It was their second big song, after their initial hit âYesterdayâs Goneâ and C&Jâs biggest hit in the United States. It was the summer of 1964, I was eight years old, and I didnât have a clue what the song was about. It didnât matter; the harmonies made me feel sad and happy and emotions I had no name for. It was the first time I realized that music and harmony could make you feel something. It was the first time I fell in love with a song. I seldom hear this song any more, and I donât own it. The local oldies stations donât play it much, and I donât listen to the local oldies stations much anyhow. But when this song and I cross paths, it still makes me drop everything and listen. For a few minutes, Iâm that eight-year-old kid all over again, rediscovering music for the first time.
16. Blue Moon â the doo wop version by The Marcels
(I *refuse* to apologize â itâs just plain fun to listen to music made by people who are having fun.) I loved Doo Wop on the radio as a young child, and hearing it always makes me feel good. The Marcelsâ Blue Moon reminds me of how it feels to be young and to listen to music without the filters of acquired taste and peer expectations.
17. As Time Goes By â written by Herman Hupfeld
Play it, Sam. I found out while pulling this list together that Dooley Wilson never recorded a single of this. He would, of course, been my first choice, but Sinatraâs version will do.
18. Stones in the Road â Please donât make me choose between Baez and Carpenter . Carpenter wrote it, but they both own it.
19. Silent Lucidity â Queensryche
I have my reasons.
20. Cherish â The Association
My first slow dance ever. My first love. My first broken heart. Our first song.Nostalgia.
21. Iâll Be There â Jackson Five
From that same first love. We both believed the lyrics at the time. I miss being young and foolish some days.