November Anthems

When I think of anthems, many categories come to mind — epic songs over 6 minutes long (sadly, unheard of today); a song that is readily identified with a singer and/or band; a song that reminds you of a lost love; a song that you envision as your wedding song; a dance remix that could get the tiredest soul on the dance floor and last but certainly not least…a song that is belted out in the shower, car or during karaoke.

This month, I’m featuring 25 songs that fit into each of these categories. It is a very unscientific list of songs — meaning I didn’t base it on the charts, sales or any of the other typical measuring sticks when it comes to determining how “good” a song is.

These are songs that over the course of my life have been epic for one reason or another. Meatloaf’s Paradise by the Dashboard Light, because as a young boy in love with baseball, I thought it was beyond cool that Phil Rizzuto was in the song. Imagine my surprise years later when I learned what his part in the song actually meant! Bohemian Rhapsody, because, well…duh. Madonna’s Like a Prayer because it was so epic and controversial when she released it, I got suspended by my college radio station for playing it without permission; a song, No More Tears (Enough is Enough), so epic not only because of its length, but because it features the epically awesome paring of two prolific gay icons – Barbra Streisand and the Queen of Disco Donna Summer;  Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, for numerous reasons including an old love, the fact that it was inspired by the most famous “first daughter,” and the fact that all these years later, it is played in baseball parks across the country during the 7th inning stretch; Unspeakable Joy because one night while on a cruise, I swear I saw a man levitate when he heard the first few bars of this song; Empire State of Mind, a hip-hop/rap song, that became an anthem for an entire City…at a time when it needed one; and last but certainly not least, my two favorite all-time songs Enjoy the Silence and A Little Respect…my go-to shower songs. And those are just a few of the anthems on the list.

Of course this list is personal. What are some of your go to songs? Are any of your songs on this list? And of course…which ones did I miss. I know I’ll hear it and can’t wait!

You can hear most of the list via Spotify – November Anthems or Apple Music – November Anthems.

Happy fall and the start of everything….Christmas, until January 1, 2016. And speaking of Christmas…I suppose it’s only fitting that the December list of songs will be the 25 best holiday songs of all-time. Not an easy task. But a challenge I’m looking forward to!

Until then, enjoy the anthems and have a great month.

And as always, thanks for reading and sending me your comments!

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Paradise by the Dashboard Light – Meatloaf

No More Tears (Enough is Enough) – Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer

All You Need Is Love – The Beatles

Hotel California – The Eagles

Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen

Champagne Supernova – Oasis

Like a Prayer – Madonna

Thriller – Michael Jackson

Rock This Town – Brian Setzer Orchestra

Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion

Scenes From an Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel

Rise – Herb Albert

Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon

Faithfully – Journey

Hallelujah – Rufus Wainwright

No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley

The Rose – Bette Midler

Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (Rattle & Hum version) – U2

Unspeakable Joy (Louie Devito remix) – Kim English

Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here (Hex Hector remix) – Deborah Cox

Empire State of Mind – Jay Z featuring Alicia Keys

Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode

A Little Respect – Erasure