just five.

This has to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I love all my music so much and I have so many memories tied to all my songs that it was almost painful to search for my top 5. These may not even be my top 5, but right now they're pretty high up there. These are just a few of the songs that have influenced my musical tastes. There are definitely other songs I love just as much.

1. Misunderstood by Wilco. Wilco is, by far, my favorite band and I don't foresee that changing any time in the near future. This song is a recent favorite of mine by them because of attending their concert this past spring. Brilliant, brilliant show by the way. Pretty sure I sobbed a few times it was so beautiful. Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer, is one of the most fantastic performers I've ever had the good fortune of seeing. He has a real connection with the audience and this was exceptionally evident when the band played this song. This song starts out soft and gradually builds into a crescendo where Tweedy is practically shouting the lyrics "I'd like to thank you all for nothing at all". Not in a screamo way though. Just in a very raw, emotional way. The song ends in a very fade-outey, broken-recordy kind of way, which I think fits the idea of being misunderstood. To me, coupled with the beautifully relate-able lyrics and raw intensity in the singer's voice, this song is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs out there. Not bad to scream along to as well. Yes, Jeff Tweedy. I do still love rock and roll.

2. Plea from a Cat Named Virtue by The Weakerthans. Here is an example of another of my all time favorite bands with beautiful lyrics and incredible emotion. This particular song I believe is one of the most inventive in that it is written from a house cat's perspective. Basically, the cat is attempting to convince his/her owner to come out of the emotional rut he's been stuck in. And what a nice concept that is. To think about our pets caring so much about us that they would give us advice like "those bitter songs you sing, they're not helping anything". I mean really. I want this cat. Basically, I just think John Samson is a brilliant song writer who is able to take the little ordinary things in life and turn them into something unbelievably beautiful and poetic and I think this is very apparent in this song.

3. Bowl of Oranges by Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst is yet another ridiculously talented songwriter. A lot of Bright Eyes is very soft and sad, almost haunting in a way. But this song happens to be one of the much more cheeful, up-tempo bunch. I think that this song is basically about the comfort of another human being, whether it is a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, brother, whatever, and how much just having someone there to hold you and tell you it's okay can help and how everyone needs this at some point. One of the lyrics in particular, although very simple, really seems to speak volumes about what being there for someone means: "Don't worry 'cause now I got your back. And every time you feel like crying I'm going to try and make you laugh. And if I can't, if it just hurts to bad, then we will wait for it to pass. And I will keep you company through those days so long and black."

4. Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams. Ah, the artist who gave me my love of the wonderful genre of alt-country. First of all, I would like to say I really, really, really love this song. That's right, that's THREE reallys. This may be partly because it involves a harmonica (yes, I'm a sucker for a harmonica, what can I say). But Ryan Adams' voice is just...just...how can I even bring myself to explain something so beautiful? The perfection that I hear whenever he opens his mouth and sings is quite unparalleled. His range is unbelievable. He can go from hardcore country boy, to punk rocker, to soft ballady voiced guy who has amazing harmonizing powers. It's really just incredible. This song is one of those you hear and you're like "Hey, yes. I know exactly what he means." It's such a connection I get with the artist whenever I hear this song. It's like I know exactly what he's going through and I feel for him and I relate and understand and I really want whoever it is he's singing this song about to come pick him up already for the love of God.

5. Your Little Hoodrat Friend by The Hold Steady. A good solid rock song. I really dig the use of the keyboard on this song. The Hold Steady is just an all around amazing bar band. They like to sing about partying and shows and controversial feelings toward religion. It's all very On The Roady by Jack Kerouac. In fact, they make several references to him in their music. So what if Craig Finn doesn't really sing? He's a story-teller and I'm his avid and faithful listener. I have rarely heard better story songs than the ones that The Hold Steady belts out complete with heavy guitar riffs and lyrics that make you wish you were a part of the group this band parties with. It doesn't get much better than that.