Friday, June 21, 2024

Top 50 Favorite Musicians

After watching the Rolling Stones play live in Cleveland with my dad and brother I walked away quite musically inspired. These guys have been performing music for over 60 years now, and at the age of 80 they still put on a great show. In the days leading up to the show I made a deep dive into their music to prepare for the show. I first decided I wanted to put a list together about the Stone's music, but then I also briefly got into some Bob Marley prior to this, and wanted to do the same. So the idea evolved beyond the Rolling Stones and into a general update of my 2015 list on my favorite musicians (Top 50 Music Artists). I don't think it should be too different, however this time I'm going to add my favorite songs of each artist.


50. Velvet Underground

  • Genre: Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: New York City, USA
  • Years Active: 1964-1973
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: I love mellow psychedelic music as you will see in this list and that's definitely the case for the Velvet Underground. Lou Reed captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture with his experimental art rock that is still to this day ideal chill music. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Pale Blue Eyes (Played in the movie Adventureland)
    2. Sunday Morning
    3. I'll Be Your Mirror
    4. Sweet Jane
    5. Heroine

49. Edith Piaf

  • Genre: French Cabaret
  • Origin: Paris, France
  • Years Active: 1935-1963
  • Previous Position: 39
  • Reason Why: I discovered her music back in 2010 and ever since she remains the iconic voice of French music for me. I don't understand a word she's saying but it all sounds so lovely and vintage, as if it were playing in one of those aged carousels. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. La Vie en Rose
    2. La Foule
    3. Tu Es Partout (played in Saving Private Ryan)
    4. Padam Padam
    5. Hymne a l'amour

48. Sia    

  • Genre: Pop, Electronica
  • Origin: Adelaide, Australia
  • Years Active: 1997-present
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: With her iconic hairdo that covers her face, Sia has an incredibly powerful voice.  The Australian vocalist has produced a number of hits over the past few years that really pump things up. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Chandelier 
    2. Titanium (featuring in David Guetta's song)
    3. Wild Ones (featuring in Flo Rida's song)
    4. Elastic Heart
    5. Unstoppable

47. ACDC

  • Genre: Hard Rock
  • Origin: Sydney, Australia
  • Years Active: 1973-present
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: This Australian Rock band has so many great hits. I'm usually not too crazy about heavy rock or metal, but this music takes me back to my high school weight-room. It's just perfect music to get hype to.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Thunderstruck
    2. Back in Black
    3. You Shook me All Night Long
    4. Highway to Hell
    5. TNT

46. Daft Punk

  • Genre: Electronica
  • Origin: Paris, France
  • Years Active: 1993-2021
  • Previous Position: 41
  • Reason Why: It reminds me of my brothers, and takes me back to my college and post college party days. It's just fun music to dance and party to. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Around the World
    2. One More Time
    3. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
    4. Verdis Quo
    5. Get Lucky

45. Sam Cooke

  • Genre: Soul, R&B
  • Origin: Mississippi, US
  • Years Active: 1951-1964
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: Such a soulful and jubilant voice, that echoes the 1950s-1960s social period in America. His career was cut short by a tragic homicide, but he produced so many lasting hits.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Another Saturday Night
    2. Bring it on Home to Me
    3. What a Wonderful World
    4. A Change is Gonna Come
    5. Chain Gang

44. Enigma

  • Genre: New Age, Electronica
  • Origin: Germany
  • Years Active: 1990-present
  • Previous Position: 40
  • Reason Why: This new age music has a nostalgic quality for me taking me back to the 1990s and reminding me of my mom and childhood at Park Avenue. It's very relaxing and ambient music. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Return to Innocence
    2. Sadeness
    3. Beyond the Invisble
    4. Mea Culpa
    5. Deja Vu

