"If music be the food of love...
... then play on, give me excess of it." (Twelfth Night)
American and British songs you must know - by decade.
(including singers and bands from Canada, Ireland and Australia)
(and - as a bonus - one language-related observation for each song)
[work in progress. Suggestions are welcome. ]
American and British songs you must know - by decade.
(including singers and bands from Canada, Ireland and Australia)
(and - as a bonus - one language-related observation for each song)
[work in progress. Suggestions are welcome. ]
THE 1960s (and a bit of the 1950s, too)
1. Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cEXCc4Y-bg
[irregular verbs : to steal (stole), to see (saw), to ride (rode), to stink (stank), to fight (fought), to make (made)]
2. The End, The Doors (Apocalypse Now soundtrack)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsQtnBu3p7Y
[ sound [ei] in insane, safety, stranger, danger, pain, rain, taking, baby, ancient, snake, lake, face, paid, came, take Vs. sound in plans, stands, hand, land, gallery [æ]
3. I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Marvin Gaye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajBdDM2qdg
4. These Boots are Made for Walking, Nancy Sinatra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2hR-rOukbU
5. Son of a Preacher Man, Dusty Springfield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-3p6QsCbr0
6. Respect, Aretha Franklin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAI_Nv3qWto
7. The Sound of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGLHadex0B0
8. Stand by me, Ben E. King
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTCfQ6Bb8QE
9. Woudn't it be Nice, Beach Boys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6TK9xKgGmk
10. Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMe059zoYb4
11. I Want you Back, Jackson 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T5xWkO56GI
12. What a Beautiful World, Louis Armstrong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3yCcXgbKrE
13. Blue Suede Shoes, Elvis Priestley [1956]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYMfsUgbhN4
14. All Along the Watchtower, Jimmy Hendrix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY
15. Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry [1958]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-c0vZbPsQ
16. You Really Got me, The Kinks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9QczCdt2WY
17. Mrs Robinson, Simon & Garfunkel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfSny4MkS3c
18. Space Oddity, David Bowie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_M3uw29U1U
Special Category : The Beatles
1. Here Comes the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc1ta1UMGeo
2. Hey Jude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qMls5yxP1w
3. Yesterday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMajkpYw2sI
4. Help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q_ZzBGPdqE
5. I am the Walrus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6EEMRPFk10
6. Strawberry Fields forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUH9z_Oey8
7. Penny Lane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-rB0pHI9fU
8. All you Need is Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_vhYpR9xo
9. We Can Work it out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyclqo_AV2M
10. Let it Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d5ST3tbPIU
11. The Fool on the Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGDuGybCRSE
12. With a Little Help from my Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN5JT7wnlZM
13. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yORMCPa1u8
14. Yellow Submarine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krIus0i9xn8
15. Octopus's Garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De1LCQvbqV4
16. Drive my Car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfSQkZuIx84
17. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naoknj1ebqI
18. Michelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AWhTCIQdk4
19. Eleanor Rigby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y
The 1970s
1. Bohemian Rhapsody , Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axAtWjn3MfI
2. Superstition, Stevie Wonder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsxvdF481I
3. Starman, David Bowie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpLw8VW-R7I
4. Stairway to Heaven, Led Zepplin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHFxncb1gRY
5. London Calling, The Clash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIvpwS2Pa3k
6. Jolene, Dolly Parton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU3787NR-do
7. Wish you were Here, Pink Floyd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tGO1Y4FGpI
8. Take a Walk on the Wild Side, Lou Reed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6aT-62kCPI
9. Your Song, Elton John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6pty2r0Lo
10. Highway to Hell, AC/DC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa82Qpw6lyE
11. Imagine, John Lennon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6svOHFSAH8
12. Move on up, Curtis Mayfield
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGR9bQh-kpk
13. Hotel California, Eagles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcmjDPDOk7c
14. Use me, Bill Withers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RtLx0X8rM
15. New York, New York, Franck Sinatra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-ZUXQuFcnw
16. Stuck in the Middle with you, Stealers Wheelers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSVzr_cZc0A
17. Roxanne, The Police
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb-ABuRa9Qw
18. You're the one that I Want, Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohy1XGyk6I
19. Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDkCn1iEIac
20. Staying alive, Bee Gees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vj092UgKwQ
21. Don't Stop me Now, Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKny_ia8Fvo
22. Layla, Eric Clapton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XyL185zPJk
23. Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cyokaj3BJU
24. Knocking on Heaven's Door, Bob Dylan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XyjIOcxceE
25. Call me, Blondie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDJ0jFFkvjc
26. California Dreaming, The Mamas and the Papas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ53_yJ7tKw
27. The Passenger, Iggy Pop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWSsDhaGfn8
28. Love is All, Roger Glover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx6rp5vnn80
29. Don't Stop me Now, Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKny_ia8Fvo
30. My Lady d'Arbanville, Cat Stevens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RduDNjxLcI
The 1980s
1. Beat it, Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2PAkPp0_bY
2. Take on me, A-Ah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q08427Of6as
3. Sunday Bloody Sunday, U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZLPV6xcHI
4. All Night Long, Lionel Richie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvKxqJQPyS8
5. Should I Stay or Should I Go, The Clash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirsBCrXNI0
6. Time after Time, Cindi Lauper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-BMPgeMavw
7. Come on Eileen, Dexys Midnight Runners
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiHumYtLUnM
8. Under Pressure, Queen & David Bowie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWdLt3Afjrg
9. Where is my Mind, The Pixies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ut52Szpd-w
10. Purple Rain, Prince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2zIAbsp8oM
11. With or Without you, U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzeDqRhM09w
12. Close to me, The Cure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLC9UufMN0A
13. Thriller, Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJwxcYTa_VQ
14. Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0xBWPHHzBw
15. Mandela Day, Simple Minds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tb7TwFc2cc
16. Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6ttOWHaRoo
17. Sweet Dreams, Eurhythmics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THb0Pc35vJg
18. Babooshka, Kate Bush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1O6-XA0kU
19. Against all Odds, Phil Collins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVR7aNP3gNE
20. Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B02LXuKWGTI
20. The Power of Love, Frankie Goes to Hollywood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5Fz02-oHq0
21. Golden Brown, The Stranglers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHVvbnmgjM
22. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ-SwJjkSyw
23. Upside Down, Diana Ross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpsQhwtvwU
24. Eternal Flame, The Bangles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH4hHiHGtCY
25. Venus, Bananarama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtngIWazfT0
26. Africa, Toto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWfY9GRe7SI
27. Like a Prayer, Madonna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OECKknqIie0
28. Where the Streets have no Name, U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZU8qQQV_QA
29. I Want to Break Free, Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBthBQ-cKJA
30. Small Town Boy, Bronski Beat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUwGpSBY_vg
31. Such a Shame, Talk Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiOyJj9h25s
32. Talking 'Bout a Revolution, Tracy Chapman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8d4QKIVZVg
33. Karma Chameleon, Culture Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kPi0JqvRRs
34. Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PlgN0ta6E8
35. True, Spandau Ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8naoe1YYFak
36. Another Bites the Dust, Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKny_ia8Fvo
37. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking for, U2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmxOUIddBm0
38. Ashes to Ashes, David Bowie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWuSG_lSbYI
39. Land Down Under, Men at Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jHXu86O01w
40. Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDCP8m78FhQ
The 1990s
1. Smells like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYxkezUr8MQ
2. Losing my Religion, R.E.M.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u036M7p6-ak
3. Wonderwall, Oasis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYffFEIAzdE
4. Creep, Radiohead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo92iIPOYY4
5. Killing in the Name, Rage against the Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxk3c_SbWMg
6. Girls and Boys, Blur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYlgTIS7mVg
7. Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Verve
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opEOYvNfCp4
8. Tonight, Tonight, The Smashing Pumpkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cuSqzM7cs8
9. Ironic, Alanis Morissette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sThaCXe1eJU
10. Mr Jones, Counting Crows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHVZ_-b868
11. November Rain, Guns N' Roses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dc56W_bnyU
12. Fool me, The Cardigans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-QkkHsP9dc
13. Enjoy the Silence, Depeche Mode
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G0G1OjM5h0
14. Under the Bridge, Red Hot Chili Peppers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNqYRCYXcjw
15. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead, O' Connor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrnTTuqwIC0
16. Loser, Becker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OhUxj8Fewc
17. Zombies, Cranberries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv5wF-E9D8Y
18. Enter Sandman, Metallica
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ixKdkMWzFA
19. Self-Esteem, The Offspring
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWjzBHUdsI
20. Like A Virgin, Madonna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnWua_Cniek
21. Missing, Everything but the Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y7TAZtbqzI
22. Cannonball, The Breeders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJU8P6EvipM
23. Over my Shoulder, Mike and the Mechanics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr9-v1GZutg
24. Glory Box, Portishead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2lhOPjLEfk
25. Virtual Insanity, Jamiroquai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlzdsr4Ss54
26. Are you Gonna Go my Way, Lenny Kravitz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No9JYUcvB0I
27. I'll Stand by you, The Pretenders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuWAGT9ZkYE
28. The Show Must Go on, Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKLMYZlbIb8
29. I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbUpPVOEkdA
30. Kiss from a Rose, Seal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7y19ED6Vrk
31. Don't Speak, No Doubt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONg4SK39-Kg
32. Here with me, Dido
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-otodgfrlI
33. Karma Police, Radiohead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr7QZs3mBjM
34. Wannabe, Spice Girls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw-QRyQcFH8
35. Song 2, Blur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu6Mid2a428
36. Popular, Nada Surf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltl9O5OneNw
The 2000s
1. Rehab, Amy Winehouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjW5ygsyjTI
2. Murder on the Dance, Sophie Ellie Bextor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoQB_X3ufSc
3. Fix you, Coldplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK3TROzVRiE
4. Uprising, Muse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbrWcvXceGU
5. I Kissed a Girl, Kate Perry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X024NEsDyC8
6. Seven Nation Army, The White Stripes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRXtQpw7X3k
7. Reptilia, The Strokes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrLnOfYFVvQ
8. Crazy in Love, Beyonce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoIve0Iz7W4
9. Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree, KT Tunstall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JsBN8BKwQQ
12. Are you Gonna be my Girl, The Jets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iptmRfE1RBQ
13. Dog Days are Over, Florence + the Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wi75BBkLqs
14. Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0EW0s1fN-8
15. Somewhere Only we Know, Keane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KHJKj9GgsI
16. This Love, Maroon 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHU6vvsTnbI
17. The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR2lKYsOXXk
18. American Boy, Estelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96qkWATooqs
19. The Bitter End, Placebo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NooInU2ew7I
20. Feel Good Inc., Gorillaz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKez38i5h14
21. Rebellion (Lies), Arcade Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6xqqLWKLiY
22. Numb, Linkin Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qZxMY7FZf8
23. Skinny Love, Bon Iver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVp1a9uYivs
24. Grace Kelly, Mika
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHisFtYwf1Y
The 2010s
1. The Scientist, Coldplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fUUg0TL2l0
2. Someone like you, Adele
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD9dr2ZRm9A
3. Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziN7Y1M1v8s
4. Chandelier, Sia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wctHelpInEc
5. I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cee5S62EfuI
6. Sign of the Time, Harry Styles
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lyrics+sign+of+the+time
7. Lonely Boy, Black Keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79W3CN2b_mM