100 Favorite Songs

 The following are my 100 favorite songs in order. These are my own personal favorites and not

necessarily "the greatest songs of all time." 

1.      “Oceans (Where Feet May Fall)” – Composed and Performed by Hillsong United (2013)

-          My favorite song, I just tremble when I hear it.

2.      “The Summons” – Composed by John L. Bell, Performed by Robert Kochis (1987)

-          If I ever get ordained, I want this song to be played.

3.      “A Man Has Dreams” – Composed by the Sherman Brothers, Performed by Dick Van Dyke and George Tomlinson, From the film musical Mary Poppins (1964)

-          I like to listen to this song whenever I get tempted to thinking that I’ve wasted my life.

4.      “O Virgin Pure” – Composed by Nectarios of Aegina (1905)

-          This melody is just so beautiful, very maternal.

5.      “… Baby One More Time” – Composed by Max Martin, Performed by Britney Spears (1999)

-          Britney was my first big celebrity crush. I love the sound of this song, just so raw and desperate.

6.      “Concepts” – Composed by Joel Hodgeson and Jonah Hill, Performed by Jonah Hill, Tom Servo, and Crow T. Robot, From the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2018)

-          This is such a film school nerd song, an entire tune about the awkward realities of screenwriting. I love the Robert McKee joke.

7.      “You’ll Be Back” – Composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Johnathon Groff, From the Broadway musical Hamilton (2015)

-          This is probably my single favorite Broadway performance.

8.      “Peanut Butter and Jelly” – Composed and Performed by InsideOut A Cappella (2007)

-          A really clever and beautiful metaphor, especially for my wife and I.

9.      “Not Evil” – Composed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Performed by Tiffany Haddish, From the film The LEGO Movie 2: The 2nd Part (2019)

-          This song is so much fun. I love dancing around wildly and pretending to throw glitter around while this is playing.

10.  “Healing Incantation” – Composed by Dan Fogelman, Performed by Mandy Moore. From the film Tangled (2010)

-          A hauntingly beautiful song that seems pagan on the face but has Christian undertones.

11.  “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” Composed by Shawn Colvin, Performed by Ernie, From the television series Sesame Street (1998)

-          Really touching tribute to home

12.  “Shiny” – Composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Jermaine Clement, From the film Moana (2016)

-          There’s a lot of great backstory going on in this song, plus its so sad and catchy at the same time.

13.  “It’s Quiet Uptown” – Composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, From the Broadway musical Hamilton (2015)

-          My third child died from a miscarriage. I listen to this if I want a good cry.

14.  “Interrogation Song” – Composed by Bret McKenzie, Performed by Ty Burrell and the Muppets. From the film Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

-          I love the Muppets. There’s so clever and silly.

15.  “Godzilla” – Composed and Performed by Blue Oyster Cult (1977)

-          All hail the King.

16.  “Worthless” – Composed by Van Dyke Parks, From the film Brave Little Toaster (1988)

-          Holocaust imagery and existential crises in a kid’s movie. Wow.

17.  “Country Roads” – Composed and Performed by John Denver (1971)

-          Great campfire song.

18.  “Handlebars” – Composed and Performed by Flobots (2005)

-          Humanity’s ingenuity can be used for great good or evil.

19.  “Shake It Off” – Composed and Performed by Taylor Swift (2014)

-          A fun tribute to the diversity of dance and a great attitude adjuster.

20.  “Word Crimes” – Composed and Performed by Weird Al Yankovic (2014)

-          Tons of grammatical fun

21.  “Hurt” – Composed by Nine Inch Nails, Performed by Johnny Cash (2002)

-          A terrible truth: when we hurt, we often hurt others. 

22.  “I Believe” – Composed by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, Performed by Andrew Rannells, From the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon (2011)

-          Oddly beautiful despite being quite silly

23.  “Amish Paradise” – Composed and Performed by Weird Al Yankovic (1996)

-          This is one of the first songs I remember loving as a small child.

