Peg/Steely Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz8AJh7_mKc

I've often asked myself if there is any one song that I could call my favorite. While the answer has varied over the years, "Peg" has been the winner on more than one occasion. A funky bassline (Chuck Rainey), a superslick, supergroovy drum track (Rick Marotta) and a truly exquisite and hard-to-pull-off layered backing vocal track (Michael McDonald). Walter Becker's fantastic rhythm guitar subtly diffuses through the entire song in a style so typical of Steely Dan that the duo should think about patenting it.

In short, this song has everything.

Thought: Music, The Ultimate Time-Stretcher

So here's something interesting. I've discovered I can slow down time with music. Not really, of course, but the minutes do seem a lot longer when I'm listening to stuff.

Song: Desert Heartbeat/Zakir Hussain

Does it happen to you? You're listening to your favourite song, and when it ends, you can't remember what life was like before you hit the 'play' button.

I, myself, often feel like a changed person altogether. Like I've undergone some sort of cleansing ritual. I can't remember what my mental state was before the song started playing. It's fantastic.

Song: A Time For Us/Nicolas Jaar

If you haven't experienced the feeling, you really should try it sometime. You could even be in the middle of work. Just fish out your iPod or whatever, select your favorite track and start listening. Once the song ends, it'll be like a new day again, I promise.

442 Glenwood Avenue/Pixies Three

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLv5GjswpOo

This song from 1964 is quite special for me. It was the first song I ever heard on the MP3 format. (Wow, is this what nostalgia is going to mean in the future? "Yes son, I remember back in the day when we used to crank up the volume on the ol' family IPod...")

Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter/Herman's Hermits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyTDUyaIss

Don't you just love that muted rhythm guitar? The tone is so mischievous. Goes perfectly with the lyrics. :)

Baby Blue/Badfinger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkA7xQb6uPk

I like to think this is what the Beatles would've sounded like in the '70s had they not broken up. A beautiful song by a great band. 

(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine/Noel Gallagher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gZ1U56-uDg

I feel you, man.

The Things We Do For Love/10CC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3WbTU_awCY

Seriously. :)

Whores/Jane's Addiction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCZdR-SmdlY

The unfortunate title notwithstanding, this track from their debut album really, really rocks hard. Farrell's edge-of-a-canyon vocals ride loosely over the song's picturesque landscape. This live cut is the defining version.

Trees/Lovehammers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQAueUJsRNM

If, like me, you closely followed the reality show "Rockstar:INXS" that was aired on tv in 2004, you're most probably a big fan of Marty Casey. This song is quite a favourite of mine, with a catchy, playful melody and Casey's usual intensity.

Live To Rise (Avengers)/Soundgarden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9318WhMQr18

The band to turn to when you want to rock out old school. This new song for the Avengers movie has some Nickelback-esque melodies thrown in as well. Sign of the times, some would say. I like it, though.