Yes, I’m a Boomer. With a capital “B.” To the bone. 1955. Just turned 71 on Aug. 26.
You got a problem with that?
Yes, my musical tastes atrophied about a quarter century ago. Not much modern on my playlist.
But hey, at least I have a playlist.
And yes, I’m a proud product of my small-town Southern culture who’s never claimed to know what rap or hip-hop or even bluegrass are all about.
Doesn’t matter. They certainly are not about me.
Given those parameters and my own set of prejudices, as my reverse birthday gift to Burke and Caldwell County readers, I’d like to present my list of Top 10 favorite songs from my Top 10 list of favorite artists.
Disagree all you like. You ain’t changin’ this boomer’s mind.
One caveat: This is my list of Top 10 favorite songs as I write on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 25. Ask me next week when I’m in a different frame of mind and the list might change a bit.
Neil Diamond – “I Am I Said.”
This song was released in the spring of 1971, and I fell in love with it at age 15. That love has never faded.
John Denver – “Seasons of the Heart.”
Once I thought I’d never go through a divorce. I did. This song captures it all.
Bob Seger – “The Fire Inside.”
Yes, I’m growing older. But I’m not dead yet, and the fire still burns.
Rod Stewart – “Forever Young.”
Back when I was teaching high school English, at the end of each semester, I played this song as a farewell blessing for my departing seniors. Few eyes were dry.
Bruce Springsteen – “Tougher Than the Rest.”
For my bride Dinah and me, this song about second chances and taking chances is “Our Song.”
James Taylor – “Carolina in my Mind.”
Always loved this homage to the Old North State, never more so than during my years of youthful exile in Georgia.
Carly Simon – “Better Not Tell Her.”
Carly sings like an angel, and she sang this song just for me.
Mary Chapin Carpenter – “Stones in the Road.”
A song all about growing up in the 1960s, including a young girl’s memories of Robert Kennedy’s passing funeral train. Never fails to ignite my own memories of those years.
Gordon Lightfoot – “I’m Not Supposed to Care.”
A tender young woman very gently broke my heart during my senior year at Chapel Hill a very long time ago. This is her song.
Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”
Did you really think an old white guy was not going to include this song in his Top 10? No way!
Honorable Mentions
Some good artists and good tunes that didn’t quite make the cut:
- Jackson Brown – “The Pretender.”
- Elton John – “Sacrifice.”
- Phil Collins – “Do You Remember.”
- Carole King – “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
- Paul Simon – “Graceland.”
- REO Speedwagon – “Take It on the Run.”
- The Eagles – “The Last Resort.”
- Simon and Garfunkel – “The Boxer.”
- Don Henley – “Heart of the Matter.”
Of course, this list would look very different if it included country artists and country tunes.
Real country artists, like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson.
And real country songs like “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “If We Make It Through December,” “Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain,” and “When the Man Comes Around.”
But that’s a list for another column on another day.
Bill Poteat is editor emeritus. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or bill@thepaper.media.