43. Billie Eilish

  • Genre: Pop, Electronic
  • Origin: Los Angeles, USA
  • Years Active: 2015-present
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: She has such an original sound with her soft and seductive whispering voice. Her music has a modern electronic sound to it and she has already produced many big hits at such a young age. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. When the Party's Over
    2. Everything I wanted
    3. What was I made For
    4. Bad Guy
    5. Ocean Eyes

42. Johnny Cash

  • Genre: Country
  • Origin: Kingsland, Arkansas
  • Years Active: 1954-2003
  • Previous Position: 42
  • Reason Why: To me he is the embodiment of country music and the only true country artist you'll see on my list. He has such a deep, passionate, and iconic voice that has produced many classic hits. I prefer some of his duets with June Carter Cash and Bob Dylan. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Folsom Prison Blues
    2. It Ain't Me Babe (Duet with June Carter Cash)
    3. I Walk the Line
    4. Girl from the North Country (Duet with Bob Dylan)
    5. Cocaine Blues

41. Jefferson Airplane

  • Genre: Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: San Francisco, USA
  • Years Active: 1965-1973
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: They were the iconic hippie band from San Francisco with a rocking psychedelic sound. Led by the beautiful Grace Slick, this group has a number of big hits throughout the 1960s-1970s. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Embryonic Journey
    2. White Rabbit
    3. Volunteers (Played in the movie Forrest Gump)
    4. Somebody to Love
    5. Today

40. Post Malone

  • Genre: Hip Hop, Electronic Pop
  • Origin: Syracuse, New York
  • Years Active: 2011-present
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: Another modern entry alongside Billie Eilish and Sia, that captures a new era of electronic pop. Post Malone has an incredible voice, with many hits. His music can range from country to grunge to hip hop to electronica.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Sunflower
    2. Circles
    3. Candy Paint
    4. Congratulations
    5. I'm Gonna Be

39. Phoenix

  • Genre: Indie Rock
  • Origin: Versailles, France
  • Years Active: 1995-present
  • Previous Position: 29
  • Reason Why: They remind me of my post-college years especially living in Chicago. I remember that song 1901 was my ringtone for most of my time living in Chicago. They have so many other hits that really capture that Indie Rock movement of the 2010s.   
  • Favorite Songs:
    1. 1901
    2. Lisztomania
    3. Too Young (Played in the movie Shallow Hal and Lost in Translation)
    4. Long Distance Call
    5. Fences

38. Neil Young

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: Toronto, Canada
  • Years Active: 1963-present
  • Previous Position: 36
  • Reason Why: Just like Bob Dylan he has such a squeaky voice that it is actually good and so original. Add some good folk rhythm guitar, harmonica, and great lyrics and you have the iconic Neil Young.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Harvest Moon 
    2. Heart of Gold 
    3. Down by the River
    4. Southern Man
    5. Old Man

37. Bon Iver

  • Genre: Indie Folk Rock
  • Origin: Wisconsin, USA

  • Years Active: 2006-present
  • Previous Position: 32
  • Reason Why: They have such a soft mellow rock sound, a fusion of folk and Indie electronic. The lead vocalist Justin Vernon has such a calm peaceful voice, that it's ideal music for a relaxing day outside.    
  • Favorite Songs
    1. For Emma
    2. Rosyln
    3. Stacks
    4. Flume
    5. Skinny Love

36. Billie Holliday

  • Genre: Jazz
  • Origin: Philadelphia, USA
  • Years Active: 1930-1959
  • Previous Position: 44
  • Reason Why: She has that classic American Jazz sound that really embodied the 1930s-1950s. Her voice is so soothing with a bit of melancholy, perfect for a lazy day around the house. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. All of Me
    2. Solitude
    3. Am I Blue
    4. Easy Living
    5. I'll Be Seeing You

35. Paul Simon

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: New Jersey, USA
  • Years Active: 1956-present
  • Previous Position: 35
  • Reason Why: Separate from his great run with Garfunkel he has had an incredible solo career. His voice is so distinct and has produced many great worldly hits with solid lyrics as well. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
    2. Rewrite
    3. Graceland
    4. You can call me Al
    5. Mother and Child Reunion

