The 50 Greats: 30-26

30. R. Kelly

The Pied Piper
Genre: R&B
Years Active: 1993-Present
Key Songs: “World’s Greatest”, “I Believe I Can Fly”, “Step in the Name of Love”

R. Kelly takes me back to my high school days driving in my Ford Escort, singing at the top of my lungs. Or to my college freshmen days with Sergio, singing and dancing in the dorms. There was always something about his upbeat rap and rhythm that just always put me in a good mood. He has amazing vocals, and always sang the most inspirational songs. Although he has begun to hit rock bottom since the Child Pornography case, one cannot judge his music for it. Many of the musicians on this list have gone through some serious controversy, yet I have always felt that it should not reflect upon on their music. You just can’t deny such uplifting songs like “Happy People” or “Step in the Name of Love” where you just want to get up and start grooving.

29. The Eagles

Californian Easy Rock
Genre: Classic Rock
Active Years: 1970-Present
Key Songs: “Hotel California”, “Witchy Woman”, “Desperado”

I remember I was introduced to The Eagles by Nick Rager in my early college years, before I really entered my classic rock phase. The only problem was he accidently gave me an Aerosmith CD instead of an Eagles CD. After much hype from others I was eager to hear and listen to the real Eagles myself. I quickly realized as I began listening to the group that I already knew and enjoyed many of their songs. Songs like “Hotel California”, or “Life in the Fast Lane” or “Tequila Sunrise”. They brought a Californian style to rock and roll, with a country sound similar to Lynyrd Skynyrd, good vocals and many hit singles. Now I think of them as perfect music for an outdoor summer party.

28. The Cranberries

Inspirational Meditation
Genre: Celtic Rock
Years Active: 1990-2003
Key Songs: “Dreams”, “No Need to Argue”, “Linger”

The Cranberries brought a unique blend of heavy gothic rock mixed with soft meditational rock. On one side was their gothic heavy rock style with songs like “Zombie” or “Salvation. On the other side, was their more peaceful relaxing songs like “Dreams”, “Just My Imagination”, “Dreaming my Dreams”. All of it just seemed to work thanks to the amazing Irish vocals of Dolores O’Riordan. I can mostly attribute the Cranberries to calming me in high school before a big soccer match or track meet. I still always enjoy listening to them during times of stress or change.

27. Vivaldi

Beauty of the Violin
Genre: Classical
Years Active: 1700s
Key Songs: “Four Seasons”, “Andante”, “Sicilano”

When one says Vivaldi what else can one think besides beautiful music of the violin? He brings a peaceful flowing sound, smooth notes without any pauses, unbreakable! His work is the essence of Italian beauty and art, and I think he belongs at the top of the classical musicians, far above Beethoven, Brahms, or Bach. His true masterpiece is the “Four Seasons”, which is a violin concerto that is broken up into four parts each being named after the four seasons. I always thought there was something incredible about each piece of the “Four Seasons” that somehow managed to really capture the general mood of that season. Vivaldi was a true artist who could truly define life with music.

26. Rokysopp

The Epitome of Soccer
Genre: Electronic
Years Active: 1998-Present
Key Songs: “Follow My Ruin”, “What Else is There”, “Remind Me”

This Norwegian electronic group always reminds me of soccer. They bring a real modern sound to techno music, with good trance and good beats. I first heard of them in my Fifa Soccer game, and they were hands down my favorite track on the game. It was during the 2006 World Cup that I went through a huge soccer phase, right along with a huge Rokysopp phase. They’re music has this really cool foreign European sound to it, that always puts me in the mood to watch or play some soccer!