24.  “In Summer” – Composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Performed by Josh Gad, From the film Frozen (2013)

-          One of my favorite Disney tunes, crazy funny.

25.  “I Wanna Go” – Composed by Max Martin, Performed by Britney Spears (2011)

-          A great workout jam.

26.  “Semicolon” – Composed and Performed by The Lonely Island (2013)

-          I’m a sucker for grammatical puns.

27.  “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” – Performed by Johnny Cash (2006)

-          The Lord always has the last word.

28.  “Yesterday” – Composed and Performed by The Beatles (1965)

-          Yesterday is always better in hindsight.

29.  “Stay With Me” – Composed and Performed by Sam Smith (2014)

-          So filled with unfulfillable sadness.

30.  “Until the Whole World Hears” – Composed and Performed by Casting Crowns (2009)

-          It’s our constant vocation to spread the gospel of Christ.

31.  “Heaven’s Light/Hellfire” – Composed by Stephen Swartz, Performed by Tom Hulce and Tony Jay, From the film The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

-          Incredibly profound, especially for Disney.

32.  “Springtime for Hitler” – Composed by Mel Brooks. From the film The Producers (1967)

-          The first great musical fax pas.

33.  “All American Prophet” – Composed by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, Performed by Andrew Rannells, From the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon (2011)

-          A humorous and surprisingly accurate depiction of America’s Moses.  

34.  “There’s a Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” – Composed by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, Performed by Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, From the film A Mighty Wind (2003)

-          A beautiful song from a beautiful film.

35.  “Four Chords” – Composed and Performed by Axis of Awesome (2011)

-          A hilarious send up of the musical industry’s monotony.

36.  “What Does the Fox Say”- Composed and Performed by Ylvis (2013)

-          This song is so weird. I love it.

37.  “Where is my Hairbrush?” – Composed and Performed by Mike Nawrocki and Phil Vischer, From the television series Veggietales (1995)

-          The original silly song.

38.  “History Has It’s Eyes on You” – Composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Christopher Jackson, From the Broadway musical Hamilton (2015)

-          We never really have control over how others perceive us.

39.  “Toxic” – Composed by Kathy Dennis, Performed by Britney Spears (2003)

-          A great, sexy jam.

40.  “Cat’s in the Cradle” – Composed and Performed by Harry Chapin (1974)

-          This gets sadder and more meaningful the older I get.

41.  “One More Night” – Composed and Performed by Maroon Five (2012)

-          An amazing treatise of how lust and abuse can look like love.

42.  “Dream the Impossible Dream” – Composed by Joe Darin, Performed by Richard Kiley, From the Broadway musical The Man of La Mancha (1965)

-          Everyone needs a dream.

43.  “Two is a Better Than One” – Composed by Martin Johnson and Taylor Swift, Performed by Boys Like Girls ft. Taylor Swift (2009)

-          When I hear this, I remember the first time I really knew I loved the woman I would marry.

44.  “Bad Blood” – Composed and Performed by Taylor Swift (2014)

-          This song and its music video are super-badass.

45.  “Business Time” – Composed and Performed by Flight of the Conchords (2008)

-          A hilarious (and accurate) send up of the foreplay process.

46.  “Foil” – Composed and Performed by Weird Al Yankovic (2014)

-          A funny song that escalates quickly.

47.  “Slow Fade” – Composed and Performed by Casting Crowns (2008)

-          Sin usually begins small.

48.  “The Weary Kind” – Composed by Ryan Bingham, From the film Crazy Heart (2009)

-          You can always get up again, no matter how many times you fall.

49.  “Gotham City Guys” – Composed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Performed by Tiffany Haddish and Will Arnett, From the film The LEGO Movie 2: The 2nd Part (2019)

-          Jealously is a powerful tool.

