Rockin'-est song of all time?

Steve Hyden of the Onion's AV Club just posted his choice for the Most Rockin' Song of All Time.

His choice? Ramble Tamble by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

It's kind of funny he chose a CCR song, as I've often thought of them as perhaps the purest rock band of all time. And he managed to choose a song I'd never heard, and yes, it rocks.

But it's not the rockin'-est song of all time.

First, let's look at the criteria he's used...

1) It came out between 1955 and 1980
2) It has to be bluesy, but not too bluesy
3) It can’t be a classic rock radio staple
4) It must make you drive at least 10 mph faster within the first 60 seconds and/or make doing the dishes fun.
5) You know it when you hear it.

I disagree with criterea 1 and 3. There's no reason to exclude post 1980 music... "Born in the U.S.A.," "Sunday Bloody Sunday," and "Rock This Town," and everything by AC/DC deserve to be considered, and even newer songs, like "Cold Hard Bitch" by Jet, are pretty straightforward rock songs. And I see no reason why a popular song can't be the rockin'-est ever.

I have no problem with the other 3 criterea, although I don't know about driving faster, but it should make driving fun. I agree that the purest rock is somewhat bluesy, and, while the phrase is pretty empty, sure, you know it when you hear it.

I'm adding 3 criterea...

1) The song has to clock in at under 5:30. The purest rock is concise. This, incidentally, would disqualify Ramble Tamble.
2) At it's base, it's gotta be electric guitar, bass, and drums. Keyboards are acceptable. A stray instrument is ok, like the cowbell of "Honky Tonk Woman" or a Neil Young-esque harmonica, but not much more.
3) The song has to have a confident, perhaps even cocky attitude. One of the first songs that came to mind for me was "Don't Do Me Like That" by Tom Petty, but the lyrics are all about being scorned, perhaps even a little whiny... so that's not the ticket.

So the verdict is...

I don't know. I'm working on it. I'll get back to you on it. A few nominees though, from which I may or may not choose....

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2. Although asking "How long must we sing this song" isn't really the right attitude, I don't think.

"Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop.

"My Generation" by The Who.

"Rock and Roll" by Led Zeppelin.

"Fortunate Son" or "Travelin' Band" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

"You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC.

Thoughts?

American Gladiators

It's coming back. Seriously.

NFL Preview 2007

So, after posting every weekday for two weeks, which is alot for me, I was kind of taking a break from blogging. I was thinking I wanted to get around to my promised post on my most anticipated movies of the fall, but I'm thinking that can wait until the weekend.

And then I realize.... Oh crap! It's Wednesday, and the NFL season starts tomorrow! And, I have a weird impulse to always get my predictions on record before the season starts. So here we go.



I'm not good at predicting the NFL. Let's get that out there right away. Here are my predictions from last year. I'm sure you all enjoyed that Bengals-Giants Super Bowl, but the point still remains.... I know jack shit about the NFL.

Granted, I posted my revised predictions halfway through the year, and accurately predicted a Colts-Bears Super Bowl. I had the Bears winning it, though.

Maybe I'm being hard on myself, the NFL is probably the hardest league to predict. This decade, the Rams, Ravens, Patriots (the first time), Bucaneers, and Steelers have all been pretty surprising, rarely predicted, Super Bowl champs.

On to this year...

NFC WEST

1. San Francisco
2. St. Louis
3. Seattle
4. Arizona

This might be my only prediction that really goes out on a limb... Everyone's picking the Seahawks, my most least favorite team in the NFL. So maybe this is wishful thinking. But I really don't think they're that great anymore. And I think my Rams are somewhat underrated, and the 49ers are VERY underrated.

NFC SOUTH

1. New Orleans
2. Carolina
3. Tampa Bay
4. Atlanta

You know how the Saints were supposedly inspired by the aftermath of Katrina in their amazing season last year? Um, I don't think Michael Vick's dogfights will have the same effect on the Falcons.

NFC NORTH

1. Chicago
2. Detroit
3. Minnesota
4. Green Bay

Bonus prediction.... Favre's consecutive games played streak ends this year.

NFC EAST

1. Dallas
2. New York Giants
3. Washington
4. Philadelphia

Unlike last year, I won't be predicting the Giants to go to the Super Bowl this year. Fine. Eli is no Peyton. I get it.

NFC Playoffs: San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago and Dallas win the divisions, St. Louis and Carolina get the Wild Cards

AFC WEST

1. San Diego
2. Kansas City
3. Denver
4. Oakland

You can stop LaDanian Tomlinson, you can only contain the cliches people speak about him.

AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis
2. Tennessee
3. Jacksonville
4. Houston

You know who else is no Peyton? Vince Young. At least not yet.

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore
2. Cincinnati
3. Pittsburgh
4. Cleveland

Sorry, my Ravens fan friends, but I probably just jinxed your team.

1. New England
2. Miami
3. Buffalo
4. New York Jets

Someone's gotta pick someone besides the Patriots to win this division, right? Well, yeah, but it's not gonna be me.

AFC Playoffs: San Diego, Indianapolis, Baltimore and New England win the divisions, Tennessee and Cincinnati get the Wild Cards

Someone's gotta pick someone besides the Patriot to win the AFC, right? Ok, fine. I'll do it.

Super Bowl: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

Everyone seems to think New England is by far the favorites this year. I still think the Colts are better.

NFL Champions: The New Orleans Saints

And the Saints are even better than the Colts.

Bookmark this page now, you'll want to make fun of me by mid-November.