Indisputably one of the most famous songs of Pink Floyd and in the history of music, Another Brick in the Wall was written by Roger Waters and released late in 1979 as part of the famous album, The Wall. The song is actually broken into three sections that are called Another Brick in the Wall I, II, and III, as well as being titled Reminiscing, Education, and Drugs (you can download music of all three parts together with track being 8 1/2 minutes long, or just part II which is 4 minutes long). Those fans who have seen the movie that Waters’ created, also called The Wall, are familiar with the dark implications that he intended with the song.

If you’ve never seen the movie or paid attention to the lyrics of Part II or Education (the most well known part), it is more or less a protest song against the systematic ways of modern society, more specifically the educational system in developed countries like the UK (the band’s birthplace) and the US. Roger Waters claims that attending boarding school during the 1950s was horrendous and near torturous, with teachers who were more concerned with discipline than education.

In his interview with Mojo magazine, Waters stated:

You couldn’t find anybody in the world more pro-education than me. But the education I went through in boys’ grammar school in the ’50s was very controlling and demanded rebellion. The teachers were weak and therefore easy targets. The song is meant to be a rebellion against errant government, against people who have power over you, who are wrong. Then it absolutely demanded that you rebel against that.

Anyone who’s gone through any systematic upbringing, in any education system, or has worked in any corporate job, or felt the wrath of unjust governmental policies, laws, or corrupt politicians, knows what Waters is referring to. So stand up against the wrong, refuse to conform, because after all…

We don’t need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it’s just another brick in the wall.
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.

Here is the video of Pink Floyd taken from the movie The Wall:

As with almost every song ever written and sang, the meaning can be interpreted different ways for different people. To some, the song Losing My Religion, off the album Out of Time by the alternative band R.E.M., represents a religiously confused state or situation, perhaps questioning. To others, and according to the band, the song has no religious implication but is rather about an obsession with someone. The phrase “losing my religion” is similar to saying “going mad” or “losing my mind”. However, the music video shows several religious innuendos. In an interview, Michael Stipe was quoted comparing the song to Every Breath You Take by Sting and The Police:

It’s just a classic obsession pop song. I’ve always felt the best kinds of songs are the ones where anybody can listen to it, put themselves in it and say, ‘Yeah, that’s me’.

Controversy has always increased the performance and acceptance of songs across the music industry, like Madonna’s music video for Like A Prayer, and R.E.M.’s 1991 smash is probably no exclusion. In fact, lead singer Michael Stipe admitted the success of the song was nearly uncanny. Since when did simple chords and a mandolin sweep the nation as a billboard topper? Even more controversy would spark from rumors of the songs alleged hidden implications of homosexuality, and other criticism of atheism. How many of the famous controversial songs do you have in your music downloads folder?

Regardless of the different outcries from various interpretations, the song was a massive success and celebrated hit. At the 1992 Grammy Awards it would claim the title for both “Best Music Video- Short Form” and “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal”.  At the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards, it was nominated for nine and won six including “Video of the Year” and “Best Art Direction”.

Blender and Rolling Stone both include the track on their top 500 songs of all time lists, at position #79 and #169 respectively. Although R.E.M. released fourteen albums since their formation in 1980, Losing My Religion (as well as Everybody Hurts) is undoubtedly their most successful and timeless.

Check out the original video of R.E.M. with the song Losing My Religion from 1991:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwUZVkKfE70&feature=related

My favorite parts of the lyrics:

Oh, life is bigger
It’s bigger than you
And you are not me
The lengths that I will go to
The distance in your eyes
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I set it up
That’s me in the corner
That’s me in the spotlight, I’m
Losing my religion
Trying to keep up with you
And I don’t know if I can do it
Oh no, I’ve said too much
I haven’t said enough
I thought that I heard you laughing
I thought that I heard you sing
I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper
Of every waking hour I’m
Choosing my confessions
Trying to keep an eye on you
Like a hurt lost and blinded fool, fool
Oh no, I’ve said too much

Early in 1987, Bono and the members of U2 would release a legendary song called I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. The group has released countless classics over their 35 years of existence, but this track may be one of the most popular.

The year of its release, it would reach the top of the Billboard charts in America and Ireland (their home country) as well as respectful placements on charts around the world. It’s included in almost every “greatest songs of all times” lists, including The Rolling Stone Magazine and Blender, as well as being in numerous movies. It’s by far one of my favorite songs in my music download collection.

