August 10, 1999

On AOL they are having a song of the century contest. So I inspected the list of contestants. I was appalled. Here is the pitiful list:

American Pie- Don Mclean well maybe cause it has to do with history
The Dance- Garth Brooks this is my fav Brooks song but he shouldn’t even be in the running.
Imagine and Let it Be- Lennon and McCartney well they are the wrong songs but the right artists.
My Heart Will Go On and On- Celine Dion BLECH You have to be kidding? 12 years old voted.
My Way- Frank Sinatra The artist is right but give Paul Anka the credit for writing the song.
Rhapsody in Blue- George Gershwin this is the only one I could vote for.
Smells like Teen Spirit- Narvana Oh please. They rate a zero in the 100 year scale.
Stair Way to Heaven- Led Zepplin Maybe that's one of the top 100 rock songs of the century.
What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong this song as just under gone a rediscovery, it ain’t all that.

So which song do I think deserves recognition as the song as the century? Well it sure isn’t any where on this list. I’m not sure I could even pick one best one. I’d be happy to have a top 100 songs of the century. I could live with the best 20. My list would have to include Yesterday and Michelle by Lennon and McCartney. What about those World War II classics. How about musicals? Sunrise Sunset, Oklahoma, Singing in the Rain don’t even scratch the surface. What about songs that led to crazes, the twist, the Charleston or the Macoraina. What about instrumental songs like In the Mood ,Love is Blue, or Classical Gas? And those Christmas Songs we sing year after year. The mind boggles. How can you pick one?

I vote for Happy Birthday to You.


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