Please don't stop the music.

I made a playlist of my very favorite songs.
And it's all I've been listening to lately.
And now I am just so giddy with happiness about how fantastic all of my favorite songs are
that I just want to share them with you!
Because they are all so beautiful.
So, without any further ado, I am pleased to present to you
my ten favorite songs of all time
(for now).


Let the countdown begin:

10. The Way You Look Tonight 

-Frank Sinatra

I love this one because of the terribly wonderful 90's chick flick, "My Best Friend's Wedding."
If you haven't seen it, you absolutely must.
Ever since my obsession with that film and Julia Roberts as a child, I have been absolutely smitten by everything about this song.
You're all invited to my wedding.
Ari Kokol will be singing this at the reception while my husband and I share our first dance as a married couple.

9. Man In The Mirror

-Michael Jackson

This one makes me cry every time. The music video is amazing.
For my 11th birthday, my mother bought me the DVD of "Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits." I was seriously thrilled. It's still, to this day, one of my favorite birthday gifts of all time.
I used to watch all of the music videos daily. I could not rest until I watched the entire thing.
"Black or White" (which is my second favorite of MJ's songs) was always my favorite music video. I would dance the entire thing.
But this one, even at age 11, would make me cry.
It's just one of those things that hits close to home. You know?
I cried when Michael Jackson died. He is absolutely and completely legendary.
And beyond brilliant.

8. High and Dry

-Radiohead

Radiohead has a huge piece of my heart.

And, no matter the situation, or how stressed or upset I might be,

this song calms me down.

The reasoning behind this is unclear. 

But all I know is that whenever I listen to this song, I inhale a little bit longer and let the tears come freely if they feel they must fall.

The music video is fantastic. And Thom Yorke is beautiful.

7. Streets On Fire

-Lupe Fiasco

This song doesn't have an official music video. But it definitely deserves a listen.
I don't know how most people feel about rap music, but it is in my top three (if not my top one) of favorite music genres. It speaks to me (literally, haha).
A lot of people think of it's disgusting qualities and nothing else.
But rap can be some of the most beautifully expressed art, in my opinion.
Lupe Fiasco is such a man.
His words are real.
And I love him.
This song has a lot of significant meaning to me.
Whenever I sit and really listen to the words, I get the chills.

6. Sigh No More

-Mumford and Sons

This song also doesn't have an official music video.
So this is as good as it gets.

"Love, it will not betray you, dismay, or enslave you. It will set you free."
I feel like I have no need to explain why this is in my top ten.
But I will, anyway.
I just have this image ingrained in my mind of him, sitting in my passengers seat, with the window down, singing this chorus at the very top of his lungs.
And that may or may not be a contributing factor as to why I love this song so very much.
That, and Marcus Mumford's utter brilliance.

5. Float On

-Modest Mouse

Thank you, Modest Mouse, for helping me get through some of my toughest times.
"Sometimes, life's okay."

4. The Tourist

-Radiohead

Yes. Another with no official music video. 

And, yes. Another Radiohead. Because, well, it's Radiohead.

Sit in an empty field in the middle of the night. 

Let it be just you, the crickets, the stars, and this song.

You will be a changed person.

3. Your Song

-Elton John

The official video for this one is, in fact, a live performance.

I originally fell in love with this song the very first time I watched "Moulin Rouge."
Elton John is a beautiful human who wrote the most beautiful song.
This one has a special place in my heart. It's the same place in my heart where the human that I directly associate this song with resides.Shelbie Judith Anne Elizabeth Shill? This one's for you.

2. Ain't No Sunshine

-Bill Withers

I fell in love with this song because of yet another one of Julia Roberts' phenomenal performances in the 90's classic, "Notting Hill."
The 90's were glorious days for chick flicks...
Anyway.
This song is so simple yet so powerful.
It's the perfect heartbreak song.
Bill Withers deserves and award for this song. It's perfect. In every way.

And,
for number one,

drum roll, please.

1. Let It Be

-The Beatles

If you know me at all,
you knew this already.

This song is my solace.


And there you have it.
My favorite songs.

What are you top ten songs?

And what's the importance of each of those songs to you?

Music speaks directly to the heart.

Listen.