Many people have different explanations to the meaning behind the song’s lyrics. With a religious upbringing of Anglican and Catholic influences in Ireland, many portray the song with references to salvation and holy affirmation. The band has indeed claimed that it is regarding a “spiritual yearning”, something that people go their whole lives trying to conquer. I think this is most evident in the last verse, when Bono sings:

I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes I’m still running

You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Oh my shame
You know I believe it

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

Yet the entirety of the song could take on a different meaning for other people. Most artists appreciate when people take a song and apply it to their personal lives, whether or not it is the same meaning or interpretation. Many people think the song is regarding a lover, a soul mate, which is conveyed in the verse:

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like a fire
This burning desire

Whichever way people would like to appreciate the song, it’s indisputably a beautiful piece of music that has been cherished by millions for the last 23 years, and will continue to do so for all time.

For your convenience, I’ve included the lyrics of the entire song.

I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like a fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
But yes I’m still running

You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Oh my shame
You know I believe it

But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

Here is the video of the song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2:

In 1971, an English rock band by the name of Led Zeppelin released a single called Stairway To Heaven. It wasn’t intended to be a single for promoting their album, but once audiences heard the track for the first time it quickly became their most popular hit. It premiered on smaller EPs at first to promote their upcoming album and later would premiere to the world on their fourth studio album, Led Zeppelin IV. You can download free music from Led Zeppelin including Stairway To Heaven right here.

Originally composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant, the song was cut from its original duration of eleven minutes down to eight. Upon first listen, you’d guess it was a soothing ballad from the band. Though in its duration there are many peaks in which the song becomes more of a story than anything else. Somber moments are carried with a flute while the more intense rock parts are amplified by Jimmy Page’s guitar work and some orchestration accompanying the melody.

There was some controversy surrounding the inspiration for the song as it sounds quite similar to a song called Taurus by a band called Spirit. The real reasoning behind this is that Zeppelin toured with Spirit – so it is very possible that Zeppelin after hearing the song just took certain parts from it to construct Stairway to Heaven. It hasn’t been under much scrutiny however considering the only similar part is the guitar part right in the beginning. That, and Zeppelin have had many other hits establishing themselves as rock and roll legends.

Personally as a musician, Stairway To Heaven is known to guitar players as a gateway into playing the instrument on another level. Usually if a player is getting lessons, this is the song that teaches them different techniques, placements, tempo changes, and chord progressions the best. Its length combined with its variety of styles is the perfect final exam for a guitarist. Jimmy Page is, truly, one of the greats.

Below is a video by Led Zeppelin performing the song Stairway to Heaven:

Many people believe that Alison debuted on My Aim Is True, which arguably was Elvis Costello’s most reputable album. Turns out that the truth is Elvis must have known the songs catchy nature and released it as a single prior. This was popular to do back then as it got plenty of hype for the entire album, added more value to collectors, and most importantly–there was no internet.

Alison tells the story of regret and a missed opportunity as Costello remembers his time with a girl, Allison, while they were together. The song speaks of their past briefly before focusing more on Alison and her actions, including her dating one of his friends and ultimately getting married and having a few kids. Its conclusion is that though they’ve missed their shot, Costello and his intentions were admirable. The album that included this track is dubbed My Aim Is True, which comes directly from the song Allison. Everyone could relate, and did, making the song triumph past all the rest of his free music.

There was some controversy surrounding the song as the line “My aim is true” had some people thinking it was a reference to murder. Since the song is about a missed opportunity, it could be skewed to believe Elvis Costello was obsessing rather than just reminiscing; though Costello has told time and time again it has nothing to do with murder. In fact, he refuses to explain who Allison actually is, so it’s up for speculation as to whether she exists at all.

Either way this song helped ignite Costello’s career and pushed him to the front of the pack in the late 1970’s. Those familiar with Buddy Holly consistently compare the two as their composition is very similar while maintaining the same visual presence. This song, whether it’s true or not, let people connect to the performer on a whole other level. Past the flower power era, this was an honest interpretation of a relationship under fire and then torn asunder.

Below is a video of Elvis Costello playing his song Alison live at Woodstock 99′:

The R&B singer, Aretha Franklin earned herself the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ following the release of Respect. The song which is now listed as 5^th on the Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, was Aretha’s first number one hit. Although the song is a cover version of the track previously performed by Otis Redding, Respect is known to be Franklin’s signature song.

Respect was originally featured on Aretha Franklin’s album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, but was released as a single shortly after, owing to its popularity. It has received two Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female. Additionally, it has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is listed in the Songs of the Century. If you haven’t yet heard the single, you should definitely grab a music download of the track.

Otis Redding’s recording in 1965 saw great success, however it was Aretha Franklin’s cover version that received unanimous and increased popularity amongst audiences, climbing to number one on both the Billboard Pop Singles Chart and the Billboard Black Singles Chart. The original recording by Redding, told of a man who beseeches for acceptance and respect from a woman. Franklin however, reversed the words to speak of a woman who appealed of her desire to be respected, honored and recognized by her man. As quoted from a Jesvs Christvs music blog, Redding had “a pretty good version, but Aretha’s one is just an untouchable classic gem”.

