On the Record: Gary Go

My favorite song of all time. I love every sound...there's so much space, but yet it has so much weight. It's the perfect production (Mutt Lange, the producer is one of my heroes) I also love the lyric. So simple, but so meaningful. It's a huge song. This relationship is totally breaking down, and it simply comes down to "who's gonna drive you home tonight!" As well as the many metaphors there may be behind that line, I love the literal interpretation of it.

David Bowie "Life On Mars"

It's amazing to think that this and "My Way" are the same song...this is a great example of how a lyric and melody can totally transform the same piece of music (as well as the production). I love the off the wall lyrics and imagery ("sailors fighting in the dance hall"). It has such an individual style, it's very hard for anyone other than Bowie to pull this song off.

Simon & Garfunkel "America"

The harmonies, the words, the storytelling. This song really captures the excitement of finding "America", which in the song seems to be a mystical place or the american dream rolled into one.

Sinead O'Connor "Nothing Compares To You"

Pure emotion on tape.

Peter Gabriel "Solsbury Hill"

I love this song and always loved the story that it was about Peter leaving Genesis.

Bob Dylan "Don't Think Twice It's Alright"

He uses the word "knowed" instead of "knew" to rhyme with "road". Genius in my book. I love the words and the throwaway delivery.

Nine Inch Nails "Hurt"

I am a huge NIN fan, and loved this song from the start, but Cash's cover just proves what an amazing song it is.

Death Cab For Cutie "What Sarah Said"

For me, Ben Gibbard is one of the best new school of writers in the world. This song is hard to compete with. Lyrically it's one of the most impressive songs I've heard in the last few years. The images of the hospital waiting room and then the outro chorus is just heaven. The simple idea of "Who's gonna watch you die" just takes this over the edge into killer song land.

Sting "Fields of Gold"

Simple, beautiful imagery. 

Pink Floyd "Time"

Masterpiece. The groove and the lyrics.

Bruce Springsteen "Philadelphia"

The most simple song production with an amazing vocal...I love the phrasing of the vocal...it's so conversational.

Michael Jackson "Can't Stop Till You Get Enough"

You got to dance if you listen to this.

Chet Baker "I Fall In Love Too Easily"

Was once in a jazz club in Brooklyn, and that house band were playing this song instrumental, and a customer just stood up from his dinner and started singing...it was incredible and sounded amazing...if I knew his name, his version would be on here. Chet smashes it though too!

Radiohead "Paranoid Android"

One of my favorite bands..they continue to invent themselves. I remember hearing this in the music shop for the first time at a listening station...I was blown away.The imagery, the sound, the guitar solo, the movements. It just has it!!!"