Fav Five

"What's your top five?"

This question is one I ask on a regular basis. I expect people to have opinions on the music they listen to. I expect people to have passion, to some degree, to one of the greatest driving forces of our existence.

Yet, I have a hard time answering that question. I have a hard time Narrowing it down to simply five artists that I love. But, while having this conversation with a gentleman at work, I realized, I have 5 very distinct categories, with very specific artist under each. So, to my faithful readers, here it is.

My TOP FIVE.Each category is stated, explained, then the artists are listed in order of favorite within the group.

NUMB#R 1

THE GREATS:

These are the most influential artists of the 20th century. They "did it first." And quite frankly, did it best. These are the ones who understood who they were enough, to appeal to everyone, in every situation, in any mood, at least through one song. They are the writers of easily the greatest pieces of work during their rein. They are the owners of most of my "all time favorite songs."

They are:

Led Zeppelin.

The Beatles.

NUMB#R 2

THE CLASSICS:

These are the men that ignite the day dreams. That inspire the colorful wishes of "better." That make you disregard what is wrong, and change everything for good. These are they that your shaped your in-curable-ly-optimistic-grandmother. Even their saddest song can brighten your clouded skies.

They are:

Nat King Cole.

Tony Bennett

Ludwig Van Beethoven.

NUMB#R 3

THE BEARDS:

These are the Shakespeare's with guitars. They are the men who are consumed with doubts, fears, and regrets. And at times, unspeakable joy. They miss "how it was supposed to be" and the "one that got away." They are realistically lost, and relate-ibly confused. They experienced their lives head on, not hiding from a single painful lesson, and reflected on it. They grown beards, write music, and touch hearts.

They are:

William Fitzsimmons

Damien Rice

Joe Purdy

Ray Lamontange

NUMB#R 4

THE PUNK ROCKERS:

These are the guys that you blast in your car alone. They're who you turn to when your heart is racing, and your voice is aching to scream out. They remind you what your middle finger is for, that you're better off, and how to ask a question. They can write the perfect song for when your blood is boiling, or the sweetest song for when you're in love. They make you take a double look at your surroundings, while simultaneously helping you improve your sweet air guitar or dashboard drumming. They sing the saddest songs that make you rock, and cry the tender ones acoustically.

They are:

Motion City Soundtrack

Brand New

Fall Out Boy

Anberlin

A Thorn for Every Heart

NUMB#R 5

THE CURIOUS OBSESSION:

They are the ones you admit to owning all of their albums, only after present company has confessed to liking them. They are the ones you can't let go of, even when you know they have absolutely no true musical talent (that statement does not apply to all). You can't change the station while they're playing, yet change it as fast as you can as soon as the song is over. You can't get enough of them, when you can't stand most of their genre. You find yourself looking up, not just their music, but the latest blurbs about them on the Internet. They're the ones to put on your ipod while running, but won't turn it up loud enough for others to hear. They inspire the hair-brush-booty-shaking-lip-syncing-dancing-around-the-house moments of inexplicable joy. They are those that you can't explain the love, but just know you can't leave.

They are:

Britney Spears

Ace of Base

Garth Brooks

Journey

P. Diddy

Kelly Clarkson

So there you have it. Those are the artists I love. Some easy to understand, and some, not. Even for me. But, they're all great, and I love all of them.