As it doesn’t appear on either of Oasis’ first albums. But a very special song, which was important to me at the time as I was further developing my individuality. Also a personal touchstone for a very special friend of mine.

Billy Bragg – Accident Waiting to Happen
The opening track from the brilliant album Don’t Try This At Home. And while I could have chosen the first single from the album, Sexuality, which is one of my all time favourites, I picked this song. I love the lyrics and for me the tale of someone who’s got too big for their boots and forgotten about where they came from is one to savour. I’ve still never seen Billy Bragg live – one of my major regrets. I was supposed to see him on this tour, but that fell through.

Redgum – Poor Ned
Another left wing artist – my political leanings are ever so evident here. Again I could have picked the more obvious choice – I Was Only 19 (A Walk in the Light Green), a favourite. But chose the tale of Ned Kelly – a story which is close to my heart because of my family history. Redgum had a way of writing for the everyman and their songs remain as important today as they did when originally released. Plus they’re from Adelaide!

The Kingston Trio – Tom Dooley
Another of the songs that I blame my parents for! But I love it. The essence of Calypso music, which later became reggae, and the tale of a man done wrong (think a Calypso Hey Joe) and paying for it. It’s a song I’m sure Nick Cave would’ve loved.

Olivia Newton John – Physical
The first song I can ever remember consciously recognising. I was four at the oldest and obviously had no idea what ONJ meant by ‘getting physical’. I believed the film clip and the fact it was about aerobics. I recently acquired the LP, which has a cool fold out cover of ONJ in an aerobics outfit at the beach (???).

Scatterbrain – Don’t Call Me Dude
One of the few metal songs in my list – but this song is classic comic book metal. Loved the song and it spoke volumes (although not deliberately) about the continued Americanisation of our Aussie language and culture. I also used the lyrics from this song in a year 10 English poetry assignment.

Disposable Heroes….- Television
Michael Franti’s second outfit (after the Beatnigs), and one of the hardest hitting songs you’ll ever hear. Came out in an era when political comment was important in hip hop. And had some amazing lines – and still very relevant today when you consider our Big Brother tv culture.

Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love With Someone (You Shouldn’t Have)
Well have you? Buzzcocks, very under rated in the punk/new wave era. Wrote very good pop songs, behind all the fuzz of their punk guitars. Again, could have picked a more popular song from this band (Orgasm Addict). But this one just sings about something most of us can relate to.

Shihad – Mind’s Sedate
Almost complements Television as a political note. This song’s powerful and Shihad just belt it out. Been the performance highlight of two gigs that I’ve seen them at, including one where I was able to watch the intensity from side of stage.

Ratcat – That Ain’t Bad
Pop punk classic. Broke these boys from Sydney and reintroduced new Australian rock to the charts at a time when Farnesy and Barnesy and syrupy songs dominated. Again, some might say the Nirvana era ended their chart hopes – as the fringe kids found something even more to their liking and closer to the alienation they felt from the charts.

Slim Dusty - Little Boy Lost
A beautiful ballad that is based on a true Australian story. One I can remember from travelling with my parents on holidays to destinations such as Ballarat, Canberra and the Gold Coast.


Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You
Just when the attraction of the Hollywood slacker seemed to have abated, these guys rocked up with this brilliant pop song. A great ‘singalong dancealong song’, to coin a phrase. From the Dandy’s third album 13 Tales of Urban Bohemia which really put the band on the fast track to success. Not much else following has reflected the brilliance of their number two and three albums.

Tina Arena – Sorrento Moon
Probably the biggest surprise of any of the tracks on this list. Sorrento Moon is a beautiful song, performed by an angel. It’s the only time I’ve ever liked Tina Arena. It hits a mark and maintains it throughout. Was on high rotation in 1995 on 5AD – therefore at Fasta Pasta Salisbury.

Violent Femmes – Add It Up
One of the very first ‘alternative’ songs I can recall hearing regularly. Was around 14 or 15 and doesn’t it speak volumes to any teenage, pimply faced virgin! I became a big fan of the Femmes and their almost folk rock style. Great songs and energetic live performers. It disheartens me to see one of their songs Blister in the Sun currently used in a credit union ad. or some such inane product.

Pulp – Disco 2000 & 24. Pulp – Common People
What can you say about these songs from 1996? Very popular at Pop Nightclub in Adelaide and there’s always time to dance to these tunes. They’re still late night favourites in the McLean household. Both songs speak to me in different ways about love lost and pretending to be someone you’re not.

