Greatest Songs Ever!

1. Teardrop (Massive Attack)

Teardrop is a song by Massive Attack which was first released on their 1998 album Mezzanine. It was released as a single on 21 April 1998. The song became another UK hit for the group on the UK singles chart. The original version of the song features vocals by Elizabeth Fraser (of the Cocteau Twins). The song's music video (directed by Walter Stern) featured a plastic baby in the womb, lip-syncing the song.

I first heard it at my school’s Pensi, Tarabian (Nov ‘99). Oscar Lawalatta was using this song as a background for his fashion show. At rehearsal, about 8 or 9 in the morning, they rehearsed the show and played the song. I was busy with my own tasks, running around minding my own business. But the intro caught me and I freezed. I remembered I just stood there listening to the whole song. The song’s so magical, it gave me goosebumps. There’s something liberating and hypnotizing about the melody. And the lyrics? Can anyone argue with: “Love, love is a verb. Love is a doing word…”? Massive Attack is a genius!

2. 1000 Oceans (Tori Amos)

1000 Oceans is a song by Tori Amos, released on September 7, 1999, as the second single from her album To Venus and Back (1999). The song deals with issues of love and loss, and is based on Tori's personal experiences. The inspiration for the lyrics came when her father-in-law died, and she claims the song helped her husband deal with the grieving process. Tori has explained that the idea for the song came to her in a dream; an old African woman was humming the melody to her, and she got up around 5:30 in the morning to record it. Writing the song, she describes the transition from the melody line around the words "I can’t believe that I would keep, keep you from flying" to "and I would cry 1000 more" as particularly difficult, and what took the longest time.

I watched the video first. Tori’s sitting on this store window while on the outside, chaos’s happening. While she’s singing these mellow tune, riot and demonstration was seen outside. It’s amazing, you can really feel the irony. The song’s beautiful too. It’s about missing someone you love so much, it hurts inside. My favorite is “And I would cry 1000 more if that's what it takes to sail you home" and "I'm aware what the rules are, but you know that I will run. You know that I will follow you.” I always remember my mom everytime I read the lyrics.

3. Both Sides Now (Joni Michell)

Both Sides Now first appeared on the album Clouds, released in 1969 and later on the album of the same name, Both Sides Now in 2000. It was written in March 1967, inspired by a passage in Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow. Rolling Stone ranked Both Sides Now #170 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

To me, this song is a poem. Joni Mitchell’s write a damn deep thoughts on this one. And match it with the perfect melody and also sang it perfectly. I heard this song for the first time from a movie called Life as a House, a 2001 drama film. The film follows George (Kevin Kline), a man diagnosed with terminal cancer who tries to repair his relationship with his drug addicted son, Sam (Hayden Christensen). George asks Sam to demolish the shack that George inherited from his abusive father, and to build an elegant home in its place together. During this experience, George reconnects with his son and his ex-wife Robin (Kristin Scott Thomas). The process of building the house is eye-opening for both George and Sam. In one scene, a newly reunited George and Robin dance with this song. What a beautiful beautiful scene. Absolutely romantic and the scene owe it to the song.

4. Thank U (Alanis Morissette)

Thank U is the first single from Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, fourth album and second internationally released album by singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette. Released on October 6, 1998, it was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Alanis wrote this after returning from a trip to India in 1997. The song expresses the heartfelt gratitude which she felt at the time. The lyrics, such as "thank you terror" and "thank you frailty," lend the song a mingled sense of cynicism, hope, and worldliness.

Alanis’s naked in this video (directed by Stephane Sednaoui), which is awful because it’s the first single from the much anticipated album since her mega successful Jagged Little Pill. I remembered feeling heartbroken and embarassed because it seemed like Alanis is so desperately seeking attention. The controversy around the ‘naked video’ was so big it clouded the core of the song. People didn’t realize the magic of the lyrics and the melody because they’re so distracted by the nude Alanis, with her long hair shrouding her breasts and her crotch blurred out, walking around and being embraced by strangers in a variety of public locations. But if you listen to it with eyes closed, ear open, and heart prepared, it’s magical. You can feel her celebrating. And you’d feel grateful inside.

5. To Zion (Lauryn Hill)

To Zion is taken fromThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the debut solo album studio by Lauryn Hill of The Fugees. Released August 25, 1998, the album swept the Grammy Awards in 1999, being nominated for 10 and winning five. In To Zion, Lauryn collaborated with guitarist Carlos Santana. The song spoke about Lauryn decision to have her first baby, even though many at the time encouraged her to abort the pregnancy as to not interfere with her blossoming career.

