Eight Songs That Would Get Me Through

My desert island song list

I have risen to the challenge of coming up with eight songs to last me the rest of my life, at least in theory. None of us will likely ever have to put this to that sort of test, but I subscribe to the notion that variety is the spice of life. So without further ado, here are my eight:

In My Life — The Beatles

Even though this is from somewhat early in their career, they have never come up with anything more sweet and disarmingly simple than this masterpiece. Its wistful charm showed us early on that there was more to the Beatles than sending teenage girls into hysterics.

Clair De Lune — Debussy

Every time I hear this, I’m transported to a pastoral lake with drooping trees and swans gliding silently by. One of the most beautiful and elegant piano pieces ever conceived.

Dark End of the Street — James Carr

From the wobbly first notes of the tremelo electric guitar, this soul classic (also covered by Aretha) builds and builds in a desperate tale of illicit love…”they’re gonna find us, they’re gonna find us, you and me.” By the time the horns and choir kick in, you just want the doomed lovers to be left alone.

Baker Street — Gerry Rafferty

Everything about this song works…the anticipatory introduction, the lyrics, the vocals, the arrangement, the solos…and every time I hear it, I marvel at how expertly crafted it is without ever seeming as though Rafferty tried to write a perfect pop song. But he did.

Blue in Green — Miles Davis & Bill Evans

I could have included the entire Kind of Blue album, but this song encapsulates the dreamy jazz vibe of the sessions, which happened all on one magical day, as legend has it. Coltrane, Davis & company were all in the same trance. And it was transcendent.

If I Needed You — Emmylou Harris and Don Williams

Written by Townes Van Zandt, this poignant duet is as complete a summary of absolute devotion as I have ever heard. Harris’ voice is a natural treasure, and the understated arrangement encourages the singers to pour all the empathy they could into the vocals.

What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life — Chris Botti with Sting

This is my favorite version of the Michel Legrand classic which has been recorded by Frank Sinatra and many others. I first heard this song as an instrumental by pianist Bill Evans, but the lyrics are among the most romantic ever penned:

I want to see your face in every kind of light

In fields of gold and forests in the night

And when you stand before the candles on a cake

Oh, let me be the one who hears the silent wish you make

Its soaring melody and challenging key changes don’t seem to faze Sting, as he delivers this with a slinky coolness punctuated by Botti’s understated trumpet. Simply mesmerizing.

Riders On the Storm — The Doors

This song has a lot of moving parts, but each one contributes something essential to the whole. Morrison’s enigmatic, off-center lyrics, the sound effects of rain and thunder, Robby Krieger’s tremulous guitar and Ray Manzarek’s floaty electric piano combine to create an atmosphere of equal parts beauty and dread. Best listened to while driving in the rain at night.

So there you have it. You would be correct if you assume I’m an old codger, since all of these (except the Sting/Botti one) were released more than 40 years ago. But if I had to listen to only eight songs for the rest of my life these would work for me. Tomorrow might be different. But I would be sure to bring a guitar or something, because I always need more music.