My Own Inspired High Fidelity Top 5 Lists

"What came first, the music or the misery?  People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over.  Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain misery and loss.  Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable?  Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?

- Rob

Music geeks are no strangers to developing their own top 5, 10, or 50 "best of" music-related lists.  In this particular day in age, Internet consumers are accustomed to Buzzfeed inspired listicles.  Today, I decided to merge both trends by personalizing some of my favorite High Fidelity "top five" lists.  I have included my preferences for the following "top 5" lists featured in the book and adapted film. 

Perhaps many of these albums and tracks have molded me into the person I am today; while others have functioned as a sort of companion in times of need.  Go ahead and include your own "top 5" albums....you know, when you aren't reorganizing your records in autobiographical order.  

Desert Island Albums

1.  Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys

2.  Want One - Rufus Wainwright

3.  The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding ("Do you have soul?"  "That all depends.")

4.  I'm Your Man - Leonard Cohen

5.  Actor - St. Vincent

Bonus:

A Love Supreme - John Coltrane

Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan  ("Don't tell anyone you don't have Blonde on Blonde.  It's going to be ok.")  

Innervisions - Stevie Wonder

A Ghost Is Born - Wilco

Rain Dogs - Tom Waits

Glory Box - Portishead

The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest

Greatest Hits - Al Green

Stop Making Sense - Talking Heads

Back To Mono - Phil Spector

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club - The Beatles

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

Top 5 Songs About Death

1.  There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

2.  Knocking On Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan

3.  About To Die - The Dirty Projectors

4.  Bottom Of Everything- Bright Eyes

5.  King's Crossing - Elliott Smith

Dream Jobs

1.  Music Supervisor

2.  Public Radio Music Director

3.  Music Critic

4.  Musician

5.  SNL Cast Member

Songs For My Funeral

1.  In My Arms - Nick Cave

2.  Wake Up - The Arcade Fire

3.  Do You Realize - The Flaming Lips

4.  Free At Last - The Blind Boys of Alabama

5.  We'll Meet Again - Vera Lynn

Side One Track Ones

1.  Devil's Haircut - Beck

2.  Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

3.  Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush

4.  Airbag - Radiohead

5.  Alone Again Or - Love

Photo Credit: High Fidelity - WikiScreenplay 

The 4 Greatest Soul Covers of Rock n Roll Songs

Since the 20th century, there has been no shortage of rock n roll artists either covering R&B tracks or taking credit for them.  Come on now, you don't really think Elvis is responsible for "Hound Dog" do you?  Big Mama Thornton's original soulful howl will make you change the way you interpret and appreciate this classic anthem.

                        

Below I have included a list of reimagined covers, but this time I have featured some of the best soul covers of rock n roll songs.

1.  Here Comes the Sun - Nina Simone (1971)
Original artist: The Beatles

I suppose of all the soul covers I have hand-selected, this track is the jazziest of the bunch.  Although both versions of "Here Comes the Sun" are reassuring and comforting, Simone's take manages to resonate a heavy dose of innocence and hope simultaneously.

                         


2.  How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Al Green (1972)
Original artist: The Bee Gees

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea until recently that Al Green had even covered this song.  I always felt Green's rendition had his DNA smothered all over it.  To my dismay, I was extremely disappointed with the original version by none other than The Bee Gee's .  

Al Green's interpretation embodies more credibility.  I'm not sure whether it is the way he soulfully recollects his failed relationship or if it is the haunting string arrangements that accompany him.  Either way, I'm going to forget that The Bee Gee's original track even exists....I think it will help me sleep at night.

                          


3.  I Can't Get No Satisfaction - Otis Redding (1965)
Original artist - Rolling Stones

I get it Otis, you can't get no satisfaction.  But gosh darn it, you sure are determined.  Whereas, when Mick Jagger convinces us that he wants satisfaction, he pressed his lips together and does the funky chicken dance.  (Enough said.)

                         


4.  Sunshine Of Your Love - Spanky Wilson (1970)
Original artist - Cream

Spanky's rendition of Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love" is the ultimate dance floor favorite at most any local pub's soul night.  If this little ditty doesn't get you groovin' in your seat, I'm not sure what will.