Album: Between the Breaks...Live!
Label: Fogarty's Cove
Composer: Stan Rogers

Superficially, just a song about a sunken ship. As the above video shows though, it has been an inspiration to not only me, but to others as well. It may not have literally saved my life, but I often read the chorus, printed and framed, sitting on my desk, during a very dark period while simultaneously struggling with divorce, a house fire and a new job. Happy to report, that I did "rise again"..

Album: Magical Mystery Tour
Label: Apple Corps
Composer: Lennon and McCartney

Not the most profound lyrics, but epitomizes the height of their creative powers and symbolizes the legacy they left us.

Album: Live & Well
Label: MCA
Composer: Riley King

Blues purists surely look down on B.B. King, but he introduced me and my generation to the roots of Rock and Roll. Only then was I able to go back and discover the original songs I'd been hearing from The Stones, The Animals and so many more.

Album: Scraps Of Paper
Label: Flying Fish
Composer: Eric Bogel

Although he is now Australian, I still file this Scotsman's work under Celtic. One of best anti-war songs (aren't all songs about the reality of war, anti-war songs?), this one deals with the terrible consequences of the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War where over 130, 000 were slain. Told very poignatley from a wounded veteran's point of view.

Album: Christmas Eve And Other Stories
Label: Lava/Atlantic
Composers:
Tune- Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych -1916
Lyrics - Peter J. Wilhousky - 1936

I'm not sure what it is about this song, it's a simple repetitive melody, based on a Ukrainian folk song, but once you hear it, it takes weeks to get it out of your head. The video is an interesting mash up using The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Performed by: Leonard Bernstein with the Vienna Philharmonic
Poem: Friedrich Schiller - 1785

In keeping with a somewhat strict definition of a song, I've got to go to this timeless classic. The above video nicely comments on the appeal of this piece.

Album: Life Of Brian
Label: Warner Bros.
Composer: Eric Idle

Even non-Monty Python fans know this one. It has been used and abused by many, including Eric Idle who resurrected it for "Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy)". We got to sing it along with him during the finale at Wolf Trap in 2008. (Alternate choice was "The Scotsman", but I couldn't find a video for it.)

Album: 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert
Label: Columbia
Composer: Louis Prima

Seems like a pattern, but this is another milestone in musical history when jazz was introduced to a new audience in Carnegie Hall. Many years later, it got me interested in jazz as well.

Album: Closer
Label: Reprise
Composer: Rolf Løvland, Brendan Graham

Introduced to this song in May 2005 during the father/daughter dance at Jessica's wedding. She explained her choice as having both a literal and figurative meaning for her, remembering times being picked up on the beach, as well as receiving encouraging words during rough times. I was very touched then, and it moves me each time I hear it again.

Album: Icarus
Label: Epic Records
Composer: Ralph Towner

A piece by George Winston was my first thought, but this simple tune is forever stuck in my briain.

Album: Procol Harum
Label: Deram
Composer:s Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher and Keith Reid

The opening organ chord still sends shivers up my spine. The Bach like melody and indecipherable lyrics will forever define the best of the progressive rock era. If the above official video is bit too cheesy, try this TV appearance.

Album: Going to a Go-Go
Label: Tamla
Composer: Warren Moore, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Tarplin

Tough choice. The Four Tops are my top soul group, but along with "Ooh Baby, Baby", Smokey snags the top songs with this one having the better lyrics. Also in the running was "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye.

Album: Shaka Zulu
Label: Rovi Music
Composer: Joseph Shabalala

One final crossover phenomenon. Introduced to the world by Paul Simon, their beautiful melodies captured the beautiful homeland and they easily stood on their own. Have seen them perform several times, and I'm always transfixed and temporarily transported to a different world.