- The songs should appear in order of preference. If you just vote for your very favorite song, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if you provide a Top 5 or Top 10 list (or any wacky number above or inbetween), please make the rankings mean something. Otherwise, the fun (and the challenge) is lost.
- As always, please stick to singles. This will ensure that the maximum number of participants can play along, whether voting or just following along. This also provides a nice limitation to the songs being considered.
- To ensure you remember what songs are eligible, you may click here and view a greatest hits package that also includes song samples. The one song you may want to consider which does not appear on this collection is "Accidentally in Love," from the Shrek 2 soundtrack. Click on the song title if you'd like to find a sample for that one.
Benny K says...
Here's my top five:
5. Anna Begins
This song might rank higher, but the verses aren't nearly so melodically engrossing. It could be one of their best songs, but it's not one I'm as likely to stop on if not in the right mood. Still, it works to a gentle, epiphanic climax that carries the listener's emotions right along. For that, it deserves a spot on the list.
4. Hangin' Around
Songwriting gold? Far from it, but let's see you avoid cranking up the radio and singing along when you stumble upon it. That's what I thought.
3. Mr. Jones
Okay, let me explain. If I were to pass this song on the radio, I can almost guarantee I'd skip by it. But anyone who's being honest with him/herself knows this is only because the song has been so overplayed. Try to listen to it with the ears of someone hearing it for the first time. Quite simply, it's a great pop-rock single with a distinct rhythm guitar riff and a catchy chorus. So long as rock 'n' roll exists, this will always be an instantly-recognizable classic. We have to admit this fact and move on with life, folks.
2. Rain King
Despite the sour-noted, cringe-worthy "yeeeaaaaahhhh!" with which lead singer Adam Duritz finishes the tune, this song packs a solid four-minute punch of pop-rock pleasantries. It's one of very few songs to maintain the band's expert songwriting craft while simulteanously kicking things up a notch tempo-wise. Other pop-friendly singles (including "American Girls," "Accidentally in Love," and my number three pick, "Hangin' Around") are extremely mediocre in comparison. "Rain King," on the other hand, demonstrates the group's true potential as talented-yet-mainstream musicians.
1. Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman)
This gem was not released on a normal album, but got some decent airplay back in the band's earlier days. Like "Rain King," it's a bit more upbeat than many Counting Crows songs, which pays off beautifully. No other CC song has even come close to knocking this one from the top spot on my list. Even if you own every other Counting Crows album, buying their greatest hits would be worth it for this song alone (or just buy the original compilation album on which it appears, DGC Rarities, Vol. 1).
For all it's worth, ranking this band's songs was one of the hardest things I've done. Even composing a top five list was qutie a challenge, simply because so many of their songs are of equal caliber. Almost every song on their greatest hits album deserves an honorable mention. However, I can tell you that I "Accidentally in Love" and "A Long December," both rather popular songs, are pretty low on my list. And the horrendous "Big Yellow Taxi" should be shot. Why the Crows thought this song should be taken so darn seriously is beyond me.