There have been many other cover versions of the song by bands including The Rationals, Janis Joplin and Ike and Tina Turner, however none of these have soared as high in popularity as did Aretha Franklin’s. It was this song that allowed for Aretha to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Till this day, Respect still receives continual play on certain radio stations.

Check out this live version of Aretha Franklin singing Respect:

The songwriter and pianist is considered to be a legendary singer, being ranked Number 1 on the Rolling Stone’s magazine, The Greatest Singers of All Time. As quoted from Brooklyn Paper, “What voice in American music is more powerful, more soulful, more joyful than Aretha Franklin’s?” She is considered to be

“one of the most important representatives of SOULmusic. She defined a style associated with Ray Charles—a rousing mixture of gospel and rhythm and blues—and raised it to new heights”. Source: MusicRoom

Aretha Franklin is also known for her charity work, having played at a concert earlier this year in order to raise money for urban children and awareness for music and the arts. Source: The Associated Press. Aretha was also set to sing at two free concerts in Brooklyn in August 2010, however she was forced to cancel the show after breaking a couple of her ribs after falling in her home.

Rising from the ashes, came a young boy with a great art for music. Chuck Berry, a renowned American guitarist, singer and songwriter recorded one of the most popular songs of all time, Johnny B. Goode. Listed as number 8 on the billboard pop chart, Johnny B. Goode is not only considered as one of Chuck Berry’s most important songs, but probably his most famous. It has become one of the most enduring classics and is definitely known to be his signature song.

Johnny  B. Goode is a rock & roll version of the ‘American Dream’, depicting a poor and underprivileged boy who aspires for stardom. A talented guitar boy who’s not deterred by anything, constantly plays the guitar by the railroad track ‘strumming to the rhythm that the drivers made’. This song which portrays the message of hope, has been acknowledged by Berry himself as being autobiographical. The country boy is in essence a depiction of Berry himself as he climbed the ladder to stardom. In clearer reference to Berry, the original words of the song were ‘colored boy’, however Berry was required to change them to ‘country boy’ in order to ensure radio play. It is said that the track name, Johnny B. Goode was chosen as Berry lived in a street in St. Louis called Goode Avenue.

He use to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
And sit beneath the trees by the railroad track.
Oh, the engineers used to see him sitting in the shade,
Strumming to the rhythm that the drivers made.
People passing by would stop and say
Oh my that little country boy could play

The song which features Willie Dixon on bass, Fred Below on the drums, Lafayette Leake on the piano and Chuck Berry as the vocalist and guitarist, is said to have been inspired by Johnnie Johnson, a colleague of Berry. Also influenced by the influential R&B singer Louis Jordan, Berry’s guitar intro for Johnny. B Goode was adapted from Jordan’s song Ain’t That Just Like A Woman. It seems to me as though Johnny B. Goode was a song created not only from the influences in Berry’s own life, but a song produced from the many outside influences in Chuck Berry’s life!

Johnny B. Goode was received with such ovation, that it was followed by two more songs about Johnny, Bye Bye Johnny, which tells the story of Johnny as a grown man, and Go Go Go. Johnny B. Goode also became the cover song for 25 other artists including the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Prince, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Sex Pistols. If you haven’t yet heard this infamous song, why not check out this free music download?

It is believed that the song was well received because of the cultural role it played. Prior to its release, no song had ever delved into or touched upon the ‘American Dream’. Audiences loved the song so much that Chuck Berry has performed some great duets on Johnny B. Goode.

“With Johnny B. Goode, Berry stroke a chord of hope for the people of the world, creating a new thread to the themes that can be addressed by the music repertoire… The message of hope was identified and understood by many, making Johnny B. Goode an pop icon that has since been utilized by the media to represent not only the essence of rock n’ roll, but also the attainable opportunities behind U.S.A.’s famous dictum”. [Guitarist Info]

The song received many honours, being listed number 7 on the Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and FIRST on the Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. It was also featured in the 1985 film, Back To The Future. The song which was placed FIRST on the R&B charts was rated number 12 on Guitar World’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Solos. Johnny B. Goode has also been included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock n Roll. Additionally, the song has been used in the presidential campaigns of candidates John Kerry and John McCain.

Also known as the Father of Rock and Roll, “Chuck Berry was the first person to make the English language into a poetry of Rock and Roll…He created the role of guitar hero. He created the first signature stage moves of rock and roll” [RockNRoll]. In comparison to other artists of the Rock and Roll genre, “none is important in the development of the music of Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest interpreters”. [Piano Music] The focus of his music on teen life definitely had an influence on his audiences.

Chuck Berry, now in his eighties, still plays once a month in a club, Blue Berry Hill. He had an interest in music from a very young age, giving his first public performance at Sumner high School. His insistence on being paid cash for his countless concerts at which he performed, landed him up serving a jail sentence and community service for his evasion of tax.

