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| Highway to Hell |
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| Turn it up to Eleven |
1. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
The intro on this tune sends shivers down my spine. The organ, the guitars, the drums; you know something good is going to assail your ears. The lyrics can only truly be appreciated by those with a few decades under their belts and have lived through boom and bust, incessant conflicts and the ever naive optimism of the next generation who believe that they can change the world and make things better. Roger Daltry, Pete Townsend, John Entwistle and the enigma that was Keith Moon - The Who, one of the best things to emerge from 60's Britain.
2. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along the Watchtower
When people think of Jimi Hendrix, they often forget that his fame started with the formation of his band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The trio consisted not only of the left-handed genius guitarist Jimi Hendrix, but had Noel Redding on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. Other bands, such as The Police and The Jam, have followed the three piece setup, but, in my opinion, nothing will ever beat The Jimi Hendrix Experience as the archetypal three piece combo.. Written by Bob Dylan, this is the definitive version of All Along the Watchtower, although I would recommend listening to the quirky XTC version and that produced by The Fratellis.3. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
I like most everything produced by the band fronted by another guitar genius, Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits are not everyone's cup of tea, but the guitar playing style of the band's frontman, so different to how others play the instrument, gives the band its distinctive sound. When, in the summer of 1985, Live Aid was the phenomenon that threatened to wake the world up to the greed of the few over the plight of the myriad of the Earth's poor and needy (it failed, but that's another story), Dire Straits was one of the bands I wanted to see and they didn't fail to deliver. I would recommend watching their Live Aid set on Youtube.4. The Temptations - Papa was a Rollin' Stone
Originally written for and performed by The Undisputed Truth, the version of Papa was a Rollin' Stone most people will know is that by The Temptations.The bass rift introduction is immediately recognisable and lets the listener know that one of the best groups to produce records for the Motown label is about to entertain them for the next 6:54 to 12:02 minutes, depending on whether they are playing the single or album version. I was torn between this song or Ball of Confusion for The Temptations, but this song came out on top.5. Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
No top ten list should be without the one entertainer whom nearly everyone in the civilised world and beyond has heard of. Elvis Presley, along with Muhammed Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, et al, is one of the iconic celebrities of the 20th century. From including him in this top ten list, the next choice, i.e. which of his songs to include, was extremely difficult to make. From the songs above, you can probably tell that I like songs that have a social message, so In the Ghetto is a favourite, but, going with the definition of "Turn it up to Eleven", Suspicious Minds is my favourite Elvis track to perform in that hot, summer traffic jam and then I am one with the consummate performer.
6. U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday
Live Aid in the summer of 1985 was a defining moment for many people. For U2, already successful in their own right, it propelled the Irish band into the realms of superstardom. Many bands have a few decent hit songs and then fade into obscurity when life's other pressures take over. Some manage longevity by producing hit after hit by their exploration of new styles and innovations, and U2, has been one of those bands. The intro to the song, the distinctive drum beat, leads the listener into a story of social deprivation and lost hope and, although one of the bands earliest hit singles, it remains one of their signature songs.7. The Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK
One Saturday, at the end of an early shift, I was sat in the office compiling my shift's performance figures. with the radio gently playing BBC Wiltshire in the background. Anarchy in the UK by The Sex Pistols came on and it immediately got cranked up to eleven, prompting some of my staff to wonder at my sanity and the younger ones to ask what the song was. Only the best punk anthem ever was my reply. Enough said.
8. The Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the Devil
Another product of the 60's that has stood the test of time, The Rolling Stones were to The Who what Blur was to Oasis in the 90's. Whilst Gimme Shelter is a favourite of mine, I prefer the version by Grand Funk Railroad. Therefore, and probably following the pattern of songs with a social message, Sympathy for the Devil, has to be in my top ten "Turn it up to Eleven" list. For an excellent alternative version of this song, try that produced by Guns N Roses.9. Slade - Cum on Feel the Noize
Everyone of every generation from the early 70's to now know Slade. Merry Christmas Everybody was, by Noddy Holder's own admission, never meant to be a song to be taken seriously; more an album filler than anything else. Still, Noddy and the rest of the band's bank accounts are topped up every year by the festive royalty cheques dropping on their doormats each Christmas. Prior to their 1973 Christmas number one, Slade released a single earlier in that year which went straight into the number 1 slot in the charts. Cum on Feel the Noize should have you singing along at eleven whether you know the lyrics or not. The Oasis cover version is good, but it's not quite Slade.
10. Joe South - Hush
Hush has been covered by the great and the good over the years. The Kula Shaker version is the one played on most radio stations these days, although the Deep Purple version is popular. However, the song written for and first performed by Billy Joe Royal, is best sung by the writer himself, Joe South. Listen and you decide.
Well, there's my list of "All Time Top Ten - Turn it up to Eleven" tracks. I've omitted many songs and artists that I would crank up to eleven, but the list is for ten and no more. Meatloaf, Queen, The Beatles, Free, Steppenwolf, ELO, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, etc, there'll be room for them on other lists, but just not this one.
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All Time
Top Ten - Turn it up to Eleven
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The Who
Won't Get Fooled Again
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The Jimi Hendrix Experience
All Along the Watchtower
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Dire Straits
Sultans of Swing
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The Temptations
Papa was a Rollin' Stone
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Elvis Presley
Suspicious Minds
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U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday
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The Sex Pistols
Anarchy in the UK
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The Rolling Stones
Sympathy for the Devil
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Slade
Cum on Feel the Noize
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Joe South
Hush
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