"Pancho and Lefty"

No, it's not about Pancho Villa. And it was written by Townes Van Zandt, not by Willie or Merle. But the cover by Willie and Merle is great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvdmxszsDM8

"L.A. Woman"

The title track of the last album produced by "The Doors" before Jim Morrison's death:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo6Es-itLg0

"You Wear It Well"

Rod Stewart trying to get a letter through:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqxgTryyYoA

"Cowgirl in the Sand"

Neil Young did two versions of this song: a soft, mellow acoustic version with C,S, N,&Y, and a much harder, kick-ass version with Crazy Horse.

Kick-ass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ibl6PIKPM

Acoustic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jai6AykXW9k

"Roundabout"

Monarch Ski Area has a ski trail named "Roundabout". When you listen to this song imagine that you are on a downhill run. Or, when you are on a downhill run, have this song in your head:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byeSPOIffVE

"Mr. Blue Sky"

A fusion of rock and classical from "Electric Light Orchestra":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjPqsDU0j2I

"24 Hours at a Time"

"The Marshall Tucker Band" was one of the premier southern rock bands of the 1970s. Their style was a combination of rock, country, and jazz:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li-7vCagtxw

"Like a Rolling Stone"

In the words of "Rolling Stone" magazine: "No other pop song has so thoroughly challenged and transformed the commercial laws and conventions of its time, for all time." The magazine in 2004 placed this song at number one on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk3mAX5xdxo

"Sweet Baby James"

A song that James Taylor wrote for his new-born nephew:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2EZUw2mvjs

That's enough soft rock for now. Stay tuned for some rock with a harder edge to it.

"Both Sides Now"

Joni Mitchell, who wrote the song, called it "a meditation on reality and fantasy". I prefer the cover by Judy Collins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8jGFu7ys64

"In My Life"

John Lennon considered "In My Life" his "first real, major piece of work."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKQpRgxyyqo

"Blue Sky"

A song about a Native American girlfriend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC5s3nzVzo

"My Girl"

I love how the first few notes introduce the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZh7nRw6gl8

"God Only Knows"

Paul McCartney's favorite song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cczz--jFEo

"Birds"

Like many Neil Young songs, "Birds" has several layers of meaning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHsiNl-F1Sc

"Caravan"

The comment about "The Last Waltz" reminded me of Van Morrison's performance of "Caravan" at that concert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIiUwZfqMSU

"I Want You"

A Bob Dylan classic about wanting someone "so bad":

http://www.mojvideo.com/video-bob-dylan-i-want-you/21bc069e99f90cc5b59c

And, several decades later, a very nice cover by Sophie B. Hawkins:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPUQWk8ll44

Intro - "Willin"

The cover article of the December 9, 2010 issue of "Rolling Stone" (thanks for the subscription, Johnny) has 50 famous musical artists picking their personal top 10 songs, sometimes along with commentary about particular songs. It is a fascinating article, and got me to thinking about what would be on my list. So I'm starting a blog about my favorite songs.

Here's the format: The songs will be in no particular order. Whenever a song pops into my head, or I hear it on XM 46 (my only radio station), I'll post a link where it can be listened to, along with some commentary. I won't stop at 10 songs; the list will always be a work in progress.

To start things off, today the Linda Ronstadt song "Willin" popped into my head. I've always loved this song's attitude of perseverance in the face of adversity. Here's Linda's version (original lyrics by Lowell George):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szT7cPPDKq4

And here's a nice acoustical version by Lowell and Linda - live in 1975 on WHFS in Bethesda, Maryland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fTPQ0fVeN8&feature=related