Born To Run made history for Bruce Springsteen, bringing him to stardom, upon its release in 1975. Having previously released two unsuccessful albums, Born To Run was Springsteen’s last attempt in making it big in the music world, and he sure was successful. The song, which is placed number 21 in the Rolling Stones magazine of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, also became cover stories in both the Time and Newsweek magazines [Biography].

Born To Run, which features Ernest Carter on the drums and David Sancious on the keyboard, was written and sung by Bruce Springsteen, an American songwriter, singer and musician. The poetic lyrics truly do give a nice taste to Born To Run, a love song written in the first person to a girl named Wendy. The songs deals with the struggles in our everyday life and shows us that when we work hard, our efforts pay off and it becomes truly worth it. “Springsteen makes mesmerizing rock out of an inner conviction that almost everything is interesting, even fascinating” [The Quietus]. If you haven’t yet heard the song, be sure to listen to this free music download.

Here’s a short snippet of the lyrics:

Wendy let me in I wanna be your friend
I want to guard your dreams and visions…

We’ll run till we drop, baby we’ll never go back
Will you walk with me out on the wire
`cause baby I’m just a scared and lonely rider

It’s quite evident from the lyrics that the persona has a passionate love for the young Wendy and wishes to stay with her forever. The great warmth he feels when he’s together with her surges through his body like a speeding comet. The two are aware that they are about to step out into a world in which they must fend for themselves. They are fearful and are not sure if they have the courage to venture out into the big world for the first time. On the other hand, they are also very excited that they have the opportunity to leave the life they’ve lived for so long to start anew. The persona seems to know that Wendy wants to leave this world and is therefore ready to flee with her because he desires that all of Wendy’s wishes come true during this time and does not want for even one of her dreams or visions to be dashed.

Pretty much a loner in school, Springsteen’s ostracism as a kid has been paid off from all the popularity he has received since his hit, Born To Run. As a young boy of 13, he acquired for himself an $18 guitar and constantly played it, until 3 years later when his mother bought him another guitar for $60. His mothers acknowledgment of his talent must truly have had a great influence on him as now “Springsteen excels in writing epic stories, with evocative, often poetic lyrics. And as he’s proven over the years he can turn those stories into incredible songs with almost any band behind him”. [Wordpress]

The song which reached number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, has received many other honors and is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. It also became named New Jersey’s “Unofficial Youth Rock Anthem” by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1979. The song, which was Bruce Springsteen’s first worldwide successful single release, has been released in live versions on 5 albums/DVDs, having also been played at nearly every non-solo Springsteen concert since its release.

Loved by many, Springsteen has got a “unique gritty voice that works in a dirty rock kind of way” [1001 Albums]. “He was a guy that used synthesizers, who embraced the trademark sound of the ’80s, but kept it real” [Consequence of Sound].

Certified Gold and Platinum, Michael Jackson’s Thriller is definitely one of the most popular songs of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Released in 1984 by Epic Records, the original Thriller was the seventh single from Jackson’s sixth studio album, Thriller. The “song itself which is considered to be one of Jackson’s signature songs” was written by Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones.

The track drew extensive attention which largely increased with the release of its highly successful music video, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The song incorporates numerous sound effects which bring out the frightening elements in the music video including thunder, howling dogs, a creaking door and feet walking on wooden planks. The trepidation is accentuated through the combination of instruments used: trumpet, flute, synthesizer, trombone, flugelhorn, guitar. The music video did receive some criticism, nevertheless it was still nominated for six MTV Video Music awards owing to its heightened popularity. Thriller “was also the first production of the Hollywood movie style video that made him [Michael Jackson] famous and took the Thriller album to over 45 million copies sold world-wide”. Source: MusicCouch. According to songfacts, the song “started the trend of group dance scenes in pop videos, and was named the #1 video of all time in the VH1 100 Greatest Videos countdown”.

Below is a video of Thriller by Michael Jackson:

Originally titled ‘Starlight’, Thriller appears on multiple of Jackson’s albums including HIStory, This Is It, Number Ones, Thriller 25 Deluxe Edition and Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection all of which are available as free music downloads. The song was performed numerous times while Jackson was on tour including, the Bad World Tour, DangerousTour and HIStory World Tour. When singing Thriller, Jackson wore an “all famous Red jacket and red trousers which has become iconic with the star.” (source: MusicUpdates)

Michael Jackson’s private life began to control his public figure in 1993 when he was allegedly accused of molesting a 13 year old boy. He tried to build up his career again to its original state, however he was once again looked down upon in 2002 when he draped a towel over his baby child and dangled him over the balcony.

Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009 suffering from a cardiac arrest. He had been in middle of preparing for his upcoming concerts This Is It. The week of Jackson’s death saw an increase in Jackson fans with Thriller selling over 167 000 copies in the US.