34. The Who

  • Genre: Hard Rock
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1964-1982; 1999-present
  • Previous Position: 30
  • Reason Why: Their yet another iconic British invasion band from the 1960s, probably the 3rd most significant behind the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend are a true power duo and have produced many great classic rock hits.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Substitute
    2. I Can't Explain
    3. Baby O'Reily
    4. Won't get Fooled Again
    5. Happy Jack

33. Nelly

  • Genre: Rap
  • Origin: Texas, USA
  • Years Active: 1993-present
  • Previous Position: 33
  • Reason Why: I don't listen to hip hop as much as I use to, but it was the first music I really got into during my high school years. The hip hop of Nelly was great party music and made me want to cruise in my car, feel cool, go clubbing, and chase girls. He produced many great hits during the early 2000s which was an exciting time through high school and into college. It still to this day has a nostalgic quality for me. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Ride with Me
    2. Air Force Ones
    3. St. Louie
    4. Dilemma (Featuring Kelly Rowland)
    5. Hot in Herre

32. Glenn Miller

  • Genre: Swing Jazz
  • Origin: Clarinda, Iowa
  • Years Active: 1923-1944
  • Previous Position: New Entry
  • Reason Why: He's got that iconic big band swing music of the 1920s-1930s. In contrast to most melancholic jazz music, Glenn Miller's work is quite uplifting, positive, and cheerful. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Moonlight Serenade
    2. In The Mood
    3. Sing, Sing, Sing
    4. Pennsylvania 6-5000
    5. Chattanooga Choo Choo

31. Wilco

  • Genre: Indie Rock
  • Origin: Chicago, Illinois
  • Years Active: 1994-present
  • Previous Position: 27
  • Reason Why: In my post college years living in Fort Wayne, Chicago, and Indy I discovered the newer sound of Indie Rock and Wilco was probably at the forefront. With their lead man Jeff Tweedy they have a modern grunge electronic sounding rock with some great guitar.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Impossible Germany
    2. Jesus Etc
    3. War on War
    4. California Stars
    5. You and I

30. Ray Charles

  • Genre: R&B, Soul
  • Origin: Georgia, USA
  • Years Active: 1947-2004
  • Previous Position: 21
  • Reason Why: He's one of the first legendary R&B musicians who made his rise back in the 1950s during an age of segregation. His voice is full of great passion and soul that truly encaptivates his work. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. I've Got a Woman
    2. I Can't Stop Loving You
    3. Georgia on my Mind
    4. What'd I Say
    5. Unchain my Heart

29. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: Los Angeles, California
  • Years Active: 1968-2015
  • Previous Position: 26
  • Reason Why: It's just that mellow folk rock style of the 1960s-1970s that I love and these guys truly represent that. Their harmony is spot on consisting of an an all star line up of great guitarists and vocalists.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Suite Judy Blue Eyes
    2. Teach Your Children
    3. Ohio
    4. Helplessly Hoping
    5. Wooden Ships

28. Bruce Springsteen

  • Genre: Heartland Rock
  • Origin: New Jersey, USA
  • Years Active: 1964-present
  • Previous Position: 46 (18 spot jump!! Biggest jump on the list)
  • Reason Why: Bruce is no doubt the boss of American heartland rock, that just takes you into that countryside living. He's got such a rich voice and is backed by a rock and roll ensemble known as the E Street Band. He's slowly climbed the ranks for me over the past 10 years, with many feel good songs. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Born to Run
    2. I'm on Fire
    3. Glory Days
    4. Pay me My Money Down
    5. Hungry Heart

