Over my dead body 5/17

These are the 10 songs Brad Graham of Cape Girardeau wouldn't want to live without:

1. "Heart of the Matter" -- The Eagles

"Heart of the Matter" speaks of patience, understanding and forgiveness. Some days it is difficult to view life in "the light of understanding," and this songs shines a very bright light on the subject for me.

2. "Fortunate Son" -- Credence Clearwater Revival

This song is about the "irregularities" that existed between the haves and the have-nots during the Vietnam War-era draft. It's one of those "you had to be there" type of songs for me. Hard to explain.

3. "All Along the Watchtower" -- Bob Dylan

Written by Dylan and recorded by Jimi Hendrix, this song reflects the emotions and concern we all had for the state of our world in the 1960s. The lyrics are as applicable today as they were then.

4. "Layla" -- Derek and the Dominoes

In my opinion, one of the greatest rock 'n' roll love songs ever written. Eric Clapton has always been a great musician and songwriter, but the emotion, energy and desire in this song have very rarely been equaled, let alone surpassed.

5. "Whole Lotta Love" -- Led Zeppelin

This is my definition of power rock 'n' roll. Monster guitar and vocal effects that inspired those of us who were aspiring musicians at the time. I had never heard anything like Led Zeppelin and have not heard any other group to date that can even come close to creating the same powerful music.

6. "Sgt. Pepper" -- The Beatles

This whole album remains a groundbreaking musical achievement.

7. "Tell the Truth" -- Derek and the Dominoes

A great rhythm and blues power song sung by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock. I have always liked the song for the vocal duo and the unequaled slide work of Duane Allman.

8. "Johnny B. Goode" -- Chuck Berry

This for me is the original rock 'n' roll guitar player's song. Written about a guitar player by a guitar player, the guitar breaks and "go Johnny, go-go-go" chorus are as energetic as in any back-beat rock 'n' roll song ever written.

9. "Hotel California" -- The Eagles

This has always been one of my favorites because of the incredibly picturesque lyrics and Latin influence of the music. There are few songs with the "word pictures" contained in "Hotel California."

10. "Two Trains" -- Little Feat

With Lowell George on slide guitar and vocals, this is a syncopated story of surviving the choices we make in life. Some choices are difficult, but we do manage somehow to survive change. "Two trains runnin' on that line/One train is my friend, the other's a friend of mine/You know it would be all right, be just fine/One take the one train, leave the other behind."

SEND US YOUR LIST

The Southeast Missourian wants to publish your list of the 10 songs you could not live without. Please include a short explanation of each title's importance, your name and a daytime phone number. E-mail your list to sblackwell@semissourian.com, or mail it to: Sam Blackwell, Southeast Missourian, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701