Laury Hill taught me the strength of self believing in this song. The strength to believe in your gut, to hear what your heart says instead of listening to others. Because life is about choosing, and to me there’s no a “right choice” or a “wrong choice”. As long as you choose from your heart, everything will be Ok, everything will follow. All you need to do is listen. I also love this song’s arrangement; the marching sound is awesome! My sugestion, search for Lauryn’s performing this song live in Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles , at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards on Youtube.

6. I Was Broken (Robert Pattinson)

I Was Broken was written by Robert Pattinson, a model turned actor who’s famously known from the mega hit movie, Twilight (2008) which based on the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. I think it’s the cheesiest vampire movie ever, and I hated Rob in it. He’s such a huge guilty pleasure, because I think the real-life Rob is super hot but his acting’s sucks! While I did my research on him, I found out that he’s a musician too. A brilliant one, actually. This song is the prove of it. I first heard this song at Youtube. It’s an old personal recording of him singing on an open mic night. The video’s blurry but the singing’s clear. He’s singing for about 7 minutes. At first I thought it's awkward and he's awful; sometimes mumbling, sometimes screaming, sometimes grunting, sometimes growling, sometimes roaring, and sometimes out of tune. But he sang so soulfully, it came straight from his heart and emotion. It entered me. I can hear this song over and over and over again, he'll never bore me. It’s about surviving. You can litteraly hear his heart ripped, and then cheer with him when it finally sewed back. Nobody can ever sing it like he did. Nobody.

7. At Last! (Etta James)

At Last! is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives. In 1960, It was covered in a performance by blues singer Etta James (71), an American blues, soul, R&B, rock & roll, gospel, jazz singer, and songwriter. The song became Etta's signature song and her rendition was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In the decades since its release, At Last! has been covered by a number of artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Jason Mraz, Miles Davis, Céline Dion, Eva Cassidy, Christina Aguilera, Joni Mitchell, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, and Beyonce. But Etta’s version is the most famous one.

The first time I heard the song, it was Christina Aguilera’s rendition on the Stripped Live in the UK DVD. She’s a huge huge fan of Etta so in every concert, she always has this special moment where she’s singing this song. She would sing it like the way Etta used to. Raw, bold, and fierce. But she sang it in a blues style, different from Etta’s rendition, which was more romantic with a sweeping orchestration. But still, there’s that taste of rawness. I first heard Etta’s version in my early “I freakin love Jazz!” phase. I fell in love right away. She, like all critics have said, has the best rendition of them all. She made it romantic, but not vulnarable. Made it raw, but effortless. The best part of this song is definitely the dreamy words; “I found a thrill to rest my cheek to. A thrill that I have never known. Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile. Oh, and then the spell was cast. And here we are in heaven. For you are mine, at last!”. Romantic with the capitals R-O-M-A-N-T-I-C!

8. Seamisai (Laura Pausini)

Laura Pausini (35) is an Italian pop diva, popular in several European, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries. She’s famed for her powerful voice, also her romantic adult contemporary ballads and love songs. She has recorded songs in Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French. Seamisai is taken from Le cose che vivi, her fourth studio album issued by CGD East West (Warner) Records in 1996. Seamisai is placed as track # 4. The music’s composed by Carella and the lyrics' written by Cheope.

This one is my Italian affair. I don’t understand any of the lines ‘coz it’s in Italian. But it really doesn’t matter and I think that proves that music is universal and borderless; you don’t have to understand the language to feel it. You just feel the melody running inside your mind and vein. Just before writing this countdown, I didn’t care about the meanings. But now, curiosity tickles. I feel the need to know what Lara’s singing about. So I googled it and found out that it’s about heartbreaks. The title’s translated to “If You Love You Know” and the lyrics say: “Don’t say no, as I know you and I know what you think. Don’t tell me no, it’s been some time now that I haven’t heard you talking of love using the future tense for us. And there’s no use in repeating to me again that you love me, because now that smile of yours in the mornings has disappeared. Because you don’t give me anything of yourself anymore.” I heard Seamisai for the first time in ANTV, there’s this one football program. On the last part of that days’s program, they aired a profile about Italia; the cities, the famous buildings, and the football culture. As an Italian wannabe, I watched it in full concentration. My ear caught the song as they put it as the background song. I thought Laura’s voice is right on perfect. The song is cool, very laid back. I didn’t need to know what she’s singing, all I know is that song represents my love for Italia. It becomes my own private Italian anthem.

