Positive Songs For A Desert Island

[Peter T.]

What songs would comprise your ultimate mix-tape, your desert island favorites? And you can only limit yourself to one song per artist. I tried to limit myself to 20 artists but didn't succeed. Perhaps my list will inspire a few readers to offer up their own favorites or to sample something previously unheard. These are in no specific order.


The Jam-Going Underground

Springsteen-Rosalita

Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers-Roadrunner

The Kinks-Waterloo Sunset

The Beach Boys-God Only Knows

The Velvet Underground-Heroin

Dylan- Like A Rolling Stone

Sam Cooke- A Change is Gonna Come

The Clash-Clampdown

Graham Parker-Pourin’ It All Out

The Beatles- And Your Bird Can Sing

Frank Turner-I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous

Paul Kelly-Careless

The Hold Steady-Constructive Summer

The Four Tops-Reach Out I’ll Be There

Buddy Holly-Rave On

Van Morrison-Caravan

Derek and The Dominoes- Layla

The Housemartins-Get Up Off Our Knees

The Pogues-If I Should Fall From Grace With God

Elvis Costello-What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding

Steely Dan-My Old School

Sam and Dave-Hold On I’m Comin’

Junior Gone Wild-I Don’t Know About All That

Belle and Sebastian-Take Me Away From Here I’m Dying

Bill Morrissey-Long Gone

The Bottle Rockets-Gravity Fails

Weddings Parties Anything-For A Short Time

Stiff Little Fingers-Alternative Ulster

Tom Robinson Band-Up Against The Wall

Otis Redding-Dock of the Bay

Love-A House is Not a Motel

The Go-Betweens-Street of Your Town

Garland Jeffreys-Wild In The Streets

Sugar-If I Can't Change Your Mind

Bob Hillman-Anywhere