10 Songs you need to listen to NOW! I mean it go, do it!

To me, music is an incredibly important thing. Music has the ability to touch us, but not in the creepy way like that weird uncle who has too many drinks at the family reunion. No, music has the ability to touch us right in the feels, which to me is incredibly cool because you have never met the singer, musician, cowbell player, etc.. and yet they can make you emote like some sick Jedi skill.

Certain songs connect to us, we associate them with memories and how we were feeling at a time. Music helps us get through the hard times and rock out during the good times. And, if there is a soul (which I think there is, but maybe that's a post for another time) I think that not only is it food for the soul, it's like a homemade lasagna that just makes you feel warm and full of love (I don't think love is technically paleo but WTF do a bunch of cave men know anywanys).

So here goes, here are 10 songs that mean a lot to me personally. Some of them have really deep emotional connections for me, some are just plain old awesome songs.

1. White Room - Cream



I'm going to go a step further here and recommend a specific version of this song. This version is a live performance from Royal Albert Hall in 1990.

For those who don't know me (or don't know this about me) I am a huge Eric Clapton fan. In my humble opinion he is easily one of the best guitar players of all time (not the best, but we'll get to that). Not to mention that EC himself has had an incredible life, made inspirational changes to himself, if you haven't read his autobiography I highly recommend it!

Now that I have rambled for a good minute or two, you might be thinking "What is Clapton doing on this list? Doesn't he mostly do soft rock like Tears in Heaven?" Oh boy could you ever be more wrong. Listen to the solo in this song. The man is Shreddy Kruger. Freaking Shreddy McShrederson. And all while making it look oh so easy. The kids in England in the 60's had it right, EC is GOD! This is just a good ol' song to rock out to, roll down the windows and turn up the speakers.

2. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zepplin



Ok, I know this one is terribly cliche, however, I am willing to bet that a lot of people have had the same experiences as me with this song. High school, someone with an acoustic plucking out the beginning bars, everyone singing around a campfire. This song brings back memories of being with friends, arguing over who was better: Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix.

Is this the greatest song of all time? Honestly, I don't know, but I do know lots of people who would say that it is. I'm not sure that there is anything else that needs to be said about this song. If you have never listened to it WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU??!?!?!?! Seriously, listen to it. Now.

3. Sweet Home Chicago



Again, anyone who knows me well will know that I LOVE the blues. To me, this song represents what the blues is to me, an expression of style, of musicianship and of the soul. There are LOTS of different versions of this song, the one I linked here is a pretty damn good one. But all of them are good.

This song is originally credited to Robert Johnosn, the man who went to the crossroads and sold his soul to the devil. It has been covered by almost everybody who is anybody in the blues scene. I really do think that this is the blues in it's purest form, a simple 12 bar progression with some awesome wailing guitar over top. This song proves that blues isn't sad, it isn't all about trials and tribulations. Blues can be fun and is really an expression of whatever you want it to be. But it HAS to come from the soul, if it doesn't you can tell. Blues is an emotional (not just sad, but really any emotion) genre, I think that's why I love it.

Oh and by the way, this is the last performance of a Mister Stevie Ray Vaughan, literally just before the helicopter crash that claimed his life. Although tragic, it is almost poetically fitting.

4. YYZ - Rush



Archer/Krieger jokes aside, Neil Peart really does stand alone. This is kind of a newer addition to this list for me. The reason why it is here (aside from easily being the best drum solo of all time. Oh and the bass is pretty sick too) is because recently one afternoon at work we were having an argument over who is the best drummer of all time. Now why this is important was that it was a discussion among friends, and in particular among new friends whom I'd met recently. Now this song reminds me that you can always find new friends if you want. That there are lots of really cool people out there, and as long as you don't judge (one of the guys I was arguing with is a well meaning although strange guy that loves golf and video games and not much else) you can have some pretty awesome discussions. So always try to have an open mind about people.

5. Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix



Ah yes, as promised the brief exploration into who is the best guitarist of all time. First of all, this is Voodoo Chile, not Voodoo Child, no slight return, Voodoo CHILE, there is a very important distinction here.

