Am I your caucasian?

In no particular order- but two rules- 1. Released in the past 50 years  2. Only one song per artist or band.

Feel free to share your opinion.

1. The Masterplan-Oasis

There are numerous songs to choose from but this one has it all. Profound lyrics, full orchestra and Noel’s voice at its best-laid back but precise. A tribute to The Beatles can be found at the very end for those who may have missed it.

2. A Day in the Life-The Beatles

It must have been difficult to keep coming up with original material but in 1967 the Fab Four came up with one of the most ground-breaking songs of the decade using an orchestra, McCartney’s boyhood musings and newspaper stories as inspiration.

3. Sympathy for the Devil-The Rolling Stones

Gimme Shelter was a close contender, but the opening song on the Beggars Banquet album shaded it for me as it feels a more explosive and upbeat song. Also the lyrics in the first person as Lucifer and direct references to the Kennedy assassinations give it a sense of great sixties timing.

4. Patience-Guns N’ Roses

5. Wish You Were Here-Pink Floyd

Wyclef Jean’s cover of this song woke me up to the sleeping giant that is Pink Floyd. I soon realised what I had missed and The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall must be two of the greatest albums ever made.

6. Death And All His Friends-Coldplay

The piano section in the middle has to be one of the most memorable parts of a song in many years. The song has a great deal of sentimental meaning to me as it represents good times despite its title.

7. Waiting in Vain-Bob Marley

This song is my particular favourite from the 1977 Exodus album, but is just one of so many timeless tunes from the reggae legend, who has a back catalogue as comprehensive as any of the all time greats.

8. Angel-Aretha Franklin

9. In the Air Tonight-Phil Collins

10. Lucky Man-The Verve

Richard Ashcroft is about to release his master-piece by all accounts. If he manages to eclipse Urban Hymns and this song it promises to be some album. Allegedly this song is about how he felt when he met his current wife.
11. Life Goes On-2Pac

Just before his death on September 13th 1996 the fans at the hospital where Tupac Shakur died were staging a vigil and constantly played this song praying that his life would continue. It didn’t but he left an amazing body of work for someone who died so young.

12. Into My Arms-Nick Cave

13. River-Joni Mitchell

14. Tijuna Lady-Gomez

15. The Earth is Broken-Tim Buckley

16. Roses-Kanye West

When Kanye was on the top of his game, long before his rise to mega stardom, this song from the Late Registration album represented everything I loved about his music. Highly skilled production, sensitive lyrics delivered from the heart with gospel singers,dj and a full orchestra(including harpist), took rap music to another level and meant the genre of music could finally be concert friendly and his performance of this track at Hammersmith Apollo in February 2006 will always be in the memory.

17. Shelter-Ray LaMontagne

Originally not one of the most memorable songs from his debut album, but after his concert at the Albert Hall this became a ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ song. He has a voice as powerful and emotional as any one I have ever had the pleasure of hearing live.

18. Watching the Wheels-John Lennon

Hard to pick the best song by the genius but this one gives an insight as to how he felt about his life and career whilst raising his son not long before his death.

19. Out of Time-Blur

20. Maybe Tomorrow-Stereophonics

My favourite live band and when this song came on at the end of the movie Crash, as the snow fell in LA the image and music will always stay with me.

21. American Pie-Don McLean

It’s been 50 years since the subject of this the subject of this song, Buddy Holly, died in a plane crash, but this song lives on and could not be left out of a top 50 playlist.

22. Wonderwall-Ryan Adams

A cover better than the original is a rarity, but even its writer believes Ryan Adams made a better job.

23. Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen

24. Summerlove-Neil Diamond

25. Rapper’s Delight-Sugar Hill Gang

The first official rap song released and it has been the inspiration for all those in the business for the past 30 years. I know every word and it hasn’t aged at all unlike much of the music that followed.

26. Sweet Thing-Van Morrison

Astral Weeks represents his best work in my opinion and all the songs on the album are first class, but this one just eclipses the rest.

27. Years From Now-Dr Hook

28. The Times They Are A Changin’-Bob Dylan

29. American Dreamin’-Jay-Z-

Marvin Gaye never made the list but his song, “Soon I’ll be Loving You Again” represents the back-drop of the Jigga man’s classy rendition on his album inspired by the American Gangster movie.

30. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood-Joe Cocker

31. Tiny Dancer-Elton John

32. After the Gold Rush-Neil Young

33. I Wanna Stay Alive With You-Ocean Colour Scene

34. English Rose-The Jam

35. Papa was a Rolling Stone-The Temptations

36. Hard Headed Woman-Cat Stevens

37. Nothing Compares To You-Prince

38. Man in the Mirror-Michael Jackson

39. Cold Water-Damien Rice

Hauntingly beautiful and hopefully on the soundtrack for my first movie. Some say Damien Rice’s music is depressing but I have never found his or any other artist’s music downbeat.

40. Hit the Road Jack-Ray Charles

41. Miss Sarajevo-U2 and Pavarotti

42. Milk-Kings Of Leon

The Joy Divsion’s ‘Love will tear us apart’ can be heard in this song that really put the band on the map. The lyrics are original and his unusual voice in particular is magnified by this song.

43. Piano Man-Billy Joel

44. Break On Through-The Doors

45. Heroin-The Velvet Underground

46. One-Johnny Cash

47. One Day Like This-Elbow

48. The Power of Love-Frankie Goes to Hollywood

49. New York-Stephen Fretwell

The most inspiring city in the world described by a very underrated singer/songwriter. Many influential musicians have sung about the Big Apple but this one stays with me more than any other.

50. Nuthin’ But A G Thang-Dr Dre Featuring Snoop Doggy Dog