Electric 6 – Gay Bar
A bit of a joke song this – but it’s one my best mate Oggie and I always dance up a storm too. He gets a phone message whenever it’s on in my vicinity. We once broke a coffee table dancing on it to this song. I endlessly try and analyse the film clip and the lyrics – hundreds of dancing Abraham Lincolns. Could it possibly have something to do with political America’s inability to accept homosexuality?

Public Enemy – Fight The Power
Public Enemy are sonically outstanding. You may say what these hip-hopsters are singing about Black America has no relevance to me, a White Australian. But coming from Elizabeth, you learn all about the stereotypes that a group such as this are railing against. An awesome track with brilliant samples and mixing that hits hard every time.

Spiderbait – Ol’ Man Sam
One of Australia’s great Independent music successes. This group writes funny, whimsical pop ditties. In this song the refrain’s “Johnny Cash, now he was smashed” and “Elvis was big and fat, big and fat, so how about that”, captured my attention for the first time in the back of brown Camira beetling over median strips through our leafy eastern suburbs. Terrors. Seeing Spiderbait live is like seeing an old friend, as crazy dancing moments can attest.

I Feel Good – James Brown
There’s no doubt I love the rhythms of Black American music, and James Brown ain’t the Godfather for nothing! This song more than any other introduced me to the joys of soul and then through its incarnations to funk and hip-hop. A true legend.

The Cure - Friday I’m In Love
There had to be one Cure track and this beautiful pop song is the one! Bright and exuberant, it really proves that Robert Smith is not the miserable suicide bound wretch that legend would have.

Russell Morris - The Real Thing
An Australian classic and one of the first songs ever to feature sampling – and what a sample it was! Brilliant, drug addled track that meant nothing without its sample and music. Featured the production talents of Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and the songwriting skills of Johnny Young.

New Order – Crystal
An amazing crossover band that created so much and inspired so much more. I love their early stuff, but for associated memories this is my fave. Always get a dance out of this one – no matter where I hear it



The additionals:



U2 - Beautiful Day
My wedding song. And what a great tune about seizing the day! Living here in the Riverland I know all about Beautiful Days too – we have so many.

Vanilla Ice – Ice, Ice, Baby
I’m ashamed to say I have this album. It legitimised hip-hop and allowed white people access to the world of rap. Even if it was cheesy and fake. I always have dance offs to this with my good mate Em. Also – the first major release not to be released on vinyl.

[BenchedEagle]

Now this is a hard one:

Off the top of my head id say.

In bloom - Nirvana,

Stinkfist - Tool

Prison Sex - Tool

Hail hail - Pearl Jam

Love Rollercoaster - Chilli Peppers

Straight outta Compton - NWA

Paranoid Android - Radiohead

Jesus Christ Pose - Soundgarden

Heart Shaped Box - Nirvana

Grind - Alice in Chains

Will add some more as i remember them.

[BenchedEagle]

Spiderbait – Ol’ Man Sam
One of Australia’s great Independent music successes. This group writes funny, whimsical pop ditties. In this song the refrain’s “Johnny Cash, now he was smashed” and “Elvis was big and fat, big and fat, so how about that”, captured my attention for the first time in the back of brown Camira beetling over median strips through our leafy eastern suburbs. Terrors. Seeing Spiderbait live is like seeing an old friend, as crazy dancing moments can attest.

We're all here
Drinkin beer
Drinkin beer without a care
Drinkin beeeeeeer without a caaaaaare

Now that brings back memories!

[whatcha got there?]

im not good with old songs, but ill give it a bash.
my dad would be so proud of a few of these, haha.


30. nirvana - smells like teen spirit
29. matchbox twenty - 3am
28. powderfinger - passenger
27. deep purple - smoke on the water
26. prince - kiss
25. R.A.T.M - killing in the name of
24. meatloaf - bat out of hell
23. electric six - gay bar
22. tool - the pot
21. the b52's - rock lobster
20. U2 - with or without you
19. the beatles - let it be
18. crowded house - weather with you
17. led zepplin - stairway to heaven
16. pink floyd - dark side of the moon
15. michael jackson - thriller
14. cold chisel - khe san
13. george michael - faith
12. jimi hendrix - purple haze
11. silverchair - israel's son
10. ac dc - thunder struck (hard to choose which acca dacca song to have)
9. bob marley - no woman, no cry
8. pearl jam - daughter
7. nirvana - never mind
6. hootie & the blowfish - let her cry
5. smashing pumpkins - today
4. powderfinger - my happiness
2. queen - bohemian rhapsody
1. metallica - nothing else matters





they arent in any particular order, but that list ^ would make an excellent show on rage.
well in my opinion

[Pseudo]

Good one. Criteria should include having a good videoclip. Bearing this in mind, the first 30 off the top of my head are:

Big Audio Dynamite - E=MC^2
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It
The The - Infected
The The - Sweet Bird Of Truth
Aha - Take On Me
The Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch
Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At?
(UK) Squeeze - Hourglass
Severed Heads - Hot With Fleas
Lubricated Goat - In The Raw (live on Andrew Denton's Blah Blah Blah)
Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
FAB - Happy People
Painters & Dockers - Nude School
Hunters & Collectors - Talking To A Stranger
Deee Lite - Groove Is In The Heart
Godley & Creme - Cry
Judas Priest - Turbo Lover
GANGgajang - Hundreds Of Languages (with a clip featuring Anne Fulwood!)
Massive Attack - Teardrop
Do Re Mi - Man Overboard
Fleetwood Mac - Big Love
Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
M - Pop Musik

That's 24. Cant be arsed thinking of any more.

(edit - adding up to 30 as I think of 'em)

The Birthday Party - Nick The Stripper
The Art Of Noise with Max Headroom - Paranoimia
Big Pig - Breakaway
Yoko Ono - Hell In Paradise (seriously!)

[Dissident]

I've started a list but would rather post with reasons and descriptions as per Dogwatcher.

...pending

[whatcha got there?]

yeah i was going to write reasoning for them, but couldnt be bothered.
if you want to know why i picked any of them, just ask

[Dogwatcher]

Why'd you picky any of them WGT?

[heater31]

Why'd you picky any of them WGT?

I Second That

[whatcha got there?]

as far im concerned, they're all good song.


i coulda put all the songs i listen to these days on there that no one would know.
but i decided to stick with classics.

[The Real Number 3]

another tough thread but im liking it! Im only 21 but most of my list will be made up of classics...

1: American Pie - Don McLean : Best song ever written in my belief, gives me shivers everytime i hear it
2: Hurt - Johnny Cash : 2nd Best Song ever written, cover of Nine Inch Nails, if I die i want it as my funeral song
3: Holy Grail - Hunters and Collectors : one of the most uplifting songs ever, cant help singing out loud to it
4: Hey Jude - The Beatles : their best ever song, absolutely awesome
5: Brick - Ben Folds Five : whats not to love about it
6: Where am i Gonna live? - Billy Ray Cyrus : His best song ever! want it played when i get booted from home
7: I Dont Like Mondays - The Boomtown Rats : even though a tragic story behind the song, it is my monday motto
8: Tubthumping - Chumbawamba : the one hit wonders! a truely great song
9: Time after time - Cyndi Lauper : wish i was bit older so i couldve seen her in her hey day
10: Tiny Dancer - Elton John : an absolute gem of a song that everyone loves
11: I can be your Hero - Enrique Iglesias - The slow slow version is a gem, i wanna sing it to someone
12: Rockafella Skank - Fatboy Slim : the song that made me love Fatboy Slim
13: Tainted Love - Marilyn Manson : soft cell cover, spices up the old tune, makes it worth listening to
14: Joker and the thief - Wolfmother : people will still be singing this song 10 years later
15: Roll On - The Living End : lets go on strike!
16: Hotel Yorba - White Stripes : unlucky not to be in my fav bands coz they are awesome but this song is the standout
17: The Day you went away - Wendy Matthews : a sad song but makes you remember people that have passed
18: Rock n Roll Pt2 - Gary Glitter : what a song! even though he loves kids i like his song
19: Children of the revolution - T-REX : the song i remember from my childhood, always on my playlist on the comp
20: Mad World - Tears for fears - even though an old song it sums this world up
21: Devilgate Drive - Susi Quatro : i love the piano at the start!
22: Time Warp - Rocky Horror Pic Show : 1st musical i ever watched and i love the song
23: Rhythem of my heart - Rod Stewart : love everything by rockin rod but this is my fave
24: Underneath it all - No Doubt : regroup! Gwen Stefani and solo dont mix..... REGROUP!
25: Ill be gone - Spectrum : absolutely love this song, its a 1 hit wonder, mates cant stand the song but i love it!
26: Blue Monday - Orgy : cover of New Order, on repeat for ages when i 1st heard it
27: Polyester Girl - Regurgitator : their finest moment was when this came out! what a classic
28: Killing in the name of - RATM : the song for generation! dont know of any 20yo's that dont relate to it
29: We are the champions - Queen : in my junior footy days we won 5 flags straight and this got played alot!
30:You can call me Al - Paul Simon : any song with Chevy Chase in the clip is worth having in any list!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Songs are one thing, video clips another...
These are my top 30 Video clips...
1.) TURBONEGRO: Age of Pampirius
2.) MOTORHEAD: Killed by Death
3.) TENACIOUS D: Tribute
4.) THE HELLACOPTERS: (Gotta get some Action) Now!
5.) OZZY OSBOURNE: No more Tears
6.) AC/DC: It's a long way to the Top (If you wanna Rock n' Roll)
7.) SLAYER: Seasons in the Abyss
8.) SUICIDAL TENDENCIES: Trip at the Brain
9.) PENNYWISE: Bro Hymn
10.) GORILLAZ: 19/2000
11.) RAMONES: Psychotherapy
12.) TENACIOUS D: Wonderboy
13.) IRON MAIDEN: The Flight of Icarus
14.) SOUNGARDEN: Jesus Christ Pose
15.) PANTERA: This Love
16.) DANZIG: Mother
17.) JUDAS PRIEST: Living after Midnight
18.) HARD-ONS: Girl in a Sweater
19.) IRON MAIDEN: Can I play with Madness?
20.) FEAR FACTORY: Self Bias Resistor
21.) SEPULTURA: Ratamahatta
22.) KREATOR: Terror Zone
23.) FRANK ZAPPA: Titties & Beer
24.) KORN: Freak on a Leash
25.) METALLICA: One
26.) TWISTED SISTER: We're not gonna take it!
27.) FAITH NO MORE: Falling to Pieces
28.) BOLT THROWER: Cenotaph
29.) DANZIG: Snakes of Christ
30.) MARK 'JACKO'JACKSON: I'm an Individual