27. Jack Johnson

  • Genre: Surf Rock
  • Origin: Hawaii, USA
  • Years Active: 1992-present
  • Previous Position: 34
  • Reason Why: He's got such an original sound, a mellow Hawaiian soft rock style often referred to as "surf-rock". I discovered him during my college years, and it was just great music to listen and chill with friends. It's nostalgic music but still very enjoyable, relaxing, and uplifting. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Upside Down
    2. Bubble Toes
    3. A Pirate Looks at Forty (Cover with Dave Matthews)
    4. If I had Eyes
    5. Better Together

26. Frank Sinatra

  • Genre: Jazz, Swing, Pop
  • Origin: New Jersey, USA
  • Years Active: 1935-1995
  • Previous Position: 25
  • Reason Why: He's the epitome of crooning music, with his sophisticated style and suave voice. His music embodies a historical and cultural element of America throughout the 1940s-1960s. It's total easy listening jazzy music to enjoy that makes you just want to snap your fingers. He also has some great classic Christmas tunes. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Fly me to the Moon
    2. Strangers in the Night
    3. My Way
    4. Luck be a Lady
    5. New York, New York

25. Beach Boys

  • Genre: Surf Rock, Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: California, USA
  • Years Active: 1961-preset
  • Previous Position: 23
  • Reason Why: Their the true fathers of summertime surf music, which not only epitomizes the hippie age but also American culture in general. Their music can be fun loving tropical themes, but also a dose of good psychedelic tracks, most notably in Pet Sounds. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Do it Again
    2. In My Room
    3. Good Vibrations
    4. Pet Sounds
    5. You Still Believe in Me
    6. God Only Knows
    7. Wouldn't it Be Nice
    8. Sloop John B
    9. Darlin
    10. Don't Worry Baby

24. Lemon Jelly

  • Genre: Electronic Downtempo
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1998-2008
  • Previous Position: 17
  • Reason Why: It's that mellow trance-like electronic sound known as downtempo that I love about this group. It takes me back to the summer of 2012 where I really began to transcend and re-discovered running and a simple living lifestyle. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. A Tune for Jack
    2. Space Walk
    3. Nice Weather for Ducks
    4. Pushy
    5. Closer
    6. Rambling Man
    7. Stay With You
    8. Come
    9. The Curse of Ka'Zar
    10. Elements

23. 112

  • Genre: Hip Hop, R&B
  • Origin: Atlanta, USA
  • Years Active: 1993-Present
  • Previous Position: 18
  • Reason Why: This is nostalgic high school music for me and was my favorite band throughout those years. I'd jam it in my Ford Escort and sing it to the top of my lungs with my friends (most notably their album Part III). To this day it's great hip music ideal for a dance party. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Only You (Featuring the Notorious BIG)
    2. Dance with Me
    3. Your Letter
    4. Cupid
    5. All I Want is You
    6. It's Over Now
    7. Peaches & Cream
    8. Missing You
    9. Don't Hate Me
    10. Smile

22. Richard Wagner

  • Genre: Romantic Classical
  • Origin: Leipzig, Germany
  • Years Active: 1813-1883
  • Previous Position: 20
  • Reason Why: I know it might be considered strange to have classical musicians in this list, but I truly enjoy classical music and hence they stand in my ranking. I recently discovered Wagner a little over ten years ago, and found that he is so much more than his iconic Ride of the Valkyries. His music embodies true romantic mythological and emotional elements that hit at the core. I've heard his beautiful music in so many of my favorite films. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Parsifal (Played in the film To the Wonder)
    2. Das Rheingold (Played in the film A New World)
    3. Tannhauser Overture
    4. Lohengrin: Prelude
    5. Tristan und Isolde (Played in the film Melancholia)
    6. Siegfriend Idyll
    7. Ride of the Valkyries
    8. Das Rheingold: Entry of the Gods into Valhalla
    9. Gotterdammerung Funeral Music
    10. The Flying Dutchman

