Stephen Colbert, on The Late Show, has a segment called the Colbert Questionnaire. One of the questions is, “If you only had one song to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be?” I find that an intriguing thought. What song would I never tire of hearing? Could I limit it to one?
No, not just one. So, I decided to make a playlist of songs for a desert island. They range in mood from happy to melancholy to narrative songs. What all these songs have in common is their honesty and ability to cut right to the heart. These songs are examples of what everyday life is like in all its facets. If I were stranded on a desert island, these are the songs I would want to listen to.
Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies. It wanders perturbedly through the halls and galleries of the memory, and is often heard again, distinct and living as when it first displaced the wavelets of the air.
— Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803–1873) English writer and politician
My Top Ten Songs for a Desert Island
10. “It’s a Beautiful Morning” (1968)
Written by Feliz Cavaliere and Edward Brigati. Performed by The Rascals. The opening of this song always makes me smile. It brings images of a beautiful, fresh spring morning.
“. . . it’s your chance to wake up and plan another brand-new day”
https://youtu.be/ykLVZR7RG_w?si=lVeYJR787PfZkq0a
9. “Song for You” (1970)
Written by Leon Russell and originally performed by Leon Russell on his first solo album. This ballad is beautiful and this live performance is one of my favorites. It is from the “Homewood Sessions” at the Vine Street Theater in Hollywood, California.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37dw2r45Xzg
8. “The Road to Paradise” (2002)
Written by Don Henry and Tom Occhipinti. I met Don in Nashville. He was a teacher at a songwriting workshop I attended. I later met Tom while standing in line for a show at the Bluebird Cafe. They are both the sweetest, most gentle people you would ever want to meet—and both are extraordinary songwriters. This song reflects the ordinariness of life—but reminds us that it is in those moments that memories are made. And—perhaps the ordinary is not ordinary at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drwXMgnHNdA
7. “Your Song” (1970)
Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and performed by Elton John, this tender love song is vulnerable and honest. This is my favorite Elton John song.
https://youtu.be/GlPlfCy1urI?si=71GLsaO1oxx_vmdS
6. “Constant Craving” (1992)
Written by Ben Mink and k.d. lang. Performed by k.d. lang on her second solo album. The song concludes that a sense of longing is an inevitable part of life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ4ANwlDb58
5. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” (1966)
This is originally an English folk song from the mid-17th century. I heard it first on the album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme by Simon and Garfunkel. This video is from a performance on the Andy Williams show from April 28, 1968. Andy joined them on this song. Three voices in harmonies and a guitar—doesn’t get much better!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVAxbh4QvUQ
4. “John’s Pond” (2004)
Written and performed by Steve Nelson. In 2006 I met Steve at a songwriting workshop in Nashville. He was one of the teachers and his class was remarkable. He spent a good bit of time sharing his love for the sound of words. This was eye-opening for a new songwriter like me. The opening lines of this song are exquisite. “June bugs buzzin’ out on John’s Pond”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z89iEZiClfs
3. “Love is Everything” (1993)
Written by Jane Siberry. This is one of my favorite songs of hers. I met her when she performed at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. I did not know her music, but I was in town and intrigued by her bio. Her performance was riveting. I love her version, but my favorite is on the album Hymns of the 49th Parallel by k.d. lang. This video is one of my “go to” videos when I want to watch k.d. lang.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T19UODyJpVA
2. “Soldiers Things” (1983)
Written and performed by Tom Waits. From the album Swordfishtrombones which is Waits’ eighth studio album. This poignant song reminds me of the impermanence of life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jc7Gf9-W2c
1. “Here Comes the Sun” (1969)
Written by George Harrison and performed by the Beatles. I remember the first time I heard this song and have loved it ever since. I attended a Christian youth gathering at an outdoor park. There was a band providing Christian music for the event. At one point, the group sat back while one of the members played and sang this song. I did not realize it was by George Harrison, but hearing the word “sun”—I heard it as “son.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUNqsfFUwhY
Only Ten Songs?
OK. I couldn’t keep it to just ten. Here are a few more. In no particular order.
“Hotel California” (1977)
Written by Don Felder, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley. It was performed by The Eagles on their fifth studio album. I love all the couplets in the lyrics and even though I know the story, I always have to listen for the lines, “ you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”
https://youtu.be/09839DpTctU?si=QnYKdIANyVKV8rou
“Our House” (1970)
Written by Graham Nash and recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. This song reminds me of the simple things in life—flowers in a vase, two cats in the yard, and having someone special in your life. I love their performance with the lovely vocal harmonies.
https://youtu.be/aunVlekXjkE?si=HnpEXv1lbGft7Yeq
“The Valley” (1989)
Written by Jane Siberry. My favorite performance is by k.d. lang on her album Hymns of the 49th Parallel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDaumpzzGNs&list=RDTDaumpzzGNs&start_radio=1
“Last Train” (2017)
Written and performed by Chris Rea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW6M3MEgDKY
“The Sound of Silence” (1964)
Written by Paul Simon. The original acoustic version was performed by Simon & Garfunkel for their debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. In 1965 the track was remixed and overdubbed with electric instruments and drums.
https://youtu.be/4fWyzwo1xg0?si=YOwHm2rFzIxWkB_4
“You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)
Written by Carole King for her album, Tapestry. Her version is piano based, whereas the version by her friend James Taylor is guitar based. Taylor’s version hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Joni Mitchell sings background vocals on both versions.
https://youtu.be/nEFfzHiEKHY?si=m0kOLBoJkq1ZTCtn
Can I have videos, too?
After compiling this list, I realize how much I enjoy watching live performances of these songs. The songs in themselves are powerful. Being in the moment gives performers freedom to be more expressive. Nonetheless, if stranded on a desert island, I would want a variety of songs that portray various slices of life.
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