[Dogwatcher]

mwhahahaha I'm An individual - I think I actually have that song on a Rage that I taped once. Gimmick songs it was.
I'm pretty certain I also have it on vinyl.

[MW]

Straight outta Compton - NWA

Great pic duncs

[BenchedEagle]

Straight outta Compton - NWA

Great pic duncs

thought u would like that one MW

[MW]

I actually do! I remember listening to that very early 90's

[BenchedEagle]

Ive had a good think about this today and ive created a list. Dont have time to give reasons why, anyone who has seen them knows why.

1: Thriller - Michael Jackson
2: November Rain - Guns n Roses
3: Closer - Nine Inch Nails
4: Smack by bitch up - Prodigy
5: Prison Sex - Tool
6: Freak on a leash - Korn
7: One - Metallica
8: Sabotage - Beastie Boys
9: Peaches - Presidents of the USA
10: Whip it - Devo
11: California Love - Tupac
12: This notes for u - Neil Young
13: Buy me a pony - Spiderbait
14: Straight Outta Compton - NWA
15: Rattamahatta - Sepultura
16: I am the Walrus - Beatles
17: Hey Bulldog - The Beatles
18: Strawberry Fields Forever - Beatles
19: Stinkfist - Tool
20: Enter Sandman - Metallica
21: lunchbox - Marilyn Manson
22: In bloom - Nirvana
23: Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashinh Pumpkins
24: Liquid Swords - WuTang Clan
25: Paranoid Android - Radiohead
26: Shake hands with beef - Primus
27: This Love - Pantera
28: My Own Summer(Shove it) - Deftones
29: Jesus Christ Pose - Soundgarden
30: Go with the flow - Queens of the Stoneage.

[Punk Rooster]

Not in order, sod any explanation (hard enough* to think of 30)

Madness- House of Fun
Marilyn Manson- Torniquet
Rancid- Red Hot Moon
Suffocation- Abomination Reborn
10CC- Dreadlock Holiday
Motley Crue- Kickstart My Heart
Misfits- American Psycho
Dandy Warhols- Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth
Julian Cope- World Shut Your Mouth
Manfred Mann's Earth Band- Blinded By The Light
Cannibal Corpse- Sentenced To Burn
Young MC- Bust A Move
Marilyn Manson- Rock Is Dead
Ween- I Can't Put My Finger On It
Kate Bush- Babooshka
Adam Ant- Prince Charming
Duran Duran- Planet Earth
Gerry Raferty- Baker Street
Housemartins- Caravan of Love
Prodigy- Out Of Space
PIL- Rise
Roxette vs 7 Dancing DJ's- Fading Like A Flower
Satyricon- Mother North
Regurgitator- Black Bugs
Madness- Baggy Trousers
Planet Funk- Chase The Sun
Basement Jaxx- Plug It In
Kreator- Toxic Trace
Len- Steal My Sunshine
The Clash- Rock The Casbah

[The Real Number 3]

[quote="Punk Rooster"]
Regurgitator- Black Bugs
Len- Steal My Sunshine
quote]

great songs!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Kreator- Toxic Trace

I already hit the 'Submit' button & then it hit me...
Great song, killer vid, great album
'Terrible Certainty'
From Deutschland's premier speed/thrash metal band!