21. Rolling Stones

  • Genre: Hard Rock, Blues Rock
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1962-Present
  • Previous Position: 28
  • Reason Why: They've always been considered the fathers of Rock and Roll (maybe a step behind the Beatles but the fact of the matter is they have long outlived the Beatles). Led by Mic Jagger and Keith Richards they have so many great hits. Some of their songs transfuse rock and roll with blues and country elements. Just seeing them last weekend in concert was very inspiring and no doubt has bumped them up a few pegs for me. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Street Fighting Man
    2. Time Waits for No One
    3. Gimme Shelter
    4. Sympathy for the Devil
    5. Beast of Burden
    6. She's a Rainbow
    7. Honky Tonky Women
    8. Wild Horses
    9. Start me Up
    10. Tumbling Dice

20. Vampire Weekend

  • Genre: Indie Rock
  • Origin: New York City, USA
  • Years Active: 2006-present
  • Previous Position: 22
  • Reason Why: Another great Indie rock band that I discovered in my post college years, especially whilst living in Fishers in 2010. They have a worldly electronic sound which is quite upbeat and uplifting rock music. For some reason it reminds me of the summertime. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Diplomat's Son
    2. A-Punk
    3. Walcott
    4. M79
    5. White Sky
    6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
    7. Giving up the Gun
    8. Run
    9. The Kids Don't Stand a Chance
    10. Holiday

19. Carlos Santana

  • Genre: Latin Rock, Blues Rock
  • Origin: San Francisco, USA
  • Years Active: 1965-present
  • Previous Position: 31 (12 spot jump!)
  • Reason Why: It's that incredible guitar skill from Santana with that Latin Rhythm that makes this one of my favorites. He especially holds a special place for me having seen him live in concert back in 2005 with friends. He's got many classic hits from the 60s-70s, as well as a resurgence period during the late 1990s. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Soul Sacrifice
    2. Black Magic Woman
    3. Maria Maria 
    4. Oye Come Va
    5. Evil Ways
    6. Smooth (Featuring Rob Thomas)
    7. Corazon Espinado
    8. Samba Pa Ti
    9. She's Not There
    10. Europa

18. Enya

  • Genre: Celtic New Age
  • Origin: Gweedore, Ireland
  • Years Active: 1980-present
  • Previous Position: 19
  • Reason Why: Her beautiful ambient New Age style is total bliss. It takes me back to my high school days in religion class or just days around the house at Park Avenue. Her music is so calm and peaceful and to this day I enjoy it for good relaxation. She also provided some great tracks to one of my all time favorite movies Lord of the Rings. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Only Time
    2. May it Be (From the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack)
    3. Aniron (From the Lord of the Rings Soundtrack
    4. Book of Days
    5. Orinoco Flow
    6. Caribbean Blue
    7. Wild Child
    8. Storms in Africa
    9. Watermark
    10. A Day without Rain

17. John Lennon

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: Liverpool, England
  • Years Active: 1956-1980
  • Previous Position: 11
  • Reason Why: He was always my favorite Beatle, and after he went solo he produced many more classic songs. I think it was towards the end of my senior year in college that I discovered his solo work with Yoko Ono. His lyrics are profound, with an angelic voice he was truly a prophet for peace.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Jealous Guy
    2. Hold On
    3. Watching the Wheels 
    4. Imagine
    5. #9 Dream
    6. Mother
    7. Give Peace a Chance
    8. Beautiful Boy
    9. Stand By Me
    10. Working Class Hero

16. ATB

  • Genre: Trance, Electronic
  • Origin: Freiberg, Germany
  • Years Active: 1993-Present
  • Previous Position: 12
  • Reason Why: Hands down my favorite techno artist, with his iconic trance sound. It takes me back to my college days and has always been a go-to running music or just chill music. I even saw him live in concert in Chicago 2009 right before leaving for Costa Rica.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Circular Symmetry
    2. 9PM (Till I Come)
    3. Don't Stop
    4. Long Way Home
    5. Let You Go
    6. Ecstasy
    7. You're Not Alone
    8. Enigmatic Encounter
    9. Marrakech
    10. The Summer