50.  “I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow” – Composed by Tim Blake Nelson, Performed by the Soggy Bottom Boys, From the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

-          The key song from a great musical.

51.  “Be Thou My Vision” – Composed by St. Dallán Forgaill (6th century AD)

-          A great hymn with lots of good variations.

52.  “Tradition” – Composed by Sheldon Harnick, Performed by Topol, From the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

-          One the best musical openings of all time.

53.  “Hot” – Composed and Performed by Avril Lavigne (2007)

-          An awesome and beautiful ode to attraction.

54.  “Fuck You” – Composed and Performed by CeeLo Green (2010)

-          Wholesome Motown sound mixed with crude lyrics makes for a really clever song.

55.  “Till It Happens to You” – Composed and Performed by Lady Gaga, From the film The Hunting Ground (2015)

-          People can be unfeeling, even if they have good intentions.

56.  “Human” – Composed and Performed by Rag'n'Bone Man (2017)

-          Everyone’s a sinner. Everyone is broken. Be kind.

57.  “Inactive” – Composed and Performed by Weird Al Yankovic (2014)

-          I relate to this song a lot.

58.  “Burning Love” – Composed by Dennis Linde, Performed by Elvis Presley (1972)

-          I’m a hunk of burning love : )

59.  “Bed Intruder Song” – Composed by the Gregory Brothers, Performed by Antoine Dobson (2010)

-          Anything can be catchy with the right artist.

60.  “What Wondrous Love Is This” – Unknown Composer (19^th century AD)

-          Jesus gave everything for me and you.

61.  “Grouch Anthem” – Composed by Jeff Penning, Performed by Carol Spinney, From the film Follow that Bird (1988)

-          I feel Oscar’s pain.

62.  “Better Than a Hallelujah” – Composed by Sarah Hart, Performed by Amy Grant (2010)

-          We all suffer. God hears, even if He doesn’t relieve the suffering.

63.  “The Song That Goes Like This” – Composed by Eric Idle, Performed by Christopher Sieber and Sara Ramirez, From the Broadway musical Spamalot (2004)

-          So meta.

64.  “Sparrow” – Composed and Performed by Simon and Garfunkel (1964)

-          I will help you little sparrow!

65.  “Most Beautiful Girl in the Room” – Composed and Performed by Flight of the Conchords (2008)

-          Dates are often better in our heads.

66.  “Teenage Dream” – Composed and Performed by Katy Perry (2010)

-          Reminds me of days in SoCal

67.  “I Threw It on the Ground” – Composed and Performed by The Lonely Island (2011)

-          This song is just so dumb but so funny

68.  “Wrecking Ball” – Composed by Mareen McDonald, Performed by Miley Cyrus (2013)

-          A haunting melody

69.  “Yoda” – Composed and Performed by Composed and Performed by Weird Al Yankovic (1985)

-          Star Wars and Weird Al: Always a good decision.

70.  “Finale” – Composed by Alain Boubil, From the Broadway musical Les Misérables (1980)

-          One of the best representations of the beatific vision in literature.

 

71.  “Hurt Feelings” – Composed and Performed by Flight of the Conchords (2009)

-          We all get hurt sometimes.

72.  “Memory” – Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Performed by Elaine Page, From the Broadway musical Cats (1981)

-          Amazing singing by Page

73.  “See You Again” – Composed and Performed by Miley Cyrus (2007)

-          Great dance tune

74.  “His Cheeseburger” – Composed and Performed by Phil Visher, From the television series Veggietales (2000)

-          Love is complicated. So is lunch.

75.   “Monster in the Mirror” – Composed by Christopher Cerf and Norman Stiles, Performed by Grover, From the television series Sesame Street (2000)

-          Very Freudian  

76.  “Dracula’s Lament” – Composed and Performed by Jason Segel, From the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

-          Hilarious.

77.  “Creep” – Composed by Radiohead, Performed by Scala and Kolacny Brothers (2008)

-          We often make more of rejection than it is.

