- Why?
- ...because the seven-time in the verse is wonderfully unobtrusive (and catchy!)
...because it makes me think of The Prisoner
...because it's true
- ...to the horn section go freakin' nuts, along with Paul, who apparently forgets what song they're doing ;)
14) Amazon - John Denver (The Wildlife Concert)
- Why?
- ...because the trees, rivers and flowers need a voice too
...because nobody did environmental songs like Denver, and it's a tragedy that many of them didn't get listened to during his final years
...because it's got a simple structure, yet it builds into a thundering climax
- ...to the awesome recorder solos -- yeah, that's right, recorder solos
15) America - Simon & Garfunkel
- Why?
- ...because it's the heart of the Bookends album, and that album tends to get unfairly overlooked
...because the final verse is *perfect*
...because we're all lost, sometimes, even when we know exactly where we are
- ...to the instrumentation, and dynamics, and intonation, and... well, everything
16) America the Beautiful - Ray Charles
- Why?
- ...because it's the best rendition of the song ever recorded
...because Ray's voice was a national treasure, and it was clear that he meant every word he sang
...because if you only think of Diet Pepsi and lottery commercials when you think of Ray Charles, then you're missing out, something fierce
- ...to the skillful arrangement -- by beginning with the third verse, Ray keeps the better known lyrics close to his vest until we're fully engaged