15. Fleetwood Mac

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1967-2002
  • Previous Position: 24 (9 spot jump!)
  • Reason Why: It's that lead vocals from Stevie Nicks that does it for me. They have a great soft folk rock sound with many great hits.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Silver Springs
    2. Albatross
    3. Landslide
    4. Dreams
    5. Songbird
    6. Never Going Back Again
    7. The Chain
    8. Everywhere
    9. Say You Love Me
    10. Tusk

14. Tchaikovsky

  • Genre: Romantic Classical
  • Origin: Votkinsk, Russia
  • Years Active: 1840-1893
  • Previous Position: 15
  • Reason Why: It's just so many great famous classic works, especially his Nutcracker ballet that is quite popular during Christmas time. His work is the embodiment of Russian culture that I have come to admire over the years. It's all so lovely like the ideal lullaby you can just drift off into a dream world.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. The Nutcracker Suite
    2. Swan Lake Moderato
    3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker)
    4. Waltz of the Flowers (Nutcracker)
    5. Arabian Dance (Nutcracker)
    6. 1812 Overture
    7. Allegro con Spirito
    8. Dance of the Reed-Flutes (Nutcracker)
    9. The Sleeping Beauty
    10. The Black Swan Andante

13. The Doors

  • Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Blues Rock
  • Origin: Los Angeles, USA
  • Years Active: 1965-1973
  • Previous Position: 13
  • Reason Why: Once again another great psychedelic rock that captures the counterculture movement and notably the California scene. Jim Morrison was a drunkard but also a great poet with a great voice. Their music is a favorite bluesy psychedelic go-to for me.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Indian Summer
    2. Riders of the Storm
    3. People are Strange
    4. The End
    5. Love Street
    6. LA Woman
    7. Break on Through to the Other Side
    8. Roadhouse Blues
    9. Hello I Love You
    10. Love Her Madly

12. Cranberries

  • Genre: Celtic Rock, Alternative
  • Origin: Limerick, Ireland
  • Years Active: 1989-2019
  • Previous Position: 16
  • Reason Why: It's the beautiful Celtic voice of their lead vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. It has a grunge alternative sound I usually don't care for, and yet somehow I find many of their songs so inspiring. It has a nostalgic quality for me back in high school I would listen to their music before a big soccer match or a track meet. I still enjoy their music to this day.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Dreams
    2. No Need to Argue
    3. Dreaming my Dreams
    4. Zombie
    5. When You're Gone
    6. Just my Imagination
    7. Pretty
    8. Ode to my Family
    9. Linger
    10. Promises

11. Creedence Clearwater Revival

  • Genre: Swamp Rock
  • Origin: California, USA
  • Years Active: 1959-1972
  • Previous Position: 14
  • Reason Why: It's that original swamp rock sound, led by John Fogerty with his strong rustic voice. He belts out each song, with great harmony and rhythm. Just like the Doors, their band was short lived with only a few albums, but each were loaded with great hits that still jam today. Their music is iconic for anything to do with Vietnam as soon in the films Apocalypses Now or Forrest Gump. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Have you Ever seen the Rain
    2. Midnight Special
    3. Bad Moon Rising
    4. Fortunate Son (Played in Forrest Gump)
    5. Suzie Q (Played in Apoclaypse Now)
    6. Looking Out my Back Door
    7. Run Through the Jungle
    8. Down on the Corner
    9. Green River
    10. Lodi

10. Mozart

  • Genre: Romantic Classical
  • Origin: Vienna, Austria
  • Years Active: 1756-1791
  • Previous Position: 10
  • Reason Why: He's hands down my favorite classical composer. It began as a child really when we would watch the film Amadeus around Christmas time at grandma's house. Mozart's music is the definition of true beauty.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Serenade for Winds (Played in the film Amadeus)
    2. Piano Concerto in D Minor K 466 (Main theme of the film Amadeus)
    3. Concerto for Flute and Harp K 299 (Played in film Amadeus; Salieri gets lost in sheet music)
    4. Piano Concerto in E Flat K 482(Played in Amadeus; Piano in the park)
    5. Piano Sonata No 11 Tema
    6. Piano Concerto No 21 K 467
    7. Symphony No 40 K. 550
    8. The Marriage of Figaro Ah Tutti Contenti
    9. Piano Sonata No 16 K 545 (Sonata Facile)
    10. Adagio in E Major K 261