78.  “Ring of Fire” – Composed and Performed by Johnny Cash (1967)

-          Love is not always bliss.

79.  “Soul of a Man” – Composed by Blind Willie Johnson, Performed by Steven Stern (2009)

-          A great tune when I’m feeling philosophical.

80.  “The Creep” – Composed and Performed by The Lonely Island (2011)

-          Proof you can make almost anything funny.

81.  “Jesus Freak” – Composed and Performed by DC Talk (1995)

-          Great jam for evangelizin’

82.  “Still Her Little Child” – Composed and Performed by Ray Boltz (2006)

-          Jesus is Lord of the Universe. He was also someone’s little one.

83.  “Zacchaeus” – Composed and Performed by The Donut Man (1994)

-          Jesus turns hearts of stone into gold.

84.  “Theme Song” – Composed and Performed by Joel Hodgson, From the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988)

-          It may be “just a show,” but what a show!

85.  “Double Rainbow” – Composed by the Gregory Brothers, Performed by Yosmitebear (2010)

-          Double rainbows are cool.

86.  “ZZ Blues” – Composed by Sarah Durkee, Performed by Over the Top, From the television series Sesame Street (1993)

-          Only song I know where they fall asleep in the middle of signing.

87.  “John Wayne’s Teeth” – Composed by Eaglebear Singers, Performed by Adam Beach and Evan Adams, From the film Smoke Signals (1993)

-          So dumb and profound at the same time.

88.  “God’s Not Dead (Like a Lion)” – Composed by Daniel Bashta, Performed by the Newsboys (2011)

-          God is Lord.

89.  “Friends on the Other Side” – Composed by Randy Newman, Performed by Keith Ellison, From the film The Princess and the Frog (2009)

-          Great illustration of the demonic.

90.  “Feed Me” – Composed by Alan Menken, Performed by Rick Moranis and Levi Stubbs, From the Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors (1982)

-          Great illustration of lust and greed.

91.  “Something So Right” – Composed by Bret McKenzie, Performed by the Muppets, From the film Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

-          The Muppets are known for their running gags, and this is one of their best.

92.  “O Holy Night” – Composed by Adolphe Adam (1847)

-          I love the line “fall on your knees,” it’s breathtaking.

93.  “Let It Go” – Composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Performed by Idina Menzil, From the film Frozen (2013)

-          So full of power and also loss/sadness.

94.  “Blue (Da Ba Dee)" – Composed and Performed by Eiffel 65 (1998)

-          This song is just catchy, but sometimes that’s enough.

95.  “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room” – Composed by the Sherman Brothers, Performed by the Mellomen (1963)

-          One of my favorite Disneyland rides.

96.  “If You’re Into It” – Composed and Performed by Flight of the Conchords (2007)

-          Well that escalated quickly.

97.  “Forever” – Composed and Performed by Chris Brown (2008)

-          Yes, I like it because of the wedding dance. It’s perfect.

98.  “We are Going to be Friends” – Composed and Performed by The White Stripes (2001)

-          This brings me right back to elementary school.

99.  “If I Were a Rich Man” – Composed by Sheldon Harnick, Performed by Topol, From the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof (1964)

-          Everyone wants to be rich, but rich in what?

      100. “Kaiju Rap” - Composed by Joel Hodgeson and Jonah Hill, Performed by Jonah Hill,

Tom Servo, and Crow T. Robot, From the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2017)

-          This was the moment I knew the new series was a worthy successor.

List Trivia

1. There were four musical artists who had three or more songs on the list: Britney Spears (3), The Lonely Island (3), Taylor Swift (4), and Weird Al Yankovic (5). Collectively, they comprise 15% of the songs.

2. There were three productions that had three songs on the list: Sesame Street, Hamilton, and Mystery Science Theater 3000.

3. Only 28 of the 100 songs were written or recorded prior to 1995.