Now when I was younger, I had always heard people say that Jimi Hendrix is the best guitar player of all time. I never really understood it, I had no trouble believing it, but I never really understood it. This song completely changed that. It exploded my brainspace. It also helped that the first time I listened to this song was on vinyl, but that is a little beside the point. But the way Jimi can almost just make sounds, like not necessarily traditional scales, but just sounds, and it sounds really cool. Along with the driving bass line, I have literally thought that I was being put under a voodoo curse by this song.

To me this song represents what music could, and should be. An exploration of what music is, and what music could be. I would argue that Jimi Hendrix is not only the best guitarist of all time, but possibly one of the best MUSICIANS of all time. He pushed the envelope, he innovated, he explored sound and what was possible. I think the world would be a way better place if we all did this more often in all aspects of our lives.

6. Thugz Mansion - Tupac (Nas acoustic version)



Wait a minute, I thought this was a list of classic rock songs, why is Tupac here? Well number one, screw you, I am a man of varying tastes sir! And number two, c'mon, it's Tupac. This song is very special to me. Whenever I am angry I listen to this song. It reminds me that not only are there people that have it way worse than me, but those people have hope too. Those people also long for better things, better places, and better lives. Life isn't as bad as I think it is, whatever I am angry about is small. This song never fails to calm me down, to make me feel better. This song will always be a part of me.

7. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley



This song kind of goes with the Tupac song above. Above all else I love the message of this song. Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is going to be all right. There are so many things to worry about in this life, and if we worry about all of them what type of life is that? I really think that this song is almost an instructional tape on how to be happy. How to carry on in the spirit of Bob.

I was recently fortunate enough to get to travel to Jamaica. It is really paradise. One of the most beautiful places that I have ever been. Everything there was amazing, the food, the music, the people. When you are in paradise, you have to appreciate where you are and the beauty around you. As much as there is poverty in Jamaica, as much as they have been repressed as a people, and the history of the island, I think that this song really embodies the spirit of Jamaica, and I think that at least the Jamaicans that I met did appreciate the beauty of their island, I think we could all use more of this spirit.

8. Turn the Page - Metallica



This one was a difficult choice for me. I almost chose Children of the Damned by Iron Maiden because, well, Bruce Dickinson's vocals are freaking incredible on that track. However, I realized what I was trying to convey with Children of the Damned and with this Metallica version of Bob Seger's Turn the Page: both songs make me feel like a bad ass.

The reason I chose Metallica? It was a muggy Calgary afternoon in the middle of July. I was in Calgary as a co-op student and was heading home at the end of the day. As I was walking from the bus stop, it started pouring. And I mean POURING, thunderbolts and lightning (very very frightening) and the whole bit. I didn't have an umbrella, or a jacket for that matter, but this song came on my iPod and I walked, nay strolled, down the street getting soaked with my head up feeling like a complete bad ass. Now every time I hear this song, I remember that moment and feel like a bad ass all over again.

9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles



Oh here come the feels.And yes, Mr. Clapton is making his third appearance on this list, I told you I was a fan ok? It's not just this version, EC does the guitar on the original version as well, I just couldn't seem to find the original version. But why this song is special to me, is how much sorrow there is, both in George Harrison's vocals, but for me especially in Eric's guitar. It expresses so much sadness, so much emotion and touches me so deep that honestly it does bring tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Legit, I can't hear this song in public haha.

I will always remember, my grandmother was incredibly sick and I had taken time off work to be with her. I remember getting the call that she had passed, that someone was coming to pick me up to go to the hospital to say goodbye. I got in the car and this song immediately came on the radio. I balled my eyes out. This song is special.

10. Hallelujah - KD Lang



I know what you are thinking "Nick we were with you on Tupac, but KD Lang?". Well number one, you are wrong, plus this is a Leonard Cohen song originally so it still kinda fits in. And number two, honestly this is another song that makes me ball my eyes out, especially this version. KD puts so much emotion into every note, every phrase, every breath. Honestly one of the most beautiful versions of one of the most beautiful songs ever.

Again, for this song, I was in Calgary, my Grandpa was very sick and I had just got the call that he had passed. I was sitting watching the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics and this song came on, and I broke down. There is so much emotion here, it's really hard not to. Even to this day it brings a tear to my eyes.

Oh man, now that I am done crying, it is time to listen to Children of the Damned and feel like a bad ass again!

What are some songs that are special to you? How has music touched your life? Share below!