There are songs I’ve heard enough times to last a lifetime, and they could go away tomorrow…but that’s actually tomorrow’s topic. Today, I’m thinking about “songs that never wear out their welcome” – songs that I’ll almost never change stations on or skip over on the iPod. These are songs I never get tired of hearing, no matter how many times I have. I thought I’d done a post on a related topic at some point – “songs that always make me smile” or something like that – but I can’t find it in my archives. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, just that I can’t remember what I called it or locate it if it does. I’ve just past 1300 posts on this blog, people. You’ll have to cut me a little slack every now and then.

What follows is a certain-to-be-incomplete list of songs I haven’t yet tired of…and at this point, I really doubt I ever will. Some are fairly recent, and others have been around for most of my life. They’re not necessarily songs that describe me or my life, but they’re clearly a big part of it.

“I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles: This isn’t my favorite Beatles song. I cannot possibly choose ONE favorite Beatles song, but I do want to limit it to just one on this list, and this is definitely in my top 5. Despite the fact that it is, literally, as old as I am – part of the first wave of “Beatlemania” in the USA, which arrived just a couple of months before I was born – it always sounds fresh to me. It sounds hopeful, and happy, and I love it.

“American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: One of their first singles, this song has a sound to the guitars that reminds me a bit of early Beatles. (Hmm…)

“Surrender,” by Cheap Trick: We just seem a little weird, but we’re all all right.

“Up the Junction,” by Squeeze: I’m kind of a sucker for cheery-sounding songs with not-so-cheery subjects.

(Tangent: When I was in New York City during our family vacation in June, I saw that Squeeze and Cheap Trick were scheduled to play a double bill at Radio City Music Hall a couple of weeks later. I wish I’d been able to go back for that show!)

“I Wanna Be Sedated,” by the Ramones: I secretly believe the Ramones only did one song, ever, over and over, but if that’s true, this is my favorite version of it.

“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace. Love, and Understanding,” by Elvis Costello: Limiting myself to just one Elvis C. song wasn’t quite the task it was with the Beatles, but it was a challenge all the same – and this is the one I had to go with. I knew someone who once called this “the greatest song ever” – I don’t totally agree, but it’s up there.

“The Galaxy Song,” versions by Monty Python and Clint Black: If you ever need reassurance about where you stand in the scheme of things…well, you probably won’t get it from this song.

“Spiderwebs” by No Doubt: I’m really not a huge fan of this band in general, but I love the energy of this song. I always thought the chorus belongs on an answering machine.

“Designs on You,” by Old 97’s: I don’t always know what song makes me first fall in love with a band, but in this case, not-so-secretly, I do.

“Red Dragon Tattoo,” by Fountains of Wayne: There are quite a few FoW songs I never get tired of hearing, in all honesty, but this is near the top of the list. And I’m going to cheat and throw in another one of theirs: “The Girl I Can’t Forget” is one of their lesser-known songs, but it’s been one I can’t forget since I first heard it. Oh, and one more: “Stacy’s Mom,” the 21st-century’s own “Mrs. Robinson,” but a little more fun.

“How to Save a Life” by The Fray: Granted, it’s partly because I just love the piano on this, but when a song has gotten as much exposure as this one has over the last few years and I’m still listening every time it comes on, it’s a keeper.

“Starlight” by Muse: I really need to get to know more of this band’s music…and I think I know some people who can give me some suggestions, which brings me to the next part of this post.

I was curious about what songs other people might feel this way about, and I’d like to thank everyone who filled out the little survey I had posted here for about a week. Y’all knew I’d be sharing your responses, right? I love audience participation! And I enjoyed reading everyone’s choices here, since there were quite a few I didn’t know (which means you may be spared any commentary about them from me!).

The survey’s not up any more, but I’m still curious: what song(s) are you always glad to hear, even after hundreds of times (or more)? Tomorrow: songs I never need to hear again.

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