cyberjudge

Heard the song "Wake Up Call" by Maroon 5 on my way home from work today, and it made me think about other songs written from the perspective of someone who confesses to a killing in the lyrics. Ones I came up with off the top of my head are: Wake Up Call-Maroon 5 The Night the Lights Went Down in Georgia-Vicki Lawrence Dark Lady-Cher I Shot the Sheriff-Eric Clapton Bohemian Rhapsody-Queen Coward of the County-Kenny Rogers and one based on a real life killing: I Don't Like Mondays-Boomtown Rats

Thank all of you for putting Mother and Child Reunion in the top 10 at #4 (the same position as its US chart peak). As you know, I submitted the song as a tribute to my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Simon (Paul's mom), who passed away last year. I'm glad, with your help, that I was able to honor her in this way.

Personally I have Clapton #1. But I think they should at least be mentioned in the discussion.

How could a discussion of best guitarists leave off Pete Townshend and Lindsey Buckingham?

1. Mother and Child Reunion-Paul Simon 2. The Way It Is-Bruce Hornsby & the Range 3. Born in the U.S.A.-Bruce Springsteen 4. Spinning Wheel-Blood, Sweat & Tears 5. Stone in Love with You-Stylistics 6. The Mighty Quinn-Manfred Mann 7. Allentown-Billy Joel 8. Jane-Jefferson Starship 9. Stone in Love-Journey 10. Guitar Man-Bread

They're gone and you forgot them: Glass Tiger, best known forDon't Forget Me (When I'm Gone) and Nick Gilder( Hot Child in the City )

Only one nomination for me this week, but it's a very special one; a dedication in memory of my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Belle Simon, of P.S. 164 in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens NY, who passed away last year at the age of 97. It's a song written and recorded by her son, Paul. Mother and Child Reunion-Paul Simon (1972) P.S. Thanx edna for the link.

I was shocked when I saw the list of top 10 songs, and noticed Born in the USA was not picked yet. That should change after this week.

Added videos for Loves Me Like a Rock and My Little Town to prospective videos. Could not find one for Mother and Child Reunion, so it will be between the other 2 next week.

Loves Me Like a Rock-Paul Simon www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eDGUfvh6PQ this video is a live version with guest appearances by Stevie Wonder & the Dixie Hummingbirds (Dixie Hummingbirds also appeared on the original studio version.) My Little Town-Simon & Garfunkel (video is a live solo performance by Paul) P.S. How do you set it up so that the name of the song is underlined and you can just click on the song name for the link?

I'm going to nominate a Paul Simon song next week in memory of his mom. I'm considering these 3, all of which are about Paul's mom and/or our hometown of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, NY: Mother and Child Reunion Loves Me Like a Rock My Little Town Any preferences?

Prince's 1999: "I was dreaming when I wrote this So sue me if it goes astray"

100 Years-Five for Fighting Cat's in the Cradle-Harry Chapin When I'm 64-Beatles My Hometown-Bruce Springsteen Cherry Bomb-John Mellencamp

Great first experience for me in the Top 10, with both of my nominations getting in to the top 10 (#3 and #8). But my very real life changing experience had to do with a song that I didn't nominate and did not make the top 10. In discussing "You Can Call Me Al", I mentioned in passing that Paul Simon's mother was my 3rd grade teacher. That brought up some old memories, so on a whim I decided to google my ex-teacher, only to learn that she passed away last year at the age of 97! But as a result, I did a search for my old school, P.S. 164, and found a web site for alumni. So thanks, in part to Songfacts, I've been able to link up with friends I haven't seen in 35 years. And another P.S.; a bit of trivia, not only did Paul and Art go to the same elementary school as I did, but I learned from my school's site that another musical Paul also went there: Paul Stanley, of Kiss.

"This One's for You"-Barry Manilow "This one will never sell They'll never understand I don't even sing it well I try but I just can't . . ." "Hey There Delilah"-Plain White T's "I'm right there if you get lonely give this song another listen."

And yet another: "You're So Vain"-Carly Simon "You're so vain You probably think this song is about you."

I was sick 1 day the whole year . . . and that was the day he made a surprise visit. My dad actually used to play pick up basketball games on the schoolyard with Art Garfunkel, though.

One more: "Get Together"-Youngbloods "If you hear the song I sing You will understand"

First 2 I could come up with are: "Your Song" by Elton John-"And you can tell everybody this is your song." "Last Song" by Edward Bear-"It's the last song I'll ever write for you."

1. Get Back-Beatles 2. What's Going On-Marvin Gaye 3. Eye of the Tiger-Survivor 4. Shout-Tears for Fears 5. Talking in Your Sleep-Romantics 6. Small Town-John Mellencamp (although he'll always be Johnny Cougar for me) 7. You Can Call Me Al-Paul Simon (loved the Chevy Chase video, and see below) 8. Fooled Around and Fell in Love-Elvin Bishop 9. Angel of the Morning-Merilee Rush 10. The Rain the Park and other Things-Cowsills Had to get in a vote for Paul Simon; otherwise my 3rd grade teacher would kill me . . . her name was Mrs. Belle Simon, and yes, she's Paul's mom!!!

My top 2 are: 1.Let It Be 2.Yesterday But I love so many Beatles songs that I could make a case for at least 50 others to be #3. And while I love both of those Harrison songs, as well as another of my favorite Harrison songs you left out, Here Comes the Sun, he's not even close to either John or Paul as a songwriter.

www.billboard.com www.secondhandsongs.com And for song lyrics: http://lyrics.webfitz.com/index.php?option=com_webfitzlyrics&Itemid=27

The Beatles. No explanation needed.

Get Back-The Beatles (1969) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlWFpdPX45g What's Going On-Marvin Gaye (1971) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KC7uhMY9s

This Kiss-Faith Hill (references to Cinderella and Snow White) Breakfast at Tiffany's-Deep Blue Something (refers to the Audrey Hepburn film based on the novel by Truman Capote) American Pie-Don McLean (reference to Karl Marx) Holding Out for a Hero-Bonnie Tyler (reference to Hercules from Greek mythology) Wrapped Around Your Finger-Police (reference to Scylla and Charibdes from Greek mythology)