9. Michael Jackson

  • Genre: Pop, Rock
  • Origin: Indiana, USA 
  • Years Active: 1964-2009
  • Previous Position: 6
  • Reason Why: It's got a nostalgic quality for me, one of the first popular musicians I ever got into (even before high school). It's got an upbeat dance rhythm carried by MJ's amazing voice, his smooth dance moves, and so many great hits. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Man in the Mirror
    2. Smooth Criminal
    3. Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
    4. Ben (Jackson 5)
    5. Rock with You
    6. I'll be There (Jackson 5)
    7. Billie Jean
    8. You are not Alone
    9. Wanna be Starting Something
    10. The Girl is Mine

8. Simon and Garfunkel

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: New York, USA
  • Years Active: 1963-1970
  • Previous Position: 7
  • Reason Why: It's that incredible harmony that really captures the folk scene of the 1960s. Add some great vocals from Garfunkel and great guitar and lyrics from Paul Simon and it's one of the best musical duos in history. They have so many great hits.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. April Come she Will
    2. The Only Living Boy in New York (Played in the film Garden State)
    3. Dangling Conversation
    4. Cecilia
    5. I am a Rock
    6. America (Played in the film Almost Famous)
    7. Bookends Theme
    8. Bye Bye Love
    9. The Boxer
    10. Old Friends

7. Pink Floyd

  • Genre: Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1965-1994
  • Previous Position: 8
  • Reason Why: It's that psychedelic rock sound that can often put you in a total trance. Some of their songs are rocking while others are just downright chill as can be. Their album Dark Side of the Moon is total perfection. I use to have them higher up on the list, but while they have many good songs, they also have quite a few bad abstract songs.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Us and Them
    2. Breathe
    3. The Great Gig in the Sky
    4. Goodbye Blue Sky
    5. Fearless
    6. Comfortably Numb
    7. A Pillow of Winds
    8. Echoes
    9. Shine on you Crazy Diamond
    10. Any Colour You Like

6. Bob Marley

  • Genre: Reggae
  • Origin: Nine Mile, Jamaica
  • Years Active: 1962-1980
  • Previous Position: 9
  • Reason Why: He's got such an original sound, the only reggae musician I have on this list. He sang of love and unity and alongside John Lennon, can truly be regarded as a prophet for peace. He has so many great chill songs ideal for the summertime.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. No Woman No Cry
    2. Redemption Song
    3. Stir it Up
    4. Kaya
    5. Turn your Lights Down Low
    6. Time will Tell
    7. Selassie is the Chapel
    8. War
    9. Positive Vibration
    10. Rastaman Chant

5. Led Zeppelin

  • Genre: Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: London, England
  • Years Active: 1968-1980
  • Previous Position: 4
  • Reason Why: So many great songs carried by Robert Plant's powerful voice and the great guitarwork of Jimmy Page. To me they are the kings of the 1970s picking up where the Beatles and the Stones left off in the 1960s. Their music can be heavy at times but also very chill and psychedelic. Their music also has a fantasy mystical element to it, with lots of references to Lord of the Rings, which I also love. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Going to California
    2. That's the Way (Played in the film Almost Famous)
    3. Bron-Yr-Aur
    4. Boogie with Stu
    5. D'yer Mak'er
    6. Over the Hills and Far Away
    7. Misty Mountain Hop
    8. Kashmir
    9. Houses of the Holy
    10. The Battle of Evermore

