It’s supposed to be an easy question, a conversation starter gimme, but “what’s your favorite song of all-time” always requires thought, and I rarely give a truly satisfying answer to the person asking. I’m searching a huge mental database. It’s hard to commit to “of all time” when the answer really changes at least every few months. Also, there’s a top tier inhabited by hundreds of songs that bring roughly the same amount of enjoyment. I have all-time favorites more than a favorite song of all-time.
I really did try to rough out a top 10 for WXPN Philadelphia’s year-end countdown of the 885 Greatest Songs by Women. Voting is open through Nov. 6. The countdown starts Dec. 5 at 8 a.m. WXPN says this year’s theme is a response to previous male-dominated countdowns, but I’m pretty sure that female acts would have been well-represented in my top 10 list in any year, especially given the importance of R&B, dance, and Europop in my own pantheon.
I did rough out about a dozen possible songs for a top 10. “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” by Aretha Franklin is probably No. 1. (It’s also one of the first current hits I ever liked.) It was ahead of “Respect” in 1967, but certainly pulled ahead over the years by dint of not being disproportionately exposed.
The Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go” has been No. 1; this week, it’s in fierce competition with either Diana Ross’ “Upside Down” or the post-Diana Supremes’ “Nathan Jones.” TLC’s “No Scrubs” is always at least top 10, even though it’s at a “Respect”-level of airplay now that ‘90s throwbacks are everywhere. “Respect Yourself” by the Staple Singers has recently emerged as my sometimes No. 1 answer (both female and overall).
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton always seemed like my secret weapon; now, it’s most people’s top Dolly Parton song, despite airplay that hasn’t caught up with its place in pop culture. “Mickey” by Toni Basil (my most provocative choice) has been No. 1 at times. Millie Jackson’s entire Live and Outrageous album was a favorite album for years. Teen Sean would have chosen the “Phuck U Symphony,” but WXPN can’t play that, and it’s hard to reduce that album to one song anyway.
Part of the issue with Top 10 lists is whether to focus on songs that other people have heard of, or that have a chance of placing well on a listener countdown. 1983’s “Mixed Emotions” by Sherry Kean is obscure even at home in Canada, but it really is among the top 10 songs that I keep going back to these days. (It would also place well on any list of favorite guitar solos, especially slightly off-kilter guitar solos.)
At some point, I stopped trying to come up with a top 10 and began working on a Spotify playlist, currently titled The Top 200 or So Songs by Female Acts, This Week Anyway. There are likely unintentional omissions, and there certainly could be more 2K songs. But I’ll probably try to come up with a top 10 list, and it’s undoubtedly easier for you. The playlist is here. Your chance to vote is here.
