Tuesday

This season we have become addicted to American Idol.

Last night was the top three. We are unabashed David Cook fans. Syesha’s performances have grown tiresome. David Archuleta is just too juvenile. The kid can sing with the best of them, but his youth and dorkiness and bland Christian rock vibe have worn out their novelty. Once I read about his father interfering with the song selections and arrangements, I really started pulling against him. He’s better singing a Backstreet Boys or N’Sync or Yani song.

David Cook is the best performer – by far. When he sings certain, classic rock songs or adult themed songs, he shows just how boyish Archuleta is. Cook’s best attribute is that he can do anything. Archuleta is maybe the best vocalist, but if he were to do a real rock song, such as something by Zeppelin or AC/DC, (if his father would ever – God forbid – permit it), he would never pull it off. However, Cook could sing an old R&B song or a blues song or an adult. Plus, he is so comfortable on stage and in the spotlight.

He could release an album and sell a million copies tomorrow.

******

Leave it up to KoKo. Last night she emailed me a list of songs she wanted me to download for her. In her email she managed to type, “I love you” three different times!

******

Stephen King’s last column in Entertainment Weekly, was a top ten list of the most played songs on his itunes library. That got me to thinking about my top ten most played songs. I actually have no idea what they might be, though I’m willing to bet that “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” is up there and maybe “Cult of Personality” and “Hotel California.” There might be a lot of Iron Maiden too. Though this just counts the times they are played on my computer, not on my ipod. If there were some way to track the songs I’ve listened to on my ipod too – that would be an interesting list!

Top ten

10. “Rock DJ” – Robbie Williams (148). Love this song. The video is scary as hell. Williams is dancing around with some models and then starts ripping chunks of flesh off until he is just a skeleton. I’m not a big pop song guy, but this chorus is great. The lyrics are nonsensical, but I listen to this just about every time I run.

9. “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” – Jim Croce (155 plays). I never really got into him until Kristie. We bought his greatest hits collection one night and I’ve never looked back. Actually, I came across this song when we first moved in to our house and were painting and listening to the oldies station. A great song and a great story. I like it more than the more popular “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown.”

8. “Green Eyes” – Coldplay (164). Kristie loves this song. So do I. It reminds me of her, even though she has beautiful brown eyes. Coldplay is so soulful and original. “A Rush of the Blood to the Head” is one of the greatest albums of the last decade.

7. “Heaven Can Wait” – Iron Maiden (165). I knew there’d be plenty of Maiden on here. This is off their classic 1986 album, “Somewhere in Time.” I started listening to this more not just because it’s one of the best rock albums of the ‘80’s but also because Mom got it for me for Christmas ’86. Good memories. Plus, “Heaven Can Wait” is one of their best songs, especially live. Great sing along.

6. “Stranger in a Strange Land” – Iron Maiden (167). More Maiden off the same album. This song has one of the greatest riffs, almost bluesy, which is unique coming from a metal band. Plus, it’s a cool story – not based off the novel. Instead, it’s the story of a Neanderthal or Cro-Magnon who leaves his homeland and is lost in a land of snow and ice – only to have his mummified remains found by future explorers. It’s also one of their more ‘radio friendly’ songs.

5. “Southern Cross” – Crosby, Stills, & Nash (180). I thought it would have been “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.” But it’s “Southern Cross.” Great song. Spiritual almost. Enough said.

4. “Sea of Madness” – Iron Maiden (181). A third Maiden song! All off the same album. This one is of their best ‘unknown’ songs. I doubt that they have even played this since the “Somewhere in Time” tour. But it has a hellacious riff to open the song and then it’s all kicked into high gear.

3. “Wasted Years” – Iron Maiden (195). Last Maiden song. Their biggest single off the “Somewhere in Time” album. This threw a lot of Maiden fans for a loop since it is unlike just about anything they ever did before – it has a strong melody and synthesizers, but the riff is insane. It’s radio friendly, yet still is metal.

2. “Spooky” – The Classics IV (196). I placed this on my Halloween playlist, which accounts for the nearly 200 times I’ve listened to it. I hear this and instantly think of murky October skies, pumpkins, gold, brown and red leaves, and a bite to the air. The best time of the year.

1. “For What It’s Worth” – Buffalo Springfield (208). A classic ‘60’s tune. This might be the greatest of the 2,838 songs on my itunes library. Neil Young’s guitar is poignant. You can almost feel the turmoil of the time in the notes. Great lyrics. All in all, it’s about the most perfect rock song.