9. Dance with My Father (Luther Vandross)

Dance with My Father was written by Vandross and Richard Marx. It’s the 13th and final studio album by American R&B/soul singer Luther Vandross, released on June 10, 2003, before his death on July 1, 2005. The album was dedicated to Vandross' late father. The inspiration comes from the good times Vandross shared with his late father, Luther Vandross, Sr. when he was a kid; they would dance with each other. The album earned Vandross four Grammy Awards in 2004, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Song of the Year.

As it was to Vandross, this song also contains memories for me. It reminds me of my father, Sahala Silaban, who died of lung cancer in March 18, 2004. No, we never danced. But we are close. I get my looks from him, and inherit most of his characters. We're both quiet, introvert, a bit stiff, but a loyal person. Most of all, he taught me to be a fighter. Everytime he looked at me, I could feel his massive love. And everytime I looked at him, I felt that I’m the only one that really understands him. When the doctor said he has cancer, my world crushed. But he’s a fighter, so I got up to fight this alien with him. When his body weakened, his hair falling, and his skin blackened by chemos, i freaked. I was so scared but he promised he’ll never leave. But he went anyway. Hearing this, i think of him. I remember his hand, I remember his wrinkles, I remember his grey hairs, I remember his chuckle. His patience, his strength, his love. I was born to a perfect father. I was so loved.

10. Fix You (Coldplay)

Fix You is a song by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was written by all four members of the band for their third album, X&Y. It was released on September 5, 2005 as the second single. When writing the song, vocalist Chris Martin was inspired to use a church organ for the track. Unable to gain access to the instrument, Chris instead used an old keyboard that his late father-in-law, Bruce Paltrow, gave to his daughter Gwyneth. In a Rolling Stone’s interview, Chris said he wrote the song for his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, following the death of Bruce Paltrow. Chris called this "probably the most important song we've ever written". The message throughout the song, is words of encouragement: "Lights will guide you home. And ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you."

I always thought, the men who wrote this must love their muses so badly. And the men who created this song must know their craft so beautifully. It’s a well engineered art that creates a perfect song from the beginning, to the climax, until the very end. It’s about love in the most endearing way, which is to make things right for someone you love. Coldplay knows that running or staying silent beside a grieving lover is the worst action anyone could ever done. This is a song about four gentlemen that know exactly what love is all about. Like the song’s flow, their loves offering patience, comfort and healing.

11. Halo (Beyonce)

Halo is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. It was written by Beyonce, Ryan Tedder, and Evan Bogart for I Am… Sasha Fierce, the third solo studio album released on November 18, 2008. Halo was released on January 20, 2009 as the third single. In a statement released on Beyonce’s official web, she wrote: “I am in a different place right now and I wanted people to see the many sides of me. The music is upbeat for the dance, fun side and it is reflective, passionate and serious for the personal side. I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all. There is no label or tag on my sound. It's me and I am so excited to share it with the world.”

Right when you think Beyonce’s done, she’s back fully loaded and came out with the greatest love song. I think Halo is the most romantic love anthem in the modern era. It’s not a typical love songs that usually sang in a chessy and mellow-wy way. Beyonce took it to another level, making it so grand by an awesome mixing. When the intro starts, you just want to stand up and when the beat enters, you’re forced to listen in awe. By the time she’s screaming “Halo.. halo... Halo...!”, you literally want to rise and punch your fist in the air, celebrating her celebration. Listening to this, you know how much in love Beyonce is. The emotion’s so raw, you can feel the fire. She sounds so strong yet so vulnarable. She’s stripping right from the first words, saying, “Remember those walls I build? Baby they tumbling down. And they didn’t even put up a fight, they didn’t even make a sound. I don’t know when they let you in, but I never really had a doubt.” And when she get to ”It’s like I’d been awaken, every rule I had you brakin’. It’s the risk that I’m taking I ain’t never gonna shut you out,” you know she’s naked. This song shows us what it’s like when the mighty Beyonce falls in love; walls are breaking down, rules are being broken, even gravity’s gone. Beyonce’s fully in love y’all, Jay’s so damn lucky!