Tune in, music fans! It's time now for a fun game involving music. My friend Cameron assigned me the letter H, and I will proceed to list ten songs beginning with the letter H, momentarily. If you'd like to play along, let me know in a comment and I'll assign you a letter.
Here I go, then, on the quest of the musical H-ness.
1. Hey You - Pink Floyd
I'm a Pink Floyd fanatic, and am one of those that finds just about every song they've ever made to be utterly brilliant. "Hey You" of course is among my favorites. Every time I hear it, I get chills down my spine as I listen to the rhythm and the lyrics. It's a cry for help I feel many of us have experienced, at some point in our lives, and am always fascinated by how our perceptions change over time, giving the lyrics more and newer meaning. (Read the lyrics here.)
2. Hello Again - Lostprophets; Neil Diamond
Both Lostprophets and Neil Diamond do a song called "Hello Again," so I figured I'd only count it as one song, even though they're both completely different songs. Lostprophets are one of my favorite bands of all time, and this song truly explains why. Excellent musicianship meets powerful lyrics and strong melody. The song is about starting over, and I like the idea that no matter where we are in life, there's more places we can go and more things we can do. "Just say when, and you'll stop the pain of your life, bring it to an end; Just say when, and you could make amends; Just say hello, say hello again". (Read the full lyrics here.)
Neil Diamond's song is about friendship. Or something like that. It's got piano, and Neil sings beautifully, of course. This song is featured in the classic comedy film Saving Silverman. (Read the lyrics here.)
3. Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
Classic tune of my own generation. I love the peppy beat and the lyrics are good. I don't read too much into the song, but take it as more of a "live for the moment" kind of tune. It's good stuff. (Ready the lyrics here.)
4. Hollow Years - Dream Theater
Dream Theater is one of the most amazing bounds I've ever heard. This song is just another that epitomizes their brilliance: profound lyrics and astounding musicality. "Once the stone you're crawling under, has lifted off your shoulders; once the cloud that's raining over your head disappears, the noise that you'll hear is the crashing down of hollow years." I can't do justice describing this song any further. It's one of those that mesmerizes me when I listen to it. (Read the lyrics here.)
5. Home From Home - Millencolin
Swedish punk rockers Millencolin were one of the bands I got into when I first got into punk rock. I like this song for its pace, and of course for the ideas of home presented within the lyrics. It's good stuff. (Read the lyrics here.)
6. Hotel California - The Eagles
No H list would be complete without this song. Classic rock champions the Eagles rock the world with this masterpiece. Cool and unusual lyrics meet incredible riffs, putting together a winning combination that everyone must sing along to. (Read the lyrics here.)
7. Hanukkah Song - Adam Sandler
"Put on your yalmulka, here comes Hanukkah." Does it get any better than that? A tasteful and fun look at celebrities who are Jewish from none other than actor and Saturday Night Live star Adam Sandler. (Read the lyrics here.)
8. Halfway Decent - Audio Karate
Quasi-punk group Audio Karate rocks out with this song, a catchy and fun song to listen to. I like this song because it reminds me to keep hope, and to keep on keeping on. If that makes any sense. Let's just leave it there, and I'll end by noting that it's a great song. (Check out the lyrics here.)
9. Heavy Metal Drummer - Wilco
Yet another catchy tune. Every time I hear this song, I have to turn up the sound and sing along. It's a fairly reminiscent song, when you think about it, but one that's always fun. (Lyrics are here.)
10. Home - Breaking Benjamin
Alternative power house Breaking Benjamin sings the story of Dorothy, a girl who wanders down a certain yellow brick road. That's right. Directly off their debut album, these guys take on The Wizard of Oz. It's a really great song, and the way the lyric are written is really cool. I highly recommend checking them out here.
So there you have it, my list of ten H songs. I hope I lived up to the challenge.