4. Coldplay

  • Genre: Indie Rock
  • Origin: London, England 
  • Years Active: 1997-present
  • Previous Position: 5
  • Reason Why: Alongside Dave Matthews Band they are my favorite recent rock band of the last 20 years. I discovered them in college and to this day love every one of their songs. Seeing them in concert in the summer of 2006 was an unforgettable experience. Carried by Chris Martin's incredible voice they have a wide range of psychedelic, melancholic ones to upbeat jubilant ones.
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Fix You
    2. Strawberry Swing
    3. Lost
    4. A Sky Full of Stars
    5. Till Kingdom Come
    6. The Scientist
    7. Sparks (Played in the film Wedding Crashers)
    8. Viva la Vida
    9. Speed of Sound
    10. Spies

3. Bob Dylan

  • Genre: Folk Rock
  • Origin: Minnesota, USA
  • Years Active: 1957-present
  • Previous Position: 3
  • Reason Why: He's got such an original sound, a squeaky voice that actually sounds good. He's produced so many great folk hits as well as some masterful poetic lyrics. He is a father of the protest hippie movement from the 1960s and his career has spanned almost 70 years. I'm glad I got to see him in person even tho his performance was a bit underwhelming. I love so many of his songs, and it seems I keep discovering new ones.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. Girl from the North Country
    2. Don't Think Twice it's Alright
    3. Boots of Spanish Leather
    4. Moonshiner
    5. It Aint me Babe
    6. Visions of Johanna
    7. He Was a Friend of Mine
    8. Wigwam
    9. Like a Rolling Stone
    10. Forever Young

2. Dave Matthews Band

  • Genre: Folk Rock, Jam Rock
  • Origin: Virginia, USA
  • Years Active: 1991-present
  • Previous Position: 2
  • Reason Why: They were the music of my college years and beyond with so many great memories. Alongside the Beatles, I enjoy every single one of the DMB songs. I've seen them twice in concert, both incredible shows. I recently wrote a post on my favorite DMB songs, so I won't get into too much detail here and will just use that same list.  
  • Favorite Songs
    1. The Maker
    2. Proudest Monkey
    3. Warehouse
    4. Two Step
    5. Bartender
    6. Lover Lay Down
    7. The Stone
    8. A Pirate Looks at Forty (Featuring Jack Johnson)
    9. Cry Freedom
    10. Spoon

1. The Beatles

  • Genre: Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock
  • Origin: Liverpool, England
  • Years Active: 1960-1970
  • Previous Position: 1
  • Reason Why: Their my undisputed favorite musician for probably the past 20 years now. Dating as far back as a kid I came to know them, but it wasn't until college that I came to understand them. Their music is perfect on so many levels, so very versatile ranging from folk, blues, heavy to my favorite genre of psychedelic rock. Although I don't listen to them as much as I use to, anytime I hear their music it's total bliss. While I'm only going to list ten songs here, I should probably make a list of their top 50 just as I did for DMB. 
  • Favorite Songs
    1. A Day in the Life
    2. Flying
    3. Across the Universe
    4. Two of Us
    5. In My Life
    6. Rocky Raccoon
    7. Strawberry Fields
    8. Girl
    9. Sun King
    10. I'm Only Sleeping 
Honorable Mention
  • Van Morrison
  • Tom Petty (Omitted from last list)
  • Vivaldi (Omitted from last list)
  • Fun. (Omitted from last list)
  • Marvin Gaye (Omitted from last list)
  • Rokysopp (Omitted from last list)
  • BB King (Omitted from last list)
  • Bach (Omitted from last list)
  • R Kelly (Omitted from last list)
  • Elvis Presley
  • My Morning Jacket
  • Jagged Edge
  • 50 Cent/G-Unit
  • Nora Jones
  • Sting/Police
  • Smashing Pumpkins

New Additions to the List
  • Velvet Underground
  • ACDC
  • Sia
  • Sam Cooke
  • Jefferson Airplane
  • Billie Eilish
  • Post Malone
  • Glenn Miller
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